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5 Speed Tranny ......

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Yea JPSmith,
I've got mine down to bare metal right now and want to do it right. I'm putting aroad cam in it, new weber down draft,
a stainless header, and a bunch of other performance good-
ies. It's going to get expensive but I don't plan on getting
rid of it, so It's all for me. I should have it ready for paint shortly. (the most expensive part).
 
Does anyone know the facts regarding use of a Laycock overdrive gearbox for a Spridget/Sprite/Midget? I might assume that since it's not mentioned often, there must be a fitment problem.

However, if one will fit, it would be far less expensive than one of the 5 speed conversions, and possibly more comforable on the road.

I'm a big fan of the Laycock overdrives. Unless you're thrashing the car around regularly, a nice A, D or J-type gearbox is the way to go, IMHO. The Jtypes come with up to 28% reduction in the final drive ratio.

I installed one in a GT6, it was like butter and transformed the GT6 into a great highway cruiser.

Just my 2c worth . . .
 
I'm not familiar with the OD units you a speaking of. However, the driveshaft on a midget is very short and the tunnel is extremely tight so I doubt an OD unit would fit. A GT6 has a longer drive shaft and a real frame, and therefore a little more room in/under the tunnel.
 
I installed a 5-speed this summer and I love it. I got the gearbox off of eBay and it checked out/seemed to be in good shape so I didn't do any rebuilding. I got my kit from Morriservice here in Portland and I was able to drive to Paul's house and get the kit directly from him. I also had him check out the tranny and he said it was good. Installation was a breeze and took about two days. First day I did the modifications to the tranny and chassis and installed the necessary hardware, second day I dropped it in and rerouted the clutch and re-bled. The tranny works great. Better off the line acceleration (taller 1st) and better highway cruising (OD). I'm using low profile, very small diameter tires (175 60 13)and a 4.22 rearend and I'm still only twisting 3398 RPM at 60mph in 5th. At 1:1 in fourth gear of a ribcase 60mph was 4141 RPM. I was looking for more initial acceleration and that's why the tall final drive. My midget gets moving very quickly and with the top-end a little lower, it may save me from donating to my local law enforcement. I'd rather burn a ricer off the line than collect a bunch of tickets!

Anyone who wants the info for Morriservice, contact Paul Asgeirsson at pasgeirsson@worldnet.att.net
 
[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone know the facts regarding use of a Laycock overdrive gearbox for a Spridget/Sprite/Midget? I might assume that since it's not mentioned often, there must be a fitment problem.
. . .

[/ QUOTE ]

There was website out there explaining how to fit a Spitfire overdrive trans to a 1500 Midget. This required some trans tunnel surgery, a new trans mount and a modified driveshaft. Since the 1500 engine is common to newer Spits and Midgets, no engine-to-trans adapter was needed.
I've never heard of putting an O/D trans in a 1275 (or older) car.
If the goal is quieter cruising, right now VB has a 3.5 final drive for sale for Spridgets for $229 USD. That's probably the easiest thing to do.
 
Re: 5 Speed Tranny , 1979, 1500 Midget

Hey Guys,
I finally have finished my research. I think I'm gonna
go with the Ford type 9 conversion on my 79' Midget. I
didn't particularly like the idea of the 1500 Spit tranny
because of the electric overdrive. Everyone I've talked
to likes their Ford conversion well. Does anyone know
which kit is recommended most, the Rivergate or the Morris?
I was never able to get onto the Morris Service web page.
Anyone with any knowledge on the subject, please advise.


