33 replies to this topic

[rodandtom]

Hi
Anyone put a 5 speed box in their mini? Or do you just modify gear ratios/ final drive ratio?

It so needs a another gear.

Rod

[nicklouse]

There were some sold with 5 speed boxes. Most of the parts suppliers sell kits. Check the ratios as many leave the input and output at 1:1

What you trying to do?

[rodandtom]

It just feels like it needs extra legs. Once I get to about 50 it wants another gear.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

Stick a 5 speed box in it then.  You could also raise the final drive ratio to achieve a higher top gear but you'll lose acceleration through the gears.  Final drive change costs less of course.

[Orange-Phantom]

Minispares sell a five speed where the 5th gear is overdrive.  They do both helical and straight cut (both synchromesh).

KAD do a five speed dog box but 5th speed is 1:1 so the ratios close together.

Quaife/Swiftune are nearly ready with their new 5 speed dogbox.  Expect that to be expensive.

Jack Knight used to sell 5 and 6 speed boxes but unfortunately are no longer in business.

 

Depends if it's road or race on which one I'd spend my money on.

[beardylondon]

I read someone a while back that there were issues with the Jack Knight 5 speed boxes, I believe that is what John Cooper put in the Cooper Sport 5 model they made in the 90s.

 

As you say Jack Knight went out of business, but some to surface from time to time.

Edited by beardylondon, 27 July 2019 - 10:03 AM.

[mab01uk]

I have had a Minispares 5-speed helical gearbox fitted for about 10 years with no problems:-

http://www.minispare...Speed.aspx?1501

[Orange-Phantom]

I read someone a while back that there were issues with the Jack Knight 5 speed boxes, I believe that is what John Cooper put in the Cooper Sport 5 model they made in the 90s.

 

As you say Jack Knight went out of business, but some to surface from time to time.

It was the Helical Synchromesh Jack Knight 5 Speed Gearboxes that had the issues with the 5th gear.  Their Dog Boxes were bullet proof.  Unfortunately no longer in business though....

The Minispares 5 speed does look like a nice piece of kit.  I'm curious as to how much torque the straight cut box can deal with in 5th.  The Minispares website has the figures for the helical version.  I should really give them a shout.

[DeadSquare]

Before the advent of synchromesh 1st gear, many drivers in level areas, seldom used 1st and 3rd.

 

With 1300cc and a tall diff, do you need a 5th gear in Kent ?

[nicklouse]

It just feels like it needs extra legs. Once I get to about 50 it wants another gear.

What you mean you are at 6k and need another gear? May have the wrong final drive fitted. Could be out of an Allegro or ADO16.

[mab01uk]

I think if you are used to driving modern small cars, you are always going to feel a classic Mini is missing a 5th gear, especially on motorways due to the noise level. In 1959 the first motorways were a rare experience for motorists.....

[InnoCooperExport]

If only that KAD 5 speed dogleg wasn't a straightcut dogbox and a 1:1 5th. I'd love a dogleg layout 5 speed for a mini but don't think I could live with the noise from a straight cut dog on the road.

Edited by InnoCooperExport, 27 July 2019 - 05:07 PM.

[Ethel]

 

It just feels like it needs extra legs. Once I get to about 50 it wants another gear.

What you mean you are at 6k and need another gear? May have the wrong final drive fitted. Could be out of an Allegro or ADO16.

 

 

My thoughts too. It's dubious if it's worth 4 figures for a 5th gear, but it's a certainty if you're not running the right final drive. I don't think any Mini left the factory that didn't make decent and relatively refined (for a Mini) progress around 50mph.

[Grbbongo]

I’m guessing you’re on 10” wheels as well?
Mine feels or felt very similar. Quite a bit better now I’ve switched to 12” wheels.
Another option may be to fit the MED straight cut drop gears to bring the gearing down a touch.

[rodandtom]

Between 50 and 60 you hit 6k revs.

I know it's an old car but it just feels like everything will be a lot easier with another gear.

I'm not going to spend silly money on it. I've got a Sprite with a standard final drive. I can live with it. I don't expect to be doing motorway cruising, I was just interested in the options should I consider it eventually.