P6 4 speed box to 5 speed conversion

Kabidge · Post by **Kabidge** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:29 pm

Hi guys, im new here.

I have just bought a Mk1 Escort running a 3.5l Rover V8 and P6 4 speed box with a 2.8i capri LSD rear end.

Looking into swapping out the 4 speed as its crap and repalcing with a 5 speed. What is going to be the best way to go and whats involved? will something like a SD1 5 speed box be a straight swap?

Any help is appreciated

Matt

CastleMGBV8 · Post by **CastleMGBV8** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:30 am

The Sd1 box with the V8 bellhousing is a straight bolt on to the engine.

You may however have to make small mods to the top of the gearbox tunnel for clearance and the gearbox mountings/crossmember and the prop shaft may need modification.

Kevin.

harvey · Post by **harvey** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:16 pm

CastleMGBV8 wrote:The Sd1 box with the V8 bellhousing is a straight bolt on to the engine.
the prop shaft may need modification.

Kevin.

The prop will need to be shortened.

Darkspeed · Post by **Darkspeed** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:38 pm

The size of the crankshaft spigot bush required is also different.

Andrew

harvey · Post by **harvey** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:49 pm

Darkspeed wrote:The size of the crankshaft spigot bush required is also different.
Andrew

Yes, SD1 spigot bush as you say, and the SD1 pressure plate, centre plate and release bearing and arm, and you should use the SD1 slave cylinder instead of the Rover 4 speed one, although that one can be used with a spacer (1/4" IIRC) between it and the bellhousing. It's all coming back to me now.........Well most of it anyway. When I did the same conversion on a P6B the gearlever came up exactly where the original was, so providing that part of the 4 speed box hasn't been altered in this application the same should apply.