Auto to Manual gearbox conversion: [2000 carb]

[Nigel]

I think one of you gentlemanly fellows has done this, and i'd love
to hear of any difficulties.

Cheers chaps, N

[dougdee123]

I did indeed do this. Mine was also a 2.0L carb type and there were no significant problems that I can recall.

About the only issue was that the wiring loom is slightly different. There is an additional under bonnet small relay unit that doesn't exist in the manual car. I had no problem because I had the whole car in bits at the time and had a complete spares car to source all the relevant items including the different segment of loom. In truth I don't think it was going to be a problem to continue using the original loom just that there were redundant bits.

Obviously things like the centre console are slightly different. I changed out the whole steering column rather than muck about which was easier than transferring the clutch pedal over.

The source of gearbox is worth considering. A standard carb version gearbox means that the engine is doing about 4000 rpm at 80 mph. Or would be if you were to exceed the speed limit 

If you can find a volumex gearbox the the engine does about 3250 at the same speed. I'm still looking albeit not very hard.

Doug

[Nigel]

Much appreciated Mr Dougdee!
Good suggestion on choice of gearbox........I wonder if the ratios could be easily
sought and changed if a VX box proved difficult to get.
I'm familiar with the gearbox, I changed all 4 shaft bearings on my South African HPE
a few years ago.

[peteracs]

Hi

Is the change due to the Diff ratio or internal to the gearbox, i.e. keep the same gearbox and change the diff to give higher gearing?

Peter

[Nigel]

Good point Peter, I hadn't thought of the diff ratio last night!

If indeed the diff ratio is different [which it probably is] then the gear ratios will probably
have been altered to suit.

[Nigel]

From a topic in January:

The beta instruction book from 1983 says:
1300-   14/59 (4,214)
1600-   14/55 (3,929)
2000IE- 18/65 (3,611)
VX-      19/62  (3,263)

whereas gearbox ratios are:
1st: 3,5
2nd: 2,235
3rd: 1,522
4th: 1,152
5th: 0,925
R:    3,071

Basically confirms it Peter. G/B ratios same, Diff different.

[peteracs]

There is also the option to change the 5th gear ratio which is manuf by a guy in the US from memory. This is not a low cost option, but may be an option if you want a high gear for motorway cruising.

Peter

[dougdee123]

I did investigate the 5th ratio change.

The Monte Hospital is doing the same replacement pair of gears. The friendly man in Canada sent me details.

If you go to the Monte Hospital website there is also a how-to-do-it that is interesting .   http://montehospital.net/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=1124

BUT as Peteracs says it isn't cheap - 599 of your English Pounds. So, not this month then.

Doug

[rossocorsa]

I have a spare vx box, however I can't part with it until I've got the vx back on the road as I need to make sure the other box is 100% ok first hoping to manage this sometime next year but I've said that every year for about the last twelve......

[peteracs]

And if you are like me you will of course want to keep it just in case.........

Peter

[rossocorsa]

Trying to get out of that habit, impending divorce, significant downgrading of job following employers bankruptcy etc. meaning I have to face the reality of only just exceeding minimum wage and in such circumstances the beta itself is an extravagance let alone 'just in case' spares! But it will remain a just in case spare until the beta is on the road ....

[WestonE]

The Diff Ratio relates to a matched Pinion gear which is a fixed part of the gearbox main shaft so you cannot just change the Pinion gear and crown wheel to change the ratio. You need a lot of torque from your engine to make the change to a VX box worth it. In practice this means twin 45s on a 2000 engine or a supercharger. So if lower rev motorway cruising is what you want the 5th gear change does make sense and you could do it in situ on a gearbox you know is sound.

Rebuilding gear sets onto the main shaft is no fun due to the snap rings used throughout and often needing hydraulic gear pullers. I have done it a number of times and suggest it if for the very keen with nice new bearings ready to fit.

Eric   

[dougdee123]

The instructions for the hugely expensive gears say that they are secured by crimp nuts that you have to purchase separately. No snap rings need be opened. You do however also need to grind off a sliver of the selector eye that goes on the shaft to ensure that it doesn't make contact with the larger gear. The instructions have good photos.

Doug

[dougdee123]

For the VX gearbox , Felix in ZA says he has 'some' for which he wants circa £160 but, I assume, the shipping and taxes would be significant.

Perhaps a friend would bring it back from a wedding trip? 

Doug