Oreo931 3,218 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 I'm doing some research for my manual swap, and there is a lot of conflicting info out there on the two transmissions H vs L. Can someone clear up the differences between the two trannys? Which has longer gears, which has shorter gears? Which will get better hwy gas mileage? etc etc. Thanks in advance. I saw this PDF: http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/S70Specifications1997.pdf ... but it only has the gear ratios for M56 and M56L2... I don't know what those are Link to post Share on other sites
850 LongBeach 867 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 The M56H has a longer first and second gear The M56L has shorter first and second M56 has a longer final drive ratio Other than that they are exactly the same (Except minor mechanical differences, IE plastic shifter forks on the Ls) IN SHORT M56h=better low end M56l=better top end Link to post Share on other sites
yangotang 265 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 top end and low end refer to power curves. short and tall refer to gearing. M56L = taller M56H = shorter Link to post Share on other sites
Oreo931 3,218 Posted October 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Good info. Thanks. In terms of durability, I read that the H's stand up better to more power. Is this just hearsay, or is there a basis for it? I'm not going to be keeping the stock turbo for long, and I want to make sure that I do this once, and do it right. If the L is going to die more quickly then I will forget about it. Link to post Share on other sites
yangotang 265 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Good info. Thanks. In terms of durability, I read that the H's stand up better to more power. Is this just hearsay, or is there a basis for it? I'm not going to be keeping the stock turbo for long, and I want to make sure that I do this once, and do it right. If the L is going to die more quickly then I will forget about it. heresay. i'm gonna pull a L apart soon to see if the forks are indeed plastic. Link to post Share on other sites
850 LongBeach 867 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Good info. Thanks. In terms of durability, I read that the H's stand up better to more power. Is this just hearsay, or is there a basis for it? I'm not going to be keeping the stock turbo for long, and I want to make sure that I do this once, and do it right. If the L is going to die more quickly then I will forget about it. Power? It depends...300-350 whp shouldnt be a problem at all on the L's and lord knows Ive seen higher on them! Link to post Share on other sites
shanehutton 13 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 I would really like to get to the bottom of this as well. I know that the L has shorter gearing and the H has higher gearing but I want to know if there is any strength difference. I don't need a high top speed and I don't mind losing some gas milage for better acceleration so I am leaning towards the L. That said, I am going to be putting it through a lot at the track so I would like to know if it is weaker than an H. Somebody pull an L apart and see what's inside. I find it hard to believe that Yohan hasn't taken a peek inside one... Link to post Share on other sites
850 LongBeach 867 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 You have it backwards... H is faster acceleration L is better top end Link to post Share on other sites
shanehutton 13 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 I am pretty sure it is the other way around. I am pretty sure that at any given speed the engine will be revving higher with the L than the H. Link to post Share on other sites
CoRalV70 464 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 The L that grenaded in the wagon did not have plastic forks Link to post Share on other sites
yangotang 265 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 I am pretty sure it is the other way around. I am pretty sure that at any given speed the engine will be revving higher with the L than the H. wrong. Link to post Share on other sites
shanehutton 13 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Really. I always assumed that the L was shorter because the early NA needed as much help as it could in acceleration. My whole world just flipped upside down. :blink: Link to post Share on other sites
850 LongBeach 867 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 I am pretty sure it is the other way around. I am pretty sure that at any given speed the engine will be revving higher with the L than the H. Wrong Really. I always assumed that the L was shorter because the early NA needed as much help as it could in acceleration. My whole world just flipped upside down. Its ok let me flip you back over... Buy an L kit for 500$ cheaper than an H and call it a day! Link to post Share on other sites
lookforjoe 2,702 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 top end and low end refer to power curves. short and tall refer to gearing. M56L = taller M56H = shorter IN SHORT M56h=better low end M56l=better top end I have no idea which trans does which. The Volvo spec would provide the final drive ratios for the cars with each version trans. Be that as it may, you're both saying the same thing, not worth arguing about Shorter gearing will give you more low end pull, taller gearing gives you longer legs. Either way, it's the Differential (Final Drive) Ratio that will determine tall/short. Link to post Share on other sites
EricF 357 Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 I have no idea which trans does which. It's funny because I don't think he does either Either way, it's the Differential (Final Drive) Ratio that will determine tall/short. Yup... Furthermore.. Gear ratios (M56L): 1st - 3.38 2nd - 1.90 3rd - 1.19 4th - 0.87 5th - 0.70 Reverse - 2.99 Gear ratios (M56H): 1st - 3.07 2nd - 1.77 3rd - 1.19 4th - 0.87 5th - 0.70 Reverse - 2.99 The M56H has a more even gear spread with a smaller gap from second to third gear. That is why it is more preferred.. I don't think strength is an issue, and have never seen a single case on this website that would make me think otherwise. The M56H is available in North America with just the 4.00:1 final drive ratio. The M56L is most common with the 3.77:1 from my understanding/experience, and this makes it's gear spread a bit wider. It is also found with a 4.00:1 final drive though. So, if it's an L with the 4.00 final drive, it will have shorter first and second gears than the H, and the rest will be the same. If it's a 3.77 final drive, first and second will still be shorter albeit by the tiniest of margins. Third, fourth, and fifth will all be longer gears, and your cruising RPM in fifth will be lower than with the H. Hopefully this clears up any confusion. Bottom line: M56H has a more even gear spread, and first and second gear are longer regardless of what M56L it's being compared to (talking about the N. American 4.00 final drive M56H, the European 4.45 is another story ). Link to post Share on other sites
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