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5 speed conversion

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:41 pm
by crannyr
I completed a 5 speed conversion for my Plus 2 using an alpha box last year, final drive is .78 with a 3.55 rear cruises very comfortably. We made a 1" aluminum adaptor to mate the original lotus bell housing to the front of the ALpha box. Fit in the car was very easy, kept the originial shifter location, very little fitting problems. Biggest hassel was the spreedo conversion but that looks to be solved as well. Have about 500 miles with no problems. Any one wants to see the car in Massachusetts or learn more, drop me a note.

Re: 5 speed conversion

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:58 pm
by garyeanderson
Hi Rick

Good to see someone local doing all the engineering, I would like to take a look some time. Its been a while (92 or 93) since I have been out your way. I stopped at your shop and met you an Noel Poduje. Thanks for the info

Gary

Re: 5 speed conversion

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:06 pm
by DJThom
I would be very interested in knowing more about your conversion. Which donor car provided the gearbox, and what are the ratios? Were you able to use the standard Elan clutch mechanism? How did you go about sorting out the speedometer?

Darren

Alfa Box for Elan

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:23 pm
by CBUEB1771
Rick,
Count me in for a visit as well. Gary seems to have been a more recent visitor, I don't think I have been out your way for at least 15 years. I have not seen your +2 since the first LOG in Connecticut when you were there with your race car as well. I seem to recall your +2 is very close to mine in terms of chassis number. I have been thinking about going the way of the Alan Voights Ford T9 conversion. I am very interested in all the details, ratios of each gear etc.
Russ

Re: 5 speed conversion

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:28 pm
by crannyr
Gear box was out of a Giulia, ratios: 3.304, 1.988, 1.355, 1.000, and .791. Speedo converion used the stock right angle drive with a new retaining nut (cut for meteric threads) and a ratio adaptor spliced into the speedo cable from APT(http://www.gaugeguys.com/). Also had a custom driveshaft made. All th original clutch components can be used save the disk which is a different spline but very available. For my conversion I close to convert to a annular slave cylinder(Dave Bean amoung others) while it was easy to design a mount on the adaptor plate. Had some modificatios made to the gear box rear housing for clearance and mounting but nothing major and only needed minor welding for a tranny mount.

Re: 5 speed conversion

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:36 pm
by crannyr
Russ and Gary. You guys are more than welcome to come over and take a look. Car is at my home in Grafton and on stands for it winter service and tweeks. At the same time you can take a look at Danny's Plus 2 with the 1850cc FI and spyder conversions. Weekends are best and everything is unheated so pick a warn day. Call me at 508 839 3418.

Re: 5 speed conversion

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:42 pm
by garyeanderson
Hi Rick

I will talk with Russ and a few other interested parties to establish a good weekend date, that way you won't have to show it off to many times.

Gary

Re: 5 speed conversion

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:58 pm
by garyeanderson
I found this page on Alfa Giulia gearbox with photos of a strip down, not sure this is the one Rick is refering to but the shift is in the right place. the donut on the back has me worried though.

Gary

http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_giul ... trip.shtml

Re: 5 speed conversion

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:29 pm
by crannyr
Looks the same. Donut was carved off with a hacksaw and replaced with a welded on mounting lug for the tranny mount.

Donut

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:36 pm
by lotuselan2
If you have done a CV joint replacement the donut might be good to give you some give in the drive train. Many modern cars have rubber discs in their drive shafts.

Re: 5 speed conversion

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:25 pm
by RotoFlexible
garyeanderson wrote:Hi Rick

I will talk with Russ and a few other interested parties to establish a good weekend date, that way you won't have to show it off to many times.

Gary


Gary,

Please sign me up as an "interested party." Rick told me about this conversion while we were discussing the 1700cc engine.

Thanks,
Andy

Re: 5 speed conversion

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:09 pm
by garyeanderson
Hi Andy

Bill Gavin is interested too. sounds like Rick is in for a flock of Lotus nuts to show up and paw all over his Plus 2. I am interested in the F.I. 1850 engine in Danny's car too.

Gary

Re: 5 speed conversion

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:10 pm
by crannyr
Attached are a couple photos of the tranny before installation

Re: 5 speed conversion

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:19 pm
by crannyr
photos will not attach, tranny installation was easier. Anyone wants photos email me at [email protected]

Re: 5 speed conversion

PostPosted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:13 pm
by garyeanderson
Hi Rick

Send them to me at [email protected] and I'll get them up here.
Too cold today to do much else anyway.

Gary