Automatic box installation???
Discussion
Hi all.
I'm disabled and only have the use of my right arm! I absolutely adore TVRs and always have done since I was a kid. I'm now a 60yr old kid and yearn for a TVR! Does anyone know if there are any auto tvrs out there and if not, does anyone know or think its possible to convert one to auto and which model might be best suited to the task?
Don't ask for much do I?
I'm disabled and only have the use of my right arm! I absolutely adore TVRs and always have done since I was a kid. I'm now a 60yr old kid and yearn for a TVR! Does anyone know if there are any auto tvrs out there and if not, does anyone know or think its possible to convert one to auto and which model might be best suited to the task?
Don't ask for much do I?
There's plenty of talk about them from the past. Here's a search some people appear to have had conversions others say that some Wedges had auto boxes fitted. Good look finding one or getting a conversion.
Have you driven one before, maybe you could have a test drive with someone else changing the gears. Not entirely sure I'd be comfortable driving mine one handed. They're not the lightest or predictable of cars although I guess you'll be more accustomed to it.
Have you driven one before, maybe you could have a test drive with someone else changing the gears. Not entirely sure I'd be comfortable driving mine one handed. They're not the lightest or predictable of cars although I guess you'll be more accustomed to it.
Edited by indigochim on Wednesday 20th November 19:02
Sounds like you know what you might be getting yourself into then. Still worth seeing if you can test drive some models to see what you fancy.
As far as power steering goes I've see some of the electric bolt on options that sit on the steering column and that could be added to any car even if it doesn't come as standard. You don't mention a budget but if you wanted to go wild Sportmotive build a new chassis and do LS conversions and I believe they're widened to accommodate a larger gearbox, although they don't list an auto on the options list. [url=https://www.sportmotive.com/evochassis.html=See here[/url]
As far as power steering goes I've see some of the electric bolt on options that sit on the steering column and that could be added to any car even if it doesn't come as standard. You don't mention a budget but if you wanted to go wild Sportmotive build a new chassis and do LS conversions and I believe they're widened to accommodate a larger gearbox, although they don't list an auto on the options list. [url=https://www.sportmotive.com/evochassis.html=See here[/url]
I can’t think of any TVR MY 2000 or newer that doesn’t have PAS.
Regards an auto box, I’d say super difficult and the results would be terrible. Just not enough room in the chassis, and the electronics needs some serious surgery/transplants to work.
If I were you I’d be focusing on robotizing a standard transmission with wheel mounted shift paddles/buttons. These guys make them. Not cheap but way cheaper and easier than trying to fit an auto box.
http://www.mme-motorsport.com/en/products/h-paddle...
Regards an auto box, I’d say super difficult and the results would be terrible. Just not enough room in the chassis, and the electronics needs some serious surgery/transplants to work.
If I were you I’d be focusing on robotizing a standard transmission with wheel mounted shift paddles/buttons. These guys make them. Not cheap but way cheaper and easier than trying to fit an auto box.
http://www.mme-motorsport.com/en/products/h-paddle...
Sport motive TVR mentioned to me once the possibility of a ZF auto box.. not going to be cheap though.. give them a call? http://sportmotive.com/
There is currently one automatic Tasmin for sale on Carandclassic. It is very expensive and in Switzerland but the pics look good.
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1142975
There was another Tasmin auto for sale for around 12 months at around £4,000 but is not listed now.
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1142975
There was another Tasmin auto for sale for around 12 months at around £4,000 but is not listed now.
This thread mentions a couple of conversions.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
James Agger might be able to help?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
James Agger might be able to help?
Dick1959 said:
Phillpot, I would really like an S. Wonder if it would make for an easier swop?
There were certainly plenty of automatic Granada's so should be a breeze 
And then there's the power steering, never fitted to the S Series cars but aftermarket all electric conversion shouldn't be any bother.
Edited by phillpot on Thursday 28th November 20:07
The car i n Switzerland is still for sale and is a factory original automatic. It is beautiful in all respects and due to Swiss laws on imports and classic cars is tested to the hilt. Still far to expensive and he wants £800 to deliver it with little room to move on the price,,,,,,,of £20000!
