Lateral shift 5 speed transmission: how to clear the tunnel?

[GGR]

Hi all,

I'm going to fit a lateral shift 5 speed manual trans in my '62 W111 Coupe. I looked under the car and there is no way the rods will have enough space under there. I believe the Pagodas have the same issue. One option is to graft a tunnel out of a later W108 that came with these lateral shifts. I also believe that any car equipped with floor auto shift would do. Bur before going into cutting and welding, I was wondering if you Pagoda guys had come with an easier solution.

Thanks in advance!

[jeffc280sl]

Lot of guys are looking into or have done 5 speed conversions.  Some like myself have opted to keep the 4 speed and change out the rear axle from a W108 4.5 donor. 

Use the search function at the top to search for "5 speed" and "3,27 rear axle" and you will find a ton of info.

[Garry]

I believe all of the five speed conversions have either been going to the ZF gearbox, as per the original optioned box without any modifications to the body work, the T5 gearbox and again I believe no body panel modifications needed or the Getrag 5 speed.  I am in the process of doing the Getrag but with that there is no body panel mods made, and only the fitment of a different gear box mount that has been designed by one of the members for the job.

Fitting a lateral shift is only introducing a whole lot of other problems when it is probably cheaper to go the T5 route or the Getrag way.

As Jeff said, if it is to lower the revs, then the rear end conversion to a 3.46 or a 3.27 is the way to go, which I have also done, and makes a huge difference and is a whole lot easier and cheaper.

[GGR]

Thanks.

I fact I have modified and reinforced a 5 speed trans to fit on a 5.0 euro V8 M117 (see picture). Going back to another type of transmission now would be much more work and money than modifying the tunnel trans. I think I could get a tunnel from a later W108 (280 upwards) as they came with that trans as an option, and graft it on my car, at least the rear part of it.

If you know of a W108 donnor car in the DC area or neighboring states where I could go and cut the tunnel out, please let me know.

Thanks in advance!

[114015]

Hi GGR,

So, you want to fit an M117 V8 into your SL ... that's another story.

Hatch & Sons has done that twice and one of theirs has a five speed...

http://www.hatchandsons.com/pages/280sl/280slr/

Arrr no! I've just reviewed their homepage again, it's a four speed. Sorry ...



Their is lots of assembly and adaptation necessary then; please see their website also and ask questions to them perhaps.

If you are heading for such a conversion; adapt your tunnel by widening and welding in new steel sheet metal.
The 108 tunnel is wider, yes (in order to have space for the later 4-speed manual gear box (side shift) and auto transmissions), but generally the 113 tunnels as a cabriolet had thicker sheet metal than the sedan tunnels; thus an interchange to any kind of range is not recommended.

Maybe one hint ... perhaps it is possible to adapt the linkage (lateral shift) by moving it closer to the gear box, make it smaller or something that like. I don't know how tight that is in the tunnel with that 5-speed...

Good luck!

Achim

[GGR]

I'm fitting that engine and tranny in a W111 Coupe (see first post), not in a W113, though I would have liked to (see the other thread I started in the same section). I unfortunayely did not find the right project Pagoda at the right price. Most of the ones I've seen were rust buckets and working on sheet metal is not my strong point. if anybody knows of one (complete in terms of body and cosmetics even if it has to be completely redone, as little rust as possible, no engine, no trans, no front and rear axles is OK) let me know.

Hatch & Sons fitted 3.5 M116s. M117 are possible, I saw one and I know the same person did another one. Nice cars!

[scoot]

I'm going to fit a lateral shift 5 speed manual trans i...

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a LATERAL shift transmission?
Scott

[jacovdw]

The shift selector is on the side of the transmission instead of the top.