smuts Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Have a friend who wants to build a Caterham (with a bit of help) but needs to have an automatic gearbox. Has anyone seen a 7 with one or even better, actually fitted one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickh7 Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 why ? is it for mobility issues ? There is some footage somewhere of a guy in a wheel chair who built a Westfield with a hand operated throttle and clutch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domus Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Are Caterham not using the box from an MX-5 now? If so Mazda do make an auto for the Five and it can use flappy paddles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Slotter Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 A BEC with paddles/powershift/appropriate ECU control? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Crudders Posted June 2, 2014 Area Representative Share Posted June 2, 2014 I recall a 7 with a traditional torque converter auto in the early 90s driven by a hirsute and jocular chap (name long forgotten), bumped into him a few times at various meets. So yes, it has been done. A Duratec with an MX5 auto sounds like a good solution. Cruds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted June 2, 2014 Member Share Posted June 2, 2014 There's a possible lead in this thread. Lots of possible approaches: 1 Fit an automatic gearbox to an existing 7 engine 2 Fit an engine and automatic gearbox that already work together 3 Fit remote controls to an existing 7 manual box. Choosing between these would depend on what skills you have. 1 and 2 are probably going to require work on the space frame, mounts and tunnel. 3 might not, and the components are widely available. For 2 one possibility would be the engine and automatic box from a Mazda MX-5, as above. The smaller the engine and gearbox the easier the structural changes would be: what suitable small RWD Japanese drivetrains are there? Is the Suzuki engine in the 160 ever used with an automatic gearbox? Jonathan Edited by - Jonathan Kay on 2 Jun 2014 18:25:17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Ford Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 One of the grads racers only has the use of one arm, and his gearbox is operated via flappy paddles and small built-in compressor in the passenger footwell. Not sure how practical that would be for road use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 might be worth getting box dimensions and then consider using a SV with a few tweaks if required by Bruce. If you use the MX-5 Duratec combo the box will sit in the car canted at an angle as in the MX-5 the engine sits tilted over at 11 degrees ISTR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougBaker Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 It seems there is an auto box which could fit in a 160 Cappuccino Auto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted June 2, 2014 Member Share Posted June 2, 2014 *arrowup*That looks good. (I could only find 4WD configurations from the Jimny etc, but there some other utility vehicles that use the K6A engine.) Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Geartronics has a paddleshift system that can be converted to automatic. A friend here in Italy has a Westfield with hand operated clutch but that can be easily done only with motorbike engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smuts Posted June 2, 2014 Author Share Posted June 2, 2014 Many thanks for your replies, yes, this guy is in a wheel chair and feels an auto box with hand controls will suit him. Options 1 and 2 mentioned are probably the best to go for and the MX5 combination sounds like a goer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badger Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 There was a trade stand at the Trockmorton event who do a paddleshift conversion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Geoff Pickin's car had all hand controls. It was bike engined though 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed White Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Hi, I built a lad a Westfield around 20 years ago with an auto cross flow. He'd lost an arm on a bike. Quite simple from what I remember. Tunnel needed widening, but you are loosing the clutch pedal, so not a real issue. Can't remember lots of detail, but defo achievable. Regards, ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon.Rogers1 Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 Badger Glad you were reading the pop ups! Yes and it changes automatically or more specifically to all these systems at preset revs both up and down. These figures/revs can be changed but only via a laptop in the garage - not on the go. I think on track that may work but on the road it would not be flexible enough and you still need the clutch to start/stop. Geoff Pickins car was in various conversion states. Started with handlebars and twist grip. More lately it was steering wheel with hand clutch, throttle and brake. All on or around the steering wheel. You may wish to speak to Mike Riley who did the conversion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smuts Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 Many thanks, pretty useful stuff - will get this guy thinking and pretty exited about the possibilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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