http://www.valvebodyuk.co.uk/ will supply Sonnax fitted valve bodies on an exchange basis.

This thread and post by RRPhil is of interest. http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic38421.html?highlight=sonnax

I did speak to Peter Stirrup of the company regarding an exchange if necessary and found him helpful. I also thought the price quoted was reasonable.

In the end events overtook the need.  John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Last edited by Weegie on 19th Jun 2017 3:32pm. Edited 1 time in total

Hi There is a guy in wexford that does the sonnax conversion , i will find a number a forward it on to. Just saw this thread  2015 4.4 AB
GSXR 1000 K5
R1 1998

You might find a bit of info in here, I was having a read of this thread a while back.

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic24126.html

This might be the place.

http://www.wexfordtransmission.ie/

Thanks Hamlet,
I have fired off alot of emails today and they got one.
I actually went looking for Riversticks thread to see who he used.

I will try give them a call tomorrow.

@Cooper1275 - no - I jus had the gearbox /torque converter rebuilt and they used higher spec parts. Main dealer offered to do it for £5k (replacement box) but the rebuild was just as good and once I got it back, I realised how 'sloppy' the gear change had got as the new one was seamless with the change, very smooth. I guess it gradually goes over the years but you don't realise as it is such a steady decline. The guys who did mine said that basically the oil burns up . They put a higher spec oil in aswell (£120 worth) and gave a 2yr warranty I think but said it would not fail. Steve

Main car : FFRR L405 Vogue SDV8
Other car : Vauxhall Lotus Carlton
Past cars : FFRR L322 Vogue TD6 SE (Sept 2006 MY07) ; LandCruiser SWB ; 4-Runner ; Supras; XJS V12 LeMans

as you mention that the oil burnt up, is there any chance to fit a better oil cooler?
or a bigger one? should it be done?

Hamlet has posted the guy that i had heard about 😀 2015 4.4 AB
GSXR 1000 K5
R1 1998

Well i spoke to Paul in http://www.wexfordtransmission.ie/ and out of everyone i spoke to he was the best.

I spent nearly 20 mins on the phone to him going through the spec of the rebuild. The guy is an absolute pro and never tried to dodge any questions. In fact I felt he was giving me the questions I should ask when shopping around.
He walked me through his process and the things that need to be done when having a recon done.
They fit a TC supplied by Sussex Autos and have the Sonnax gear to do any modifications required to the valve body etc.
Quoted 2100 and Vat at 13.5% full recon and fit with 12 months warranty.
But i am happy with that price considering the level of knowledge this guy has.

on the other side of this....
I spoke to a few places in Dublin and Kildare and I was not that impressed.
These places would swap the TC and rebuild the box and nothing else. most said the Valvebody needs no mods and to leave it alone. Some who just outright wouldn't / couldn't tell me where they got their TC or what changes they did to the box during the recon.
One place had good reviews but proceeded to tell me I was confused, completely dismissed the Sonnax kit and said I didn't know what gearbox was in the Range......sure thing buddy
These places charge from 1600 euro upwards for rebuilds but their customer care was shocking.

I may be going the more expensive route in the short term but you get what you pay for....

Once I get it all done il let you guys know the verdict.
If anyone in Ireland needs any advice PM me.

Thanks for all the advise

Yeah, I have been following this topic with great interest. I had a leaky transmission pan gasket and brought it to at least 4 places around Dublin. All quoting different amounts for a oil an filter/pan change. I finally went with Cassidy Motors in Dublin 12 as they had the best reputation and chat. Filter and oil changed but the man insisted a recon is due in the next year or so. Workmanship was great as I waited on the car. They have all the stuff and spoke about recon incl new torque converter and so called zip-kit for the solenoids in the valve body as well as hd clutches etc. I believe he quoted around 2100-2600E. They seemed sufficiently knowledgeable but havent done the recon as the box seems fine now. Just slips slightly on the 3-4 shift... Feels like she is in between two gears, holds the rpm as she accelerates and then finally goes to 4th.

Let me know how you get on with the guys in Wexford so I have an idea...
Did you try them anyway? (Cassidy motors?)

looks like there is finally a solution for the 5le40 to last longer than oem.
i really like the td6, if you have it remaped its nice to drive.
ok, its no 3.6 or 4.4 but it's still a nice car.we have speed limit 130kmh on the highway
in austria so it's a pleasure to drive. ok, if you life in germany and are on the BAB you want another car.
i have been in munich this year and if you see the "as fast as you can drive"-sign you are
disappointed that you just have 5 gears and not enough power

guys, please keep us informed how the story ends.
i will report when i get my upgraded box end of july.

MatsonTAS wrote:

Let me know how you get on with the guys in Wexford so I have an idea...
Did you try them anyway? (Cassidy motors?)

Is there any update on this?

Have you had the work done?

Mine is being done as we speak.

Interestingly, they found that the box was virtually in perfect condition, but when the box was last done, they didn't replace the torque converter, and the oil pump for the 'box is failing.

They are going to refurbish the pump, and replace one clutch that was worn, and one valve the wasn't perfect.

The rest was fine. No bits in oil. No bits on the magnets.

Just got mine back today

Drive back was a solid 80 miles of mostly motorway and the gear change is lovely and smooth.
The total in the end was 2850Euro, this included an Output shaft as mine was beginning to wear and would have failed if left.
All the seals etc were replaced, the pump is uprated along with the Valve body and a TC with carbon clutch plates put in.
Paul at Wexford Transmissions is extremely knowledgeable and took a lot of time explaining the work completed.

I am just glad i had put away 2k specifically for this!

But wow does it feel good to be back in a Range Rover

Got mine back a week ago.
Car drives really lovely, you now notice how bad the old gearbox was
i'm very satisfied!

The clutch in the TQ was nearly gone, shift data out of tolerance, pump problems, and so on.

What they did:

- high performance clutches
- changed planetary gear
- remanufactured valve body with sonnax improvements
- remanufactured torque converter with hd clutch and different stall speed

and it looks like this:

Click image to enlarge