I have a late fuel-injected 231 motor and auto trans from a Grand National in a Sunbeam Alpine. I'm in favor of a 5-spd transmission, but fear the Buick electronics will not allow it. I have the wire harness from the Grand National along with the computer and upgraded chip and large Kenne Bell intercooler. Does anyone know if you can eliminate the auto trans and will the electronics still funtion correctly? Has anyone "been-there, done-that?" Any information concerning the swap would be helpful. Thanks.
Every time I've seen someone ask about putting a manual tranny behind a TR motor, the general consensus is not to do it. The main reason doesn't have anything to do with the electronics, I'm not sure if there is a problem there or not. The main thing is that with a manual transmission you won't be able to build boost standing still, ie at the starting line. Another thing, I'm pretty sure of, is with a manual you lose the boost pretty much all together from the blow off valve(not sure if you'd need to install one or of the factory wastegate would be sufficient) when you shift, an automatic doesn't lose boost when it shifts. Our cars really need all the oomph they can get but I believe your car is a small two seater and probably much lighter? The only wiring that goes to the tranny is, I think, one four wire connector which is used to lock and unlock the TCC. A manual tranny doesn't have a torque converter so that shouldn't be a problem, that I know of. I'll go out on a limb here and say that if you had two Alpines with the only difference being manual vs auto, that the auto would be faster, judging that based on what I said above regarding boost loss. One issue you might have is finding a 5 speed that can handle the torque the motor puts out. Good luck.
You never said what Series Alpine. I, II, III, IV, or V? If you keep the wire wheels with the knock-offs, you will rip the spokes right out of the wheels. The steel wheels are better but look like crap. Capri wheels are even better, but they are still 13" dia. The differential won't handle the torque. You will rip the front spring eyes out of the uni-body. This is a bad idea! Find yourself an unrestored Sunbeam Tiger and put the Blooik engine in there, if you must. At least the driveline can take the punishment. Personally, I would sell the Sunbeam and buy a GN, or a WE4, or a Limited.
The only transmission related functions I can think of are TCC,VSS and neutral safety switch. The neutral safety and VSS(vehicle speed sensor) are easy enough to adapt over and you can leave the TCC(torque convertor control) unattached as the ECM only sends a signal and doesn't recieve any. If I was going to build this car I would go to a few autocross or vintage sports car races to see how the guys who race Tigers build a cage to keep the engine from tearing the body in half.