Has anyone been able to successfully convert an american 5 speed into a 1275 sprite? The datsun 210 tranny and adapter is available but was wondering if there isn't something more modern and available. I am located in Chicago area Thanks
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Feb. 2, 2010 1:25 p.m. jimmyjoe New Reader
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Feb. 2, 2010 1:26 p.m. John Brown MegaDork
I thought the big to do unit was the Ford/Merkur T9. Merkur owners give them away and they are perfectly stout enough for a 17ft/lb engine like the 1275.
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Feb. 2, 2010 1:30 p.m. Kendall_Jones Reader
My old autox sprite had a T-5 in it. Major (MAJOR) fab job done by the previous owner. Custom fab'd TIG welded bellhousing, one off input shaft, 5th gear removed (rules req).
I've only seen one other, and its not for the faint of heart (but you could do a reliable pro solo launch w/ a 150HP spridget engine)
Kendall
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Feb. 2, 2010 1:32 p.m. Kendall_Jones Reader
John Brown wrote:
I thought the big to do unit was the Ford/Merkur T9. Merkur owners give them away and they are perfectly stout enough for a 17ft/lb engine like the 1275.
Yeah, thats the other guys.
http://www.frontlinedevelopments.com/
Kendall
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Feb. 2, 2010 1:48 p.m. NOHOME Reader
Yeah, it was a mazda transmission, but it was attached to the back of a rotary!
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Feb. 2, 2010 2:10 p.m. oldtin Reader
Datsun (b210 '79-82) tranny, Ford T9 orToyota T-50 are what I've heard of
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Feb. 2, 2010 2:35 p.m. RossD Dork
maybe check with taylor race engineering's website.
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Feb. 3, 2010 8:09 a.m. Brust Reader
conversioncomp in nz has the t50 kit. I did the datsun and it was great. Rare as rocking horse poo now, but great box. I've got the t50 behind a 4age- half looking at making an adaptor to fit an rx8 box... you may want to check those if you're into custom work as the shift length is pretty good. Or, final suggestion- suzuki samurai trans. They are tiny and the 4wd box is separate from the trans. They are often used when putting the G13b Swift GTi engine in a longitudinal layout.
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Feb. 3, 2010 9:17 a.m. aeronca65t HalfDork
The trans tunnel in a Spridget is tiny. As someone mentioned above, it would generally mean major reconstruction of the tunnel ~before~ an alternate trans was fitted. Since the tunnel contributes a major amount of stiffness to the chassis, this has to be done properly. A friend of mine did a rwd Toyota 1.8 + 5 speed in his Midget. Even after some substantial re-work of the tunnel, he said the doors openings would move slightly, so he ended up putting in a cage and door bars. Also, footwells are small in these cars and you will probably lose some space in that area. So if you have big feet, that's another variable to consider.
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Feb. 3, 2010 6:28 p.m. Brust Reader
I have to disagree with the trans tunnel providing rigidity to the chassis. When I did the engine swap to 4age, I decided (somewhat unnecessarily) to rebuild and re-shape the tunnel. When I cut the tunnel with a sawzall, the gap caused by the sawzall didn't move when I got into/out of the car and moved it on and off jacks. The rigidity is from the sills. I'm also a mech E by degree and can tell you that rigidity comes from the perimeter, not from the center. For more proof you can peruse the locost forums and the consensus from the people who have run the chassis through stress modeling say that the tunnel does not provide much if any in the way of structural stiffness (unless it's the only member connecting front to rear of chassis).
Regardless, that's my firsthand experience. The Samurai, datsun, and toyota trans won't likely require any tunnel mods.
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Feb. 4, 2010 3:56 p.m. jimmyjoe New Reader
In reply to Brust: thanks for your input Brust! I don't know what way I will go yet but it helps hearing from you Jimmyjoe
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Feb. 5, 2010 4:48 p.m. Brust Reader
Best of luck whatever you decide. There are options, but often it is a question of how much money you want to spend and how much work you want to do. The datsun 5 speed is definitely the most proven "bolt in" solution and worth every penny if you are not into blazing your own trail. Rivergate5speed.com should get you where you need to go. Those transmissions are spectacular too. Better shifting than any miata I've ever driven.
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Feb. 5, 2010 4:49 p.m. John Brown MegaDork
If you are looking for a racing tranny conversion I would not suggest going where these guys did:
From Newstados Unidos
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Feb. 8, 2010 2:02 p.m. jimmyjoe New Reader
Does anyone outh there know about a Datsun 210 tranny available that has been rebuilt from '79-'82?? My skills are very basic. I need help basically. Thanks in advance.
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Feb. 8, 2010 6:16 p.m. Brust Reader
Try here:
http://rivergate5speed.com/desc_of_trans.html
They occasionally have them, and list others who might as well.
On another note- I think those "drag racing trannies" are part of the Key West thing. I was down there once for it and it was a blast. Not as a competitor of course.
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Feb. 8, 2010 6:35 p.m. Karl La Follette HalfDork
mercury capri or datsun z 5 speed for an mgb ? no help here sleeping and quiet
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Feb. 8, 2010 8:12 p.m. oldopelguy Dork
Smallest OD 5-speed you'll find is the one out of a Samurai. It actually fits the tunnel pretty well. Can't say for sure how the starter pocket compares to the 1275's for adapter purposes but mine bolted up to both the Metro 1.0l and the Swift GT DOHC 1.3L and fit in my '69 Midget very well. Never finished the project, but that part worked.
