OK, what's wrong with the auto trans? Is it faulty?

The diff ratio is the same for auto & manual so at highway cruise the RPM will be essentially the same since the torque converter will pretty much have locked up at those revs.

Auto's LOVE torque.
A15's mainly make torque, not horsepower.
The 1200's trans is a Jatco 3N71B, same as used in the more powerful L series powered models.

Here's a plan
1. Get crossmember from a 1974 or later Ute as these models used the same engine mounting positions as the A15 does. [different from early 1200 engine]
2. Install crossmember & engine. [it's almost a straight out bolt-in, ..... almost but not quite with alternator wiring & the engine mount bracket on the block on one side needing attention]

3. Fit rear wheels & tyres of increased diameter to try & increase the overall drive ratio. It's sort of like jacking up the diff ratio from 3.9 to 1 to perhaps 3.7 to 1
I recomend 205x60x13 on 6" rims as these fit nicely under my auto equiped 1200 coupe

Drive & enjoy. If still not satisfied then go with a twin SU type induction as these make good power & still have good vacuum. These Jatco trans' use a vacuum modulator to control the shift points so good vacuum is a must.

You will be amazed at just how much the driveability & performance will be improved while giving your left foot a good old rest.

Converting to a manual trans [you will need a 60 series] is a pain & in my view, will not yeild the results that you seek.

both C22 and C23 can be bought new here. the C22 is mainly used for small business. if malaysian call vanette, they are referring to C22, not C23. C23 is serena here.

you have a fair point.

what happened is that i spontaneously bought it when i had no car.

i was just going to rebuild it and make it mildly worked and always have a look out for something to put it in. now i've got a coupe, i will put it in that but never lost the idea of rebuilding it.

why not rebuild it before it goes in the car? have a nicely built engine from the start. saves pulling it out in 10 or so years.

Why do you want to rebuild the A15? What's wrong with it? They are very tough engines and even 30 yr old models may not need rebuilding yet.

Bakat, you can still buy the vanette new in Malaysia. Isn't the Serena the C23 vanette instead of the C22?

I you want to sell the A15 I'll buy it! I'm located a bit south of Kingston.

My plans are to build it up for turbo and in the mean time wind the boost up on the A12 literally until it goes pop! (My turbo is capable of 36psi into a 1200cc motor so that should be enough to stress test the ol' A12).

well keeping it on the road is the main idea as its all i have. been getting around with my two legs before hand but its getting a little nippy down here in hobart so perfect time for a coupe.

No major difference between A15 and A14, A15 has bigger capacity (obviously).

Both share the same bore but have different strokes. HP is pretty similar.

Plan sounds good, at least you keep the car on the road all the time.

thanks for the advice!

I got the coupe in the end. drove it home yesterday and the auto is horrible! even with the auto it was good on fuel sitting at 100 for a long period of time, imagine it with a manual and rev-ing at a nice range!

manual swap happening very soon i think!

here's my plan at the moment,
keep the a12 for now,
swap gearbox
add a downdraft weber
add extractors
rebuild the a15
swap the engines over when its ready.

how does that sound?

also, another quick question, whats the difference between the a14 and a15. they both seem very sort after. is one better then the other?

Yes A15 and twins! I have some twins & manifold for sale? (excuse my thread hi-jacking )

6: Go the coupe if the price is right...auto tunnel is sought after for folks that want to put bigger engines than a15 (CA18 SR20).

Good to see a member from Hobart here (planning on relocating there next year).

Saw a stock mint sedan in Sandy Bay when I was down there last...owner reckoned he paid $150 for it!!!