Spitfire transmission Question

[JPSmit]

Hi there, the folks in the MG club are suggesting STRONGLY that I put a 5 speed on my Midget (1500) when I rebuild it. Has anyone used the Spitfire Overdrive transmission. If so,

1. How does it work?
2. How does it fit? (gear shift location especially)
3. Does the bell housing for the 4spd midget fit the 5 speed transmission (I have a chance at one with no bell housing)

any thing I've missed?

thanks
JP

 

[SilentUnicorn]

heres a page on that swap. https://www.brit.ca/~tboicey/midget/midget_overdrive.html

mark

 

[rickdaily]

JP, Rick here'
I purchased a conversion kit for my 1979 1500 and to connect the tran. to the bell housing is an adapter. It
simply a billet alum. adapter. The complete kit for my car was $2300.00,(not cheap). If it is the Ford sierra tranny
go ahead and buy it and then just purchase the kit minus the tranny. JP I went back and read your question again.
I guess I need to modify my answer. The J-type overdrive
is an electrical overdrive. After shifting into 4th gear
you then reach up and flip a switch to engage the OD unit.
I, personally didn't like the whole rig. Thats why I went
with the 5-speed Ford OD unit. With both you have some tunnel Mods to do, but everything you need is in the kit.
And yes the bells are interchangable.

Rick

 

[aeronca65t]

Rick:

I have been helping someone do a Sierra trans swap in a Turner and the trans looks "fitable" into a Spridget trans tunnel.
Subjectively speaking: Did you have to do *a lot* of tunnel surgery with the Sierra....or *a modest* amount of surgery.....or what?

Thanks.

 

[rickdaily]

aeronca65t,
I have purchased the kit but have not installed it yet. According to the instructions though there is not a lot of modification. I've checked the kit to make sure everything is there but have not got into that close yet. I'm waiting till I'm waiting till I get the money together to get the paint done before I install the engine and drive train. Not to far from getting it there. Will advise when I actually get it installed. Rick

 

[aeronca65t]

Thanks, Rick....I'll be eager to hear how it works.

 

[rickdaily]

aeronca65t,
I have driven 2 Midgets with this same conversion in them and the difference is unbelievable. Getting one on the X-way
used to make me cringe just listening to the little 1500 screaming. Every time I got home I would have to park it in the garage and get out and poke its tongue back in the grill. But with the kit cruising at 70 mph is a pleasure. Don't take my word for it ask in the forum if anyone close to you has done the conversion and ask them to take you for a ride. RICK

 

[JPSmit]

I looked at the mods required even for the Triumph and decided to leave it for now. It seems like every time someone else has an idea for me, it's at least another month added and I just want to get it driving! On the plus side I went to see my body guy today and he is welding a pre 74 valance on the back (where I was hit anyway) to retrofit a chrome bumper, hurray!