auto to manual conversion- MK1 16 TRS

B-Hive · Post by **B-Hive** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 9:53 am

hi all

Just throwing around the idea of converting the Mk1 to manual. The auto is competent, smooth and tall geared in 4th, however i think (know ) that in order to get the most from the 1.6 the car will need to have a manual trans. The auto really seems to suffocate the engine. Yes you can hold it in a gear but it still feels like the torque converter is constantly deploying a parachute.

Which model gear boxes are suitable and/or best for the conversion. Aside from the TRS 1.6 manual, which other Citroen and Peugeot boxes would mate up with the least hassle?.

Aside from clutch cable, pedal box and centre console changes, are there any other things i should be looking at for the conversion.

I can hear the pundits saying "just buy a manual" but as we all know its sometimes not about the economic rationale, but more so the sense of achievement in improving something. The BX to me is a bit of a toy/challenge to get right and as such I enjoy thinking of ways to repair and improve. I could buy a manual, but would it be as well sorted, mechanically robust or original as my MK1? ..even if I could find one here in Australia. The really lethargic performance of the car right now means that if I don't improve this aspect, the car will most likely be on the market. Over here I will most likely only get $300 about 200 pounds (if I'm lucky). So for a car that has just 100k miles, straight, totally rust free, perfect speedlines and air cond. I'd much prefer to breathe some life into the old girl, and lift its performance to an acceptable standard.

The auto will eventually die, and with it the rest of the car unless it is safeguarded now, with the added benefit of a better funner car that enjoys a bit of a lively rev. (If i try a lively rev in the SAAB TU5 16V its doing break neck speeds.)

Thanks in advance for any info.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 10:10 am

If you can find a donor car out there that would make the job massively easier, as there will always be something you need that you haven't got, and you can see what goes where straight away! Plus would be useful to build up a stock of other common parts too.

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 10:47 am

What a shame you were not over the ditch in NZ!

I have a BX16 Manual Gearbox plus all fitting sitting in the shed. Sitting here doing not much but gathering dust.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 12:41 pm

Keep the auto & shoehorn in the 1.9 petrol motor instead, that'll make it more lively

B-Hive · Post by **B-Hive** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 1:34 pm

MULLEY wrote:Keep the auto & shoehorn in the 1.9 petrol motor instead, that'll make it more lively

well of course that is the other option... and to transplant a 1.9 petrol AND a manual box complete that would be even better...that would be so awesome to see how that improves things ...hoping this combo will spring up in doner vehicle form. Whilst it is all out i can replace the octopus and tend to all those annoying clunks etc. for such a light weight car its seems such a shame thats it's held back by lack of power..

citronut · Post by **citronut** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 4:34 pm

this is a very easy job as i have done one a good few year ago,

i got hold of an auto MK1 BX with a dead box,

you will also need a fly wheel and a clutch kit

regards malcolm

350ci muppet · Post by **350ci muppet** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:20 pm

hey where abouts are you mate i have a 92 1.6 manual bx that ill be doing nothing with its had a brand new clutch and drove about 30 miles from mot to my workshop when plans changed and it just sat. 150 its all yours. had new rear arm bushes and exhaust to.

Post by **Defender110** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 9:38 pm

350ci muppet wrote:hey where abouts are you mate i have a 92 1.6 manual bx that ill be doing nothing with its had a brand new clutch and drove about 30 miles from mot to my workshop when plans changed and it just sat. 150 its all yours. had new rear arm bushes and exhaust to.

''MK1? ..even if I could find one here in Australia''

Does this in the opening post give you a clue he may not jump at your offer

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 10:24 pm

Defender110 wrote:
350ci muppet wrote:hey where abouts are you mate i have a 92 1.6 manual bx that ill be doing nothing with its had a brand new clutch and drove about 30 miles from mot to my workshop when plans changed and it just sat. 150 its all yours. had new rear arm bushes and exhaust to.

''MK1? ..even if I could find one here in Australia''

Does this in the opening post give you a clue he may not jump at your offer

It goes to prove some people just dont read before posting

350ci muppet · Post by **350ci muppet** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:37 pm

well ya never know. and yea missed the aussy bit.

B-Hive · Post by **B-Hive** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 1:31 pm

thanks guys for the responses,,

but kinda still keen to know what sorta peugeot boxes would work for the main part of the conversion...is it a 405, 305,205/3 i have no idea really ?.. its just that we have way many more pugs down this way than we do cits.

Thanks..and motor-ron >>

citronut · Post by **citronut** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 1:36 pm

the 405 gear box will fit, but the pedel box is diferent on the pug to the BX, so you will need to source one from somewere elss,

regards malcolm

B-Hive · Post by **B-Hive** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 3:38 am

thanks malcolm..it was worth a shot!!!

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:16 pm

Why not just keep the car as is & just add nitrous, that'll give the car the extra zip that you seem to want, cheapest way of getting powah

B-Hive · Post by **B-Hive** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:08 pm

MULLEY wrote:Why not just keep the car as is & just add nitrous, that'll give the car the extra zip that you seem to want, cheapest way of getting powah

not sure if u r being serious matthew.. but am curious never the less, the Mk1 really is a woeful slug.. keen to improve or otherwise repair this situation..only then i can feel justified in getting the rest of her ticketey boo