Thanx Rick
 
Re: 5 Speed Tranny , 1979, 1500 Midget

This thread may have you confused. There are no stateside conversion kits for the 1500 engine. The type 9 kit uses a ford transmission that is not readily available in the states. (maybe in the 1985-88) merkurs, but I'm not sure it is the exact one needed. If the type 9 out of the merkur will work (that is an IF), then check with James MAthers in the UK: https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V...me=STRK:MESE:IT
 
Re: 5 Speed Tranny , 1979, 1500 Midget

It seems that many 75-79 midget owners want a five speed conversion. I do not own a 1500, but I was wondering if anyone had considered using a T5 out of a V6 mustang but swap the tail housing from an S10 T5 tranny. That would put the shifter in a better location and the gear ratios would be about right. But I have no idea about the external fit or the clutch arrangement. I just thought I'd throw the idea out there in case someone was ambitious.
 
Re: 5 Speed Tranny , 1979, 1500 Midget

Trevor,
Your right they don't sell the kit for the 1500 Midget, but
they do sell one for the 1500 Spit. And the gentleman I
conversed with said that it would work on th Midget also with some tunnel modifications. I don't have the guys
name in front of me at the moment but I think it was at
Rivergate. He said even the Spit has to have its tunnel
modified also. But he assured me that it would work.

Rick
 
Re: 5 Speed Tranny , 1979, 1500 Midget

I didn't realize they(rivergate) sold the kit. Are they selling the needed Type 9 transmission as well?
 
As far as the T5 with the S10 tail. I'm not quite that
froggy. Thats a little more "research" than I want to do.
You know, all this research has been a pain in the butt.
There's very little info out there on the 1500. Hardly
seems fair if you know what I mean. Kinda like the red
headed stepchild. Often ignored, seldom acknowledged. I
almost forgot. Yes rivergate also sells the Type 9, but,
I think I can find one at a yard around here.
 
Re: 5 Speed Tranny , 1979, 1500 Midget

$2375.00 For the Ford 5-speed conversion. I had my Datsun kit in the car for $950.00. $225.00 for the Datsun 5-speed from eBay (includes shipping), $725.00 for the conversion kit from Morriservice (doesn't include shipping, but includes a new ring gear on the flywheel). I don't know if there are any advantages to the Ford gearbox as opposed to the Datsun but in my opinion, I'm glad I saved that extra $1425.00!!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
Re: 5 Speed Tranny , 1979, 1500 Midget

Yeah that price is jaw dropping, but if it will be right
I don't mind paying it. There are an awful lot of foriegn
junk yards around here. Hoping I can find the Ford type 9
and rebuild it myself. Doing that will drop almost 1200.00
off the price of the kit. I wanted to go with the Datsun
also, but have heard that it won't work on the 1500 midgets.
Have been told nobody makes a kit for it.
 
Re: 5 Speed Tranny , 1979, 1500 Midget

Real pricie, That's why I went with Morrisservice. I've got a little more in mine. I bought a rebuilt 5 sp from Paul.. Will have th car back on the road this spring. I'm shure I will like it.

Carl /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
I put the Datsun 5 speed from a 210 in a MkII Midget '69 vintage, and really outside of a bit of adjustment to the tranny tunnel with a 5 lb sledge hammer, it pretty much went right in...with the kit. Gears 1-4 are almost the same as the BMC gearbox with a nice overdrive for cruising. I also went to a 3.9 : 1 final drive and could cruise all day at 70 in the Midget at only about 3300 RPM so it's worth the trouble. You'll also get about 100 miles per gallon too.
Not really but you will end up with 35mpg at 70 mph running speeds, so try it. Look for a already pulled gearbox at the junkyards.
 
Re: 5 Speed Tranny , 1979, 1500 Midget

I can vouch for swapping the S10 shifter onto a Mustang transmission. I have a Mustang WC T5 and all the parts for the S10 shifter conversion. Preliminary mock-up shows that it will fit. I expect the V6 version would fit, too.

Question for the group; I notice that the original engine/transmission adapter plate is iron (steel?). On one of the adapter kits sold, they provide an aluminum plate. Wouldn't an iron plate be better?
 
Re: 5 Speed Tranny , 1979, 1500 Midget

How far forward does it put the shifter? Have you measured the input shaft yet? I think there would be a market for a kit to mate a T5 to a 1500 bellhousing.
 
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