Hi Mike, I'm waiting on John in NZ and for a window in my schedule to collect the box and other parts from Andy as it involves a trip to the UK. I do know that the cross-member is off Warren's car at the moment for John to make the jig for others to get a copy. I'm assuming this takes a bit of work. Not heard from him for a week now.
The final drive ratio idea is very interesting. That'll give you an effect 0.83:1 instead of 0.73:1 in 4th. I wonder if that'll give you more "go" in gear as it would with a manual. I'm not sure with a torque converter transmission as they tend to have massive gearing and then use the fact they can slip 2:1 or thereabouts, it's not like these are "fixed" as such. That's why even an oldish transmission like this which locks up can when cruising be more economical than a manual car of the era as you effectively have a 6-speed gearbox range (OK usually not the case).
What I can say with experience of the ZF in my BMW is that gearing is important. The speed limit here in urban areas is 50kph, the car would never sit comfortably at this speed hunting from (presumably) 2nd to 3rd or more likely just creeping upwards pushing you over the limit - I have the tickets to prove it. The problem is not always behind the wheel of a BMW
Anyway one thing Warren hasn't posted here is that the exhaust needs to be re-routed from behind where the downpipes join to the second section of the exhaust. Basically the neatest way is to make it a 4 piece system with a new second piece custom made - it's just a simple bit of pipe so not so difficult but again it all adds up workwise. I'm really hoping Warren will post a close up or two of this, how the speedo kit is mounted and how the cooler pipes are routed.
I'm really looking forward to the silence and smoothness as much as the overdrive and lock-up.
