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6 spd conversion?

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HealeyPassion

HealeyPassion

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I've heard BMC Classics in Florida has come out with a 6 speed conversion for Healeys. Does anyone have any information about it? I'd certainly like to know what transmission, what gear ratios, cost, etc..

Cheers,
Steve
https://stevesaustinhealey.com
 
Search for BMW ZF 6-speeds.

The European 3 Series (M3 Evolution?) from the late 90s had a fairly compact case, and some guys are putting them in their Z3/Ms (a friend in Orlando more or less blazed the trail for that one, even offering the modified driveshaft/shift lever parts on an exchange basis, so the job could be done in a weekend).
 
I've got a bit of info on this from Harold at BMC Classics... 6 speed is a Getrag, kit includes everything, made in Germany, both 5th and 6th are od (6th is .47), and cost is expected to be in the $5,000 range.

Cheers,
Steve
 
Go for Tulip ratios, six perfectly spaced gears in a Healey box. Those Comps Dept people knew what they were doing.
 
It will be interesting to see one of these installed. Functionally I like the sound of it. But don't expect to see it on my car. Nothing against the conversion, but it cost me about $2K to go to my 5 speed, and $5Kish for a 6 spd. doesn't quite work for me... $3K for one more gear doesn't have a great value ring to me. I'm sure it will for some folks.

Cheers,
Steve
 
HealeyPassion said:
I've got a bit of info on this from Harold at BMC Classics... 6 speed is a Getrag, kit includes everything, made in Germany, both 5th and 6th are od (6th is .47), and cost is expected to be in the $5,000 range.

Cheers,
Steve
Click to expand...

That 6th gear would be useful for top speed runs at Bonneville. I agree, the cost of the 6 spd just doesn't cut it in a cost/benefit comparison to the Smitty 5 spd. conversion.
 
It's the old equation

More equals Less(money left) and vice versa.

Would give you some bragging rights though
grin.gif
 
[/quote]That 6th gear would be useful for top speed runs at Bonneville. I agree, the cost of the 6 spd just doesn't cut it in a cost/benefit comparison to the Smitty 5 spd. conversion. [/quote]
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Besides which it is less original by 20% than my Smitty's five-speed!
 
My MINI Cooper S has the Getrag 6 speed, it's a great gearbox, no doubt. Silky smooth.

However, the MINI has a 3.91 rear end and the Getrag box ratios are VERY close: 6th gear at 70 MPH renders about 3,100 RPM. Not profoundly low RPMs, a bit buzzy on long trips (especially with the loud-ish exhaust sytem in a MINI S).

The Datsun 5 speed in my MG Midget (3.90 rear) renders similar RPMs. Not a whole lot of difference from the Getrag, really. I don't recall the ratios, but I'd bet 5th in the Datsun box is quite similar to 6th in the Getrag.

FWIW>
 
Since the original overdrive worked on third and fourth, it seems the six speed is the same as the original number of available ratios.
 
Legal Bill said:
Since the original overdrive worked on third and fourth, it seems the six speed is the same as the original number of available ratios.
Click to expand...
Yep. I have six speeds with my original box and OD. With the switch on the shift knob I even get to move my hand 5 times. :wink:
 
The most appealing about this conversion is that in a BN2 the gear lever stays in the same exact position at the side as the original gear lever. I do not know if a 5 or 6 speed makes any difference.
Are these gearboxes from BMW ?
Jose
 
A Healey box with Tulip ratios does provide a very different experience to a modern six speeder. My box was rebuilt by John Chatham, it has a very slick change, strong sychro and perfect ratios. It is straight cut which is quite noisy in the intermediates but quiet when cruising in top. However, blatting along winding counry roads the noise combined with the roar from the Webers and the exhaust is very Healey, almost primeval, flicking between 3rd, 3rd o/d, 4th and 4th o/d is just a delight beyond a modern box.
 
I sent a note to BMC Classics at BMCClassicsInc@aol.com "I understand that you may have kit available to install a 6 speed Getrag transmission in the Big Healey."

here's the note back:

"Yes, we have, cost fob Florida is $ 5900.-

thanks, Harold Brandner, BMC Classics,Inc"


Doug
 
seems like alot for the same thing that the smitty conversion can do that price should include instilation
 
I have driven a few modern cars with six speed transmissions, my impression, they are like a 5 speed, but instead of having one super tall gear for cruising and four for accelaration, you have two super tall gears for cruising, and four for accelaration. In other words for me anyway, it didn't add much to the driving experience, I suppose for racing situations a tight ratio six speed would be useful, but for the road IMHO it is kind of overkill.

I can certainly understand putting a modern five speed in an LBC, but I really enjoy the overdrive transmissions with the throttle switch kickdowns in the Healey.
 
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