Hi all:
I indicated much earlier this year that I was very interested in purchasing the conversion kit from Conversion Components, New Zealand, which would allow me to use a 5 speed Toyota Supra transmission with my 1725 Alpine engine. The conversion kit from New Zealand arrived on Thursday. It was shipped on the 19th of November from New Zealand, arrived in Minneapolis a few days later. The delay in getting the kit out here to Mitchell, SD, was due to customs. Since I'm about 5 hours from Minneapolis, I had to find a broker to clear customs for me. That was easily accomplished through faxes giving them power of attorney. Anyway, the last leg of the trip was with FedEX - they brought it right to my door.
The whole kit weights about 22 lbs and includes everything I'll need to attach the Supra gearbox to the alpine. The new throughout fork, throughout bearing, pressure plate, clutch disk, all bolts, nuts, connectors, speedometer cable and spigot bearing are included in the kit. The bell housing appears to be assembled from a Rapier, with a 1/2 inch aluminum plate machined and welded to it. The plate is the connecting point between the supra tranny and the modified bell housing. So, now that everything is here, I'll pull the engine and tranny from ol' blue and get started. Naturally, the weather has started to cool off so I'll have to get a heat source for the garage. Maybe I'll use a portable bullet heater.
I may need to use a different clutch slave cylinder - the mounting holes appear to be different on the Rapier bell housing. I'll have to check that out when I remove the tranny from the car. Also, I know I'll have to modify the rear transmission mount to correctly align and support the supra tranny. The Alpine driveshaft will also need modification in order to accept the supra yoke. But, anyway, it's here - just in time for Christmas! In order to chronicle the installation I'll use a digital camera, take some photos, keep a journal and send it along via the TE/AE newsletter (assuming we still have one) and Ian's website (OK, Ian?)
from sunny, but colder South Dakota,
Paul #14649
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