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MGB Rivergate adapter with a 280ZX five speed

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Coastalman

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I was browsing FB posts on MGBs and ran across a fellow who stated that he had put a Z five speed in his MGB with a Rivergate conversion kit. Has anyone done that? I lost the thread and am still looking for it so I can ask him about it. If it could be done, I'm interested since I have a friend with an extra Z transmission. I have a '77 B.

Thanks,'
Charllie
 
Has to be a ZX version which is 5 speed. Rivergate is still in business I think but the problem is not many kits have been sold in the last few years as the supply of transmissions has dried up. He runs the business now as a sideline if he is still doing it. HVDA kits for Triumph are no longer available for the same reason. Bruce
 
I spoke to the guy not too long ago on another matter, and he's still making the kits, but that's all he does. No other involvement in the car scene, no installations, etc.
 
Thanks for the feedback. Luckily I do have access to some ZX and 280Z transmissions. I was hoping to find someone who has done the conversion to see how smoothly it went.
I'll tell the forum about my experience with the conversion if I try it.
Charlie
 
I’ve not done the conversion, but I have driven a friend’s B with it done. Drove great, and looked appropriate in the cockpit. He had it done by a local shop so I can’t speak to how much work it takes, but he was very happy with it.
 
I'll be checking with my Z friend and see if I can get one of his transmissions. I did look up the Rivergate website and the Z conversion is available.
Stay tuned as this progress.
Charlie
 
That is a brilliant move for a '77 B. Finding a 280ZX 5-speed gearbox these days is the hardest part, so if you have a friend with a spare, you’re already halfway there!

It’s reassuring to hear that Rivergate is still producing the kits, even if it's more of a sideline for them now. While the original overdrive units are lovely, having a modern 5-speed shift pattern really transforms the car into a proper highway cruiser. As drooartz mentioned, it’s great that it keeps an "appropriate" look in the cockpit without ruining the classic aesthetic.

Definitely keep us posted on the progress. A lot of us are curious to see if the "bolt-on" nature of the kit still holds up as smoothly as the club legends say!
 
I've been doing lots of housework upkeep, older house, so this project is on a back burner at present. My friend is in no rush to sell the tranny so I'm in no rush to get it
 
Coastalman said:
I was browsing FB posts on MGBs and ran across a fellow who stated that he had put a Z five speed in his MGB with a Rivergate conversion kit. Has anyone done that? I lost the thread and am still looking for it so I can ask him about it. If it could be done, I'm interested since I have a friend with an extra Z transmission. I have a '77 B.

Thanks,'
Charllie
Click to expand...
I just received my kit today, minus the driveshaft that is still on the way. I removed the transmission from a 1983 280zx that I found in marketplace. The guy has two 1983's he is selling for parts in Fayetteville NC. I ordered a transmission rebuild kit, I'm going to replace all bearings, synchronizers and seals before the install.
 
How much is the kit and what does it consist of? I just put a rebuilt gearbox in my 73 B so don't need it at this moment, but depending on how much it costs and such it might not be a bad idea to have one on hand since Nissan made a lot more 280zx transmissions than MG/Leyland made MGB overdrive units.
 
YakkoWarner said:
How much is the kit and what does it consist of? I just put a rebuilt gearbox in my 73 B so don't need it at this moment, but depending on how much it costs and such it might not be a bad idea to have one on hand since Nissan made a lot more 280zx transmissions than MG/Leyland made MGB overdrive units.
Click to expand...

About $1,500 and they return $100 when they receive your flywheel core.
Plus a good 280Z or ZX transmission. ZX recommend for a better overdrive gear
 
Oldblue77 said:
About $1,500 and they return $100 when they receive your flywheel core.
Plus a good 280Z or ZX transmission. ZX recommend for a better overdrive gear
Click to expand...

Hmm - just happen to have an extra, kind of rusty but intact MGB flywheel laying around. Again not something I need immediately but considering whether it would be worth gettine one of these and just stashing it somewhere safe since genuine MGB overdrive transmissions don't exactly grow on trees anymore.
 
Well, my friend has bought a 240Z and is going to use the extra 5 speed in it. That kind of sets me back a bit, but now I will start looking for another gearbox.
 
Coastalman said:
Well, my friend has bought a 240Z and is going to use the extra 5 speed in it. That kind of sets me back a bit, but now I will start looking for another gearbox.
Click to expand...
Look in marketplace, there is a guy in Fayetteville NC that has two 1983's in his backyard. One already doesn't have a transmission, I pulled it out. Payed $350 for it. Just to be careful I'm going to replace all bearings, synchronizers, gasket and seals before installing on my B
 
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