Paul, just in case you might want to check out this speed calculator I wrote
in Visual Basic. I used it to calibrate my speedometer after buying a set of
Goodyear Eagle GT's for my Alpine that were a little smaller that the stock
tires. Let me know how it works for you.
Sergio
http://www.team.net/www/rootes/sunbeam/alpine/mk1-5/techtips/speedcalc.zip
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Almjeld" <palmjeld@home.com>
To: <alpines@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2000 3:16 PM
Subject: 5 speed conversion info LONG, so delete if not interested
> Hi All: If the number of e-mails I've received is any indication, there
> is a LOT of interest in finding a suitable 5 speed tranny for our
> Alpines. I've tried to answer each of the individual e-mails requesting
> information - I hope no one has been overlooked. Allow me to post the
> following for all of you - this should answer those questions I've
> received most often:
>
> 1) I used a 5 speed tranny from Toyota. The particular model I used is
> referred to as the 5 speed MA/61 Supra transmission. The 5th gear is a
> .783 ratio. In my application with 3.89 gears and 71 inch tire
> circumference it provides 11 mph for every 500 rpm - thus 3000 rpm gives
> me 66 mph. Many of the Toyota 5 speeds come with .85 or .86 5th gears.
> For them you will get about 10 mph for each 500 rpm with 3.89 gears and
> 71 inch tire circumference. The Toyota 5 speeds are widely used and
> readily available. My cost was about $100, though I did have quotes up
> to $250. Shop around. You can visit the gear ratio information by going
> to the following web site:
> http://www.picknowl.com.au/homepages/paradise/ratios.html
>
> 2) I used a conversion kit provided by Conversion Components, Ltd. in
> New Zealand. The kit is very complete, and includes the bell housing,
> the pilot bearing bushing, pilot bearing, throw out fork, bearing,
> clutch disk and pressure plate - even the new speedo cable. The kit is,
> for the most part, a bolt-on conversion. My cost was about $640 US,
> with air freight shipping, plus customs. I had to hire a customs agent
> to act on my behalf at the airport since the tranny was located in
> Minneapolis and I had no time to get there myself. Total cost for the
> kit, shipping, customs, etc. was about $760.00 Was it worth it? You
> Bet! You can visit the web page of Conversion components, Ltd at the
> following address: http://www.conversioncomp.co.nz/. Colin at CC, Ltd.
> was very responsive to all my queries and concerns.
>
> 3) I found a used drive shaft at a local recycling center and had the
> Alpine drive shaft modified to accept the Toyota yoke. Drive shaft cost
> me $100 - modification cost me $50.
>
> 4) The Alpine speedometer works with the new, supplied cable, but is not
> accurate. I solved this dilemma in the short term by modifying and
> installing a speedo head from a Toyota Celica that had the same tranny
> as the one I used. It doesn't look vintage Alpine, but it is
> functional.
>
> 5) Total cost was about $1000. It came to more than I'd hoped, but the
> additional customs costs contributed to at least part of that. Your
> cost will depend on shipping and customs, plus the cost for a tranny,
> drive shaft, cross member (if you choose to go that route), etc.
>
> 6) I'll finish up my article soon and submit it to the editor at TE/AE
> and also to Jan and Ian for their web page. I'll include jpeg "photos"
> with the article.
>
> Hope this info helps. Again, if you do have additional questions, I'll
> be glad to respond.
>
> from sunny South Dakota
>
> Paul
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