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How to do a V8 Full Cable clutch conversion in an LH/LX/UC Torana


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#1 Heath

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Posted 19 July 2022 - 10:03 AM

I imagine this has been covered on the forum somewhere, but I actually can't find any neat example of it being written out.

 

This is a very common requirement for people changing to a V8 and not being such a girl that they want a two pedalled variant.

 

Firstly, I just want to explain that Toranas never came with this setup. They had part-cable setups and "rat trap" mechanisms etc. only, until the UC came out (which came with a full cable system) but it was only a 6cyl drivetrain, and the travel in the cable is really not correct if you try and use this on a V8. So what you're actually doing here is converting a Torana to use clutch geometry more similar to an early Commodore, which had a full cable V8 setup.

 

You achieve this by putting a longer throw on the clutch pedal, so the cable travels further when you use the pedal. 

 

(1) What pedal do you use for this? 

Any clutch pedal from any LH/LX/UC Torana. They are all the same if you cut the extra bits off.

 

(2) What tools do I need?

Preferably an angle grinder, a die grinder, an drill with a step drill would be ideal, and any type of welder.

(Note: the welding job is portable, so you can just take your clutch pedal to your mate's place for it to be welded up if you don't have your own machine, but you will definitely need a drill and die grinder where the car sits)

 

(3) What do I use for a hook?

You can make your own if you've got a small offcut of ~4-5mm steel plate lying around, or you can buy a laser-cut one from Toranamuk (Craig) here on the forum.

 

(4) What do I use for a clutch cable?

A CC100 from Flexible Drive Agencies is fine, if I recall correctly. That's the same as a UC 6cyl setup uses.

 

(5) What do I use for a bellhousing and fork?

At the gearbox end, you need to use a Commodore-type V8 clutch fork, with a Commodore-type V8 bellhousing (a lot of CRS/Dellows etc. bellhousings are modelled around this, so it its usefulness is not limited to Aussie Four Speed gearboxes)

 

At the pedal end, these photos show me starting with a UC full cable pedal and converting it to Commodore V8 geometry with a laser-cut hook.

Attached File  Standard 6cyl Hook.jpg   193.67K   9 downloads

Attached File  Standard Hook Position.jpg   186.09K   7 downloads

 

You want to cut that hook off, and put the new hook on, this photo will help you get the right distance between the pedal pivot, and the clevis location for the clutch cable. It will be further away from the big bolt the pedal mounts on, compared to a standard Torana.

Attached File  Position of Clevis with V8 Configuration.jpg   106.26K   13 downloads

 

Weld it on like so:

Attached File  V8 Hook Welded on.jpg   123.63K   8 downloads

 

Earlier clutch pedals have the arm that points towards the driver, with the eccentric round rubber stop thing on it as pictured below. 

Attached File  IMG_20180307_203015.jpg   500.27K   7 downloads

Adjusting the cable itself will adjust the "height" of the pedal in its home position. The factory omitted this arm on the UC full cable pedal setup, and I think it's probably best practice to do the same...

 

This pedal hook takes up more space under the dash, you will need to cut a recess in that area up above the steering column so it does not foul on the car body. I have successfully done this with a die grinder in an assembled car with the steering column just laying down on the driver's seat.

Attached File  Clearance under dash.jpg   197.53K   11 downloads

 

ALSO, you want to drill a new hole in the firewall for the clutch cable to pass through. If your car is a UC Torana with a full cable clutch, you'll want this hole to be a bit higher than the old one. I'm sorry, I do not remember the hole diameter. 

If your car is an earlier car or an auto car or anything like that, you probably won't have any holes in this area to begin with. And a recommendation has been made to install a washer around the hole to spread the load - to reduce any risk of the firewall cracking.

 

Please advise if there are any mistakes I've made, or things I've missed.



