Has anyone ever fitted a four speed autobox to a V8 SD1? Having just sold a Jaguar with such a box, I think a four speed box on an SD1 would be lovely for more relaxed cruising on the motorway etc.

I have heard a Volvo 4 speed autobox can be used which apparantly gives a higher top gear than 5th on a 5 speed manual....true?

I was considering (due to their apparant mechanical similarity) a four speed Range Rover / Discovery autobox (minus it's transfer box of course) or do I need to find an alternative tree to bark up?

Regards

Jay

Ive heard of someone fitting a 4 speed autobox from a wrecked LDV V8 ambulance, also what about a earlier rangerover or discovery maybe?

You can convert the RR/Disco boxes, but Tim has the right idea with an LVD V8 Auto, you also find them in ex Police Riot vans

Once you tracked one down, was after one for my VDP auto but ended up with my Vitesse

Thanks both for the advice, I approached Hampshire Ambulance as they used to run LDV V8s for a while, but alas most of their vehicles were five speed manuals, and besides most of their old vehicles were leased and had to go back to the leasing company when they are finished with. Besides Ambulances aren't exactly driven for economy are they, I wonder how many gearboxes they go through....

I should imagine finding an LDV autobox quite difficult.

I also like the auto shifter on Range Rovers and Discoveries, a short, stumpy and sturdy looking shifter, never really liked the SD1 Series 2 Autoshifter, did it have to be so long?

Jay

The GM 4L30 is a 4 speed version of the GM180 and should go in the easiest. Same ratios as the 180 plus an overdrive 4th. It's found in Carltons, Omegas, some BMW 528s and a few others.

It has electronic control which would have to be sorted out. Whether this is needed to switch it to the overdrive 4th I don't know. It's probably to control the sport and economy modes it has. The Vauxhalls had it linked into the engine management system so the timing was retarded on upchanges to make them smoother. Presumably you could do without the electronic stuff though.

I thought the jag auto box were similar or the same and could be swapped..?
Some seals are listed as Jag XJ6 / SD1

Not sure but I think the Jag 4 speed is the same ZF as in the Range Rover. It should fit with a RR bellhousing. I think with this and possibly with the Asin Warner (Volvo/Senator) box you need to bugger about with the bodywork to make it fit.

Again, there might be electronics to deal with.

The Jag 4 speed box from a 3.6 or 2.9 XJ 40 is the same box as the range rover one. However if possible use one from a jag, as there was a design fault that would lead it to burn out the 1st/reverse clutch pack, and not only if reved in neutral. This fault was well known, even by ZF, but they never modified the box, however they did recomend a fix for it. Of the users of this box (Vovlo, BMW, Landrover and Jaguar) only Jaguar applied this mod before fitting it to the car. So if you are considering using the thing make sure its from a Jag! the rest of them are total Junk and fill fail (unless they have had the mod). A quick search on ZF 4HP22 will show how crap these boxes really are, however the jaguar boxes will go on for over 500K

Stewart

Can we restart this thread based on the GM 4L30 option.

I would liek to convert my VDP Efi back to an autobox, but a newere 4 speed with overdrive, like the 4L30 or AW71 as an option.

Thoughts, tips or has anyone actually done this install?

Bump

I wonder how far removed a 5L40 and 6L40 are from the 4L30? Might as well go five or six speeds if you can

An electronically controlled (via ECU) trans is going to present even more complications -- I'd try to stick with a box that's mechanically controlled.

The stunned buffallo car was a registerd as a V8 S whcih was interesting as it was obviously an S2! I was offerd it minus the engine and gearbox, but no space/time

Anyway there are 2 easy conversions, the ZF 4HP22, whcih is found in a number of car, made by volvo, landrvoer, jagauar and BMW and others, however of these only the jaguar verosion is worth any more than scrap metal as the box has a design fault whcih alows it to burn out the clutch packs

The other is the GM 180... I know its a 3 speed box.. however the last veriosns of the Phase A senators had this with an overdrive (looks almost like a laycock unit), and lockup. the only electric part of it was the overdrive control and nothing else (it has no sports mode or winter mode). It was also found in the Monza. The senator in question was made between '83 and '87 when the phase B senator came in with the leccy box whcih is the one londonbabe has already mentioned

Stewart

so how do you control the overdrive on a GM180 with overdrive? Wouldn't an overdrive equipped be a 4L30 anyway? As I believe that is what the 4L30 is. The GM180 with an overdrive?