Spitfire Spitfire 5-speed conversion

[JodyFKerr]

Hey Folks,

I've been messing about preparing to put a new convertible top on Mum's Spitfire and as much as I enjoy driving the car I really wish it had another gear. I have toyed on and off with the idea of either fitting her car with a J type overdrive or a 5-speed.

Now, she's happy with the car as is, so unless the changeover is perfect I'd probably be in trouble (as #1 son I'm used to being in trouble, so that's no big deal. .

Overdrives are a little fiddly for my tastes. I've looked around for 5-speed conversions but only know of the Ford type 9 ones which, as far as I know, are few and far between around here. Is there a five speed kit out there that I'm not aware of? The idea of dropping 3K on a car worth 3K is a little excessive.

Am I missing anything in 5 speed land? If I went with the overdrive how much trouble am I asking for? Opinions?

Thanks!
Jody

 

[racingenglishcars]

You could always go for the ultimate Ford type-9

I guess that might require a front-end rebuild.

But seriously, go for the overdrive. They <span style="font-style: italic">are</span> available and it's factory stuff => easy to find spares.
You won't have to cut anything.
I don't know about fitting either the Datsun or the T-9 to the Spitfire, but in the Spridget they require some cutting. (or at least with the Datsun it's a major pita to get it in there)

 

[booley]

call Joe Esposito at Quantumechanics, he sells both a 5 spd kit and o/d transmissions. Not sure if he lists a complete o/d kit, but I'm pretty sure he could fix you up.
I think Canley's lists a complete o/d kit.
But as you stated, dropping 3g's on a car only worth 3g's is a tough decision...

 

[hondo402000]

yea dropping 40K on one thats worth 20k is even worse but then its my kids college education money, ooooo wait I dont have kids

Hondo

 

[CinneaghTR]

I would go with the overdrive. You'll get a neat switch on the gearshift knob in the process.

 

[DNK]

Keith, you want a couple?

 

[tr8todd]

I would bet that you could install either a Miata trans or one out of an older BMW. If you weren't so far away, I'd let you experiment with one of the BMW Getrag 5 speeds I have laying around here.

 

[hondo402000]

nope I can date someone with kids

Keith AKA Hondo

 

[DNK]

Now why didn't I think of that? :confuse:

 

[booley]

here ya go:
https://albany.craigslist.org/cto/2676976002.html

fyi, i shipped an overdrive transmission from california to ny for around $80 on greyhound(a few years back)