Several mk3 Tasmin / Wedges with the 2.8 V6 were factory built. A couple of earlier V6 Wedges were also done - FHCs if my memory is correct. I have seen [online] one V8 Wedge with auto but I think this was a conversion.
Given your 'disabled' you may want to try and see if you can get into an S1 or S2 with their 'narrow' doors. Try an S3 and S4 for comparrison as they have bigger doors but still may not be easy entry.
Wedges are easier to get in an out of but the windscreen rakes back further so this may be a problem for you. Also leaning on the screen is not a good idea.
With all, check you can operate the seat belts! Factory set up was terrible. Couple of simple mods and they work - retract, pull out - like they should.
To convert an S should be pretty easy;
Appropriate auto box and tourque converter.
New propshaft.
Modify the transmission tunnel cover to accept the auto stick.
Might need some wiring and an engine ECU change? - which isn't a bad thing.
Steering can be converted to electric pretty easily with a couple of aftermarket kits available.
As an aside if you do change the ECU you can add differnt modes for the electric steering, add an electric water pump and control the rad fans.
Given your 'disabled' you may want to try and see if you can get into an S1 or S2 with their 'narrow' doors. Try an S3 and S4 for comparrison as they have bigger doors but still may not be easy entry.
Wedges are easier to get in an out of but the windscreen rakes back further so this may be a problem for you. Also leaning on the screen is not a good idea.
With all, check you can operate the seat belts! Factory set up was terrible. Couple of simple mods and they work - retract, pull out - like they should.
To convert an S should be pretty easy;
Appropriate auto box and tourque converter.
New propshaft.
Modify the transmission tunnel cover to accept the auto stick.
Might need some wiring and an engine ECU change? - which isn't a bad thing.
Steering can be converted to electric pretty easily with a couple of aftermarket kits available.
As an aside if you do change the ECU you can add differnt modes for the electric steering, add an electric water pump and control the rad fans.
I converted a 350i Wedge many years ago for a friend who lost an arm in a motorbike crash, we bought a Rover SD1 and swapped the entire set up.
If you were converting an S Series, personally i would install the Granada Cosworth engine and box complete with ECU. No interfacing problems and fitting the Cosworth engine is straight forward having been done before. Dont know about space for the gearbox though.
If you were converting an S Series, personally i would install the Granada Cosworth engine and box complete with ECU. No interfacing problems and fitting the Cosworth engine is straight forward having been done before. Dont know about space for the gearbox though.
Well gentlemen,
I keep on learning, it's great! Please keep all comments or ideas no matter how small, or even if you think they're a bit weird because you never know what might come of it! I will keep a note of everything and when I move hopefully some sort of project should see the light of day.
My loss of use of my left arm was also due to a motorcycle accident, a non fault head on with another bike, shouldn't be here really! That's where the little man syndrome came in handy, lol!
I also drive a Rage Hurricane R, look them up on Google! If you can get into one of them, you'll get into most things!
Once again, thanks for all your ideas and information, please keep them coming if you can, I'm determined to become a TVR owner in the not to distant future, even if I have to sell my Rage and the Yamaha Abarth XSR 900 triple!
Regards.
Dave.
I keep on learning, it's great! Please keep all comments or ideas no matter how small, or even if you think they're a bit weird because you never know what might come of it! I will keep a note of everything and when I move hopefully some sort of project should see the light of day.
My loss of use of my left arm was also due to a motorcycle accident, a non fault head on with another bike, shouldn't be here really! That's where the little man syndrome came in handy, lol!
I also drive a Rage Hurricane R, look them up on Google! If you can get into one of them, you'll get into most things!
Once again, thanks for all your ideas and information, please keep them coming if you can, I'm determined to become a TVR owner in the not to distant future, even if I have to sell my Rage and the Yamaha Abarth XSR 900 triple!
Regards.
Dave.
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