FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Thinkin about replacing three speed ,floor shift box with an auto box for the wife's FC project,,engine is a 186,, any info on this would be greatly appreciated,( tunnel size, floor shift or back to column??) wanna keep bench seat,
Any info would be great
Simo

do you want a 3 or 4 spd auto

I did this mod with a trimatic in my last car. Tunnel was enlarged (I used a EK auto tunnel), I went to the trouble of converting it to a column for the same reason as you. I started with a EH auto column and converted the lockout and prindle from a Torana UC. Handbrake conversion was from HR (have pics of this). The gearbox crossmember was also modified HR. Speedo cable was from the UC I believe. Tailshaft was custom length shortened and balanced. I messed around with various coloured speedo drive and driven gears until I got it to read correctly on the speedo.

Ken

3 spd trimatic with 3.36 diff and 17-2000 converter will work very well,
will be the cheapest to install
the converter will make it not so sluggish on take off with the tall diff ratio.

calculated with 185/75/13 or 205/55/15

2.78= 2430 rpm@100
3.08= 2700 rpm@100
3.36= 2940
3.55= 3100
3.70= 3240
3.88= 3400
4.11= 3600

diff option in my opinion with the trimatic 3.36 econ, 3.55 std, 3.88 performance, 4.11 drag

with a t700 box it will cost a bit more to buy and then the adaptor plat but will make cruising even easier
and with the shorter 1st gear will allow it to take off better 3.1 v's 2.3:1 and 4th is 0.7:1

2.78= 1700 rpm@100
3.08= 1885 rpm@100
3.36= 2060
3.55= 2170
3.70= 2270
3.88= 2380
4.11= 2520

The stock converter with a v6 is 1700 but behind a 186 will be a bit higher, closer to 2000rpm, this will be fine,
idd even leave the stock 3.888 rear and you'll have a rocket, quick take off, light the rears up no problem and will cruse on the fwy at 2400rpm who could ask for more ;D

http://www.dellowconversions.com.au/
http://www.rodshop.com.au/trans_conversions/2wd_trans.htm
http://akb.norbie.net/Public/Gearing.aspx

I started with 3.36 diff and 185 tyres then put in a 3.08 to take it to Orange Nats. I found that the 3.08 was quite OK for my purposes as an everyday ratio so I left it in.
I wouldn't go higher than the 3.36

Ken

Good old powerglides go ok.

Trimatic with a small stally you cant go wrong.
A lot of work to fit a turbo box in the tunnel

Lovin the info, thanks guys,keep it com in,thinkin the trimatic will be the go,will most auto tunnels( hr ek ) convert ok?
Simo

EK is the easiest because it has the same floor pan as FC and has the added bonus of an underfloor chassis that can be used to mount the rear of the trans on. I was able to mount the HR rear trans mount to the EK chassis like this
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/mcl1959/IMG_1768.jpg)

But EK auto tunnels are getting a little hard to find nowdays.
But all tunnels from other cars can be made to fit.

Unless you have heaps of time and patience, I would use a tunnel from a supplier though rather than cutting one out of another car because of the work involved to make it fit.

Ken

The waddington tunnel is the best i seen so far easy to fit looks smooth...

You also need to consider carpet, if you fit an EK Auto or Aftermarket (Waddingtons etc) then you can order an EK Auto Carpet off the shelf.

This is a great post and great responses. Was just about to start a similar one.

I am in the process of restoring my old "Bess" (see under Project Under Construction)
and looking at doing the same thing:

HR Front End
Red Motor conversion
Trimatic on the tree.

Ken, Can you attach the original steering wheel onto an ek column?
I really don't want to lose that horn ring and button.  ;D

I've never put an original wheel on an EK column - I cant see why it wouldn't work. Maybe the bottom of the wheel would be very close to the seat leaving not much room for your legs.

Ken

due to the differing column lengths?

Stash,

Yes, I have done it in my FC Wagon, EK Auto column with FC wheel, you will have to graft a cut down FC gear lever (upper section FC) onto a cut down EK gear lever (lower section EK) as the EK lever will foul the FC wheel, I would say that it would be the same for a manual column

As Ken says, depending on what size you are the wheel may be a little close to your legs, I have installed bucket seats in my car and don't have any problems

(http://s14.postimage.org/jmmgpzj4t/A1_PEARLED_WHEEL.jpg) ($2)


(http://s17.postimage.org/m6qts74jf/A1_INT08nats_Alx.jpg) ($2)

Gary

Thanks for this.  ;D
and hopefully not hi-jacking this post, but adding to it on trimatic conversions.  ???

Just to confirm by the experts, the only way to get a trimatic in the FC is through the use of an EK steering column.
I was hoping for an original look or the car inside (i.e. bench seats, clear floors and steering) just with an auto on the column.

Cheers

John

What f/end are you using.If it's orig you don't need to change the tunnel,you can get the mtr/box low enough to clear the floor.I'm sure it's the early COM bellhousing which is smaller.You have to modify the arch under the floof at the front of the tunnel[there's a few threads that show you how]You can use a t/bar if you wish ,it clears the seat.I've used EK but prefer EJ/EH columbs,better & shorter & more s/wheel choices,too easy,  Gaz ! ;D

are hd/r columns,same length as ej/h...
is the wiring the same....

Same length but HR only has to bolts to hold it to the subframe EH has 3 like a FE FC , the holes need a little work to fit the FC bolt holes in the sub frame.........FC427.....

EK auto column is shorter than FC, FC ran a flat wheel, all later cars had a dished wheel.
The EK EJ AND EH auto columns are all similar with 3 bolts attaching to the subframe (slight ream required as FC427 says)
EK has a similar indicator mechanism & steering wheel boss to FC whereas EJ EH have a different indicator mechanism and boss altogether.
Wiring for the indicators is different from FB onwards because FE & most FC both had the indicators wired through the stop lights.

I personally like to keep the engine and trans up close to the floor so that exhaust, handbrake, speedo cable etc don't end up protruding below the car.

Ken

thanks for the details. Ken