tr7triumph.com

I have a chance to buy another TR8, but it is an automatic. How hard is it to change transmissions? Is anyone aware of a good how to write up?

Larry

I would be more inclined to rebuild the auto into a performance unit.
That would give you a different aspect of TR8 motoring

Richard

1975 TR7 ACL764U

Larry, Triumph Rover Spares, yes, the bloke who rolled his 7V8 in
the Classic Adelaide, markets a kit to fit the Toyota Supra box to
the Rover V8.

Its a good set up, & you could get just the bell housing, & clutch
gear to avoid too much freight, from Oz.

But, as Richard says, why not try the auto?
Our 280 BHP, 4.6L 8 has a ZF auto in it, & although I miss the sound
of going back through the gears with the V8, it realy is a weapon
when overtaking on twisty back roads. When a chance to pass appears,
it's kicked back, & gone, before you have got your hand to the gear
shift of the manual. You can select the gears you want manually when
you want to, just not much engine braking.

I also miss accelerating from low revs in top gear some times. The
sound of the V8, using all its torque is great, & at low revs is
quite something.
When the auto started slipping, it took months for
us to decide to uprate it, rather than slip a Supra box in to
replace it. The costs were about the same, at a little over A$3000.

Hasbeen

Larry,

I have swapped out a few wedge tranies. Question is do you want a manual or auto?

If you are converting to manual you should consider going to Toyota Supra over LT77 unless you are, like me, wedded to the orig 5 speed (simply as I own so many).

Dellow Engineering in NSW Aus produced a bell-housing to suit this box for RV8. In US$ the cost was quite reasonable last I enquired.

You will need a flywheel as well, but Ted and Woody will be able to help. I can help with pedal box, but you need a clutch master and slave cylinders.

I am sure you could do conversion with a couple of mates, chassis stands and jacks. But, this job is best done from a hoist.

Of course, I read Hasbeen's comments and smiled - a big torque wedge through quality auto would be great fun!

my 2c

Owen
PS - Whose TR8 and will you post pics?

The auto'box is rare on this side of the pond.Mine is coupled
to the slant four,and it is more of a relaxing easy drive,a bit
like a GT.There is still enough power to light up the rear
tyres,esp.round corners and roundabouts.A v8 auto could be
entertaining one minute and docile the next.

See ya. Paul

Larry, Is it a convert or a coupe?

Paul

Its a 78 pre-production coupe with a 3 speed automatic. the car is an original 215 carbed car. Unfortunately it has a salvage title.

Larry

Hi Larry

Just sent you a personal message.

Paul

I owned the only automatic TR8 built by the factory to UK spec(X921), when I bought it the transmission had been uprated to the latest spec( Jaguar XJ6 ) was mentioned, I dont know much about automatics but the car was much nicer to drive than my US spec auto. The ratios seemed to suit the engine better, it had the 155 bhp engine as opposed to the lower powered US car.

www.triumphtr.co.uk
SJW 539S TR7 sprint
1980 TR7 Premium.

I'm unfamiliar with automatics. How does an automatic get uprated? Is there a kit? and how hard would it be to find someone to do the work in the US?

Larry

The TR7/8 had borg warner boxes fitted.The first was a BW 65,
which was a 3 speed.The later,uprated box a 4 speed BW 66.
The standard tr auto rear axle is strong enough to cope with
the 155 hp carbed v8. These boxes should be easy to come by'being fitted to many makes/models of the time.

See ya. Paul

I don't know much about autos either Larry.

I simply took the thing to a bloke who builds autos for the drag
racer people, & my son, who at least thinks he knows, sorted out
what was wanted, with him.

I can't feel much difference on the road, but its probably a bit
quicker down the quarter.

Hasbeen

Topic about 2 weeks ago on having the automatic rebuilt in the US. Comment was that any Transmission shop should be able to do the job.

"I'm unfamiliar with automatics. How does an automatic get uprated? Is there a kit? and how hard would it be to find someone to do the work in the US?"

Usually a matter of modifying the valve body for firmer shifts. The theory is that the less slipage you have on the shifts, the longer the clutches will last. The factory setup usually leans toward softer shifts to make them less noticable. Any good trany shop should be able to do it.



72 MGB BRG
80 TR8 Persian Aqua
If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

The trick is to find a transmission shop that isn't run by robbers. My wife's car was held hostage by one shop and I had to pay them $500 "Estimate Labour" just to get it out of there. We finally had a fair shop referred to by a mechanic and had the trans repaired for half what the first crooks quoted us.
My point is; Pick your transmission shop by referral as it seems to be the sort of business that attracts scam artists.
I did get my own back on the crooks that fleeced me. In the year following I sent 5 rebuilds to the shop that gave me a fair deal.

Cheers,
Rich

1975 TR7 ACL764U