Auto Gearbox in a Fisher Fury

[Aveago]

I am in the process of doing some research into having myself a Fisher Fury for Drag Racing, Track Days and Road Use. I currently race a Ford Mustang in the National Drag Racing Championships at Santa Pod.

The only thing that would derail the Fury project is if the Fury can't be fitted with an auto gearbox. Having a disability prevents me from driving a manual so an auto it has to be.

The question is what engine do I use. I can't use a motorbike engine because they still need a clutch to pull away making it legally a manual. So, a car engine it has to be. The options I have are good but I don't know what type of auto box I'd need.

Can anyone tell me what auto box would go with the following?

Duratec 25L V6
Zetec 2.0L
Pinto 2.0L
Toyota 4age

I'm not mechanically minded as some of you guys so I bow to your superior knowledge.

Cheers

Aveago (Nigel)
http://www.aveagoracing.co.uk

[Compo_Simmonite]

Honda made a 750/ 4 with full autobox
(I've a 400 twin with Hondamatic box)


Paul H

Edited by Compo_Simmonite on Tuesday 14th July 09:03

[Aveago]

I haven't heard of the Hondamatic for years. I never gave it a thought. I suspect they are very difficult to come by though. I'll have a look around and do a little research. What's the power output?

Cheers

Edited by Aveago on Tuesday 14th July 09:21

[Furyblade_Lee]

I would imagine that the auto box used in Sierras / Granadas ECG would mate up to most Ford 4 cylinders?? I have an Auto box in my Scimitar GTE mated to a 3.0 Essex, think it is a Borg Warner? Will check. I'd imagine it would fit but you would need a modified chassis with wider tunnel? And for serious torque you would need a much strengthened chassis like Ruari's old Cosworth Fury. Come to think of it, wasn't there an Auto version of the Sapphire Cosworth? If there was, happy days, how much power would Sir like?

[Furyblade_Lee]

Contact Fisher Sportscars and ask them if it has been done before.

[Compo_Simmonite]

Aveago said:

I haven't heard of the Hondamatic for years. I never gave it a thought. I suspect they are very difficult to come by though. I'll have a look around and do a little research. What's the power output?

Cheers

Edited by Aveago on Tuesday 14th July 09:21

My 400 is low powered (probably same as a manual 250 but due to duff left leg suits me) but the 750 has all the tuning options of the manual version.
Complete bikes rare in UK but just engine easilly available from US where they are more common.
What about snowmobile / jetski engines and then add a car autobox ?
Although I know nothing about them I suspect a twin rotor wankel engine could be "different" as well.

Paul H

[Aveago]

Cheers chaps.

I have spoken to Fisher Sports Cars, who were very helpful. But they have never put an auto into a Fury before. And you're right Furyblade_Lee, the tunnel will need to be widened.

If there was an Auto version of the Sapphire Cosworth then I'll be very interested. I'll have to do more research. Power? Oh yes please!

I don't know anything about the wankel engine either but always worth looking into.

[niva441]

I don't think Ford did an auto version of the Sapphire Cosworth, however a company like Somar Transtec (may not be the correct spelling) probably converted a few.

[rhinochopig]

Couldn't you use a hand clutch and bike engine fitted with a trick shifter which then negates the need for a clutch for all up and down shifts?

[h4muf]

24v granada cosworth is you friend,all auto`s.

Pick em up for peanuts now

[Aveago]

Having a hand clutch makes the car legally a manual. I passed my test in an auto so that's all I can drive. It's a shame because I like the idea of having a gearbox that can do a quick shift. Especially for Drag Racing. I'm hoping the shift points in whatever gearbox I put in can be configured.

A 24v Granada Cosworth! Was that the 2.4L? That's an interesting idea, just wander if there's room in the fury for it. But if it fits then let the good times roll!

Cheers guys for all this. I seriously thought I might get one or two responses after a couple of days. But this is great.

[Aveago]

Having just checked the 24v was a 2.9L. It's a hell of a lump.

[Furyblade_Lee]

24v Cosworth Granada was a 2.9, and had about 210 bhp. Although a £500 engine lifted from a scrappie will probobly make less than that... Plus it's a big old beast of an iron lump so do not expect the handling to be as balanced as a 4-pot Fury. Plus tuning options are limited, although torque figures should help the auto box. I have a better idea for you... Nissan 200sx auto. Fury's have had manual versions fitted before, running cars for less than £1k and 300bhp simple. 500 brake-per-ton without even sweating. And did they make an auto version of the S2000? My mate is building a manual S2000 Fury as we speak.

[ruaricoles]

Furyblade_Lee said:

And for serious torque you would need a much strengthened chassis like Ruari's old Cosworth Fury.

Hello Lee,
My Fury actually had the standard Fisher lightweight chassis but the front of the tunnel was widened to clear the T5 gearbox and bellhousing. No further stiffening, but it didn't seem to suffer as a result....

New owner collected it on Sunday though

Ruari

[anonymous-user]

My Phoenix runs a Gerag 5 Speed, and I need a 'special' chassie it get he bell housing in J Phillips made my chassie up around the box, as a one off at the factory. So space for a auto may be a problem in a fury,.

[Compo_Simmonite]

I had a B&M Quickshift selector in a car years ago and certainly made quick manual changes in an auto a lot easier.
A friend works for a company who specialise in reprogramming ECU's and his "skill" is with gearbox items where people want different change pattern. Maybe a modern ECU controlled autobox might work out better than traditional pressure type ?
For my Land Rover, due to duff left leg, I've got an autoclutch. OK I've got a full licence but how about checking with DVLA how cars with autoclutch fit in with the rules. Don't quote your proposals but rather than things like Smart cars with gearlever but no clutch pedal.

Paul H

[Aveago]

I had a chat with Fisher Sports Cars and they have fitted an auto into a striker which apparently is a similar build. They said that the tunnel would have to be widened.

As for the engine I'm looking into Lee's suggestion of a Nissan 200sx auto but if that doesn't work then I'll go for a 2L Zetec as I know where I can lay my hands on one, and I have been told that the Sierra auto boxes marry up to a Zetec with no problems. Obviously I'll have to check this out before I make any firm decisions.

I'm off to Fisher Sports Cars open day on the 23rd August is any one going?

Thanks for all your help guys.

[thescamper]

Does it have to be a fury. There are a number of auto sevens about.

[blueg33]

I have seen a fury with a Rover v8 engine. I am not sure of trhe size of the box but many Rover v8's were mated to autos in SD1's and Range Rovers. Plus the Rover is known to be tunable, comes in different sizes from 3.5l to 5.3l, 160-400 plus bhp

[singlecoil]

One thing to watch out for is that most of the older auto boxes are direct top, whereas virtually all 5 speed boxes have an overdrive top. If you fit the older type 3 speed auto then you will want to get the absolutely longest ratio diff you can get, or else use the sort of engine that is better at high rpm (which kind of knocks the RV8 out of the picture, unless you can get one of the quite rare ZF 4 speeds (as fitted in Range Rovers, but without the 4WD transfer box))