Help finding an already converted to automatic 4sp

[elanfan1]

Hi all,

I’m looking for rocking horse do do and hoping someone might know of one somewhere that might be available. I’m after an M100 that has already been converted to automatic gearbox using the 4 speed transmission that is taken from Japanese donor cars.

I’m an amputee so can no longer drive a manual (just to put paid to other suggestions).

If anyone knows of one even if not for sale maybe you could put me in touch as I’d love to try one out with the necessary insurance of course.

Grateful for any leads, thanks in advance.

[Tuga2112]

Hi all,

I’m looking for rocking horse do do and hoping someone might know of one somewhere that might be available. I’m after an M100 that has already been converted to automatic gearbox using the 4 speed transmission that is taken from Japanese donor cars.

I’m an amputee so can no longer drive a manual (just to put paid to other suggestions).

If anyone knows of one even if not for sale maybe you could put me in touch as I’d love to try one out with the necessary insurance of course.

Grateful for any leads, thanks in advance.

i dont know of any that i could help you with,
And i have no intention of detracting you from your objective,
BUT given your condition,
its worth nothing that a fully maintained Elan still has a pretty stiff power steering. you may want to try just moving the steering wheel with a car running parked to get an idea if it is a drivable car for you before looking into conversions.

there is a section on the forum for regional meetups. they are not as comon as during the pre-covid days, but there may be something there close enough to you and a good point of contact to meet with someone local who may allow you to experience the PAS

[rip]

I don't know of anyone who has converted an Elan to auto.
But given that the engine was modified from an Isuzu Impulse & that was sold in the US, where autos are much more popular, maybe someone has done a similar conversion?

[exeterjeep]

There is/was an M100 engine for sale from someone doing a EV conversion, that's bound to be an auto? Would imagine it would be costly.

[Fredjohn]

It is extremely unlikely you'll find an auto M100 in the UK.

However you might find an auto Isuzu Impulse, but in a scrapyard.

More likely though in the US. I did a quick search of used auto parts shops in Austin Texas (other towns are available), and did find an Impulse auto box available.

Only other suggestion is to buy an auto Evora or auto Elite!

[exeterjeep]

For an auto soft top - there is this Exige - yes its an auto.....
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 5055376734

[elanfan1]

For an auto soft top - there is this Exige - yes its an auto.....
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 5055376734

Thanks for the suggestions but as an amputee it is extremely difficult almost impossible to get over the sill in an Elise or Exige. If I did get in I’d probably never get out again. Pre my surgery I had an Elise S2 and that was difficult.

On this forum there was a chap who wanted to convert to auto for his wife. The thread was 2012 and I don’t know if he succeeded

[Saltire]

Pardon me for jumping in, but have you considered another option. At one time I was acquainted with someone who had lost the use of his legs. He had a manual car which had been adapted with an auto clutch operated by a button on the RHS of the gear lever. He was then able to change gear in a manual car without using his legs. He also had a manual combined brake/accelerator behind the steering wheel. If I remember correctly, the conversion was done in such a way that the car could still be driven using the original controls, which were retained.

I think the company was called David Ralph, or something like that.

[esprit888]

Looked into this when i had a spare full drivetrain from an Impulse turbo RS AWD as well as an Auto impulse engine and transmission. The auto is an easy enough swap but you'll also need the flex plate, TC and the kickdown assy. The driveshafts visually appeared the same though i believe the NS may be a tad long. If looking don't limit yourself to the Impulse, the Asuna sunfire (canada) and the Geo Storm use the same NA engine and comes in both manual and auto transmissions.