5 speed conversion

[ejm]

I have several getrag 265 overdrive gearboxes with kits to convert most 60s mercs. This includes the adaptor plates to the bell housing, drive coupling,  propshaft adaptor and speedo cable. All the gearboxes have been overhauled and had speedo drives fitted by All-gears.  http://www.all-gears.co.uk/gears.htm.  Although the boxes have rubber mountings each side, you will need to fabricate a mounting bar. Also the linkage from the gearstick needs to be shortened and joined to the BMW linkage (supplied). Ive put this convertion into my 280 SE cabrio and its made it a much better car to drive.  Two other members are converting pagodas at the moment.   

[mkbull]

Hello Ed
Here are a couple of shots of a one in progress
I'll be working on the gearshift linkage over the next couple of weeks so will post more pictures for anyone interested.
I also have M130 manual flywheels if anyone is interested in changing from Auto to 5 speed. or from a 230 4 speed manual to a 280 5 speed
The engine in the picture came from a 280 Auto Sedan. The original engine in my car was a 230 manual and the flywheels are not interchangeable.[/img]

Mark

Some more pictures of progress

The shift linkage is now complete and seems to work well.
The engine/gearbox have been in and out of the car a couple of times to set everything up correctly.
I am having a little difficulty determining the exact tilt (fore and aft) of the engine and gearbox.
I know it slightly tilts rearwards from my archive of photographs I was able to get a good approximation of the angle.
I am considering mounting the original gearbox and mount to try and get the exact angle the engine should be sitting at.
If anyone knows of another way to set this angle please let me know

[mkbull]

more shots

[Garry]

Mark,
Am I seeing that right that you have transferred the hand brake from the left hand side of the transmission tunnel to the right?

Garry

[mkbull]

Yes its on the right... I'm not going to win any originality prizes.
Mark

[georgem]

Hand brake on the right (correct side) - now there`s a driveability improvement I would like to learn about.

Can you describe how that was done - much cutting and weldiing?

Cheers from of RHD driver with a stretched left arm


George
230SL
Brisbane

[Garry]

I agree George,
The hand brake on the left just does not look good and is really difficult to do hand brake starts.  Absolutely a drivability improvement for RHD vehicles that dont need to be PC for showing

[hands_aus]

I once saw it on a local car and was amazed how RIGHT it looked.

That lever placement was a factor I considered when I was buying my Pagoda.
As I plan to keep my car I figured that when I reach 85yo in 25 years time, it would be a real problem .

I bought an auto.

[mkbull]

It's really just as easy to put the handbrake on the right side when rebuilding the floors pans.
Even if you were not replacing floor sections it can be done with little welding.
You need to do a little engineering to the right side of the tunnel to take the handbrake mounting bolt, don't just bolt it to the tunnel but use a backing plate of say 8mm thickness.
I can happily post all the details and pics if you really want to do it.
Mark 

[georgem]

Mark,

It would be really interesting to see what needs to be done - especially from the point of view of a driver car rather than one under restoration.

Cheers

[hands_aus]

Hey Mark,
There are lots of RHD car owners who might be interested.
Please add the info and any pics.
Maybe a new topic is in order.

cheers

[mkbull]

I think l'll start a fresh topic rather than hijak Ed's 5 speed Getrag thread.
Actually both toplics are a little related since this change actually turns out to be an advantage (although not  essential) when fitting the Getrag.
I'll post a new topic with pictures and details this weekend.
Mark

[Raymond]

What is the ratio of the 5th gear?

[mkbull]

Hi Raymond
The 5th gear is 0.81 ie. overdrive.
All the ratios are very close to the original zf 5 speed box but without doubt this is a much superior gearbox.

Just for a bit more info about the getrag:-

1) it has the same drive shaft spline configuration as the Mercedes so using original clutch etc. is no problem.
2) it has detachable bellhousing so can be fitted with the merc 4 speed bellhousing (which is also detachable -a lucky coincidence)
3) Jaguar racing enthusiasts upgrade to this gearbox as it is bomb proof and can handle massive horsepower up to 600hp
4) standard fitment for manual specified top end BMW's throughout the eighties including 635i and M3.

Regards
Mark

[Raymond]

I've always thought that was the easiest path to 5th gear.  It sounds like you're on your way to a lot of driving fun.


I have been working in parallel, just because I like to experiment.  I am driving my 280SL T-5 conversion home to Florida from Blacklick.   

Good luck with your project and keep us posted. 

[66andBlue]

Members of the German Pagodentreff.de web site are currently discussing the possibility of ordering a small run of kits to install an overdrive (5th gear) into a normal 4-speed.  The owner of the company who does that ("drmot") appeared to be receptive to the idea.
For those members here who want to have a 5th gear there could be a chance to piggyback  and order a few more sets.
See: http://www.pagodentreff.de/diskussionsforum/t6765-overdrive-bzw-5-gang-getriebe-sammelbestellung.html

Unfortunately my technical knowledge is not good enough to tell you exactly how the conversion is done but perhaps Tom Collitt or Klaus or hkollan can provide the details.

[Garry]

Hi Alfred,

I tried to read the article and the follow on's using a translator on the net.  What I cannot get from it was a contact detail. Can you work that out from the site and let me know?

Thanks
Garry

[66andBlue]

I sent him an email through the German web site, lets hope that he responds.

[Garry]

Thanks Alfred,

Having again read the Pargodentreff.de site as best I could on what made up the conversion kit and how it all fitted within the 4 speed housing whilst retaining by all outward appearances the same looks and allowed an easy reversion to the original if wanted, it appears to be the way to go if you want to have a 5 speed manual gearbox.  Certainly would be far cheaper, a more robust box than the ZF, retain an MB box and I suspect an all round much friendlier gear box to use.

Will be interested in any response to your email.

Regards
Garry

[scp]

Is there any update as yet?  I now have my car entirely apart for painting (courage added from seeing member bpossel's excellent pictures on picasaweb) and would like very much to add a fifth gear now that the transmission is sitting on a clean bench.

Has anyone done this?  My German is near nonexistent so reading through the pagondentreff site is not an option.  I am willing to be first if someone could assist in the translation.  Thanks again for all help to date.

Cheers,
SCP

[waqas]

As another point of reference, Ray Hays replaced his factory four-speed with a Tremec T-5 five-speed transmission. Refer to the latest issue of Pagoda World, Issue 11.