I’ve been replacing the old manual gearbox and SU carbs with a ZF automatic and an Edelbrock four barrel (and then decided to rewire it all), it’s been an uphill struggle and if anything could go wrong it did.
Today I finally got it finished, taxed it and went for a run to see if it all works. Wow, talk about chalk and cheese, it’s a completely different trike now!
The exhaust note is deeper, there’s a lot more low down grunt and so far the only noticeable downside is that the massive engine braking with the old manual box isn’t there anymore.
The carb jets/rods might need changing and I can just about feel the gearchanges so I’ll adjust the kickdown cable but it’s definitely been worth it.
ratwing wrote: Wed Jun 04, 2025 11:14 pm
The exhaust note is deeper, there’s a lot more low down grunt and so far the only noticeable downside is that the massive engine braking with the old manual box isn’t there anymore.
Might by time to also upgrade the brakes with a servo
I tried to be normal once, worst two minutes of my life.
It's already got one along with dual circuit brakes on the pedal but the whole system is going to be working harder now although being parts from reasonable size/power cars, a Capri front disc/caliper and Granada Cosworth rear discs/calipers they should be up to the job. There's a proportioning valve too so I'll see how it goes and maybe try a little bit more pressure to the rear to compensate for the lack of engine braking?
ratwing wrote: Thu Jun 05, 2025 11:23 am
It's already got one along with dual circuit brakes on the pedal but the whole system is going to be working harder now although being parts from reasonable size/power cars, a Capri front disc/caliper and Granada Cosworth rear discs/calipers they should be up to the job. There's a proportioning valve too so I'll see how it goes and maybe try a little bit more pressure to the rear to compensate for the lack of engine braking?
I tried to be normal once, worst two minutes of my life.
Not been on forum for a while, but back now.
Got to try and sort gear change out on my VW based trike as difficulty at times selecting a couple of gears. Brake light, LED near side, not working this will be the 4th or 5th time I have had to change the units on the mud guards, need to look for a solution as vibration is too much for these units, may have to go back to normal bulb units.
Strange as LED's are solid state devices that don't normally get affected by vibration - likely 'normal' bulbs would suffer with that. Are the muddies solid mounted or flexible, obvs the latter would help generally.
CyprusTrike wrote: Sun Jun 22, 2025 5:26 am
Not been on forum for a while, but back now.
Got to try and sort gear change out on my VW based trike as difficulty at times selecting a couple of gears. Brake light, LED near side, not working this will be the 4th or 5th time I have had to change the units on the mud guards, need to look for a solution as vibration is too much for these units, may have to go back to normal bulb units.
Check your gear shaft linkage bush's, if they are worn the shaft will flop about. What LED lights have you got fitted? Possibly try a
different make. These are the ones I picked up, work great.
Hi Cyprus, have a look at VW- resource .com (Rob and Daves air cooled pages)
they describe how to set up your gear shift very well. You have to sort through the pages to find it but its there.
Try checking if your shift plate under the gearstick is worn, also one of the Quick Shift Kits make gear changes nice and crisp and their only a fiver.
