k50 to k40

[Mike-]

what conversions are needed to do this in a kp starlet.

do i just switch the gearboxes over or do i need new driveshafts etc

any help appreciated

thanks

Mike

[Dell'Orto]

If its a Starlet K50 its a direct swap. Corolla one you'll need to chop the hole a fraction to fit the lever, otherwise its the same.

[Mike-]

thats for ke70 boxes only right?

[Dell'Orto]

Yup yup, thats what I meant by Corolla.

[wde_bdy]

Depends what your donor box is from. Your title says K50 to K40 so first will cover the differences between a Starlet K50 and the available K40 boxes.
There a a couple of K40's, apparently early Ke2* boxes have different output spline so driveshaft won't fit (KE10 box is probably the same). KE3* boxes and later KE2* boxes go straight in. Ke70 boxes have different gear lever position (100mm back) and different gearbox mount so you need to mod the crossmember a little.
Here are the K40 to K50 details I posted on Club K, The floor and mount mods are the same for KE70 K40 or K50 -

FAQ - K50 Conversion for Starlet

Corolla 5 speed to Starlet

There are 3 basic different K series 5 speed gearboxes, but we are only interested in 2 of them. Theses are the starlet k50 (hard to find) and the KE70 corolla K50 (easy to find). If you need a five speed for your starlet (or KE30 corolla) this is how you can put in the KE70 one. There is also a K50 with an integral A series bellhousing from AE70 and AE85, dimension wise this is the same as a Corolla K series K50.
To put in the corolla 5 speed you need a cold chisel and a drill. Line up the original starlet crossmember amd the new corolla one using the rubber mount. Mark the new holes and drill them. Then use the cold chisel and a hammer to cut away the bracing on the bottom of the starlet mount so that you can put the bolts through for the rubber corolla mount. This will make sense once you have it in front of you. If you can get a starlet 5 speed you don't have to cut the floor, but the corolla is easier to find. Be careful if you do cut the floor as the brake and fuel lines are right where you have to cut. Inside the car, simply cut the coin tray behind the gear lever out (this is for 1983 on models) and your gear lever will still fit in the centre console. You just need to cover the original hole. The original driveshaft will go straight in.
If you already have a 5 speed starlet box but smashed second gear doing smokies, you can just swap the tailshaft housings over from the starlet box to the corolla box. There are 6 bolts (VERY tight!!) to undo, remove the housing from the starlet box and sit it on the corolla box, and then you have to align the shifter rod with the shifter rails in the gearbox itself (so u can change gears). The will will then bolt straight back into the car.


Callum

[Mike-]

ok cheers for that, so ill need to drill some holes in my crossmember if i get a ke70 box?

but all i need is a chisel, hammer, and drill, and maybe a grinder for cutting the floor?

[Dell'Orto]

Hacksaw will take to the floor easy as Though I think technically you need to cert it if you do cut it.