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Alternative engine/transmission compatibility

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My next spridget transplant!!
This is the b210 engine rated at 80hp stock but overbored 1mm. I have far less invested in this than in a rebuilt 1275 which is probably the main reason I've done it. These aren't world beaters but fit fairly well and are rock solid reliable.

Kurt.
 
nomad said:
View attachment 27839
My next spridget transplant!!
This is the b210 engine rated at 80hp stock but overbored 1mm. I have far less invested in this than in a rebuilt 1275 which is probably the main reason I've done it. These aren't world beaters but fit fairly well and are rock solid reliable.

Kurt.
Click to expand...

I thought someone said the B210 tranny wouldn't fit in the tunnel? Or is it just that the B210 tranny won't fit on an a-series engine?
 
my 1275 has a b210 tranny... four cuts are mandatory but doable...Don't see how with the whole package... others are going to weigh in on this... I did my conversion in the early 80's before the 210 was readily available...
 
David_Doan said:
I thought someone said the B210 tranny wouldn't fit in the tunnel? Or is it just that the B210 tranny won't fit on an a-series engine?
Click to expand...

The 63 will fit but it is tight. I believe Bill is the one who tried a test fit.
 
The engine is B210 but the tranny is 210. I know it's confusing but they all bolt up to the same A series Datsun block. The B210 tranny from the 70's is, as Kellys guy mentioned, a 63 series and the 210 tranny that everyone likes to fit is a 60 series. The two numbers stand for the distance in MM between the main and lay shaft. The 63 is the stronger and when fitted with a different bell housing was strong enough to stand up to the Z cars power. Datsun fitted it to the b210 in the 70's because it was the only 5 speed they had at the time and needed one for there "nifty fifty" fuel economy car. Thats right 50mpg in the seventy's. We've come along way, baby!!

Kurt.
 
BTW the fuel economy Datsun of the 70's didn't have the same engine as the 80hp b210 had. Different head and more.

Kurt.
 
I'm new here so I don't know if it's preferred to bump a related thread or start a new one. I've spent the long turkey day weekend reading here and elsewhere to get up to date on all things Bugeye but I haven't been able to locate a simple answer - will the T-5 trans fit in the trans tunnel without serious modification?

I intend the resurrected '59 to be a daily driver and have a couple of engines setting around that should fit nicely. One is a Suzuki that can bolt up to Samurai trans with no problem, the other is a 1.8L from a '98 Sidekick. Making a one of a kind bell housing to adapt to the T-5 ti the 1.8L is something I can handle but if the Sprite needs a lot of modification to fit the T-5 It's probably not worth the effort.

Second question about the T-5: Should I be looking for a Chevy S-10/15 extension housing with the shifter up front or are the Mustang/Camero versions going to put the shifter near the stock location?

BTW "Hot Wings" comes from the Icarus/Daedalus story and is intended to be a constant reminder not to do stupid things...........
 
Probably best to start a new thread, that's the normal process around here.

I'd be surprised if the T-5 fit the tunnel without serious mods -- it's pretty tight in there. Most common for swaps are the Datsun 210 and Ford T-9 5-speeds -- those are with an A-series engine.

Keep us updated on the conversion you're doing -- sounds like a greta project.
 
Just curious -- has anyone tried using a Miata drivetrain in a Sprite?
 
Hot Wings said:
I'm new here so I don't know if it's preferred to bump a related thread or start a new one. I've spent the long turkey day weekend reading here and elsewhere to get up to date on all things Bugeye but I haven't been able to locate a simple answer - will the T-5 trans fit in the trans tunnel without serious modification?

I intend the resurrected '59 to be a daily driver and have a couple of engines setting around that should fit nicely. One is a Suzuki that can bolt up to Samurai trans with no problem, the other is a 1.8L from a '98 Sidekick. Making a one of a kind bell housing to adapt to the T-5 ti the 1.8L is something I can handle but if the Sprite needs a lot of modification to fit the T-5 It's probably not worth the effort.

Second question about the T-5: Should I be looking for a Chevy S-10/15 extension housing with the shifter up front or are the Mustang/Camero versions going to put the shifter near the stock location?

BTW "Hot Wings" comes from the Icarus/Daedalus story and is intended to be a constant reminder not to do stupid things...........
Click to expand...

I would think the t5 would fit. The stock BMC trans put's the shifter quite a ways back so you may be able to get by without the S10 tail housing. I'm investigating a t5 transplant into a Lotus elan right now which, unfortunately would need the S10 tail housing. They are like hen's teeth since all the hot rodder's want them as well.

Kurt.
 
BTW, Hot Wings, as you probably know the Suzuki and Samurai trans is a fairly common swap but the length of a larger engine would have to be carefully checked out. Some mods for that have to be made to fit the Datsun engine's I like. If you need some measurement's PM me!
Good luck!!

Kurt.
 
Wasn't it Larry Daniels who built Bugzuki with a Suzuki engine. A fairly well documented process over multiple years. A Fiat DOHC 1.4 out of a 124 has been done a few times. Fits nicely, aluminum, good power but finding engine in the US is an issue. ROver conversion that Frontline does also ideal but again not a whole lot of those engine blocks in the US. Possibly could get from up North in Canada.
 
My understanding is that the Miata engine is tall for a Sprite. That said, i can pick one up locally (JDM) with transmission & 30k miles for about $600. So, if Ms. Triss's engine grenades it is a very cost effective solution. Oh and for 1500's, a T9 transmission is a better swap- smaller. But rarer here.
 
nomad said:
If you need some measurement's PM me!
Good luck!!

Kurt.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer. I remembered yesterday that I have an old T5 case setting in the back of one of the MGBs (215 V8 swap) that I can stuff down the Sprite for fit. But since it's going to be -20F here for the next few days that will have to wait.

Also after some more research I've added a Ford Duratec 2.0/2.3 as an option, even though I don't have one. That would be a mostly bolt together with the Quad4rods adapter. More cash out, but less time and head scratching.
 
Miata and some of the other mod's mentioned would require the elimination of the heater. I think eliminating that pretty much ruin's the car. Even if its intended for fair weather use only, there are times you need defrost.

Kurt.
 
Take a look on SpriteSpot.com under the Lumps section. Quite a number of different power plant swaps are documented there including Duratec. Not a lot of current activity on that site but useful historical information.
 
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