Interested listers:
Last week I completed the installation of a 1982 Toyota celica-supra 5-speed
transmission and a 93 Infiniti J30 3.92 differential in my green TR250. Each
was completed using Heman van den Akker's and Richard Good's conversion kits,
respectively. During the car's down time, I also installed new uprated front
springs from BPNW, a new brake MC from BPNW, poly-u lower inner a-arm bushings,
and newly turned rotors. Herman's kit included a hydraulic throw-out bearing
that eliminates the need for the clutch slave cyliner, fork and fork pins,
clevis pins, and deciding which hole to use when connecting the slave cylinder
pushrod. I was able to take the car on about a three-mile test drive prior to
taking it from Baltimore to Winston-Salem, NC for the Triumph Club of the
Carolinas annual show, The Gathering.
Surprisingly, I made the trip with no incidents and very satisfactory
performance. I didn't think I would be able to do all that work on the car and
get it right the first time. The rear end gave very smooth and quiet
performance with zero lash, unlike what I used to see in my previous stock
diff. I didn't drive it hard enough to test the limited slip. The tranny had
a much shorter throw than I had anticipated. It seemed even shorter than the
stock 4-speed that I replaced. Having 5th gear was a welcome luxury, too. I
was traveling about 70 mph at 3000 rpms and ended up with 20% better gas
mileage as a results (24 vs 20 mpg). BTW, I did not stay at or below 70 very
often, generally cruising along closer to 80 most of the way home on I-81.
Between the travel to NC and back, the Saturday rally and general around-town
driving, I spent 960 miles in my LBC this weekend. Apparantly, that was far
enough to earn the "Farthest distance traveled in a British Car" award at the
show. At home I drive this 250 about 50% of the time, so a mileage award is
the most appropriate for that car. Thanks to the TCOC for putting on a
well-run and well-attended show - about 130 cars was the last count I heard,
which included six TR250s!
Please feel free to ask any specifics about the conversions. I'll be glad to
share the details of the installations.
Andy
CD6521L - converted car
CD6746L - still original
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