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5-Speed or overdrive?

Well Ed, let me say I think you still made a good choice, they are going to like the overdrive when you hand over the car! My main use is on the highway, and regardless of a laycock overdrive or a toyota 5-speed, I really like being able to cruise below 3000 rpms. But the overdrive itself has really grown on me, just the mechanics of it kicking in like it does makes the car much more fun for me anyway. And besides, you probably got rid of that non-syncro first gear with the swap too!
 
GilsTR said:
Dan...My car is the 60 3A and it came with the 4:11 rear end and overdrive. During restoration I had both the tranny and overdrive rebuilt. It took a while for me to find help finding someone who could help me sort things out with the OD unit... but when I got it adjusted correctly it has really been a lot of fun. Yes...does have a leak or two....but last June it turned 50....so I guess it gets a pass for a few drops every now and then. Gil NoCal

That's funny - What a coincidence. I just turned 50 and I...

Oh, forget it!
 
Randy,

You are right that the change in rpms on the highway when the O/D is switched on is dramatic. Smoother and quieter. I guess I just like the sound and feel of straight fourth gear. But I have no real argument aginst O/D.

As for non-synchro, no, I didn't get rid of that when the car was worked on. It is still non-synchro in first gear. That doesn't give me a problem, however.
 
Just in case anyone has the parts, I want to convert my latest Stag from a BW35 to a 4 speed / J type OD.

In my opinion, putting an Automatic in a Stag was one of British Leyland's worst decisions ever!

I have several 4 speeds from a Stag, the manual engine adapter and flywheel. All I need is the J type OD, transmission to OD adapter plate, layshaft, clutch style pedal box or set of Stag pedals, and the OD style transmission frame bracket.
My last spare setup went into the TTA Stag conversion in 2009 to replace the donated OD setup that blew up all over a country Illinois back road.

I am not on the forum much these days, but when I get my next project in the garage in about a month, I will post some photos. (<span style="font-style: italic">hint, hint, it has a silver stripe across it's nose!</span>)

FWIW, I have driven several Triumphs with all sorts of transmissions and out of all of them, a 4 speed with OD in a Triumph is still my preference. :driving:

Cheers!
 
I must be one of those "weird people" who is in a big minority when it comes to sports cars... but I kinda like automatics.

My TR7 was an automatic, and while it was a little quirky with only 3 speeds, and even more so being on a carburated engine with mechanical fuel pump, so if you were at a real long light the engine would slowly slow down and stall after a few minutes if you didn't either push it into neutral, or tap the gas, it was still a darn fun car to drive.

The sports car I would love to own right now would be a Morgan Aero Supersport, and they're automatics.

I'd rather enjoy the scenery and have less to think about while doing it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MxhG1-QAfw
 
StagByTriumph said:
In my opinion, putting an Automatic in a Stag was one of British Leyland's worst decisions ever!

But would have been much better if they also offered overdrive with it!
 
justin_mercier said:
I must be one of those "weird people" who is in a big minority when it comes to sports cars... but I kinda like automatics.

So do the approximately 65% of Corvette purchasers. I'll be buying a new car in April, and am considering a new MX-5 (Miata). Unfortunately, the wife doesn't want to drive sticks anymore, therefore I'd have to get the auto. It's actually quite good, as in manual mode, using the paddle shifters, it'll stay in whatever gear you chose even if you bounce the engine off the rev limiter. Shifts are crisp and smooth. Then, if you're in bumper to bumper traffic, you have the full auto option if you want...the best of both worlds. I'd also get the retractable hard top...brilliant engineering...it uses no trunk space when down, and goes up or down in about 12 seconds.
 
Aye, I actually looked into what it'd take to get paddle shifters into the TR6 when I was making engine / transmission decisions. I love them, but.... it would have been MEGABUCKS! Instead I went with a toyota 5 speed. =)
 
Great video. Thanks for sharing.

Looks a lot easier than hitting the stock OD switch on my TR3B.

Paul
 
OK that brings up a question, is the OD switch on a TR6 suppose to go on the left side or right side of the steering wheel? Looked like his was on the right, I put mine on the left side

Hondo
 
Hondo,

On the TR4A and TR6 it goes on the left side.

Scott
 
martx-5 said:
I'll be buying a new car in April, and am considering a new MX-5 (Miata). Unfortunately, the wife doesn't want to drive sticks anymore, therefore I'd have to get the auto. It's actually quite good, as in manual mode, using the paddle shifters, it'll stay in whatever gear you chose even if you bounce the engine off the rev limiter. Shifts are crisp and smooth. Then, if you're in bumper to bumper traffic, you have the full auto option if you want...the best of both worlds. I'd also get the retractable hard top...brilliant engineering...it uses no trunk space when down, and goes up or down in about 12 seconds.

Art,

I'll be looking at the same car in 2+ years but with manual transmission after I've gotten a little more wear on my current DD (6s) and the wife's car is paid for. My son will be off at college so no need for the 4-door 4-seater then and I'll be happy to get back to a convertible for a DD!

Scott
 
That is Christian Marx, aka MadMarx in action - Chris posts on this forum once in a while. Fun driver to watch.
 
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