Advice please,
I would like to change my wagon transmission from a celica 5 speed to a 3 speed (column shift) auto. Mainly so I can accomodate a bench seat, but also to make driving a bit easier. Has anyone got any recommendations?
To change the car from a Celica 5 speed to a 3 speed auto is not terribly difficult as you have a Red Motor fitted to your car. You will need to source a suitable trimatic transmission, tailshaft yoke and may need to have a tailshaft made to suit (approx $130-160) you will also need to try and obtain the transmission cooler lines with the transmission, with the clips that attach to the engine, to run the piping to the front of the car for the transmission oil cooler. Alternatively you can mount transmission coolers underneath the car, however I am not a fan of these, although this is purely personal opinion. You will need to fabricate or have fabricated a rear transmisson mount to replace the rear mount for the celica box, but as you have a chassis kit fitted to your car this will be relatively easy. Given that there also has previously been an aussie 4 speed fitted to your wagon, there shouldn't be any problems with transmission tunnel clearance. Obviously you will need to have the hole in the floor from the gearshift welded up. (This is preferable to having a plate screwed onto the floor with silicon to seal it)
You will also need to change the steering column as you will have to fit a column from a an EK, EJ or EH that had a Hydromatic fitted. Here comes the tricky part, as the Hydramatic shift pattern is different to the Trimatic. (You could fit a Hydramatic, they are a three speed auto, but they really are an obsolete gearbox) I would suggest the use of a cable to change gears, you would then need to change your selector gate to reflect the new positions, so that you cannot change from "D" into "R" or (and vice versa) or out of "P"without operating the gear selector through the gate. you would also need to change the markings on your prindle (PRNDL) to suit the Trimatic.
Also, Effie has a HR front end and I would also like to put in power steering. I have been told by the local power steering place that it could be done but sourcing the parts may be the hard part.... has anyone done this?
Thanks, all advice/recommendations are greatly appreciated.
HR Holdens did have optional power steering, however they are really scarce to find, and sourcing replacement parts for them is harder still, essentially you can use any pump and bracket set up from a red motor, have the lines fabricated, but the scarcity of the problem lies within the draglink and power ram. They had a unique draglink to connect a power ram to which is where the power assistance came from. This is the issue, to have one made and to have power ram made would be quite expensive.
I don't know of anyone that has modified any power steering racks to suit.
P.S Best place to get new carpet for a wagon in Melbourne?
Your carpet has been made br a trimmer, you may have to go to a trimmer to have the carpet matched in your car. Stinky, the resident forum trimmer, may be able to provide further advice.
Hope this helps
Keith