#2 bat 53

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Posted 19 July 2022 - 10:38 AM

not picking but the photo of the hook facing the firewall ,

is different to the pedal bolted in , which is facing towards the driver

good discription by the way

 

cheers bat,



#3 hawk

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Posted 19 July 2022 - 12:13 PM

A standard UC 6 cyl pedal and cable can be used but getting it setup right it almost impossible. I used the setup on my old UC and the clutch never felt like it was quite right.

Honestly, for those starting from scratch who are trying to piece together a conversion rather than buying a complete one, I would just invest in a hydraulic clutch conversion for it up front.

Just getting a 6 cylinder setup to operate correctly with a standard or aftermarket cable was a challenge.

#4 Statler

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Posted 19 July 2022 - 01:50 PM

Just need an Admin to stick this. 

 

The only thing i would add Heath is the hole in the firewall for the cable to go through.]

 

There is a spot weld on the firewall which is perfect for location. But ..... because you are drilling out the spot weld i advise to use a washer on this area or it may result in cracks later on. 



#5 claysummers

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Posted 19 July 2022 - 09:58 PM

A standard UC 6 cyl pedal and cable can be used but getting it setup right it almost impossible. I used the setup on my old UC and the clutch never felt like it was quite right.

Honestly, for those starting from scratch who are trying to piece together a conversion rather than buying a complete one, I would just invest in a hydraulic clutch conversion for it up front.

Just getting a 6 cylinder setup to operate correctly with a standard or aftermarket cable was a challenge.

Agree. Yes the cable setup is better than (not as bad as) the rat trap, but hydraulic is superior. Moving away from it was no more than a cynical cost cutting exercise by GMH.

Not to detract from a great write up Heath.


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#6 LXCHEV

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Posted 19 July 2022 - 11:12 PM

Great post Heath. I went through this exact process many years ago when I converted my old V8 hatchback to full cable clutch (in my case, Supra 5 speed). It was literally the best thing I ever did to that car - AMAZING pedal feel, super light, and made the car a genuine pleasure to drive. When I sold that car, the buyer was stunned at how nice the clutch was and said it had a better feel than any brand new car. I miss driving that one!!

#7 MustardGTR

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Posted 20 July 2022 - 11:13 AM

Can you please explain/ expand "Not a shocking idea to add a stainless washer in that area as well." ? 



#8 Heath

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Posted 20 July 2022 - 12:45 PM

not picking but the photo of the hook facing the firewall ,
is different to the pedal bolted in , which is facing towards the driver

Well it's the same pedal in both photos. I'm not seeing what you're seeing.

 

Can you please explain/ expand "Not a shocking idea to add a stainless washer in that area as well." ?

I'll revise the wording there. I only added that because Col commented that the firewall might crack in that area.
I have not had this experience... but maybe?



#9 Statler

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Posted 20 July 2022 - 06:06 PM

I'll revise the wording there. I only added that because Col commented that the firewall might crack in that area.
I have not had this experience... but maybe?

I haven;t either Heath but others have. 

I put a stainless washer on mine & haven;t had a problem. 

 

I done this conversion on Purple 6 years ago, 

As someone with spine issues, i love the easy feel of the clutch pedal. It's so easy. 

Having hydraulic would hurt me. 

 

I would add a photo but PB have silenced me. 

 

 



#10 UCSLE

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Posted 20 July 2022 - 07:21 PM

why is the hook backwards ? the 6cyl one i have is the other way round 



#11 Statler

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Posted 20 July 2022 - 08:13 PM

It doesn't matter if the hook is facing either way.

The pivot point center should be 'close. You can still adjust the cable at the bellhousing. 



#12 Heath

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Posted 20 July 2022 - 09:04 PM

You'd need to have a very long clevis on the clutch cable to not foul one of THOSE hooks if you put the hook on backwards.

 

But in principle, yeah it kind of doesn't matter what the hook looks like.

The first pair of photos is a pedal that I pulled out of a forum member's factory 6cyl manual UC, so I'm gonna say that's how Holden did it.

