carolshusband
Member
Due to my failure to sell my car last year I have decided to keep it but convert it to a manual.
As I see it I have a few options.
I could fit a V8 S box, prop, pedal box etc which would seem to the easiest route (unless someone knows otherwise)I'm guessing speedo, clutch master cyl etc might be a faff. My reservation is that I was let down a couple of times by the strength of the 4-speeds in the past and the 1:1 ratio in top is not the best for MPG.
Option 2 is an LT77. I'm aware this is a well documented and trusted conversion but they seem to be few and far between and I believe they also have strength issues. I experienced one shredding itself in an SD1 on the motorway in a very low stress situation. Am I wrong to shy away from them ?
Option 3 is thus... I have just got my paws on an early, steel cased Toyota Celica 5-Speed box, they are used for all kinds of conversions and would seem to be physically about right in the important areas and are good for 250HP. I'm a big fan of Japanese engineering and have never been let down by my various cars from the land of the rising sun. Has anyone had any experience of fitting Japanese boxes ? I know a kit is available to fit a Rover V8 to a Hilux so am hoping that some of the holes might line up. I have a 4-speed V8 S box in a dusty corner so I may see how the bellhousing might be modified but it looks about right.
All and any thoughts would be gratefully accepted, if I've missed a thread on here please post a link. I will say I'm not interested in sticking with the Autobox. I'd rather sell the car, but I tried that !
Thanks in advance, Dan.
As I see it I have a few options.
I could fit a V8 S box, prop, pedal box etc which would seem to the easiest route (unless someone knows otherwise)I'm guessing speedo, clutch master cyl etc might be a faff. My reservation is that I was let down a couple of times by the strength of the 4-speeds in the past and the 1:1 ratio in top is not the best for MPG.
Option 2 is an LT77. I'm aware this is a well documented and trusted conversion but they seem to be few and far between and I believe they also have strength issues. I experienced one shredding itself in an SD1 on the motorway in a very low stress situation. Am I wrong to shy away from them ?
Option 3 is thus... I have just got my paws on an early, steel cased Toyota Celica 5-Speed box, they are used for all kinds of conversions and would seem to be physically about right in the important areas and are good for 250HP. I'm a big fan of Japanese engineering and have never been let down by my various cars from the land of the rising sun. Has anyone had any experience of fitting Japanese boxes ? I know a kit is available to fit a Rover V8 to a Hilux so am hoping that some of the holes might line up. I have a 4-speed V8 S box in a dusty corner so I may see how the bellhousing might be modified but it looks about right.
All and any thoughts would be gratefully accepted, if I've missed a thread on here please post a link. I will say I'm not interested in sticking with the Autobox. I'd rather sell the car, but I tried that !
Thanks in advance, Dan.