1/2 conversion??

Slingray · February 16, 2006, 04:17:42 PM

Hi guys,

Just trying to find as much information as I can about the pro's and cons of Mirror Conversions and Chain Drive Conversions when I happened across a third type of conversion which I didn't know existed, a "1/2 Conversion".

Basically I'm wondering what a 1/2 conversion is and how to recognise one? I understand a 1/2 conversion leaves the brake booster on the Left Hand side of the car, similar to a chain drive system. What else is done? What makes a 1/2 conversion different to a Mirror or Chain?

I've been all through this thread:
http://www.nswcorvettes.com.au/forum/viewthread.php?tid=167&page=1

But am still very interested to hear people's thoughts on Chain VS Mirror VS "1/2" Conversions.

Slingray · February 16, 2006, 05:01:58 PM

Thought I'd chuck this in - has anyone ever considered getting a chain drive converted to full mirror? The interior is already converted, you'd have to replace the steering column I'm guessing, the rest of it would be a pretty standard Mirror conversion?

Just curious. The more I reseach the more I think a chain drive isn't such a bad way to go. But at the end of a day I think a bad mirror will be just as bad as a bad chain. So long as the car has been converted by someone who knew what they were doing you're pretty right.

david_moore · February 16, 2006, 06:38:34 PM

I think there is plenty of info already on this site about this already.
IMHO chain conversions these days are quite ok - one could be forgiven for thinking this is a half conversion. Bear in mind there is still the brakes to be done, a cross shaft is common on C3s, so brake booster is left on left side and a shaft is used that runs under the dash to operate brakes. The clutch is done the same way, usually a hollow shaft enclosing the brake shaft to operate the clutch. Ever seen a driving instructors dual operation car. clutch and brake pedals on both sides of car. Our beloved corvettes converted this way are the same 'cept we cut the pedals off on the left side!
Then there is the mirror conversion, every thing is moved to the opposite side along the fire wall, inside the car and in the engine bay.
What type of conversion is best? is a moot point. I will say the mirror is the most asthetically pleasing and prolly does better at car shows.
The cross shafts work just as well, I believe some BMWs and heaven forbid Hyundais(?) use these cross shafts.

jolinari · February 16, 2006, 07:05:27 PM

mine is on LHD and all i can say is that it works perfectly and handles the corners perfecly and very responsive on brakes!

Cameron 77C3 · February 16, 2006, 11:07:27 PM

My uderstanding is :-
In a mirror conversion or when the brakes etc are left on the left side but the steering box moved to the right side, the motor is spaced over to the left side of the engine bay and usually a ford steering box is used. [sometimes a toyota box] This off setting of the motor usually means that the fan shroud has to be cut and altered so that the fan still sits in the middle of the shroud. If the brake booster is still on the left this also moves the motor closer to the booster and the clutch mounting is changed slightly. I'll stand corrected on this if I'm incorrect.

I think thats what is on yours Joe from what I remember.

jolinari · February 16, 2006, 11:38:03 PM

very true Cam...good explanation...XF falcon steering box

JP · February 17, 2006, 06:48:48 AM

Yes I'm in the middle of mirror converting my 76. I have used the ford steering box XF with XY drag link,(I believe that the toyota box is used for big blocks) but I have not had to move the motor. The box is close to the exhaust but a heat sheld fixes that. Then a slight mod to the steering colum mounting bracket, replace the fire wall. AC to the other side mod dashes and duct work. Sounds easy Hay. Honestly it,s not hard to do just the time needed, and some machanical know how.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c364/JRP2376/000_0461.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c364/JRP2376/000_0459.jpghttp://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c364/JRP2376/000_0170.jpg

77CVT · February 17, 2006, 02:44:05 PM

My '77 was like that and I had all sorts of trouble with brakes. Make sure you check the angle of the shaft lever is the same angle as the old brake pedal arm. Mine were not and the pedal travel was never right.

jolinari · February 17, 2006, 04:34:56 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by JP
Yes I'm in the middle of mirror converting my 76. I have used the ford steering box XF with XY drag link,(I believe that the toyota box is used for big blocks) but I have not had to move the motor. The box is close to the exhaust but a heat sheld fixes that. Then a slight mod to the steering colum mounting bracket, replace the fire wall. AC to the other side mod dashes and duct work. Sounds easy Hay. Honestly it,s not hard to do just the time needed, and some machanical know how.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c364/JRP2376/000_0461.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c364/JRP2376/000_0459.jpghttp://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c364/JRP2376/000_0170.jpg

how are you going to do the heat shield? i have that problem and what happened...it simply overheated my coupling steeringn and caused it to burn...not sure how to protect it...do u have any ideas on any heat shields? something that i can buy without the fuss of doing it

69VETTE · February 18, 2006, 09:41:06 PM

Yasooo Joe,

Why didnt you ask me this, after all you knew i was having issues as well..I just finished shielding my airconditioning box the other week and its awsome.

Ok... after heaps of searching, both here and the states i found heat sheilds (that are designed to withstand 2000 degrees farenheight and reflect about 90% of the heat generated at the headers) made by Thermo Tec and sold through Auto One motor accessories.

They are generally imported into australia through rocket industries and sold through Auto One.

Heres a link with all the different types of products you can get from Thermo Tec:

http://www.thermotec.com/

M36

jolinari · February 18, 2006, 09:58:41 PM

excellent Mic...sorry i thought u knew of the problem...wil check them out:)

Cameron 77C3 · February 19, 2006, 06:55:19 PM

Checked it out. Some interesting products there.

Cameron 77C3 · February 19, 2006, 07:23:04 PM

Mic, any pictures of where you have used there products?

69VETTE · February 19, 2006, 07:35:48 PM

CAM,

No i havent got any pics actually.. i finished doing the Ac box last week and it turned out a treat... we (my brother and i) spent over two hours cutting and shaping the stuff to get it right.

Cause the Ac box isnt square and flat, it had to be done in stages and in sections ( one peice lapping the other) to do it right...

Unfortunatley, it wasnt as easy as bolting on a floor shield or a spash guard!

Now it wont take as long to get the air cooled within the box!

Oh... im happy to show you the work, next time im out on a cruz with the guys and gals...just ask.

M;36

Cameron 77C3 · February 19, 2006, 07:53:52 PM

;34