Retro fitting an overdrive gearbox

Retro fitting an overdrive gearbox

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Discussion

AJLintern

Original Poster:

4,239 posts

270 months

Thursday 24th June 2004
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How would one go about fitting an overdrive gearbox to a Spitfire 1500? How much is it likely to cost for parts, and what level of skill is required?

Roobarb

197 posts

261 months

Thursday 24th June 2004
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It gets expensive.
Firstly you need a gear box with an overdrive unit, ie you can't fit an O/D unit to your existing gear box. Reconditioned units are almost always sold in exchange - else you pay a hefty premium.
The whole thing is longer so you need to buy a shorter drive shaft. You will also need a different bell housing. Lastly I seem to remember that the diff ratios are different for overdrive cars, so you'd have to contemplate getting the diff swapped as well.
Sorry its not better news !

GavinPearson

5,715 posts

258 months

Monday 28th June 2004
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For a Dolomite Sprint I had no trouble.

Assume you can obtain a gearbox and gearlever for the right price...

On a Dolly Sprint you need a 12 volt feed to actuate the overdrive. It has to operate on 3 and 4, because it cannot take the torque of 2nd. I wired mine up with a 2nd switch too which made it very pleasant in traffic.

On my Sprint the axle ratios were the same. The propshaft was the same. So in all it was a very easy swap and made a big difference to driveability.

I would investigate the parts required with a company such as Rimmer Bros.

Roobarb

197 posts

261 months

Tuesday 29th June 2004
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Yeah But hes not interested in a Dolomite is he.
I had fish and chips last night.