AV8 Hop Up: 5 Speed + Flathead = Performance (Fresh Updates 7th Dec)

Hi Guys,

Thought I would share some pics of the latest hop up to my ride; the installation of a alloy cased Supra 5 speed box. The work's only just begun so expect to see some more pics and tech info coming over the next few days. The majority of the hard stuff is being done by Ben (Lowsquire) at his new Rancho Deluxe Speed & Custom shop in Melbourne. I've been pestering Ben for a while to open up his own shop as his mechanical skills, eye for design and fabrication prowess is top notch. So I thought I'd put my money where my mouth is and step up to be his first ever customer....

My hot rod Spidey Senses were tingling...



So I come home from work and am greeted by this. Something un-nerving about seeing your car in pieces! Rather then take the body off and do it the hard way, Ben did what any self respecting hot rodder would and just zipped out the floor with a grinder



View from the other side



Not much room to move that box around in there. The Supra installation may require a bit more of a snip to get it in.



The offending article, fuck this thing weighs a TONNE



Its super model replacement: Supra alloy case 5 speed. Thats one of Mike Davidsons adapters on the front. You use the truck bellhousing when putting the box behind later model 8BA's. Red's Headers is the stateside supplier for all of Mike's gear.



You continue to use the mechnical clutch...



Originally the shifter location was back over the slip yoke housing, which would have placed it underneath the seat. I dont know the details of what voodoo Ben worked on this, but the housing is now flipped 180 putting the shifter about 3 inches foruther forward then orginal. You can buy kits to do this but they cost around $300!!!



Distance from front of the adapter to the shifter





The front end will be getting a make over soon in the form of Deuce grill and insert.



Next in the firing line, a tastey Trumpet Bobber



Dont know how Ben works in these conditions, garage seems to get pretty smokey....


Danny

 

Good one Danny,

You never know I might just have to do the same, and remove the old 3 speed Packard from my coupe...........

Better get it on the road first before I go modifying it

 

stop smearing vaseline on your lens to make your car look 'romantic'!
makes the shop look like some seventies porn photoset.

just pulled the clutch..pressure plate looks good,your motor was originally a wicked shade of dark gold by the looks of it..
clutch size is eleven inch, apparently there is a toyota clutch to fit..easy!

Dan, did the bellhousing kit include a bearing or bush for the flywheel? will have to sort that out.

 

Hi Mate,

I dont think so, all that came with the kit was the sleeve (which we had to get extended), the bolts and the actual adapter.

Danny

 

Lookin good. should be a touch more driveable.

 

The Toyota Dyna clutch is a 9" clutch, which may be the largest clutch that Toyota made.

 

Hi Ben,

Swifto said he used the existing bronze spigot bush. He also said the reason he went with a new pressure plate is that the original one made contact with the adapter, so might need to come down in size with that and get the clutch to suit.

Danny

 

Hi Mate,

I forgot to take home the measurements you needed but will do it tonight.

Danny

 

Youre gonna love it man.....

Rat

 

Nice job,wish I was that far along

 

Thanks Danny, I'd appreciate it.

 

I am amazed about the amount of flatstuff going on downunder.

 

looks like another convert here..
I plan on doing flathead/5 speeds in the cars i put together..the first being on 32 rails..
getting heads out of NZ ..'HOGAN' brand..old speedway racer made them, his son is recasting sets..should have some by xmas, if they are any good,ill distribute the next lot to australia (and elsewhere) .stay tuned...

 

Hey Mate,

Whats the damage on those Hogan heads? They doing in a few diff sizes (400, 425) etc?

Danny

 

When I changed from a 3-speed to a T-5 in my '36, the difference was huuuge. Better synchros, great launch, great freeway cruise, and a hatful of ratios in between. I bet you're gonna love it.

 

They're not that heavy, mine's gotta come out again fuck it!

Ben just a tip to help later, make a nice big removable piece for the floor. Makes things alot easier.

 

yup,
big ass square hole will be cut where the triangle bit currently is.
heads are still a mystery, will find out when they get here.

 

You want to come over and pick mine up?

Danny

 

Cool work boys!
=]

Rancho Deluxe is go.

 

Any more than 3 shakes is a wank...so what's that make 5 gears?

 

Hey, the steering wheel's on the wrong side of the car.

Seriously, this looks like a decent alternative to the T5.

Good info. Thanks

 

1.66 wanks?

Danny

 

There's gotta be some-one who takes it to another level isn't there?

 

Kids huh....!

 

Putting that 5 speed in will be like driving a new car but with a lot more style.

Ben, I bet it feels good to be able to finally get some car work done in the new shop.

Binga

 

Hey Binga,

How did you go chasing up the ignition leads for your ride?

Danny

 

Hi Guys,

Fresh upddates from the Rancho Deluxe Speedworks and Caffeine Emporium.

Hit a minor snag yesterday, nothing money wont fix but just goes to show, even though you buy a "kit" you still have to expect shit just wont go together likes its 'sposed to. When I got into this adventure I started laying aside money for all the contingencies I knew would eventuate as part of the hop up process. I know guess how much it's going to cost and then double it.

The 11" scintered brass clutch is out... I love the smell of Asbestos in the morning... smells like... victory.



The pressure plate. We're getting closer to the problem.



The ends of the fingers run pretty close to the edge of the bell housing with an 11" clutch.


Which mean, you guessed it CONTACT!!! with the inside of the adapter plate.



You can see the differences in thickness between the original steel bellhousing and the adapter plate



The measurement from the bottom of the lip. You can see here that there is a taper from the bottom up towards the top. I think what's happened is Mike has taken this measurement and just made the lip the same thickness on the adapter, without taking into consideration the taper.



Same measurment on the adapter plate



Distance between the bolt hole and the inside of the lip



Bingo, you can see the issue here. Much more meat on the adapter then on the bellhousing. Its only a couple mm's too much to clear the pressure plate. We'll farm the adapter off to the local engineering workshop and get it turned on an angle to clearance the pressure plate. Nothing hard, but more $$$. I might have a chat to Mike and see if he wants to machine the adapters differently so they they will clear the 11" clutch. And make his shafts longer so the throwout bearing doesn't fall of the end.



The Caffeinator 5000



Living with a mad fabricator/barrista has its benefits. Perfect fit...


Danny

 

but isnt it nice when someone else lets you know all the pitfalls your about to encounter!

looking good.

 

hahha

nice shot of the coffee...but according to melb. Barrista folklore, the head should just touch the top of the arc shape on a latte glass..so that one is a little short.

Dropped the belhousing at the machinist (hes Scottish, which is strangely reassuring for some reason) "no problems Laddie" said he.

Ah yes...its not the work..its the running around .

 

Thanks mate, its nicely to know if adcance that your in for some frustration!!!

Speaking off, whats the latest on the block from the machine shop?

Dan