Elise Exige 2 Eleven Dogbox gearbox Toyota C64 Lotus Sport
Toyota C64 transaxle is the factory-standard gearbox for the Lotus Elise S2, Exige S2, and 2-Eleven (equipped with the 2ZZ-GE engine). While the 2-Eleven utilized a close-ratio version of the C64 from the factory, it was a synchromesh unit, not a “dogbox” in its base configuration.
However, for competitive track use or high-horsepower builds, several Lotus Sport and aftermarket dog engagement (dogbox) conversions are available for the C64 casing.
1. The Factory C64 vs. Dogbox Upgrades
The standard C64 uses synchromesh rings to match gear speeds, which can be slow and prone to failure under aggressive track shifting. A dogbox replaces these with “dogs” (large metal teeth), allowing for ultra-fast, clutchless upshifts.
| Feature | Standard C64 (Synchromesh) | Dogbox Conversion (C64) |
| Shift Style | H-Pattern (Smooth, slower) | H-Pattern (Aggressive, rapid) |
| Clutch Use | Required for all shifts | Optional for upshifts / Required for downshifts |
| Gears | Helical (Quiet) | Straight-Cut (Loud whine) |
| Strength | Limited (Weak 3rd/4th) | Extremely high |
| Primary Use | Road & Light Track | Competition / Professional Racing |
2. Top Dogbox & Gearkit Options
If you are looking to upgrade your C64 casing, these are the primary professional-grade kits used in the Lotus community:
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Quaife QKE10E (6-Speed Dog Kit):
A direct-fit kit for the Toyota C64 casing. It features straight-cut, close-ratio gears and dog engagement. This is the most common “true” dogbox conversion for the Elise and Exige.
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Best For: Sprints, hill climbs, and serious circuit racing.
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Jubu Racing Gearsets:
While not always a full dogbox, Jubu offers strengthened helical and straight-cut gearsets that address the C64’s notorious weakness in the 3rd and 4th gears.
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Simply Sports Cars (SSC) / Holinger:
Developed specifically to solve the C64 failures on the track, this kit provides uprated 3rd and 4th gears while retaining the synchromesh for better driveability than a pure dogbox.
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Quaife QKE9E (Sequential Conversion):
For those wanting to move away from the H-pattern entirely, this kit converts the C64 into a 6-speed sequential dogbox, including a new outer casing and a drum-style shift mechanism.
3. Lotus Sport 2-Eleven Specifics
The 2-Eleven GT4 variant was the only factory-associated model to frequently see sequential/dogbox swaps via the Lotus Sport catalog.
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Note: If you find a “Lotus Sport” branded gearbox, it is often a Quaife or Hewland unit rebranded or validated for the GT4 race series.
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Maintenance: Dogboxes require significantly more frequent inspections. The “dogs” can round off over time if shifts are hesitant; they perform best when slammed into gear with conviction.
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