• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

t-5 conversion??

Share this page

H

herbro3535

Freshman Member
Offline
newbe here. bought a 70 "B"this summer.all pces there & chrome in good shape. sat for 6 yrs & it stertedrite up-NO SMOKE & 50+ lbs oil pressure .needs floors,outer sills & dog legs.interrior of course. castle & inner sills seem good. compression is 155# on all cyl-dry & 2-3 # more wet. think i got a good deal for 500.00.question- i would like to put a 5-speed in i'am told to get a ford t-5. who makes a good conversion kit?? what about mods to the drive shaft? also want to convert to alternater any suggestions? appreciate any help i can get from you folks. herb.
 
A 1970 MGB should already have an alternator...do you want to convert it to a Delco et cetera?

I think I would get it on the road to get to know it before making a transmission conversion. The BW T5 is a popular conversion...but primarily for the V8 crowd. The Sierra 5-speed is a good conversion for the 4 banger, as is the Datsun 280Z transmission.

But....before spending the money on these upgrades, I would be more comfortable in solidifying the body, etc. first.

Is the 50# of oil psi at idle or at speed?

Welcome to MG-dom.
 
rick, thanks for reply. fingers got ahead of brain--convert to delco alt, is there a particular series that fits the "b" better than others? i've got a single wire AC on my tr4a. had to turn a narrower pump pully for it but that was all. ok t-5 for v-8's--that make sense. only drove the B a short distance--no plates ,no insurance you know the drill. can't go by my tr--that has od, 4.1 rear & a dynoed 153 h.p. will massage this engine but primarily want a good h-way cruiser turning 2 to 2500 rpms at 65-70mph. sierra or datsun trans for ease of installation. prefer the sierra if possable- availability etc. but most importantly which box has the best ratios for this lil 4-banger??? i try to plan ahead so i know what i'am going to be looking for next. i sure would hate to pass up a steal on aa piece because i didn't know i was going to be looking for it in the future. herb
 
Hi Herb, while you are looking at Gear Boxes for your conversion take a good look at the Toyota Celica box it is very popular with some Triumph people. Here it is coupled up
to one.---Keoke
 

Attachments

  • 284404-toyota.jpg
    284404-toyota.jpg
    85 KB · Views: 97
But does anyone make the adaptor plate that appears to be necessary to match that transmission to the 1800 block of the MGB?

Sierra transmissions would be found in Merkurs here in the States...but good luck in finding one at your local wrecking yard. The Datsun transmission may be easier to find.
 
Sorry to be late with a reply Rick. I do not know about the adapter plate for the MGB engine. However, the Toyota box is easily sourced in US wrecking yards.--Keoke
 
Moss has a complete kit. Drive shaft and all. $3000.00 minus a nickel. I think it's a T-6 though. PJ
 
I've put a Sierra box in a 1275cc midget: worked a treat. However, for a B, I've got to say I'd stick with the standard overdrive 'box. It's all part of the character of the car, and overdrive is fun...

In a Midget, the 5-speed adds a gear to make the car easier to live with. In my Factory V8, a 5-speed R380 box adds strength over the weak standard transmission. But for a stock B, I'd stick with the overdrive option: it's cheaper, and works nearly as well.
 
Dellow in Australia makes the conversion bellhousing for the celica transmission (W-58). All reports are that it is a great transmission, but it's costly by the time you get the bellhousing and ship it over here. They have a website if you google it.
 
thanks guys. discovered that john esposito of quantum mechanics o.d. guru at least on the east coast, sells a complete kit ie: t-5 sierra drive shaft &ALL hardware for $2575.00. john is only about 150 miles from me so would pick up & save $$ on the shipping. tonite went totake seats out -had to rip / cut seat bootoms out they were siting on the floor anyway -drivers side i just pried on the frame & metal tore away(floor) can't slide the seats so couldn't get to bolts. wow they don't give you much room on these B's. & i thought tr's were a pain in the ??? new floors & the bolts are going from the the bottom up. discovered the crank has already been turn .010. haven't pulled the head yet. i have a repro floor for pass. side & a heritage pan for drivers side. i think i like the repro floor better-- with sides-will decide after i try fitting them, side would add strength to inner rails. am new to replacing floors, think am going to replace boot floor rater than patching.
 
Inner rails don't need any additional strength... unless they need replaced.
 
Herbro,
Make sure you know what gearbox it is. The T-5 was available on the Sierra Cosworth, and is a Borg-Warner, a much different animal to the standard Sierra gearbox Type-9, for our 5-speed conversions, and is a 'Ford'.
The T-9 will work just fine and should be significantly cheaper.
 
""""""""who makes a good conversion kit?? """"""

You might call Jack at 5 Points Clasic Auto Shocks.....714.979.0451 in Santa Ana , CA

he makes an adaptor for the cheap, easy , and strong Datsun Nissan 260Z, 280ZX 5 speed. Way way way under the above prices.
 
ha anyone on this board actually put in a nissan 260z/280z tranny in a B? what mods to mounting points / driveshaft needed?? JERRY will call 5 POINTS as you suggested- thanks. herb
 
Back
Top