Convert Fairway Taxi to manual box & more powerful engine?

[garethj]

One of the cars on my bucket list is a Fairway Taxi, but because I've got quite a long commute I prefer a manual gearbox - I believe it gives better fuel economy and makes it a bit more sprightly to drive (yeah, it's all relative).

The thing is, only a very few were manual to start with and that's really limiting my choice of finding a car. Is it straightforward to put a Terrano manual gearbox in there? Are any of the brackets for clutch pedal in there already or does it need a new pedal box? Is the clutch pedal the same as anything else? Would the propshaft mate up easily? Does the gearstick come out in roughly the right place?

The standard taxi engine doesn't make much power but the turbo version from the Terrano makes a bit more. Is that a straightforward swap in terms of wiring?

Or is there a better swap to do instead?

[dodgerover]

The Aussies ditched all the diesels in the ones they had in Sydney and fitted a Falcon 6 running on gas with an auto, the extra money it will cost to convert to manual will take a long time to recoup just on fuel economy savings

[composimmonite]

For long commutes (I used to do 50,000 miles a year to and from a fixed place of work !) I always preferred autos. As dodgerover says LPG is often cheaper than diesel.
Also Fairways rot like a 1970's Fiat and get massively bodged to keep them on the road as long as possible so be wary about anything cheap as a good one will still demand decent money. I bought a FX4 version as an engine donor and was shocked at how rotten it was yet had a current taxi equivalent of an MOT. Most of the rot is well hidden - under trim etc and filler ! Also expect intergalactic mileages - 500,000 miles is not uncommon.
What about the far better, later, LT1 / TX1 taxi ?

Paul H

[garethj]

Thanks for the very sensible answers, even though I don't necessarily want to hear them ;-)

The later TX1s don't have the character of the Fairways, so that's not an option. If you want to buy a motoring icon for £1500 you'll search a long time for a Mini, Beetle, 2CV etc. Plus, I just quite fancy one.

The commute is A roads so pretty much once you're in top gear that's where it stays.

I already have the worlds cheapest runner for work; a 1999 Skoda Octavia 110 Tdi. It does 60mpg, never goes wrong and is cheaper than walking. My "sensible" needs are being met perfectly already.

[Al Ramone]

the 4x4 gearbox has built in transfer box so not suitable. possible a 2wd D21/D22 diesel gearbox would work but good luck finding one.

the TD27T engine from a D21 should fit ok. only issue is whether there is space in the engine bay for the turbo itself. you'd need to find early turbo version. all non intercooled should be mechanical fuel pump and early intercooled. so simple to wire in.

i've got a manual taxi gearbox and flywheel here. if you need one.

[Dez]

manual turbo taxis do exist. in fact i think a mate of mine has one. its definatley turbo, but I'm not sure its its manaul or is thats his other one. easiest way to do it is to buy the right bits and itll all bolt together.

[Al Ramone]

easiest way to do it is buy one the right spec in the first place

[garethj]

Jul 21, 2014 20:51:54 GMT Al Ramone said:

the 4x4 gearbox has built in transfer box so not suitable. possible a 2wd D21/D22 diesel gearbox would work but good luck finding one.

the TD27T engine from a D21 should fit ok. only issue is whether there is space in the engine bay for the turbo itself. you'd need to find early turbo version. all non intercooled should be mechanical fuel pump and early intercooled. so simple to wire in.

i've got a manual taxi gearbox and flywheel here. if you need one.

Cool, thanks for that. Do you know if the pedal box is different between manual & auto taxis?

Jul 21, 2014 20:54:28 GMT Dez said:

manual turbo taxis do exist. in fact i think a mate of mine has one. its definatley turbo, but I'm not sure its its manaul or is thats his other one. easiest way to do it is to buy the right bits and itll all bolt together.

Turbo taxis were built to reduce emissions, not to add power. They're a really complicated installation and look almost impossible to fiddle with.

Jul 22, 2014 6:38:43 GMT Al Ramone said:

easiest way to do it is buy one the right spec in the first place

I agree, but auto Fairways outnumber manuals by about 50:1