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MG MGA - mga 5 speed conversion

I have a 1960 MGA project car that I am doing up and I am wondering if someone can help. I have purchased an MGB motor I will be dropping in and would like to match it up with a 5 speed tranny. I am told the Toyota t50 will be my best bet for reliability and eased of conversion. I am told there are up to 4 different models of the t50, each with different positions the shifter comes out of the rear housing. I can’t seem to find any model numbers or specifications as I am looking for the gear shifter to be as close to the rear of there car as possible. Does anyone know of this conversion, or is there a better gearbox to mate the two up with? Thanks- Brian
brian medler

Brian

The standard conversion is using the Ford T9 box. The complete kit can be supplied from http://hi-gearengineering.co.uk/

A lot of guys around the Melbourne area have gone this route. You should pick up a lot of input from them on this thread over the next few days.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I have this information:
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/gearbox/gt409.htm

The report attempts to make it look easy, but apparently not so. Rather than make a custom bell housing, the idea is to make a custom engine back plate. Possibly not too difficult if you have a milling machine and lots of free time, or money to pay someone else for the custom machining.

Then you have to cut the frame to remove the original rear mount for gearbox, as it is obstructing proper positioning of the T50 gearbox. It is not clear from the pictures if the tail of the T50 can go low enough without also cutting into the frame cross member. In any case, a new rear mount would have to be custom fabricated and welded (or possibly bolted) to the frame.

Then you need to fabricate a custom prop-shaft. You need the Toyota front coupling and MG-compatible rear coupling, and some cutting and welding to get the correct overall length. Finished part has to be straight and must be balanced, so this entire job is best contracted to a driveline specialist.

It is reported that the shifter hand lever will come out in the right place, but I do not know if various T-50 units might be different. The tunnel will need a mod on both sides to add bulges to clear the slightly wider gearbox.

I suspect that the speedometer cable connection may be in an awkward position which may pose more problems. For sure the cable drive speed will be different, which may require a small speed change gearbox to be added somewhere in the cable run.

Cut and weld on the frame is considered to be irreversible. The rest can be changed back to original configuration with bolt-in original parts. I suspect it has been done before, but I have not seen such documentation, so maybe you get to be the pioneer for this conversion.
Barney Gaylord

There is also a mod for a Nissan Bluebird gearbox, if you ever had those in Australia. It is documented on my site as well, go to MGA in the navigation and click on the text under the gearknob
dominic clancy

Have a look at dellowconversions.com.au They're Sydney based and do kits for Toyota boxes into MG's. No connection and I haven,t used one so I don't know anything more about them.

Andrew
A Buick

Brian,
There are a couple of A register people in the MGCC Vic currently fitting the T9 ford boxes from a local supplier who maybe able to give you some ideas..
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

Hi Brian,
I have a 5 bearing B motor with a 5 speed Nissan gearbox fitted in my MGA. It's probably the cheapest and easiest conversion to do in OZ. The gearbox is from the Bluebird, Skyline, 280C & early Z cars so it's a strong box. No cutting required and a machined backing plate is the only major expense ($300 10yrs ago.)plus the box. Dellow's supply the kit as well as MG Centre of Sydney ph. (02)9682 6655. Barney has a short story about it on his web page.
I Hazeldine

Brian,
Modern Classic Cars supply the Hi Gear kit in Oz but source the gearboxes locally.. See advert in June Wheel Spin page 22
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

Contact Peter Gamble at Hi- Gear. He has the correct bell housing that will mate to your MGB motor. He has all engine or trans conversion kits and should be able to tell you who supplies them in OZ. I have put one of the first kits in back in 2000 and it fits very easy. You only have to drill 4 holes for the rear trans mounting plate to the "C" channel under the seats His kit is complete with everything you will need including the Locktite.
JEFF BECKER

This thread was discussed between 16/06/2014 and 18/06/2014

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