Fastrac engine gearbox retrofit?

[banjo]

this is a project I've been thinking of doing for ages, it's an early old fastrac without an engine that my mate has and I've had this idea of putting in a lorry engine with maybe an auto or slicker shifting gearbox in it that might also get it going faster. More power !
Now I know you chaps on here are brill on things like this, so any ideas on what kind of box and engine which would marry up to it easily ( bolt on )
This will be a long term project, so any ideas or different ways to go about it would be listened to and thought about carefully before I start, or not.
Thanks in advance banjo

 

[roscoe erf]

this is a project I've been thinking of doing for ages, it's an early old fastrac without an engine that my mate has and I've had this idea of putting in a lorry engine with maybe an auto or slicker shifting gearbox in it that might also get it going faster. More power !
Now I know you chaps on here are brill on things like this, so any ideas on what kind of box and engine which would marry up to it easily ( bolt on )
This will be a long term project, so any ideas or different ways to go about it would be listened to and thought about carefully before I start, or not.
Thanks in advance banjo

keeping 4 wd

 

[banjo]

keeping 4 wd

Not sure yet, open to suggestions as it's still an idea at the moment

 

[Shovelhands]

How much power do you want?

 

[banjo]

How much power do you want?

Well if I'm going to all the trouble involved it may aswel have plenty of grunt, I'd like to try and get an auto gearbox like a bus has or semi auto.

 

[Chae1]

I'm sure the Eaton gearbox fitted originally was used in much higher hp applications.

 

[Shovelhands]

I'm not sure what gearbox they had in them, I know Eaton, but not sure on physical size ect? I'd go for a cummins out of a dustcart with a 6 speed Allison auto on it, 250-275hp enough? Might get 300hp? Whole dustcarts can be bought for not a lot, then cut out what you need

 

[banjo]

I know it's a lot more work but if an engine and auto box as mentioned above were installed it would transform the machine. A wolf in sheeps clothing methinks!
Thinking about it two wheel drive would be OK as it's just for hauling on the road .

 

[banjo]

I'm sure the Eaton gearbox fitted originally was used in much higher hp applications.

Yes it would proberbly take a Lot more power, would a larger Cummings fit in there as it did have a Perkins fitted before so I'd have to change the gearbox housing anyway.
I havnt looked at in detail yet as I'd like to get an idea of what's possible before showing him a wad or two of notes!

 

[roscoe erf]

Not sure yet, open to suggestions as it's still an idea at the moment

2wd would be easier then you could transplant what ever took your fancy as one unit from a donor truck

 

[Timo@hattonfarms]

surely this would be more suitablehttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181998357488

 

[Cowcalf]

chassis on FT is quite narrow not much room for anything bigger and steering goes down the inside, could not see rear diff taking too much extra torque

 

[banjo]

surely this would be more suitablehttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181998357488

I like the power ( maybe to much ) but I don't like the price

 

[banjo]

Just wondering what an auto box from a dustbin lorry, or bus. would be like when driving as I've never driven one before. Is there a way to make It shift at lower or higher revs due to your requirements. ( are they adjustable )
I don't mind altering the chassis and other things as it's going to be a winter project.
What engines would you fellas suggest that's maybe 250 to 300 Hp?

 

[multi power]

Cummings engine like what is in mx 110 is good for 300 hp I understand

 

[banjo]

What about this kind of thing, is it available in the uk?

 

[Shovelhands]

The Allison gearbox in the dustcarts have that type of keypad I think, can't recall the model number, it's an MP3020 gearbox?, or something like that, can be picked up cheap, usually some on eBay, but with it will need some form of ecu , so buying a complete vehicle will get you all you need.
If you want simplicity then you need to go for older gearboxes, but these will be 30+ year old designs now, nothing wrong with them, just finding a goodun is possibly hard?
I'd stick a 6CTA 8.3A cummins in it, but that's only because I have them already and love em good thing with a CTA is its aftercooled not intercooled, fitting a big intercooler from a truck may not be easy and you won't get the air flow, an aftercooled engine will also be more compact and be a simpler fit. Just my opinion.

What will the rest of the driveline take? Who knows? But an auto will at least soften the power delivery

 

[Andrew]

I don't mind altering the chassis and other things as it's going to be a winter project.
What engines would you fellas suggest that's maybe 250 to 300 Hp?

Just remember altering the chassis may reduce your steering lock.

 

[Two Tone]

I'd be a bit concerned about losing 4WD. Fastracs are a bit light on the back end with an empty trailer. Pulling away on a hill can give you quite a bit of wheel slip in 2WD

Surely it would be difficult to fit a decent size Cummins onto the existing Eaton gearbox. No reason why you couldn't move the rad further forward. Should be lots of Cummins engines available at commercial breakers.

Or fit the transfer box on the back of an Eaton Box to keep the 4WD

Try J Spindler & Sons Ltd at Metfield, Suffolk IP20 0LP 01986 785335

 

[banjo]

Some good ideas from everyone. The steering lock on all the old fastracs are terrible, I have a 155/65 and it's hopeless. Maybe fit a steering axle on the back of the project?
I'm making myself work I know, but it's still on paper yet