5 speed conversion

Post by **Peetee** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:41 pm

I'm hoping I have everything

. Can someone furnish me with a list of everything I need?
A quick glance suggests I have.
Gearbox
bellhousing
stick
crossmember
prop

I know I'm missing the floor tunnel (anyone got one?)
Do I need to shift the handbrake?

Cheers!

Post by **jonathon** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:52 pm

Clutch, either Ford, Minor or a Ford/Minor hybrid, clutch master cylinder and slave, associated pipe work (header tank) if going hydraulic , modified release bearing, reversing light switch, speedo cable,recalibrated speedo.Gear lever gaitor
Gearbox cover (yes we do)You will need a larger piece of carpet to cover this box cover.
The gear stick can contact the seats in 2nd and 4th, and is close to the handbrake lever, we normally shorten the lever by 1"-1.5" and fit a late A series Mini grip.

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:52 pm

You'll have to shorten the h brake, certainly, and don't forget the clutch ;)

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:55 pm

Sounds like loads of work!! Is it really worth it ?

Post by **jonathon** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:00 pm

Its a lot of jobs but not really the hassle it reads.
Is it worth it, I'd say its marginal on a 1098cc but definately on a 1275cc upwards. Largley depends on how the owner drives and it most certainly less stress on the motor if you are able to sustain a reasonable cruising speed in 5th without the need to drop down into 4th or even 3rd when you dip out of the engines powerband (1098cc mainly)

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:34 pm

I think we're being baited... ;)

Post by **jonathon** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:51 pm

Hmmm

Post by **Peetee** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 7:46 am

clutch master cylinder and slave

Can't see any of that but it would seem the clutch fork has been cut and re-welded. Would it work mechanically with modification then?

Post by **jonathon** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 7:58 am

I have yet to see a good design for the clutch actuation. The mechanical, i.e Minor system looks very poor to me and never seems to line up correctly. If I were doing this mod then I'd go hydraulic and use an internal concentric clutch release bearing that removes the need for what seems to me a bodged lever arm design.
Cannot say if your parts would work, sorry

Post by **IslipMinor** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 8:22 am

Peetee,

What gearbox do you have?

My 5-spd is the Toyota T50 and uses the complete original mechanical linkage, which, as Jonathan says does not line up perfectly, but then has given no problems at all since being fitted 10 years and 27,000 miles ago. Still looks naff though!

If yours is the Ford T9, then I think you will end up with the gear lever further back, and potential foul with the handbrake? The T50 is very slightly further back, but with a standard, shortened, Minor gear level grafted on the top + std knob and gaiter, it takes a very eagle-eyed observer to know it is not a standard Minor box!

Is it worth it? For me most definitely yes. Gives very easy cruising at 'modern' motorway speeds.

Post by **alex_holden** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:33 am

jonathon wrote:I'd go hydraulic and use an internal centrifugal clutch release bearing

I'm guessing you mean concentric...

Post by **jonathon** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:43 am

You get the prize Alex !

Post by **Peetee** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 1:48 pm

Yep it's Ford type 9.
I'm at work now

so will check everyones suggestions when I get back.
cheers

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 8:00 pm

No 'baiting' lads (would I ever ??) - it's just far too much work/hassle for me to gain the dubious advantage of a 5 speed gearbox!
But yes - a 1275 doing high mileages as an 'everyday' car - yes it could be worth it, I suppose! Even then - I would go for a diff change myself !

Post by **Redmoggy** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:15 pm

If the money is available then the concentric slave/release bearing is going to be the best option. I have the 'other' set up on my car and it does work well enough,however anyone with an engineering mind can and will find many obvious faults which will bite you in the a** later.

Post by **dunketh** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:14 am

it's just far too much work/hassle for me to gain the dubious advantage of a 5 speed gearbox!

Its all relative.

If you have plenty of cash and plenty of time you'd be a fool not to go 5 speed imo.
If you're tight on the above then there are better ways.

Not having a 5th gear was the only truly hated aspect of Minor owning for me.
My last 'big' journey had me in the car for 6 hours, in motorway traffic a large portion of the time. The car performed faultlessly but it was just plain uncivilised with 4 gears, trying to cruise at 70-80mph. Engine screaming, ears bleeding, stereo off (as you cant hear it), no conversation with the wife (yes, that is a bad thing)..etc..

Post by **superchargedfool** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:16 am

I have had 4 minors and my current one is the first I've had with a 5 speed in. I think it is a huge improvement.

I have a birmingham kit but with redesigned clutch actuation. The birm fork and pivot give you minimum feel or adjustability, its either ok or badly adjusted.

I fitted a mondeo concentric on a homemade mounting using the marina master cylinder and pipe. All I had to do was heat the slave end of the pipe a little to remove the metal end piece of pipe, take off the union and replace it with the mondeo union that comes with the pattern part. Then refitting the metal end pipe. All goes together easily and gives a modern feel to the pedal.

I have yet to see a good design for the clutch actuation.

http://www.morrisminoroc.co.uk/index.ph ... highlight=

Post by **jonathon** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:05 pm

There you go then !

Post by **superchargedfool** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:26 pm

Post by **PAULJ** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:58 pm

Im about to fit a ford box, I have everything except the pressure plate and release bearing. The clutch plate is ford because of the box splines but what pressure plate. Also who sells centric bearing