Tiptronic gearbox
Discussion
By tiptronic, do you mean paddle shift? Tiptronic is an automatic gearbox with electronic manual control. I very much doubt you'd get anything like this in a TVR, for lots of reasons. If you're talking about a manual sequential gearbox with pneumatic or solenoid remote actuation then this is possible, but I don't think anyone has done one yet. I have the system (Geartronics) ready to do in my Race Tuscan, but I don't think this would be particularly nice to use off the track as is just a remote controlled racing dog box. Nothing like the 'Tiptronic' type systems found in modern road cars.
From other posts on here and the TVR club the main stumbling block with an auto box is the usual increase in the width and length of the bell housing to accommodate the torque converter.
This seems to make fitting more or less impossible within most TVR chassis rails without having the engine sticking out of the front grill.
Paul.
This seems to make fitting more or less impossible within most TVR chassis rails without having the engine sticking out of the front grill.
Paul.
Hi All,
Thanks for the info, the reason why im looking into this is because a very good friend of mine has just lost his right leg due to cancer. Hes itching to buy a Tuscan so where looking at the best possible solution for an auto drive box...450nick where did you find your Geartronic system from, if you dont mind me asking.
Pete
Thanks for the info, the reason why im looking into this is because a very good friend of mine has just lost his right leg due to cancer. Hes itching to buy a Tuscan so where looking at the best possible solution for an auto drive box...450nick where did you find your Geartronic system from, if you dont mind me asking.
Pete
The Geartronics system can be found here:
http://www.geartronics.co.uk/
I'm not sure it would work in your friends case however as it still requires a clutch. Essentially it takes away the need for a gear lever on a sequential box (though I will retain it in case the system fails). It will also allow full throttle upshifts, and will auto-blip the throttle on the downshifts as well as disallow you from shifting down if it will buzz the engine. So you won't need a clutch when on the move (and travelling reasonably quickly), though you'll still need it for pulling off and slow speed changes. You could get around this by having a hand clutch put in perhaps but I don't know how well this would work.
Perhaps give Neil at Geartonics a ring and see what he suggests - he's a very switched on chap and extremely helpful too! Very impressive system though, I can't wait to try it on the Tuscan!
http://www.geartronics.co.uk/
I'm not sure it would work in your friends case however as it still requires a clutch. Essentially it takes away the need for a gear lever on a sequential box (though I will retain it in case the system fails). It will also allow full throttle upshifts, and will auto-blip the throttle on the downshifts as well as disallow you from shifting down if it will buzz the engine. So you won't need a clutch when on the move (and travelling reasonably quickly), though you'll still need it for pulling off and slow speed changes. You could get around this by having a hand clutch put in perhaps but I don't know how well this would work.
Perhaps give Neil at Geartonics a ring and see what he suggests - he's a very switched on chap and extremely helpful too! Very impressive system though, I can't wait to try it on the Tuscan!
Not sure about the Tuscan, but it would be possible to do something in a Griff or Chim that used a Rover box. It could be swapped for an auto without too much effort as they are the same dimensions. I converted my old Cobra kit car from Borg Warner 3 speed auto to Rover LT77 manual so it cant be that difficult 
Of course the old Borg Warner box is a bit dated, doesnt have many gears and is somewhat agricultural these days, but its a fairly painless option nonetheless.
Of course the old Borg Warner box is a bit dated, doesnt have many gears and is somewhat agricultural these days, but its a fairly painless option nonetheless.
http://www.alfredbekker.co.uk/alfred-bekker-produc...
This may well be a bit easier? certainly less work to install.
I've also spotted a few installs where a motorcycle clutch lever is fitted to the gear knob. In combination with one of those one-handed knobs for the steering wheel so you could change gear in the corners I reckon it would be the best way.
This may well be a bit easier? certainly less work to install.
I've also spotted a few installs where a motorcycle clutch lever is fitted to the gear knob. In combination with one of those one-handed knobs for the steering wheel so you could change gear in the corners I reckon it would be the best way.
Edited by davepoth on Tuesday 11th May 02:36
Just a little info on the auto approach:
ZF 4hp24 is an auto fitted into range rovers, which means it will fit onto any rover V8. You need to convert it from 4wd to 2wd by swapping the tail-cone from a 2wd version of the box (Jaguar and BMW iirc). You will need an aftermarket controler which will allow "tiptronic" style shift.
You could also consider a 4hp22 which is non electronic version - but information on making it shift sharply may be a little bit of a challenge (although the princples are the same, raise the line pressure and reduce accumulator time)
Or go yank, TH350 or TH700R4 with a manual valve body - which changes in an instant but is mainly for drag racing use - on the road they become a little tiresome. A well fettled automatic with sharp firm shifts are something else - anyone who's been a proplery fettled auto's realise they are far from slush-boxes.
ZF 4hp24 is an auto fitted into range rovers, which means it will fit onto any rover V8. You need to convert it from 4wd to 2wd by swapping the tail-cone from a 2wd version of the box (Jaguar and BMW iirc). You will need an aftermarket controler which will allow "tiptronic" style shift.
You could also consider a 4hp22 which is non electronic version - but information on making it shift sharply may be a little bit of a challenge (although the princples are the same, raise the line pressure and reduce accumulator time)
Or go yank, TH350 or TH700R4 with a manual valve body - which changes in an instant but is mainly for drag racing use - on the road they become a little tiresome. A well fettled automatic with sharp firm shifts are something else - anyone who's been a proplery fettled auto's realise they are far from slush-boxes.
