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Subframes, auto or manual? what's the difference?


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#1 animaniac76

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Posted 15 July 2005 - 06:51 AM

Hi all,

I am in need of the front subframe for my 1968 Austin mini Saloon 1000 (Mk2) I have an automatic transmission. I have heard that the subframe for a car with a manual transmission will not work on my automatic. I heard this from a mini parts store called Mini Motors. Some people have told me that this is true, while others say all that matters is the mounting bolt pattern, either 2 bolts or 1. My car needs the 2 bolt type. So anyway, I am having major problems finding a subframe and the inner wings. I have found a few subframes which are 2 bolt type, but supposedly for manual transmissions. Will this fit my car or not? Do I have to buy one specifically for an automatic. Also, I believe I have hydrolastic suspension...does it matter if I buy a subframe that is for dry suspension? or do I have to buy one made for the hydrolastic. I am very confused. :nugget: Please help me!!!
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#2 Guess-Works.com

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Posted 15 July 2005 - 07:02 AM

Auto subframes are a different shape at the bottom to cater for the extra width of the auto box. Quite simply if you are useing an auto, then you will need an auto subframe.

As for the type of subframe... If your car uses 1 large turret bolt, each side, then it is not going to be hydro.

If it uses 2 smaller bots either side it'll either have cones ( depicting a dry suspension ) or displacer units which will have pipes running to it for the hydro ( wet suspension )

Dry suspension is a lot easier to manage, and if you are rebuilding the car from scratch may be easier for you to obtain a dry MK1/2/3 auto subframe than a wet one.. and convert the suspension to dry, the same will obviously go for the rear too...

#3 animaniac76

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Posted 15 July 2005 - 07:24 AM

ok. Thanks for your help. Do I need to switch the rear subframe to dry suspension then also?

Anybody got a pic of what the automatic front subframe should look like? I have only seen the manual ones I guess. :gasp: and when I am looking for it online, the sellers are telling me it doesn't matter if it's auto or manual, and since I have no idea what the automatic subframe looks like, I would've gotten suckered. So, I would like to see a pic of what a subframe for the automatic looks like so I don't get suckered by someone just trying to make a sale. Thanks guys

#4 Jammy

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Posted 15 July 2005 - 07:53 AM

As far as I'm aware (took out an auto and about to stick in a manual a week or so ago), the auto looks exactly the same only a tiny bit wider.

#5 Dan

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Posted 15 July 2005 - 09:00 AM

It's around 1 1/2 inches wider between the side members, which are a very different shape to manual subframes. Also the front member is quite different with a wide bulge in the centre to clear the valve chest cover.

#6 royallingham

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Posted 15 July 2005 - 09:08 AM

So if push comes to shove - you should be able to modify a manual subby to make it fit the aquto - but would it not be easier to just get a manual engine and box ? The rear auto subby can be used with dry suspension - but the radius arms are different - and of course you will need trumpets, cones and dampers. At the front you will need damper mounting brackets - the holes for these are already there!




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