air conditioning, automatic transmissions, and more!

[spl310]

I know that the RL411 has an automatic transmission that fits behind a Roadster engine. If anyone has one, I would like to find out some information about it. Also, if you know where I can get one, I may be in the market for one soon.

I also want to find out about airconditioned Roadsters. Photos and details.

Also, for the final oddity of the day, has anyone got any information on the RL411 disc brake setup?

Before anyone asks, no this is not a joke or an attempt to get folks wound up. My wife expressed very mild interest in driving a Roadster, but she hates stick shifts and really likes her AC. If she is going to drive one, I want her to be safer, hence the question about the brakes...

[Dave]

So you're building a Miata?

[JoeK]

A friend of mine has ben planning to install a system from these guys http://www.hotrodair.com/ in his Volvo P1800. There is more room in his car, but I think this is the most compact system he could find. I think you can use it for the heating also, eliminating the existing sytem might give you the extra room needed.

Good luck!

[Conner]

As soon as I read the first sentence about the automatic, I thought to myself "somebody's wife wants a roadster."

[Redtail]

why don't most women like to drive manual transmissions?

My gf drives stick

sorry no help with the OP.

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[datsun65]

Sid,

Check out the Early Datsun Club, which has a strong emphasis on the RL411.

The founder of the group, Carl Hocket may have an extra auto trans. However, I don't think it is a straight swap out...

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/EarlyDatsunClub/

Dan

[spl310]

Thanks Dan, I will check out that forum.

Yeah, if my wife is serious, I will be building the 40 year old miata replacement. The kicker is that it will be either Cherry Blossom Pink, or some shade of Lavendar or purple...

[Russell Roach]

Sid,

You may be the smartest sob on the list, build her what she wants and everyone will be happy. I'll even donate some labor just to get the thing done.

Russell

[spl310]

LOL!!! At this point, it is mild interest. I need to "cultivate" it by getting the blue 1500 on the road. She thinks it is cute.

I figured that finding an old A15 with an automatic would be the next easiest if I can't find a decent RL411 auto. Heck, I have a spare frame, I could toss the 1500 body on a 68 frame and get disc brakes and then put the collapsing column in.

AC is not a big issue. I figured using the 68 alternator mount and put the compressor under the exhaust. Route the condensor in front of the radiator and get an AC unit from an 80's nissan pickup as it was a cube - it could go where the stock speaker goes.

Who knows, this is probably all for naught, but fun to think about it...

[Import_sounds-of-mid-GA]

granted, it'll be a chick car... but sounds like a cool idea! Good luck with it all!
Sid, my bro still has the 302 with a C4... .... i guess you couldnt put her in something that is faster than your car, right?

[spl310]

if I were going to do a V8 swap, I would use the 289 in the stand with the toploader 4 speed below it that is out in the garage...

[TR]

Will she be willing to use the choke?

My wife enjoyed driving the stock 70, but forgetting about the choke made her enjoyment noticeably decresed.

She really likes the EFI and that it fires right away, no matter the weather without having to listen to it, pump the pedal, mess with the choke...But, I won't suggest an SR...

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[spl310]

Gee, the local forklift store has plenty of downdraft manifolds. I could put a carb with either an electric choke or a water choke on it. I would not need to sweat all of the electronic ignition stuff that way.