 

I did a dodgy backwards hook years ago when I was a teenager without a welder, I converted an Opel 4spd manual pedal to a poor man's 6cyl full cable pedal... I didn't have a welder so I just cut it into a shape that would retain a cable. It worked, but that's not how they did them originally.

Attached File  10102010.jpg   323.98K   11 downloads

 

This thread is not an argument for cable or for hydraulic clutches. My car has a hydraulic clutch which I'm very happy with, but I've got friends with fantastic V8 Toranas with full cable setups.

I think they can both be fine, and pedal weight is more of a reflection on condition of parts, and the ratios used, rather than the technology itself.



#13 claysummers

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Posted 21 July 2022 - 09:50 AM

True dat

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#14 Peter UC

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Posted 21 July 2022 - 10:08 AM

I've found there were two different cable clutch pedals in UCs, one as Heath showed and another with a straight hook rather than curled one.

There was obviously a change at some point from one to the other, I'm going to guess that the curled one was later version to fix a particular issue (either assembly or in use) that was discovered

I have the straight one in my car.



#15 bat 53

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Posted 21 July 2022 - 10:09 AM

Well it's the same pedal in both photos. I'm not seeing what you're seeing.

sorry looks the other way around , need new glasses

#16 tsn007

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Posted 21 July 2024 - 10:04 PM

what would the genuine part number be for the Holden full cable bell housing



#17 yel327

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Posted 22 July 2024 - 06:55 AM

what would the genuine part number be for the Holden full cable bell housing

 

6cyl or V8? I can't be sure but I don't think these have a part number on them, often alloy stuff has a casting number but it isn't the part number.



#18 axistr

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Posted 22 July 2024 - 08:07 AM

Why bother with a cable setup, its going backwards. With a healthy V8 engine and heavy pressure plate to ensure more clamping force, the cable setup gets very heavy on the left leg and disengagement feel is generally terrible. A late model under dash hydraulic system is easy to convert to, clean and tidy when installed, easy on the leg, last ten times longer, generally no maintenance or adjustments needed after initial installation and much better feel. Cable systems just don't last very long either. I would like a dollar for every brake down I've done over the years replacing broken cables in the 70 & 80s cars and Mack trucks.



#19 yel327

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Posted 22 July 2024 - 11:35 AM

Why bother with a cable setup, its going backwards. With a healthy V8 engine and heavy pressure plate to ensure more clamping force, the cable setup gets very heavy on the left leg and disengagement feel is generally terrible. A late model under dash hydraulic system is easy to convert to, clean and tidy when installed, easy on the leg, last ten times longer, generally no maintenance or adjustments needed after initial installation and much better feel. Cable systems just don't last very long either. I would like a dollar for every brake down I've done over the years replacing broken cables in the 70 & 80s cars and Mack trucks.

 

I got my P plates in 1984. I broke a clutch cable on my Dad's WB van whilst on those P's, it was maybe 2-3 years old at that stage. I remember getting it into first, starting it in gear and driving to Young and Green in Kotara to get a new cable. The positive is you can change the cable with no tools! I changed it in the parking lot at Young and Green. That was the first time I leaned to changed gears in an aussie 4spd without a clutch.



#20 tsn007

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Posted 07 August 2024 - 09:17 PM

my mechanic is doing the full cable clutch conversion on my SLR

 

purchased a modified clutch pedal , mechanic says its needs a pedal bump stop ???



#21 yel327

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Posted 08 August 2024 - 08:09 AM

my mechanic is doing the full cable clutch conversion on my SLR

 

purchased a modified clutch pedal , mechanic says its needs a pedal bump stop ???

 

Frome memory none of the full cable clutch setups in HZ, VB-VK or UC had a bump stop.



#22 Dr Terry

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Posted 08 August 2024 - 01:06 PM

That is correct, the full cable set-ups don't need a bump stop.

 

Dr Terry






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