Auto box for Sprint

[deano]

Hi,
Was the automatic sprint gearbox sourced from another dolomite or triumph model? I've been asked about converting a manual car. These will presumably be quite low geared as only three speeds!

Dean

[Jon Tilson]

I did this conversion for someone a while ago.
Unpleasant job in the extreme...

Getting a full set of bits is a nightmare. Now it would be only possible if you had a terminally rotten auto Sprint
with all the bits still in place. Heat sheilds exclusive to the auto Sprint are VERY hard to source. I had to heat wrap
the manifold to stop the inhibitor frying.

Best advice if he wants an auto Sprint is to find one for sale...
I really wouldn't recommend it...

The box is a 65 but I think also has some uprated bits over the standard 1850 box. It is lower geared and while nippy in town
its a tad fussy on the motorway.

Jonners

[deano]

Right ok, thanks

It wasn't a conversion I'm intending to do of need but as the person has difficulty operating a clutch then I can see the point in doing it to enjoy the cars performance.

A triumph 65? What's one of those

Dean

[geeksteve]

A triumph 65? What's one of those

Something you just made up?

He was referring to a 65 (Type 65) gearbox. Made by Borg-Warner, used by the entire dolomite range (with a few differences I believe).

Steve

[Jon Tilson]

Fair enough deano, but unless the car in question is an absolute minter....

I tend to think it would be better to sell that and find an auto.

I might know of one for sale if you want me to ask...

and yes it is a borg warner 65 I was referring to. Some folks fit the 4 speed ZF jag box from XJ40's to stags...

Might be worth investigating as an alternative and would keep a better cruise gearing.

Jonners

[gmsclassics]

Dean, I did precisely that with my mimosa car and used a Borg Warner 65 out of an 1850. Have done about 3000 miles since the conversion.

My understanding is the 1850 auto box is a slightly less strong but the main difference is the use of a transmission cooler on the Sprint. I fitted an aftermarket one in front of the radiator and did nothing to it other than clean the filter in the sump, fit new gasket and change the transmission fluid. It hasn't had any problems at all.

I used all of the parts from an 1850 auto (the most common Dolomite variant in NZ) including prop shaft, mount etc. I made my own heat shield out of a proprietary material sold in sheet form. I didn't find it much more difficult than rebuilding a manual from the flywheel back.

If you want to thrash the car though the gears all the time and spend lots of time at high speed on the motorway, then its probably not a good move. I still have the blue car for that. But because of the good torque the Sprint engine produces, an auto version is surprisingly good to drive. It spends almost all of its time in top and that does give very good acceleration and performance (3200 revs at 60mph) so can still be a lot of fun to drive on fast twisty roads. Plus I can use it to commute in comfortably without having an aching left leg from continually changing gear or slipping the clutch. My 25 mile commute on the motorway into Auckland can easily take over an hour and I am beyond trying to do that type of driving in a manual car these days.

So don't be put off, depends who is driving and what they want to use the car for. No point in having a manual and not using the car when fitting an auto means it gets used a lot more. Sprints are for driving!

Geoff

[Jon Tilson]

Further to what Geoff says the Sprints dont all have an oil cooler. There are a couple of obvious take off points
with a linking pipe though.

If you do go ahead be careful to move the end plate locating bolts around so they dont foul on the bolts that hold the converter
to the flexi plate. This caused me a lot of head scratching.

Jonners