Crap to Cream MGB MX5 G/Box conversion Pt5. Some lessons learned, a wee bit tight.....
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- Опубліковано 5 кві 2024
- This is a video now with the engine and g/box in place. Some lessons learned on the way, my perception of how I got there and how to maybe make it a bit easier if you decide to do the conversion. The instructions are excellent, and so far everything fits and appears to work as it should do.
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Nice - I considered doing this on mine, but the gearbox and OD were in such good condition it seemed a shame to not use them. Perhaps on the next refresh!
Hi Steve, My gearbox and O/D were also in good condition after I had replaced most of the O/D parts, it just seemed so much easier having the O/D built into the normal gearbox as the fifth gear. I did have quite a few issues with the O/D switch in the gear stick, also considered moving the O/D switch to the dash the same as earlier models, however fitting the MX5 gearbox did seem like the nicer option. The MGB gearboxes internally are now mostly made out of unobtanium.
Thank you for the update. I have the T9 5-speed conversion which fits and works well but is getting hard to get parts for. I've been very interested in your solution and how well it works as I would like to know if it is worth recommending to others. You're doing a beautiful job on your car.
Thank you for your comment, appreciated. I am so impressed I’m fitting the MX5 g/box to my other MG. Selling the two original gearboxes at least got me a little bit back. The only thing I didn’t like was the gear knob and the length of the gear stick, I’ve fixed that now by shortening the stick by about 40mm.
Well… I was partly correct. Yes, it would seem that the speedo job is much more difficult on the home market cars. Don’t forget to put the oil in!
Morning Brad, you were partly right and thank you for your comments, I did have a better idea of what I was walking into. When you mentioned the speedo cable being easy I did start to wonder how flexible your hands and arms are. My 74 B will be a lot easier the speedo is on the RH side and I can reach the cable nut fairly easily. Again thanks for the heads up.
You've upgraded the gearbox to get 5 gears now you just need to lose that antique cast iron lump engine for something like a Ford Zetec.
Hi Bill, Firstly like to thank you for believing that I have the capability to do such a modification, secondly thank you for your comment. There are a couple or three reasons why I have not considered an engine change, I'm now 65 years of age and close to 80% retired by choice so I don't really want to embark on such a major conversion. I was around MG's when they were new and on a show room floor, I worked in a British Leyland garage for many years from the age of 11 so I'm quite familiar with the old cast iron oil leaker, I also take a fair amount of stick from the purists for changing the color to a Mazda color, at least the gearbox is subtly hidden., I like driving my MG's and if I did take on such a major change I would more than likely spend more time under the bonnet than enjoying the driving experience. Appreciate the suggestion, however right now I'll stick with my next project which is installing a VMax supercharger on my other B, not so subtle I know :)..
@@CrapToCream That's a fair comment and I can see your reasoning. I too am 65 and crawling around under cars is not something I relish anymore. Don't listen to the purists, if they don't like it there are 1,000's of other MG's for them to look at. Modifying your car makes it individual and far more interesting when there are a 100 of them lined up at a show.
How right you are, I like being subtly different rather than radically different. And standing out for all the right reasons is a great feeling.