Replace the old automatic transmission from a classic car with a new, modern automatic transmission?

ByArgojk January 2, 2022February 23, 2025

Is it possible to replace an automatic transmission from a classic car with a new, modern (approx. 2010-2015) transmission?
And what do I have to take into account?

(I know the costs can be very high, but let's ignore the costs)

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Tellensohn

3 years ago

Salmon

Modern machines are electronically controlled. They need a lot of signals from the engine. Such sensors can hardly be retrofitted on old engines. Thus, the conversion would also have to include the motor and the cable harness.

Although the old machines are not so efficient and often there is a lack of a hike. This also makes the power transmission very gentle and soft.

With oldtimers you live quite well with the qualities of the time. Driving is a journey of time into the past, including technology.

Tellenone

Dampfschiff

3 years ago

You already got the simple answers. Personally, I wouldn't do that for various reasons, but you've been asking about it, not about it. Let's do nails with heads.

Make it clear that this costs a few thousand euros if you don't have the skills and equipment to do it all yourself.
Find a professional remodeling company that can construct even special parts.
If necessary with the help of the conversion operation, determine how much space is available for the transmission. The old Jaguar is lucky to have a little space…
If necessary with the help of the remodeling operation, find out which automatic transmissions of younger vehicles first fit from the place, secondly are suitable from the transmission ratios, and thirdly come out with the great torque of the Jaguar engine. Please apply for months of research.
Find a used gear or dispenser vehicle of the corresponding type. Including transmission control.
Let the rebuild operation design and manufacture an adapter plate for connecting Jaguar engine and external gear. If necessary, an adapter for the drive shaft/gear input shaft.
Let the used gear overtake before installation.
Leave the gear with customized gear holders (welding work on the body), optionally adapted cardan shaft, adapter plate, optionally Mount adapters for the drive shaft and adapted actuation and electronics.
Single withdrawal at TÜV, entry into the vehicle papers

Tip: I would first check if the 4-speed automatic transmission of the Jaguar XJ40 can be used. If your XJ is not older than 1976 (replacement must have been available on the market within 10 years of the first registration of the oldtimer), then even the old-time registration could be preserved.

DerBayer80

3 years ago

It won't fit. Switching the new gears via electronics

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Argojk

3 years ago

Reply to DerBayer80

But shouldn't a control unit be there with a newer gear? That's what makes all the electronics stuff.

AlterMannNB

3 years ago

Reply to Argojk

With new cars, all control units are interconnected. There it can be that a control unit does not work alone because information from other control units is missing. This makes it difficult to expand components from a car and use them in other cars.

martinreschke

3 years ago

Reply to Argojk

The old thing is missing the donors.

DerBayer80

3 years ago

Reply to Argojk

The control unit of a modern car is connected to the complete car and all other 40 control units. If one of them is missing, nothing goes.

In addition to this, neither the suspension points, nor the input shaft and also the overall size should fit.

Venus345

3 years ago

Reply to Argojk

but the oldtimers did not yet have the electronics and control, then the cars were built easier than today

fishythats

3 years ago

No chance!

Firstly, the bell where the gear is flanged fits the engine at the rear and at the front. These are complex castings that you can't even make.

Secondly, modern automatic transmissions via control units are electronically interlinked with the motor and simply do not work without this electronic networking.

If you want to do this, then exchange the engine and the automatic transmission as a whole unit. The body is adjusted, individual reviews are required at the TÜV.