Daniel,
I am not sure if this was in reply to my posting for info about the UK
equivalent of the popular USA Datsun conversion.
It all helps though !
I have done the Triumph overdrive gearbox into my 1500 midget (read all
about it on the PDLJMPR site) That is a very good conversion for that
version of the Midget, which is why I am begining to collect info on the
alternatives for my 1275 Sprite.
I did measure up the Ford box, but it seems to put the gear leaver very far
back, and needs a fair bit of modification to the transmission tunnel. Not
bothered about the straight-cut gears option as its only for road use
anyway.
Also, I am looking for a conversion I can do myself (half the fun). I did
the 1500 conversion without resorting to any pre-fabricated parts, other
than the clutch components and the gearbox itself. I designed fabriacted a
new chassis cross member, gearbox mounting etc, which kept the cost down
and taught me a few things about it all !
Guy
-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel1312@aol.com <Daniel1312@aol.com>
To: tob@taltec.net <tob@taltec.net>; spridgets@autox.team.net
<spridgets@autox.team.net>
Date: 13 January 1999 21:58
Subject: More on Re: 5 speed conversion kit w/ Datsun tranny
>In a message dated 13/1/1999 3:35:47AM, tob@taltec.net writes:
>
><< I hear the datsun 5 speed conversion is a popular conversion to
undertake
>>>
>Its popular in the USA but at the risk of repeating myself I have to say
that
>the English and more recently German based Ford gearboxes are much better
>because the Ford box can have a quick shift gear lever and even a helical
gear
>close ratio gear set that will wipe the floor with anything else. The Ford
>box can also (and obviously) be converted to a full race box with straight
cut
>gears (even closer ratios). The Ford conversion kit will also take the
>English Caterham 7 box which has 6 gears.
>
>As far as overdrive goes, the Datson, Ford and other 5 speed boxes are
known
>as overdrive boxes because the 5th ratio is higher than 1:1 (ie direct) it
is
>in fact just another gear. However, it is possible to buy and DIY fit a an
>overdrive unit that has a drive coupling (yoke or whatever you call it) at
>each end allowing it to be bolted to the back of the conventional gearbox
with
>a shortened propshaft (driveshaft) leading from it to the diff. I have
never
>seen this done on a Sprite.
>
>As far as the Midget 1500 goes you could fit the Triumph 'automatic'
gearbox
>as fitted in the Marina automatic but to do so you would have to be either
>very sad or have some kind of physical impairment. A better bet for the
>Midget 1500 is to fit the Triumph overdrive gearbox which is a true
overdrive
>in that it is a 4 speed box which has integral to the casing and provides
>higher gearing by virtue of a sun and planet gear arrangement that acts on
>third and fourth gears. Incidentally if you disconnect the inhibitor you
>could have overdrive action on all gears. Finally, I don't think it is
very
>easy to fit the Triumph overdrive gearbox on the A Series engine unless you
>were very determined. Nor have I heard of anyone fitting a 5 speed gearbox
to
>a 1500 Midget but would guess that it is possible (like all things only
>requiring sufficient time and money and not necessarily resulting in a
decent
>end product).
>
>
>Daniel 1312
>
|