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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Costello Conversion

I am about to commence another GT V8 conversion and wish to use a 4 synchro overdrive gearbox as per factory. I know Dave Vale made adapter plates but was wondering what path Ken Costello went down as I'm told that he utilised the MG gearbox. Any advice would be appreciated.
Peter Malkin

Peter,Why an adapter plate? Are you not using the Rover V8?
Allan Reeling

Hi Allan
I am using the Rover V8 but the 4 Cylinder gearbox with overdrive. The V8 gearbox had a unique bellhousing to match the Rover engine. Original V8 gearboxes are unobtanium in Aussieland.
Peter Malkin

Peter
P76 bellhousing and gearbox - bulletproof - fantastic ratios
OR Supra if you need more gears than you know what to do with
What diff ratio you going to use
racer or road car
Willy
William Revit

Hi Willy
My current Rover conversion utilises a Supra W58 gear box and an original 3.07 rear axle - GT road car.
I'm about to start another one and I want to build it as near as possible to a factory car hence my desire to use one of my spare o/d gear boxes. I have an original V8 dashboard, egg crate grille, rear axle etc. Just missed out on the induction stuff damnit.
Are the P76 boxes available? (How mucho?)
Peter
Peter Malkin

Yeah there are P76 boxes about, just a matter of tracking em down I wouldn't pay anything more than about $250-$300 for one with bellhousing and if going that way make sure you get at least the front half of the tailshaft as tailshafts are a little bit difficult to get on their own The guys at your local P76 club should be able to put you onto one
Make sure it's a V8 unit though as there were 6 cyl ones as well
If you are trying to stay close to original though it probably isn't what you're after maybee a five speed Rover might suit you better Just depends on what you are going to do with it
The last V8 I converted had P76 box and a 3.08 diff - good combination for road/performance
A mate has a 2.77 diff in his but it really knocks the sting out of top gear performance compared to the 3.08 but is a fantastic highway cruiser
willy
William Revit

Peter
You might like a look here 5 down on right hand column
Not cheap but

http://mgv8.homestead.com/induct.html
William Revit

I think you will find an MGB box not up to the V8 torque. The V8 box was, I believe, beefed up internally. I'd go down the stronger box road. T5 Tremac, R380 or LT77 as well as those mentioned above.
Allan Reeling

This thread was discussed between 05/01/2014 and 07/01/2014

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