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can a locost be build with automatic Transmition ?
simonH - 2/1/03 at 11:43 AM

has anyone built their locost with automatic tranmition? any advice would be great.


Simon - 2/1/03 at 12:33 PM

Simon,

Welcome, and a Happy New Year!

I nearly did it myself, with a Rover V8. Unfortunately(?) box got lost in post, so I got a manual instead.

No reason why you shouldn't build with an auto. You won't need to worry about a clutch pedal - more space in footwell etc.

You will, of course, need all the associated parts - cables, trans oil cooler (if any) etc

Production car "auto versions" generally slightly slower and less fuel efficient than manual, but in a car so light, I reckon the difference will be negligable.

Do you have an engine/box combo in mind?

ATB

Simon


locodude - 2/1/03 at 06:13 PM

Depends which box you are thinking of but most RWD slush boxes are a bit bigger than the manual equivalent. The mk2 escort autobox being one of them. Thats why the rally lads like mk2 autobox shells because the tunnel is bigger. Just a thought.


interestedparty - 2/1/03 at 07:22 PM

On the other hand, auto boxes can handle more power than a manual, and are frequentluy used in drag racing

John


jollygreengiant - 3/1/03 at 11:32 AM

Quite a few years ago their was a lad who raced a mini with an auto box. I forget what mods he made but he won quite often with it, and when you looked in the car it looked like a manual gear lever (looked was the operative word).


Jon Ison - 3/1/03 at 04:57 PM

There is at least one Rover V8 auto locost about, remember it PTM ?

the one with the "neon" shifter ???


BTW, summat to think about, i did try the auto route in a mid engined YB cosworth powerd autograss car, work'd fine till you lifted mid corner, its a bit like dipping the clutch, not a good idea when your sideways.......it was a pig to drive hard around corners, went off line much quicker but lost all the advantage in corners............

[Edited on 3/1/03 by Jon Ison]


locodude - 3/1/03 at 06:29 PM

quote:
There is at least one Rover V8 auto locost about, remember it PTM ?

the one with the "neon" shifter ???:
quote:

I'm trying to forget it, will the nightmares never end?


stephen_gusterson - 3/1/03 at 08:22 PM

i concur that auto boxes are generally bigger. what you gain in losing a pedal you might lose by making the tranny tunnel bigger.

atb

steve


interestedparty - 3/1/03 at 08:27 PM

Mostly it's the bellhousing that's the problem, and forces a narrower footwell to be constructed The bellhousing will be pretty much the same, auto or manual.

John