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Alternative Tranny Discussion

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Jim_Gruber

Jim_Gruber

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No not that type of Tranny.

Bill M or Gerald perhaps can answer this one. Bill I know Paul was working on Miata transmissions as a possible replacement to the Datsun boxes. Did he look at the GM 5 speeds as a possibility. I know they come in a variety of case variations that position the shifter as much as 12" fore and aft. My buddy has a MGB-GT with a 3.8 V-6 and GM 5 Speed behind it. Don't think he mentioned needing any modifications to tranny tunnel to install.

Someone else on the list here has a Spridget equipped with a GM V-6. I'll assume a GM 5 Speed is attached.

These transmissions are plentiful and certainly can handle Spridget horsepower. Has anyone looked at this transmission as a potential donor with the proper bellhousing adapter?
 
Yup. The tunnel must be cut out and replaced with a larger version.
 
Well that one is out then. Hey Trevor going to make it to Dayton British Car Days next Saturday August 7th?

For all, great LBC Car Show in Dayton on Saturday August 7. Under the trees in Eastwood Park in Dayton. Usually close to 300 LBC's of various vintages. Details or directions drop me a note.

Bugsy will be there!!!
 
This summer has thrown a bunch of surprises my way. It looks like I've an obligation on that day. Otherwise, I'd be there. Oddly enough I've not been able to go to ANY car shows this year, and I've only made one cars 'n coffee.
 
I am messing with a Miata and a Geo Tracker trannys to see if, how, or maybe one of them might work.
I have the trannys, both 5 speeds, but i still need to get a body shell home from my storage coop and see if one or the other will at least fit in the tunnel.
The Tracker trans is small and looks promising, the Miata is long and wide but the shifter rod looks as if it can be moved by about 8 inches.
Lots of guessing at this point, summer seems to have me booked solid every weekend. And lately it's been 90*+ out in the garage and after a day of working out in this mess, I don't want to sweat out in the garage.
Maybe I will know more when Autumn comes around but I am trying.
If I only owned a junk yard :smile:
 
Frank

The Tracker/Sidekick/Samari all use the same transmission which is what was used in the Bugsuki swap. Now while he did use the whole DOHC drivetrain, He says on the website that he did have to cut out the crossmember. Lots of info on his website.
https://www.ado13.com/dohczuke/dohc.htm

An alternative to cutting the shift rod and relocating it forward is to swap out the tail housing with the Mazda truck transmission. There is some information on Mazda gearboxes on the Solomiata website.
https://www.solomiata.com/Drivetrain.html

The Mite website also has some information on fitting the whole Miata drivetrain in a Sprite.
https://the-mite.com/
 
I think the zuki motor pushes the trans back IIRC which may be why there was cutting involved. Details are fuzzy, I stepped on a nail and have been taking pain killers for the past 24 hrs.
 
I have a datsun automatic that I think fits the adapter plate I have. I have junker midget but its a 1500. I need an a series block to play around with when I get the time which is winter time most probably. I am not a fan o automatic trans missions and don't have a vehicle with one in it, but I figure I owe it to science to see if it will fit.
 
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