Author Topic: automatic gearbox (Read 6826 times)

atozer · « **on:** June 16, 2006, 11:50:20 AM »

Hi there!

Wanted to pick some fiat 126 expert brains! Does anyone know if an automatic gearbox can be fitted into a 126? Any mechanical advice would be appreciated!
Thanks alot,
Angela

paul harbinson. · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2006, 08:23:49 AM »

Geez thats a good un Angela.anythings possible although I've never seen it done on a 126.Maybe some of the other lad's can shine some light on it.

ChrisRLewis · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2006, 10:09:08 AM »

Any thing can be done!
But this is definately not an easy conversion, and would be very expensive if you had a specialist to do the work for you.

atozer · « **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2006, 11:02:06 AM »

Mmm, had a horrible feeling it might be! Have to think about Plan B I suppose (this is Plan B that I haven't formulated yet!). Ta for the replies!

Bruce · « **Reply #4 on:** June 18, 2006, 02:31:34 PM »

I very much doubt if you could fix a convetionall auto box along with its torque converter, but things are not as hopeless as one would think, the older ones amongst up may remember the Daf Variomatic, check out this out: http://www.tocmp.com/pix/Europe/DAF/pages/1962%20variomatic_jpg.htm if you could get hold of one of these you could mount this in place of the standard gearbox. the are quite a few people that have made brackest to fit completly different engines to standard cars/gear boxes, this looks as if it could be fitted, the car has the same kind of rear sus and the gearbox is even mounted in the same place as the 126 version.

atozer · « **Reply #5 on:** June 18, 2006, 07:39:38 PM »

Hi Bruce

Thanks alot for your message. I've had a look at the site you suggested and it looks very promising. I'm going to look into it abit more, starting by attempting to locate a willing (and fairly reasonable!) mechanic! I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks again,
Angela

atozer · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2006, 03:10:07 PM »

Hi Bruce,

I have had a bit of disappointing news. I have spoken to a gearbox garage specialist and they don't reckon it can be done. He said it would take `hundreds of hours` timewise and anyway, it can't be done. He recommended I go and buy a fiat Panda instead!
I won't give up though, I will speak to a few more mechanics.

Angela

ChrisRLewis · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2006, 03:41:44 PM »

Hi atozer

I thought that it would be a very expensive conversion and looking at the Daf set up it all looks wrong you will have to mount the engine somewhere in the middle of the car!
You would probably be better off learning to drive a manual box if it's feasible for you...and much more fun!

C

Bruce · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2006, 07:25:13 PM »

anything can be done, its just finding someone whe can do it. It would be a very major project, but compared to many other projects it is quite minor. people have put 2 engines in 126s, thumping great V8s, so fitting a Daf variomatic would not be that big a job. as for the engine being in the middle of the car, if you had the inginuity to put this in the 126 it would be a minor job to extend the prop shaft out the back of the "box" so the 126 engine remained in the same place as the "manual" car. after all the standard 126 setup is not exactly the norm with the gear box at the front and the engine to the rear with the diff between the 2.

ChrisRLewis · « **Reply #9 on:** June 22, 2006, 01:03:28 AM »

The easiest way to carry out this conversion is if you can find an "Invacar" which are rare as hens teeth. These use a steyr puch engine with an automatic gearbox, it's a very similar setup to the fiat 500/126 layout. But finding one will be very difficult!

click to enlarge

atozer · « **Reply #10 on:** June 22, 2006, 09:30:35 AM »

Thanks guys! Your information is really helpful so I shall continue undaunted in my quest to transform a 126!!
Cheers and I'll keep you posted. If you have any more fantastic ideas, please let me know!
All the best,
Angela

atozer · « **Reply #11 on:** June 22, 2006, 07:35:12 PM »

HI,

Had a look at the 'Invacar', which is actually now illegal to drive on a British highway! So its probably nigh on impossible to get hold of one. It has been replaced by a Canta but so far I haven't been able to look at any technical stuff. It may be possible this may work. I have also wondered if there may be a way round it using hand controls like the type adapted cars have for disabled people. May look into this too.
Cheers again,
Angela

Bruce · « **Reply #12 on:** June 22, 2006, 08:20:37 PM »

another idea, it should in theory adapt the engine/gearbox unit from a small FWD auto such as a mini, FIAT thenselves did something similiar with the X1/9 using the engine/gearbox unit from a FWD mounted in the midle of the car driving the rear wheels. I used to have a Rover 114 GSI with a CVT auto box, that was pretty fast, that engine box in the 126 would turn it into a real Q car but you'd need to uprate the braking system.

Bruce · « **Reply #13 on:** June 22, 2006, 08:24:38 PM »

the greaves invacar was based on Motorbike technology (greaves used to make very competative trials bikes), and used a tiller and motorsycle like hand controls.