The 87 Rover is really my toy but sometimes it has to function as a second transporter. Unfortunately the wife can't drive manual, and so I'm considering a matic. I've had one before but it was long ago and just can't recall how it ran.

Loving the solid feel of the manual, it's a really really sound engine with enough grunt to power along, not fall behind in traffic but also isn't particularly sporty. It's fun yes, but nothing on something with a webber and 1275! Just a good solid unit with an RC40 exhaust for a wee bit of pep.

Wondering what a change to a matic might bring?
Slower, less fun? Manuals are fun, full stop, but are there any tweaks I could make to a matic to make it just a bit more fun?
Reluctant to make the switch, but not as reluctant as I am to try and teach my wife to drive a manual, especially on the mini!

Thanks for any thoughts.

_________________
Mini-less ... for now

The 998 MiniMatics are slugs. They should have put the 1098 in it.
I had another Matic with a 1275 auto put in it, that was better. But still nothing like a manual.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

_________________
Mini-less ... for now

Ive driven both 998 and 1275 as autos: the 998 was painful to be in however the 1275 was pretty good i thought. They're still 4 speed and don't feel like they lose a lot of power over a manual and you can shift manually too.....so all those make it quite livable to have.

I was wondering that. From memory you've got 1-3 gears at your disposal anyway so that's a plus, though not sure if there are any cons to driving it like a manual as far as wear on the gearbox goes?

I've seen the old 'stage 1 kits' for adding a bit of power, any thoughts on if that's an option?

_________________
Mini-less ... for now

You could do a few mods i guess as long as nothing sacrifices bottom end torque as it needs a certain amount when the torque converter kicks in or else it may create stalling issues.

Drop an 1100 crank in it , 266ss cam , bore it 80 thou , and you'll run what I'll have in a couple of months... How will it go ? No idea will let you know


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

_________________
Simonw
Brisbane QLD
1st car - 1964 Mini Panelvan 850
Previous - 1978 Leyland LS 1275 Gold
- 1969 Mini K

I'll be watching this space

@Harley I wonder if that's what might've been up with my old matic, it'd stall way too easily and needed the choke out for ages before I'd trust it at the lights.

_________________
Mini-less ... for now

Auto: Fastest accelerating Mini over 25 yards there is

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

Changes gear every 3 feet is why!

Guess if I go the switch I'll drive her like a manual, it's hilly round here and spend most of the time in 1-3 anyway even in the rover

_________________
Mini-less ... for now

can't or won't?

_________________
did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Let's just say I tried teaching her and it almost spelled the end for the car and us in it.
And being American learning to drive 'stick' is pretty uncommon.

_________________
Mini-less ... for now

Wife learned to drive in an auto.
When we got married I had a manual so she learned to drive that.
Every car we've had since is a manual and she refuses to have an auto ever since.

_________________
Find a job you love and you will never have to go to work !

Hey mate,

Yeah I feel for you, wife couldn't be bothered to learn to drive manual and I'm fine with that lol.

If you thought your car was already slow and needed lots of work ($$$) then a matic would be the next level of slow and lots of work lol. Rebuilding a matic gearbox is $$$$ that's all I know. But Grieg seemed to have gotten about 60,000kms out of his stroker(?) matic so hey, that's not bad I guess. Anyway I'm no help, just rambling on.

_________________
Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K