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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - MX5 gearbox possibility

As my engine and transmission are coming out at some point soonish, just wondered about MX5 5 speed gearbox.

Anyone done it? And if so whats it like to do and drive?
Dave Squire (1500)

Probably easier to stick the mx5 engine in as well... now there's a good idea!

If it has a removable bellhousing an adapter plate may be do-able but there are a few other tried and tested conversions out there already that are simpler. Or were you looking for a new challenge?
Bob T

Dave,
Have a look at this site, be prepared to lose about 4 hours just looking at it !

The guy installed a miata(MX5) engine and gearbox as well as other good stuff..

http://the-mite.com/index.htm
Andy Phillips (frankenfrog)

With the price of of an MOT'd Mk1 MX5 hovering around £600, it would be much easier to get that through the next MOT but I assume that's not an option.

It is also a cheaper way to get that parts rather than going to one of the MX5 breakers.

Do not go for a short nose MX5 engine.

eddie
Eddie Cairns

Price of T9 lots, price of MX5 box not much. Hence the question.
Does anyone know the Mazda in house part or model codes for these boxes?
With different ratios they ended up in lots of other 'Ford' motors like 4x4's as well. They go straight on to some duratec and zetec engines as well as the Mazda style unit. I am not even sure if there is a separate bell housing on them so trying to get to more technical detail at the moment.
I agree Eddie, there are several just in MOT MX5's with the usual welding needs and rough bodies going for a couple of hundred quid at the moment.
Dave Squire (1500)

Apart from the very unusual 6 speed box on some post 99 cars. All the 5 speed boxes had the same ratios right thru until 2005.

The pre 94 boxes and pre 94 1.6 engines are not as good as later engines and boxes.

Yes they do have a bellhousing but I think it is a bit complicated to remove, it may not be that bad.

I cannot find the parts numbers but if anyone wants to take it forward speak to Autolink or MX5revive as they have them in stock and when I talked to them at the last MX5 Spring Rally in Pitlochry they said "as they do not usually go wrong there are plenty in stock" the same with engines but as I have already said buy a car with all the other bits you will need.

eddie
Eddie Cairns

I had considered this conversion against the K series and Type 9 - but looking at the work involved it seems significntly more strife and for really not that much of a cost save.. Also using the K series at least its a Rover powerplant..
John Barber

Dave, this is quite an interesting article and may help if you decide to have a go with the MX5 box.

http://croydon.amphibia.co.uk:76/pdf/adapters.pdf
Bob T

Try wikipedia

They do a great job with the datsun box and type nine

I cant imagine a mx5 box is tye way to go, id strongly recommend 2 options if you want to be expermential....simply because its been done before... ive not heard of anyone being successful with the mx5 box...im sure some have tried ...but no youtube videos of achivdment

1st option....BMW getreg box...several have done it...its in the archives

Option 2... suski sameri, this one has a lot of promise, its almost the same size and close to the gear ratio as the ribby so fits well and shifter lines up fairly well

So far im not aware of a hook up to an a 1275- but to the suski swift engine...

For the best imput... google bugsuki, the guy really goes into depth on the build and the susuki sameri tranny with side by side comparisons to the type 9, datsun, and the ribby

Here is the site...enjoy

http://www.ado13.com/dohczuke/dohc.htm



Prop

Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Whilst not in yet, and not an A series, I've got an MX-5 box bolted to the back of my V6 and it's the same way most of the folk using the same V6 make it RWD. The box is quite good, ratios are pretty good and it's capable of 250 bhp out of the box, so much stronger than a type 9 too. And whilst it's not the shortest box in the world, it does have some odd castings that make it bigger than a type 9. Many of these could be machined off though if required.
S Overy

This thread was discussed between 10/07/2013 and 15/07/2013

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