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MG MGB Technical - Glen Towery 5-Speed

The August edition of the American MGB Asso. Magazine
has an article on a Datsun 280-Z transmission swap using a conversion Kit from Glen Towery Foreign Cars in Delaware. Has anyone else used this kit and how good is it? How about a guy with a little bit better than average do-it-yourself skills taking on the job.
I have my 70 B. in top mecanical shape now, but it is a pane to try to keep up with traffic on the High-way and while I prefer to take trips on the small back roads they are getting harder to find. Maybe a 5-Speed is the answer. I know I could change to a MG overdrive but would prefer a 5-speed.
Berady

I do not know about the Trany but Glen is a good guy to work with.

Bob
Bob

Berady,
I echo your statement. I'm also interested in this kit. I can come up with the transmission, how much does the kit cost, and is their any cutting involved?
Bill
Bill Mertz

Bill---- The article states that the kit is $1100.00 and includes a used Datsun 280Z 5-speed. It comes with everything except a engine backing plate gasket, a longer ground strap, flywheel locking tab and a shift knob, so it must be a pretty complete kit. It does not sound like there is any cutting. The writer does say that he could not have done the job without the help of a local garage but then that I guess would be an individual thing. I am going to try to find a address for GLEN TOWERY and will add it to this thread unless someone beats me to it.
I would also like to supply my own trany to cut down on shipping across the country.
ANYONE else have any info.?????
Berady

Contact Glen at mgv8glen@bellatlantic.net, or 302 734 1243. You'll probably get a quicker response by phone.

best, Joe
Joe Ullman

Berandy,
These guys also sell a convesion kit for the same 5-speed. I'm not trying to take business away from anybody, but they give you an idea of what's involved in the conversion. http://www.rivergate5speed.com/rivergate.html

BTW, the 280Z gearbox is pretty strong as it was fitted behind an injected 2.8 litre six that put out more power than most 4-banger Bs could ever dream about. The people I've talked to that have used these gearboxes(in Datsun cars) seemed to have liked them.
Jared Snider

Glen's shop is at the Cheswold airport using airport transfers tunbridge wells near Dover DE.
Mark Childers

That sounds like a good kit, the trannies are easy to come by. Jared, I couldn't tell, but does the rivergate kit include a transmission?
Bill
Bill Mertz

Not included, but Rivergate's is only like $600 or so plus shipping. Shipping a transmission cross country is costly. Locally, I can get a rebuilt 280Z non-turbo (I believe it's ID'd as a FS5- the turbo is actually a T-5) for $400 locally w/o core- I would anticipate the T-5 would be more, and would only work for 68 and later shells due to transmission tunnel width
Greg Fast

Greg----were is your source for the $400 00 Tranny.
There is a 76 260Z tranny on e-bay right now with no bids but it's a long ship to Arizona.
Does anyone know of one in Las Vegas-to-Phoenix area.
Berady

those trannys go for $150-$200 around north Alabama scrapyards
Tony Barnhill

The rest of the story on the 280Z 5sp. gear box in a M.G. To start with I use a 79 to 81 Z box. I saw were the kit that being sold was drilling 6 MORE holes in the Z flywheel to bolt the flywheel to the B crank. The Z flywheel is cast iron & there is no way I am going to drill more holes in CASTIRON for it might break apart! & then someone has one foot less! What I use is a early B flywheel (steel) & turn it down to were the Z ring gear fits on & then I lighten it up.I use a B pressure plate with the through out bearing pad cut off, cut down the Z clutch disk, make up the polit bush for the Z input shaft. I make up the backing plate that bolts the eng. & trans. together & put in the new crank seal & gasket for the block to plate. New through out bearing, speedo cable with a 90 deg. to get the cable going were it needs to go & the 90 has a gear reduction in it were the speedo reads right!,slave cyl. & hose, starter moter. I have a drive shaft made to length, make up a B crossmember with the Z mt. that bolts right up, BEND UP the shifter lever were you DO NOT have to cut a new hole in the trany hump & you use the gear boot & ring. I am rebuilding ALL THE Z GEARBOXES!!!!! I have pulled them apart & I see were the bearing on the out put shaft is SHOT & has to be changed!!!!! The BLUS of this box is lighter (30to40 lbs.) you can pull the trans very easily, to do a clutch job. The gearing is much better than what is in the B box (not a 1100 R.P.M. drop from 2nd. to 3trd.) & there is a 5th. I can't see how the 4 cyl. B motor will break it!!!! I have the Z box in a 1925cc B with a crossflow head with F/I that is putting out 150 hp. at the rear wheels & there is no problems with the gear box. If you would like more info about this set up please call me, for I no can type & it has taken me all weekend to right this out!!!!!! 10 to 2 E.S.T. at 302-734-1243
Glenn Towery

To Berady:

Transmissions (non-rebuilt) are about a hundred bucks from pick-your-part in Orange County. Place called Kar King Auto in Ontario CA quoted to $400 for rebuilt- no core.
Greg Fast

Berady,

FWIW, I live in Delaware and work with Glenn Towery on a regular basis. I just installed one of his Datsun 5 speed kits into my '73 MGB over the weekend. Although I havn't driven the car yet, (I still need to finish some other unrelated work) I can tell you that Glenn's kit is top notch. The used trans has been completly gone thru and rebuilt as needed, The new modified crossmember bolts into the existing holes without any modification to the chassis. If I wanted to, I could return to the stock 4 speed and no one could ever tell. The modified shifter fits into the stock hole without having to enlarge or modify it in any way. Like Glenn said, the installation of this kit requires absolutly NO modification to the car at all. All the supplied parts simply bolt on and work. It's that simple. Anyone with the skills and tools to remove the existing 4 speed can easily install this kit and enjoy all of the benifits including better fuel mileage, less engine wear, and the ability to replace the clutch without having to pull the engine.

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me. Let us all know what you decide.

John
John Masters

This thread was discussed between 16/08/2002 and 19/08/2002

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