Retrofitting an overdrive function on a classic car?

Overdrive in the transmission of a motor vehicle is known as overdrive when it reduces the engine speed and the torque for a certain speed. Overdrive used to be used at high speeds and was also known as overdrive. Overdrive is not just a simple name, but is also used as a trademark by BorgWarner Corp. guided. If an older vehicle, for example with H-plateswho want to retrofit the overdrive function, this can be implemented under certain conditions.

Retrofitting the overdrive function

Retrofitting the overdrive function is possible if the overdrive function has already been offered as an option for a vehicle. This means that there should have been a variant with overdrive in the series of the respective vehicle. This also applies to other conversions and accessories in connection with the H mark. The overdrive function is also known as Warner overdrive. In 1950 there was a large article in a magazine on American automatic transmissions. The Warner overdrive was also covered and described in more detail in the magazine. Overdrive, as it is branded, is a very popular overdrive.

Overdrive, a brand name for overdrive

Rights holder is BorgWarner Corp. The overdrive has been on the market since the 30s and was offered, for example, in vehicles such as the Studebaker, Rambler and Hudson. In 1941, overdrive was introduced at Ford in the famous Lincoln. The overdrive function was available in Ford vehicles until 1967. Depending on the conversion variant, the H-license plate can be at risk when retrofitting the overdrive function. It is therefore advisable to make detailed inquiries before the conversion whether the conversion is a contemporary tuning act or not.

Overdrive function - common in the 50s and 60s

In the 50s and 60s of the last century, the overdrive function was installed in many English sports cars and limousines. Interested buyers were able to use the overdrive in the performance classes from 60 hp to 150 hp as Additional option choose. The overdrive was used because a fifth gear was not provided in the standard four-speed gearbox and high speeds should still be achieved. A so-called overdrive planetary stage had to be installed for overdrive. This could easily be done in the standard four-speed gearbox.

Easy installation of the overdrive function

The overdrive function could be installed easily and inexpensively in the four-speed transmissions of the vehicles of that time. Basically only a shorter cardan shaft, a longer housing on the cardan shaft flange and an electrical switch were necessary. The longer housing was used for the planetary gear stage. The electrical switch was necessary to operate the band brake. This was operated by oil pressure in the older vehicles and it was controlled via a solenoid valve. When installing the overdrive function, attention must be paid to the maximum torque. Overdrive is usually only intended for top gear or fourth and third gear.

Modern vehicles and overdrive

Modern vehicles already have at least one gear that is quickly translated. It can also be two courses that are translated quickly. An overdrive transmission is no longer necessary in modern vehicles and is no longer used. We hope that you have read the info report on the topic / term OverDrive function (Further designations / keywords: Overdrive, overdrive, overdrive, Warner overdrive, planetary stage, overdrive gear, electro-hydraulic overdrive) from the field of autotuning. Our goal is to have the largest German-speaking tuning lexicon (Tuning Wikipedia) and to explain tuning terms from A to Z easily and understandably. Almost every day we expand this lexicon and how far we are, you can HERE see. Soon the next one will be Tuning scene concept be illuminated by us. By the way, you will be informed about new topics if you have ours Feed subscribe to.

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