{"id":14342,"date":"2026-05-19T16:14:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T06:44:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spriteclub.com.au\/?p=14342"},"modified":"2026-05-19T16:14:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T06:44:11","slug":"5-gears-are-always-better-than-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spriteclub.com.au\/?p=14342","title":{"rendered":"5 Gears are always better than 4!"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spriteclub.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-1.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"474\" height=\"633\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spriteclub.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-1.png?resize=474%2C633&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14345\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7494001343699012;width:259px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spriteclub.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-1.png?w=622&amp;ssl=1 622w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spriteclub.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-1.png?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chris Mignone is seeking expressions of interest from Austin Healey Sprite and MG Midget owners (or owners of Morry Minor, A40 Farina or really, anything currently powered by an A Series engine!!) for a possible new bulk order of the Barratt Engineering 5-speed gearbox conversion kits from the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A previous group order conducted last year proved very successful, with participants benefiting from significantly reduced freight and overall costs through combined shipping. Chris has personally fitted three of these kits and reports excellent results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Barratt Engineering Sprite \/ Midget 5-Speed Gearbox Conversion Kit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Suitable for 948cc, 1098cc and 1275cc models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike many other Sprite and Midget 5-speed conversions currently available, this kit requires no body modifications. The only alteration required is drilling a small access hole for the gearbox fill plug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The kit replaces the original 4-speed transmission in A-series Sprites and Midgets with a Suzuki Jimny 5-speed gearbox and bolts directly to the original gearbox mounting points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The kit includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Aluminium engine back plate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rear gearbox mounting bracket and AV mounts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gear change mechanism<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Billet flywheel (5kg)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High torque starter motor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>190mm clutch kit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New prop shaft<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clutch cable conversion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fasteners<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All supplied parts are new.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spriteclub.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"474\" height=\"356\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spriteclub.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image.png?resize=474%2C356&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14343\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spriteclub.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image.png?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spriteclub.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/spriteclub.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Compatible Gearboxes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Suitable donor gearboxes can be sourced from 1995\u20132005 manual Suzuki Jimnys fitted with either G13B or M13A engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Standard kit: \u00a32000 ex VAT<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>15% bulk discount for 5 or more orders: \u00a31700 ex VAT<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>20% bulk discount for 10 or more orders: \u00a31600 ex VAT<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Optional Extras<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rebuilt Suzuki Gearbox<\/strong><br>Rebuilt in-house by Barratt Engineering using new bearings and seals, bench tested prior to shipping, and modified ready for direct installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u00a31000 ex VAT<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Electronic Speedometer Kit<\/strong><br>Smiths electronic speedometer with Austin Healey or Midget-style face, including speed sensor kit. Required because the Suzuki gearbox does not support the original cable drive speedometer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u00a3275 ex VAT<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shipping Estimates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>3 kits and rebuilt gearboxes: approximately \u00a3500 by sea freight, delivered to port<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6 kits and rebuilt gearboxes: approximately \u00a3750 by sea freight, delivered to port<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shipping costs are subject to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Customs and Import Fees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Import duties are not currently applicable for these parts entering Australia; however, GST at 10% will apply. Customs clearance and holding fees may also be payable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chris is currently compiling expressions of interest before approaching Barratt Engineering to coordinate the next order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The current deadline for expressions of interest is <strong>18 June 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At present, five people have already expressed interest in purchasing kits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For further information or to register interest, contact:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chris Mignone<br>&#x1f4de; 0411 867 118<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chris Mignone is seeking expressions of interest from Austin Healey Sprite and MG Midget owners (or owners of Morry Minor, A40 Farina or really, anything currently powered by an A &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/spriteclub.com.au\/?p=14342\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">5 Gears are always better than 4!<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":267,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"_s2mail":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","hentry","category-spritely-chat","post_format-post-format-image"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgyCDM-3Jk","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/spriteclub.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/spriteclub.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/spriteclub.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spriteclub.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/267"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spriteclub.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14342"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/spriteclub.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14342\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14346,"href":"https:\/\/spriteclub.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14342\/revisions\/14346"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/spriteclub.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spriteclub.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spriteclub.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}