Dellow Automotive 5-Speed Conversions

Dellow Automotive 5-Speed Conversions

(This article appeared in Volume VIII Issue 1, January 2000.)

By: Kurt Schley

In Australia, a popular way to convert to a 5-speed transmission is to use an aluminum-case gearbox from a Toyota Supra. These are used behind a broad variety of engines including the Rover V8's used in MGB V8 conversions. The four models of Toyota Supra box are lightweight, compact and inexpensive. The transmission face-to-shifter dimension can be found in four different variations: 18", 19", 20.5", and 21", allowing tailoriing of the installation to use the stock tranny-tunnel shifter hole. The Supra gearbox is plenty strong for service behind a V8 and it is very smooth shifting.

Basic Dimensions
    Gearbox weight: 35kg
    Input shaft: 21 splines by 29mm
    Gearbox length: 22"
    Tailshaft splines: 21
    Oil capacity: 2.5L

Toyota Supra Aluminum 5-speed Transmission Gear Ratios (by series)

  Gear    W55    W57    W58    W59    Rover *  
  1st    3.57    3.28    3.28    3.95    3.32  
  2nd    2.06    1.89    1.89    2.14    2.09  
  3rd    1.38    1.27    1.27    1.27    1.40  
  4th    1.00    1.00    1.00    1.00    1.00  
  5th    0.85    0.86    0.78    0.85    0.83  
* Rover gear ratios provided for comparison


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Dellow Automotive in Sydney Australia manufactures a conversion kit (part number S76) to mate the Supra gearbox to the Rover engine. The kit will also fit a Buick/Olds 215. Included in the kit are:
    *   bellhousing, pilot bushing, and pivot
    *   clutch fork
    *   clutch plate to suit 9.5" pressure plate
    *   thrust plate and carrier
    *   speedometer cable
    *   tailshaft yoke
Note: the bellhousing casting can be special ordered with a 4:30 fork entry to suit the MGB's narrow tunnel.



Dellow Automotive also manufacturers a bellhousing to mate the Buick/Olds/Rover aluminum V8 to a Borg Warner T5 5-speed (either Ford or GM bolt pattern) as well as a large number of other kits and bellhousings for a variety of engine/transmission combinations.

Contact Dellow at 37 Daisy Street, Revesby, Sydney, NSW 2212 Australia
Phone: (02) 774-4419     Fax: (02) 774-4783

Disclaimer: This page was researched and written by Kurt Schley. Views expressed are those of the author, and are provided without warrantee or guarantee. Apply at your own risk.


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