Is any one out there running a 5 speed box ?
what are they like to drive with , good changes etc
is the 5th gear like an overdrive, do you have to swap between 4th and 5th much.
anyone running a minispares one , or know what they are like.

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That's why it's good to be.............ME

The 5 speed boxes I am aware of have the 5th gear as an overdrive and drops the revs by about 800 rpm from 4th to 5th. The 5th gear fits in at the end of the casing next to 1st gear and the otherside of the big main bearing. I think they were made in Melbourne, but no longer available, although I am sure some of the more knowledgeable Mini gurus will help with more info.

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1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)
2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S

I don't have one but from everything I've heard and read they aren't worth the effort.
You're better off changing your diff ratio to work to your preference of acceleration or lower economy (lower rpm at speed).

KG Engineering used to produce a 5-speed in Melbourne, but they went out of business some years ago IIRC.

I've not used one (I wish!) but from what I've heard, 5th gear in this type of 'box was pretty weak, and reliability was a problem. I believe some of the UK-produced 'boxes are better in this regard, but again that's just what I've heard.

I don't care what anyone says, I want one anyway

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

From memory the Jack Knight five speed cluster that fits into a normal case has a 1:1 fifth gear. Changing gear does take time, unsettles the car and I think is not really worth the expense! The mini gearbox is weak enough as it is without adding another weakness.

I think you cannot beat a good SCCR.

There is a well respected someone here (who may chim in) who runs a 6 speed and swears by it.

If properly engineered, not only for stength but gear ratios they should be good.

Jack Knight do a straight cut and helical version. As owen1975richard has pointed out 5th is 1:1 and this is a good thing because it reduces losses. They have a sequential shifter available (to get around the slowness of the normal shifter) and I am told these are quite good.

The Mini Spares ones would be really good for most road use, but 5th is an overdrive and too high in ratio, if it were a little lower it would be a great gear box.

Mini Speed (UK) also do 5 and 6 speed gearboxes. Don't know a lot about them, but appear only for competition. They also have a sequential shifter available.

Grant,

Talk to Warwick Butt, he has a 5 speed gearbox.

Doogie

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I won Hay once, here's the pic to prove it..


Hay, it's not about the car, it's not about the venue, it's about the people that come here. Peter Dwyer, Mayor of Hay NSW.

I know of an ausmini member who has built a couple of 5 speeds using the gearset
out of a Morris Nomad, there are some box housing mods needed but he says they work really well.
He has been running his for quite a few years.

trot down to your local bike wreckers and get a sequential 5 or 6 speed gear cluster and selector drum out of a big touring bike, either a kwaka or honda. The overall length of the shafts is no more than a std mini and the 3 syncro reverse gear will mesh into the 1st gears on the honda when the cluster is in neutral. Then you have a reverse.
The main shaft will fit into the original position [with new bearing adapters] and then build up where the lay shaft runs and line bore to set the input shaft. The idler gear needs repositioning with new bearings, but overall the whole job is not too complicated.
A cheap way of doing it and the big bike gears are stronger than a mini

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Research is the difference between speculation and investment. Anyone who copys some one else will always be second
www.minisprintgt.com

this is super cool..

i googled it & nothing.. dave you could be a first for this wicked mod.

but it's lots & lots of time i would assume.

Have a look at the bike gear sets and compare them to a mini.
The one I am doing I am using a 3 syncro case but cutting out the two webs and welding two new plates in. the engine I am building up is going to be dry-sumped and it is easier for these mods to put two new plates in for the sump plate mounting.
The bearings all all back to back taper rollers to carry the thrust from the diff and in-put gears. The gear shift for the selector drum has a extension with uni's out thru the case[speedo end] and the original gear shift is modified to select the reverse gear only. The gear stick assembly is a toyota corolla [with cables] main one for selecting on the drum and cross movement for engaging reverse.
When I get the new gear set, I just have to finish making all the jigs and line boring tools, and working out the mods for the pinon mounting, BUT it is all on hold until I finish the bathroom renovations or I will be divorced.

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Research is the difference between speculation and investment. Anyone who copys some one else will always be second
www.minisprintgt.com

Save the pain, take the divorce!!

WHAT!!!!!!!! then I will have to give her half of my workshop and my mini collection
After being married for37 years I think I can put up with a bit more nagging

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Research is the difference between speculation and investment. Anyone who copys some one else will always be second
www.minisprintgt.com

37 years????,,,, you get less for Murder

Kidding mate,,, you know i`m kidding

keep up the good work David,,, we might apply one of your bike boxes to one of my bike headed turbo-charged K-onversions & add that alloy flywheel/clutch assy you made for me & have an absolute total hybrid beast

& yes we have a 6-speed (dog-engagment) full race straight cut , super close ratio gearbox here,,, & we have just had to repair the broken rever\se gear on it (again) tonight,,, have just this minute finished it in fact

they are generally very strong , & the "Usual" 5 speed that`s been avaliable from a number of different companys are also very strong,,, however they did get "a bit" of a bad name for un-reliability issues through a pile of guys running big grunt turbo donks through them & loading up 5th gear with heaps of boost,,, this type of punishment isn`t very good for any box --->(well except maybe our 6 speed,,, it will most likely cope with that sort of abuse as it`s "VERY" well supported with multiple "big" bearings all through the damn thing)

But in general daily driving , for the average Joe/Jane Doe, with the average big donk, there really isn`t many issues with the average 5-speed "overdrive" syncro type box,,, most of them are a std-ish 4 speed with an overdriven 5th gear added on the end,,, &,,,as long as the end suppost bearings are there (unlike the very early examples) then all should be well & good

I`d actually like one for my Marcos

The 1:1 type 5speed SC/CR dog boxes are pure race only & are not suggested to use on the road,,, just like our 6-speed,,, race only

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

No Mate, just give her the house, all of it, then you get to keep the workshop and mini collection which in $$$ I'd say you'd be better off.

Na...all good, 37 years ain't bad. And Dave, your good wife does not nag you, it's just that we all need constaint reminding because we get so pre-occupied with our hobbies........