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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Which is best a Ford or Mazda 5 Speed ?

I have now been able to get hold of a Type 9 Gear box. Unfortunately it has a long input shaft so if I was to do a conversion I would need to buy a new one or grind off some of the splines. However I have been looking on line and see it is possible to fit a MX5 box. This requires a new backplate which I could make and this would be much cheaper than buying a Type 9 conversion bell housing. What's the consus on a Type 9 v a MX5. The latter are quite cheap at the moment.

jan T
J Targosz

I have never driven an MX5 but every report I have ever read about the car, right from the earliest to the latest, say that the gearchange is an absolute delight. There is a company supplying all you need

https://www.vitesse-ltd.com/products/mgb-5-speed-mazda-gearbox-conversion-kit-5-bearing-engine-vitmgb258?variant=21481998647379

They can fit to both 3-bearing and 5-bearing engines and it is what I would do if I was looking for a gearbox swap. If you already have a box, they might be able to supply the other parts you need.
Mike Howlett

MX-5 5-speed eleven times out of ten over a T9 but beware of the early 6-speeds at least.

Vitesse didn't do such a thorough job researching MGA installations, at least early offerings, but the MGA chaps would know better about that than me.
Nigel Atkins

Whoops didn't notice we are on the midget site. I was thinking of the MGB when I mentioned Vitesse conversions.
Mike Howlett

Jan
John Macleod did one a year or two ago, which would be an interesting read for you before you start
He was a pioneer at it , I tried to convince him to keep all the Mazda clutch assy, complete with throwout bearing, clutch arm etc and just machine the face of the Midget flywheel right back to get the depth right and redrill for the mazda clutch to suit but he was hell bent on using the Midget clutch and made a lot of work for himself so doing--If you have a read through it you will see there is an easier way
It's in the archives under-

Thread: Midget MX5 5 speed conversion

willy

William Revit

I have been lucky. Someone noted the gearbox I had found had a long input shaft. He explained the box could be out of a six cylinder car or from a diesel. The ratios in the former are OK but not the latter. Obviously the one I was going to buy is from a diesel so the deal is off. Looks as though I have had a lucky escape.

Jan T
J Targosz

After reading the excellent write up by H G Reid on fitting a MX5 gearbox into a Spridget I thought I would buy a cheap Mazda box from eBay, just to dismantle and see what would be involved. I noted, however, there are two types of gearbox. One has a removable remote gear shift whilst on the other it is part of the casing casting. Only the removable one is suitable for shortening and thus for use in a Spridget. Of course all the ones for sale, and there are many at £50+, are the "un shortenable" ones. I am going to stick with the original box.

Jan T
J Targosz

If you fit the MX box why don't fit the MX5 as well?
a.o. arnold

A Frogeye, of course, uses a smoothcase gearbox so when I converted mine the only way forward was to make a smoothcase bellhousing. Specialist suppliers bellhousings are based on the ribcase.
Using the bespoke smoothcase bellhousing allowed me to retain the six spring stock 948 clutch cover and use one of my own roller release bearings.

The picture is of a subsequent ribcase bellhousing that I made for someone else.





Alan Anstead

Hi Allan,

You are obviously a very skilled engineer. I cann't tell from your pics if you had a new casting made or welded a plate to an original bellhousing. How did you sort out alignment of the input shaft to the dowel holes?

I think the Ford Type 9 era is comming to an end as it did with the Datsun conversion. Ford gearboxes are now difficult to find and are very expensive.

I have checked out the Vitesse Engineering site and their MGB conversion appears to include a new, cast and machined casing with brand new Mazda gears fitted. It's a pitty the new casing doesn't have a detachable bellhousing since this would have allowed the 'box to be fitted to other cars - perhaps even a Spridget. Cosidering you are getting a brand new gearbox plus ancilliaries £3,000 doesn't sound excessive.

I have also been looking at the Barratt Suzuki Jimney conversion. I suspect that the Jimney bell housing diameter is less than the A Series and that's why smaller flywheel will be needed. There are a number of parts that need to be changed but no body chops required. Their shift mechanism does look to be well engineered.

I poped into a local scrap yard and there were three MX5s but no Jimneys and certainly no Sieras so I suspect Mazda is the way foreward.

A good Christmas to all

Jan T



J Targosz

When I returned to old MGs I didn't even know about the T9 conversions and only knew of the Toyota conversions. Those boxes were very robust. I can't say my heart leapt with joy at the thought of a T9 remembering how they were in the Sierra family saloon, adequate but hardly light sportscar style.
Nigel Atkins

Jan T
A plate welded to a bell-housing cut from a smooth or rib-case gearbox.
Crude engineering involving bungs, plumb lines, files, spirit levels and paving slabs.

Because of ongoing demand for T9s BGH Geartech were considering having the steel bodies cast to ensure a continual supply. I don't know wether or not they have.
Alan Anstead

BGH Geartech considering having the steel bodies cast to ensure a continual supply, IIRC, goes back a while whether that makes it less or more likely I've no idea.
Nigel Atkins

Every single time somebody says that type 9 boxes are rare and too expensive, I look on ebay, and find at least one for sale, and not that expensive.

This one is rebuilt. Seller is 100% feedback. Price is £750.00 plus £50 courier delivery uk.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155286958349


And this for £438.00+ £50.00 Postage, 3 month warranty, 100% feedback seller too.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295400552672

Or this for £395, collection, also a 100% feedback seller.

If you have a knackered one already, bgh will sell you one of their long 1st gear modified boxes for £772.00 including vat and delivery.

Not commenting on whether a Mazda box is a better investment, --- other than to say the t9 in mine, that I rebuilt and modified myself to long 1st gear, is perfectly satisfactory to me. 🙂

Just saying, 😁😁.
anamnesis

This thread was discussed between 12/11/2022 and 14/12/2022

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.