Manual to auto
- Philip Chidlow
- Over 2k
- Posts: 11594
- Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 1:08 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, Essex
- x 25
Manual to auto
Following the acquisition of the TXD estate, my wife and I have been contemplating selling my GTi auto, but we like to auto box so much that it has prompted me to think about what Tom (I think) mentioned earlier on another thread... Is it practical to consider fitting an automatic gearbox to a manual 1.9 n/a diesel engine? I can see how the replacement of the console might be straight-forward enough, but being a mechanical numpty, can't start to see if it is worth even considering.
First, we'd have to find an very good auto box, I guess. Then I'd need to find someone I could pay to do the conversion for us. We would keep the GTi until the work was successfully completed and sell it on afterwards to help offset the cost...
OR should I wait until a decent diesel auto comes along (and donate it to the wife) or a good diesel auto engine/gearbox combination could be got from a donor car...
I like the manual TXD estate but I like auto too!
If it isn't practical I'll still keep the Estate as is... but I'd like to know if conversion is a serious possibility.
First, we'd have to find an very good auto box, I guess. Then I'd need to find someone I could pay to do the conversion for us. We would keep the GTi until the work was successfully completed and sell it on afterwards to help offset the cost...
OR should I wait until a decent diesel auto comes along (and donate it to the wife) or a good diesel auto engine/gearbox combination could be got from a donor car...
I like the manual TXD estate but I like auto too!
If it isn't practical I'll still keep the Estate as is... but I'd like to know if conversion is a serious possibility.
• 1992 Citroen BX TZD Turbo Hurricane
• 2006 Xsara Picasso 1.6 16v
• 2006 Xsara Picasso 1.6 16v
-
- 1K Away
- Posts: 1604
- Joined: Wed May 18, 2005 6:23 pm
- Location: North Wales
I would have thought that a suitable set of parts could be found from a ZX or even a Xantia - although most of the autos will be TD's. So far as I know none of the ZX had the Epic semi-electronic pump. Sometime after 94 the ZX acquired the tamper-proof pump - but this can be sorted quickly with the engine out and an angle grinder to remove the protection plate.
If the ZX engine fits - then I suppose 306 and 504 will be available as well.
If the ZX engine fits - then I suppose 306 and 504 will be available as well.
-
- 1K Away
- Posts: 1604
- Joined: Wed May 18, 2005 6:23 pm
- Location: North Wales
- Philip Chidlow
- Over 2k
- Posts: 11594
- Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 1:08 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, Essex
- x 25
So is a straight engine and 'box swap a better bet than trying to marry the existing engine to an auto box? I think the engine's really sweet in this car, so it'd have to be a good replacement... If I was going to go with the former would a complete 1.9 TD engine/auto box unit make more sense?
• 1992 Citroen BX TZD Turbo Hurricane
• 2006 Xsara Picasso 1.6 16v
• 2006 Xsara Picasso 1.6 16v
- Philip Chidlow
- Over 2k
- Posts: 11594
- Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 1:08 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, Essex
- x 25
-
- 1K Away
- Posts: 1604
- Joined: Wed May 18, 2005 6:23 pm
- Location: North Wales
- Vanny
- Merseyside resident
- Posts: 3583
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 11:48 pm
- Location: BXProject
- My Cars: BX 16v Ph2 - Jazz
BX 16v Ph2 - XPO - x 82
- Contact:
ebay has a bx diesel engine and autobox, i was searching for gearbox, narrowed down to citr**n and it turned up with days to go (was yesterday or the day before i guess). As i understand it the engines are same, and the drivehshafts are the same so i guess swapping the box isnt that much of a pandemic?
are they cable driven or electronically driven? Dont know much about them other than there fun to drive (i have no problem left foot braking )
are they cable driven or electronically driven? Dont know much about them other than there fun to drive (i have no problem left foot braking )
- ken newbold
- Over 2k
- Posts: 4408
- Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 10:53 pm
- x 5
It's something I've been contemplating for a while.
My mate has a BX diesel auto but the HG has failed, so he's looking for an engine. But the box could be made available if needed.
It would be easiest to swap a BX diesel auto rather than trying to match up from other models. The problem areas are the fuel pump which has to have the kickdown relay wheel, they are different from other n/a diesel pumps and if you're trying to fit a box from say a ZX you might find the kickdown cable itself too short
Also if you were to come by a donor vehicle you'd also have the gearshift cable and fittings. These cables are very hard to find and retail at well over £100. There would also be slight alteration needed to the wiring.
It'd be a good project but personally I'd leave it untill maybe the clutch needed changing or the gearbox failed. In the meantime have a word with your insurer, just out of curiosity.
My mate has a BX diesel auto but the HG has failed, so he's looking for an engine. But the box could be made available if needed.
It would be easiest to swap a BX diesel auto rather than trying to match up from other models. The problem areas are the fuel pump which has to have the kickdown relay wheel, they are different from other n/a diesel pumps and if you're trying to fit a box from say a ZX you might find the kickdown cable itself too short
Also if you were to come by a donor vehicle you'd also have the gearshift cable and fittings. These cables are very hard to find and retail at well over £100. There would also be slight alteration needed to the wiring.
It'd be a good project but personally I'd leave it untill maybe the clutch needed changing or the gearbox failed. In the meantime have a word with your insurer, just out of curiosity.
They think it's all over, it is now!
-
- 1K Away
- Posts: 1604
- Joined: Wed May 18, 2005 6:23 pm
- Location: North Wales
- Philip Chidlow
- Over 2k
- Posts: 11594
- Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 1:08 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, Essex
- x 25
It's an interesting topic, but all things considered (and having just come back from a brief drive in the manual diesel estate) I think it's a case of if it ain't broke don't fix it. It drives well and in its current form its a credit to Ken... I think the clutch maybe a lttle heavy (and the box is a little 'hard' first thing, but when warmed up is fine) and the gas pedal's a little stiff for my good wife, but minor lubrication and adjustment will be done on Friday and we'll see how she is... (the car that is )
• 1992 Citroen BX TZD Turbo Hurricane
• 2006 Xsara Picasso 1.6 16v
• 2006 Xsara Picasso 1.6 16v
ken newbold wrote:It's something I've been contemplating for a while.
My mate has a BX diesel auto but the HG has failed, so he's looking for an engine. But the box could be made available if needed.
It would be easiest to swap a BX diesel auto rather than trying to match up from other models. The problem areas are the fuel pump which has to have the kickdown relay wheel, they are different from other n/a diesel pumps and if you're trying to fit a box from say a ZX you might find the kickdown cable itself too short
Also if you were to come by a donor vehicle you'd also have the gearshift cable and fittings. These cables are very hard to find and retail at well over £100. There would also be slight alteration needed to the wiring.
It'd be a good project but personally I'd leave it untill maybe the clutch needed changing or the gearbox failed. In the meantime have a word with your insurer, just out of curiosity.
Is that that tatty old white thing you bought off me for £20! lol