MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - datsun 5 speed conv. question

My friends 94 Datsun pick up has rotted out to the point it's not safe to drive. It has a 2.4ltr. engine and 5 speed tranny. Does anyone know if this is the correct tranny for our cars. I have a 61 with an 1800 3 main.
Thanks
Kris
Kris Sorensen

Pick up truck 5 speed will not fit MGA. You need early 5 speed from a 280z. Cliff Hughes
cliff hughes

Why would a Datsun gearbox fit an MGA ? Sounds highly improbable unless there was some connection between BMC and Datsun companies. Is an adapter plate involved?

Art

I have some salvage 240 , 260 , and 280 z cars and tranny s Question which tranny willl fit and what should I look for ? The hydraulics and clutchs ? And also where to scavenge an adaptor plate Any help Thanks ps I have a B with the same mod in mind .
whipteachr

In the early Datsun years, the Japanese borrowed from the British, mainly Austin. Yes, you do need an adapter plate. I just completed a 5 speed Datsun transmission conversion using 280z transmision, with a 3 main B engine. Look at the archives on this site, and it is discussed in detail. Cliff
cliff hughes

Art

Early Datsun used engines licensed from BMC. I believe some Datsun heads are interchangeable with MGA heads.

It is covered somewhere in the archives.

FWIW

Larry
Larry Hallanger

Artical on datsun 5 speed conversion at MGAguru.com. Pretty complete with pictures. Cliff
cliff hughes

I've got the 5 speed Nissan 240sx tranny in my MGA. It makes for a great highway driving car. I've driven thousands of trouble free miles with it.

All in I think it set me back maybe $900 to covert over and that includes the cost of a $250 new speedo. I'm using a VDO elec. speedo rather an try and find a mechanical coversion for the old MGA speedo. I had it in and driving the same day.

Cheers,
Steve
'58 MGA
'62 Mk2
Steve Merical

Steve, care to explain how you managed this for $900.00?

Was there a conversion kit involved or did you get some machining done?

TTFN

Derek Nicholson

Derek:

Went digging through some old files to confirm the cost. I did this a couple years back and at that time it cost me $1,150 US$.

I pulled all the bits I needed from a 240sx in a salvage yard. It had 100K on the ODO but from my understanding these trannies are very hardy. Nissan was originally going to be mating a larger HP engine than they ended up using for the 240sx. Anyway, I haven't had a problem with the used unit.

Some of the more expensive bits were:
Nissan Clutch pack
Drive shaft mod. (this cost me about $300)
Different Starter
VDO speedo (actually cost me $120)
Engine Plate ??

This is NOT a kit that comes where everything comes in a nice box. The guy that designed (Paul U.) figured out how to do it. He made a special engine backplate to mate the Nissan tranny to the MGA engine. You need to get that item from him. He gave me a parts list of what else I needed. All the other stuff you can pick up at the scrap yard yourself or buy on-line/auto store.

If you enjoy pulling your engine or at least aren't intimidated by that, this shouldn't be a problem for you to install. If you've never pulled an engine before this wouldn't be a good time to start.

I've known Paul U. for a number of years but don't have a financial interest in this at all. Just very please about having a nice 5 speed and it didn't cost that much when compared to the other options out there.

Cheers,
Steve
'58 MGA
'62 Mk2


Steve Merical

Has anybody used this 5-speed Nissan kit from Australia?

http://www.nepeanclassic.com.au/pages/nissan.php
Tomi Lundell

This thread was discussed between 25/11/2006 and 03/12/2006

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.