Hey there all,

I've just got a quick question:

Will an auto trans fit in the tunnel of a manual 1200? If not is there any major mods i'll have to do?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

is there any reason you want to do this

because if you do you will lose a lot of power in the auto tranny it's like having your handbrake on

if i were you i'd stick with the man tran

You know, I doubt if anyone has ever tried this.

If you are worried about losing power, put an A15 in front of the automatic. It'll keep up with a manual A12. The problem with the auto is that it's a 3-speed and though first-gear is pretty good, there's a big drop to the next gear. If the A12 had a flatter torque curve it wouldn't matter too much.

I think the factory Autos are quite good. I had an A-14 with an Auto in my first 1200 Sedan (before the CA conversion). And it was very nice to drive. My A12-Auto is a different story, it's slow and dangerous.

I think that a worked A-15 and an Auto would be fine, although as Ddgonzal says, if you changed the cam moving the power up the rev range..you might find it difficult when cold.

Chris

you have to be shieting me, dump the auto i dont think any datsuns ever had a good auto,

what am i saying theres no such thing

heres how to do the conversion

I like driving autos...especially if I'm not out for a thrashing..I might be getting old, but sometimes I like to cruise. Not having a clutch tends to take my mind of trying to rip the tires off the rims and strip the tar off the road with wicked clutch gear changes...

I can sit back and enjoy the scenery..instead of dreaming about the way that others are seeing me as their scenery.. I know this is a bit deep. Just think about it.

Here's 5 better uses for my left (gear changing hand):
1. getting more familiar with friendly female passengers
2. having a drink..even when turning corners.
3. Eating Maccas
4. Giving people the bird, even while changing gears
5. changing radio stations, while drag racing.

Chris.

yep.... your getting old

The auto is oK for driving around, but if you have that fast racy bug in your mind, the auto is a dissapointment.If the car is for restoration, no speed head driver, fine, but if you got a bit of speed in you, day will come when you will say, this is not for me!
I got an auto, came w/ the car, and I will change it for a 5 speed. Autos are confortable, but when the need for speed comes in, I feel embarrased. I feel the auto is like, driving a manual while eating ice cream, the 1st gear is long and lousy,the second, comes in late, and revs high, the third, is like lottery, sets in when ever it wants, and then, as if you where in a manual, not being able to properly change gears, the 3rd is a embarrasment, the engine sounds as if it is about to blow apart, reving like crazy!, but , there is nothing after, not a 4rth gear, much less a 5th, it is misery!
If you already have an auto, and you enjoy driving relaxed, keep it, but, if you do not want to die of a hard attack , if you do not want to see red when your auto goes 5000rpm at 60mph, then, keep the manual.
Just a matter of finding out what you like.
Jaime________________________

I agree. If I could only have 1 car..then I wouldn't consider an Auto I still enjoy the fun of shifting gears.

Auto is boring, but that is mainly due to the fact that 4 cylinder Autos were almost "unheard of" in the early 70s. The Datsun Auto option is one of the first in a mass marketed small vehicle. As such, the A12 in standard trim, doesn't really have the grunt to make use of the Auto box. This is why I'd recommend an A14 or A15 if you chose to use the A12 Auto gearbox.

Chris

Fast? Most drag racing cars have automatic transmission. If you have enough power and torque, the auto is fine for performance. But I'll agree a manual is almost always better (performance-wise) for street cars.

Talk about slow: my 510 wagon had a 2-speed auto ... that transmission was horrible, but the newer 3-speed auto is a good one as automatics go.