Not sure it'd fit but BMW M3 uses SMG box.
If it fitted you'd need to get a bellousing made up, new prop and paddle shift system not sure how it'd work with ECU???
Could always try and find a Tuscan with blown engine and fit M3 engine & box, similar power etc...
Depends on how much of a purest your mate is?
If it fitted you'd need to get a bellousing made up, new prop and paddle shift system not sure how it'd work with ECU???
Could always try and find a Tuscan with blown engine and fit M3 engine & box, similar power etc...
Depends on how much of a purest your mate is?
Hand-controlled clutch systems for manual g/boxes are available, maybe worth looking into.
For example: See the Fadiel site and the DAFRI system. http://www.fadiel.com/
If your friend has lost his right leg surely all he needs is a hand-controlled accelerator/brake (see Jeff Gosling's site)?
My Griffith is fully hand-controlled (Fadiel, Jeff Gosling), see my profile.
I was required to complete a driving re-test in the hand-controlled Griffith.
I've been looking at the Tuscan just recently, from the hand-controlling aspect I think the post '05 or convertible models (without the lower steering column/binacle assembly) would be the best bet.
For example: See the Fadiel site and the DAFRI system. http://www.fadiel.com/
If your friend has lost his right leg surely all he needs is a hand-controlled accelerator/brake (see Jeff Gosling's site)?
My Griffith is fully hand-controlled (Fadiel, Jeff Gosling), see my profile.
I was required to complete a driving re-test in the hand-controlled Griffith.
I've been looking at the Tuscan just recently, from the hand-controlling aspect I think the post '05 or convertible models (without the lower steering column/binacle assembly) would be the best bet.
Edited by davep on Wednesday 2nd June 19:57
Edited by davep on Wednesday 2nd June 20:23
Hi Guys,
I am a wheelchair user but can drive automatic cars using my feet on the pedals (ie no hand controls)and a steering ball on the wheel (like lorry drivers sometimes use. My current cars are a V8 M3 with the dual clutch auto and a V8/LPG defender race tuned auto that I use for serious off roading.
I have always wanted a Griffith (friend of mine had a pre cat one) which now lives in Plymouth as he tragically died in his mid 30s a year ago from asthma.
Hence my renewed determination to own and drive one. I belive a Range Rover 4 speed auto could be used possibly with an Ashcroft Transmission system (called racelogic I think?) which would allow paddle shift.
I would love to know if anyone has down this or similar? I think I would need to go for a 500 to get power steering but am also concerned if this may devalue the car? My other thought is where to get this done and what might it cost? Finally, I remember the seat angles not being great and had wondered what other seats might fit and how easy they would be to move back and forth?
Thanks
I am a wheelchair user but can drive automatic cars using my feet on the pedals (ie no hand controls)and a steering ball on the wheel (like lorry drivers sometimes use. My current cars are a V8 M3 with the dual clutch auto and a V8/LPG defender race tuned auto that I use for serious off roading.
I have always wanted a Griffith (friend of mine had a pre cat one) which now lives in Plymouth as he tragically died in his mid 30s a year ago from asthma.
Hence my renewed determination to own and drive one. I belive a Range Rover 4 speed auto could be used possibly with an Ashcroft Transmission system (called racelogic I think?) which would allow paddle shift.
I would love to know if anyone has down this or similar? I think I would need to go for a 500 to get power steering but am also concerned if this may devalue the car? My other thought is where to get this done and what might it cost? Finally, I remember the seat angles not being great and had wondered what other seats might fit and how easy they would be to move back and forth?
Thanks
Speedy James said:
Hi Guys,
I am a wheelchair user but can drive automatic cars using my feet on the pedals (ie no hand controls)and a steering ball on the wheel (like lorry drivers sometimes use. My current cars are a V8 M3 with the dual clutch auto and a V8/LPG defender race tuned auto that I use for serious off roading.
I have always wanted a Griffith (friend of mine had a pre cat one) which now lives in Plymouth as he tragically died in his mid 30s a year ago from asthma.
Hence my renewed determination to own and drive one. I belive a Range Rover 4 speed auto could be used possibly with an Ashcroft Transmission system (called racelogic I think?) which would allow paddle shift.
I would love to know if anyone has down this or similar? I think I would need to go for a 500 to get power steering but am also concerned if this may devalue the car? My other thought is where to get this done and what might it cost? Finally, I remember the seat angles not being great and had wondered what other seats might fit and how easy they would be to move back and forth?
Thanks
As noted above, in theory you be able to fit the range rover auto into it.I am a wheelchair user but can drive automatic cars using my feet on the pedals (ie no hand controls)and a steering ball on the wheel (like lorry drivers sometimes use. My current cars are a V8 M3 with the dual clutch auto and a V8/LPG defender race tuned auto that I use for serious off roading.
I have always wanted a Griffith (friend of mine had a pre cat one) which now lives in Plymouth as he tragically died in his mid 30s a year ago from asthma.
Hence my renewed determination to own and drive one. I belive a Range Rover 4 speed auto could be used possibly with an Ashcroft Transmission system (called racelogic I think?) which would allow paddle shift.
I would love to know if anyone has down this or similar? I think I would need to go for a 500 to get power steering but am also concerned if this may devalue the car? My other thought is where to get this done and what might it cost? Finally, I remember the seat angles not being great and had wondered what other seats might fit and how easy they would be to move back and forth?
Thanks
Mate of mine who owned a Griff 500 was also considering it as he was loosing the use of his left arm through cancer.
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