Automatic
Transmission to Manual Conversion on a Classic Mini
The A series transverse automatic gearbox,
like the manual, is pretty much unique in its design and operation.
Foremost, it uses the engine oil rather than a separate Automatic
Transmission Fluid (ATF) as its hydraulic power, it is therefore
critical that regular oil changes and servicing is performed.
As vehicles age and change hands, this service history can be
lost, forgotten or just ignored. The unfortunate outcome is the
eventual failure of the transmission. To repair these units can
be over £1,000 excluding labour costs to remove the existing
engine so converting the car to manual transmission can become
a viable option.
If you currently own a Mini with automatic
transmission we can now offer the facility to convert it to manual
transmission. This service is a fixed price of £500 labour
+ parts or £750.oo labour if you car is a Japanese import
with factory fitted air conditioning
We will need your car for a minimum
of three days, we can offer a collection and delivery service
at extra cost.
We can also supply any engine / gearbox
combination through our trusted suppliers, so you can choose a
sedate 998cc unit through to hairy 90 BHP 1380cc
We can source the parts that are required
but if you want to find these at auto jumbles etc these are the
items you will need to find.
Whilst carrying this conversion out we would recommend
fitting new engine mounts and looking closely at the suspension
cones.
You cannot use the existing engine to mate to a manual
gearbox the oilways are completely different and the automatic front
subframe is slightly wider hence the adaptor plates or replacing
the subframe. The park switch inhibitor ( if you are doing this
yourself) needs to be bypassed otherwise the car will not start!
The benefits of this conversion are two fold, firstly
automatic minis tend to have covered very low mileages by elderly
ladies and are traditionally in fairly good original condition and
secondly as these automatic cars are not so sought after they can
often be purchased much cheaper than their manual counterparts.
So when looking on on- line auction sites do not discount those
cheap automatics that are always on offer!
