1. What Makes the Lenco Gearbox Different
The Lenco gearbox is a manual transmission designed for extreme performance, mainly drag racing.
Unlike conventional manual gearboxes that change ratios by sliding and engaging different gears, the Lenco changes ratios by controlling planetary gear stages that are always engaged.
There are no synchronizers, no sliding gears, and no gear-to-gear engagement during shifting.
2. Planetary Gear Sets – The Foundation
Each Lenco stage contains a planetary gear set, made of:
- A sun gear (center)
- Multiple planet gears (load carriers)
- A ring gear (outer gear)
This layout allows torque to be shared across multiple gears simultaneously, which dramatically increases strength and load capacity compared to traditional gear pairs.
3. Modular Design – One Stage Per Gear
A Lenco transmission is built from multiple modular stages, often called “cans.”
Each stage:
- Represents one gear reduction
- Is installed in series with the others
- Has its own planetary gear set and locking mechanism
Instead of selecting a gear, the driver is deciding which stages are active.
4. Power Flow Through the Gearbox
Engine torque enters the input shaft and flows through every planetary stage in order.
Each stage can be in one of two states:
- Locked → creates speed reduction and torque multiplication
- Released → allows 1:1 direct drive
The final gear ratio is simply the combined effect of all locked stages.
5. First Gear – Maximum Reduction
In first gear:
- Multiple planetary stages are locked simultaneously
- Reductions stack together
- Output speed is low
- Torque multiplication is extremely high
This is why Lenco gearboxes deliver such violent, consistent launches in drag racing.
6. Shifting – What Actually Happens
When shifting:
- One planetary stage is released
- The next stage becomes direct drive
- No gears move
- No teeth disengage
- No torque interruption occurs
The drivetrain remains fully loaded during the shift, allowing near-instant gear changes.
7. Final Gear – Direct Mechanical Path
In the highest gear:
- All planetary stages are released
- The gearbox functions almost like a solid shaft
- Internal movement and power loss are minimal
This makes it ideal for high-speed runs.
8. Why the Lever System Exists
Each lever on a Lenco shifter:
- Controls one planetary stage
- Physically locks or releases that stage
You’re not “choosing gears” — you’re configuring the torque path.
9. Strength and Reliability Explained
The Lenco survives extreme horsepower because:
- Torque is distributed across multiple planet gears
- No shock loading from gear engagement
- No synchronizers to fail
- Components are always fully meshed
Everything is clamped, not slammed together.
10. Regular Manual vs Lenco Manual (Planetary)
Pros & Cons Comparison
| Feature | Regular Manual Transmission | Lenco Manual (Planetary) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Design | Sliding gears with synchronizers | Modular planetary gear stages |
| Gear Engagement | Gears physically engage/disengage | Gears always engaged, stages locked/unlocked |
| Shifting Speed | ❌ Slower (driver + synchros) | ✅ Extremely fast, near-instant |
| Torque Interruption | ❌ Power is interrupted during shifts | ✅ No torque interruption |
| Strength | ❌ Limited by gear teeth and synchros | ✅ Extremely strong (load shared across planet gears) |
| Horsepower Handling | ❌ Struggles at very high HP | ✅ Handles 2,000+ HP easily |
| Durability Under Abuse | ❌ Wears quickly in racing | ✅ Built for extreme abuse |
| Smoothness (Street Use) | ✅ Smooth and forgiving | ❌ Harsh and aggressive |
| Ease of Use | ✅ Simple H-pattern shifting | ❌ Requires skill or automation |
| Clutch Use | Required for every shift | Often clutchless after launch |
| Weight | ✅ Relatively light | ❌ Heavy |
| Size | ✅ Compact | ❌ Large and bulky |
| Cost | ✅ Affordable | ❌ Very expensive |
| Maintenance | ✅ Easy and cheap | ❌ Frequent and costly |
| Noise Level | ✅ Quiet | ❌ Very loud |
| Street Drivability | ✅ Excellent | ❌ Poor |
| Racing Performance | ❌ Limited | ✅ Outstanding |
| Primary Use Case | Daily driving, street cars | Drag racing, extreme motorsport |