Technical Considerations When Buying a Gearbox

Not All Gearboxes Are Created Equally

If you're building something that’s actually meant to race, whether it's for Time Attack, hillclimb, rallycross, or drag. You already know the gearbox isn’t just a component. It's one of the most fundemental parts of the car to be upgraded, which will change the overall performance of a car to a true race car.

Generally speaking the gearbox for most is one of the last parts to be upgraded, but it should always be near the top of the list, when building a race car.

At Kotouč Gearboxes, we’ve spent years refining gearboxes that hold up where it counts: on track. Here are the most important factors to consider before making that decision, and how we build with all of them in mind.

Importance aside, still not every seqeuntial gearbox is created equal.

Check out @hannes_886 with our SEAMLESS 0A6 sequential gearbox. 

1. Application Specific Ratio Consideration

Every gearbox should be purpose built. We start with your exact requirements : Maximum RPM, tyre type and size, racing conditions, maximum speed required, downforce, AWD/FWD, differential setup. 

When considering these points, an analysis can be made to provide a ratio that will suit a car the best, to maximize performance under race conditions.

Check out  @ruskiweldfab with our 02M Sequential Gearbox.

 

2. Homologation specifics

Outside of standard FIA regulations, most racers have specific categories for the same car, but different power and weight setups. When considering a gearbox, it is necessary to check with your local race organizer to determine which racing category the car will fall into, when changing, either into a dogbox or a sequential gearbox. 

These days generally, a sequential gearbox is allowed in most racing categories and would not impact negatively on regulations, but it is important to check this first.

3. High-Grade Materials Are Non-Negotiable

All Kotouč gearboxes are machined from certified European steels and high-grade alloys. We don’t just trust spec sheets—we inspect every batch before machining. This ensures the material responds predictably under load and maintains tolerance through heat cycles and stress over time.

The picture displays our 500-7S Fiat Abarth 500 Sequential Gearbox. 

4. Precision Manufacturing Down to the Micron

Every gear tooth, shaft, fork, rod and selection mechanism, every part of the gearbox is checked multiple times during the production process, we check multiple times for tolerances during the manufacturing process. This is how we maintain the kind of precision you need during every upshift and downshift, especially under peak torque and RPM.

5. Optimized Surface Finishing for Durability and Shift Performance

Friction creates heat, heat breaks down the oil molecules which lessens the effectivity of lubrication, which then causes additional wear on parts. So essentially, friction kills performance. That’s why we use REM superfinishing on all internal rotating parts as standard. This surface treatment reduces wear, helps retain oil film, and smooths engagement, especially critical for dog boxes under fast, aggressive shifts.

6. Reliable Support and Long Term Serviceability

Buying a gearbox isn’t a one-time decision, it’s a long-term investment. We offer full support on all our products, so you have the confidence to install and setup your product, as if it was done by the manufacturer. For servicing, whether you need parts, all servicing components, we keep on stock for quick delivery.

7. Engineering

Kotouč gearboxes are made with high engineering and no corners are cut. There are additional parts included in our gearboxes, that ensure the quality is maintained, and when comparing to other manufacturers, the value per part in our gearboxes is much more. In every part that is designed a huge consideration is taken for durability, while minimizing weight. The second main performance factor in engineering is the shift mechanism. Our gearboxes are known to be extremely smooth and not clunky as per other manufacturers, and this is why we stand out as one of the top manufacturers in the world.