Which tranny would you choose?

If money was not a factor, which transmission would you prefer in you car.

I picked "None of the above" because you left out the Datsun 5-speed. I'd have picked that one. In fact, I already did! :D

This one's been covered many times, just not in a poll. It's often a heated debate, focusing on what's cheaper. Cost aside, any are good choices. Some argue resale value but I think the only one that might increase value is the OD unit, since a buyer who wants a 5-speed knows that the OD would be very easy to sell. A 5-speed could turn off some buyers, but I wouldn't decide against one because of that, and I don't feel it would reduce the value of the car despite being a modification from original. Later cars of course are far less affected by mods, financially speaking, than early ones.

As for which is "better", it's personal preference. Original gearboxes are very robust and have a nice vintage feel. They also offer a "6th" gear, placed between 3rd and 4th. It's a handy thing to have in many situations, especially in a moderately powered car like an MGB.

5-speeds are a bit lighter than OD gearboxes and have fewer parts to malfunction. Those who use them often report that the gear spread is a bit nicer than the stock unit. Weight and reliability are probably about the same between a 5-speed and a rebuilt non-od original.

Despite the dozens of arguments over the years on this and other sites, you rarely find an owner of either type of gearbox who is not happy with what they currently have.

I've only driven one (black label ) so I cant compare but 6 fwd speeds is kinda cool
dontcha think? :thumbsup:

I don't like the feel of the Datsun/Nissan tranny, the shifter feels like it's suck in a bucket of rubber. The T-9 has a better feel, but the shift pattern is funky. If only the stock O/D tranny had better spacing between gears (first and second a smidge farther apart, and 2nd and 3rd closer together) it really would be the perfect tranny for our cars, but it's still the better choice anyway IMHO.

I chose D. I like feel of the Datsun five speed. Wouldn't describe it as "bucket of rubber" at all.

D- here as well. Datsun 5 speed.

The 4-speed O/D in the '71 has always found an appropriate gear in all types of terrain and weather. Can't imagine too much improvement.
These cars were never meant as dragsters, but my '67 without O/D is quicker off the line than my '71 and almost feels like a close ratio. For longer trips and fast rallys I prefer the O/D.

The Datsun 5-speed transmission is superior in design, build quality, and performance to the stock MGB gear box. It can handle much more torque, but is lighter. It's easy to work on; you can strip the whole box in ~1 hour. You can roll down the the Nissan dealer and buy parts. You have 3 or 4 different 1-4 gear set to choose from, and 3 different OD ratios. While the MG shifter is slightly more "positive" and "bolt-action-rifle" the 280Z box is in every way a sports-car transmission; it feels like a proper sports-car transmission. On the 210 datsun box (applicable to MG midgets) you can even adjust, with a screwdriver, how intense you want your shift detents to be. On the 280z box, you can add some shims, and in about 5 minutes you can accomplish the same thing.

The Ford box is a very nice transmission as well. It's design is different from the Datsun, but the execution is similar. Its a little harder to work on and buy in the USA. You have to rely on sourcing a transmission from the UK.

But... An MG transmission is an MG transmission and if you really want the MG Experience, stick with the OEM equipment.

Just my opinion :thumbup:

D here too, Love my Nissan 5 speed.... no bucket of rubber here either..

I have run the Z 5sp a lot of miles in my 4 cyl. Bs & I think thay are grate. I can do a clutch job from start to finish in 2 hrs. with the Z trans. in the B. I have suppiled the Z kits for 10 years & I have never had a bucket of rubber/shifter.

Apparently my 3 synchro O/D gear box is cactus.....or at least requires lmost a $1000 worth of parts to bring it back to spec. Can probably source a Z gearbox quite cheaply from a wrecker so what else do I need to do to install a Z tranny?

I'll stick with what I've got, 4 speed + OD.

While it's working I'll run it and fix it when (if) I break it.

4 speed OD here. When changing to an OD box, try one of the very last years (78 - 80) as they do not have that large step between first and second.

The ability to shift between 3rd and 3rd OD without removing your hands from the steering wheel is a neat trick that is useful on curves.

I used a Nissan 300ZX 5 speed and love it.

I'd pick the one Hugh grant was caught with!

The neat thing about the T9 is there is no batardaction, the bellhousing made for the T9 conversion is exact replica of the front section of the MGB transmission, you use a unmodified, MGB flywheel, pressure plate, clutch disc, slave cylinder, throwout bearing, and arm, everything in the clutch of the T9 conversion is normal MGB stuff, so 10-20 years form now there will be no looking a for special part like a clutch disc that may or may not exist, there's no searching for a early flywheel, and modifying it, the T9 use a absolute stock flywheel, oh which also give you the option of converting to an aluminum flywheel which teh other 5 speed kit does not , unless you want to amek yourself a custom one off aluminum flywheel. You can use the stock starter if you like, and everyhting is where it supposed to be clurch wise on a T9 because it is well stock MGB. The T9 is completely rebuildable, and every part for it is made brand new, it is used in other cars now including the Caterham 7, so parts are available, and the gearbox itslef is bullitproof in a MGB.

I think the Datsun conversion appeals to people who want to save a few bucks, the T9 to people who want a complete kit with minimumal change to the rest of the ardware, also you can't tell a T9 is in a MGB from looking under the hood it still looks original, to some folks they like that feature as well. They are both good choices as is the OD, for me it was the T9 for the above mentioned reasons, and I never really cosidered the OD, I had driven them, ad they are cool, but I wanted a 5 speed.

The really cool thing about all this, is the fact that we do indeed have choices.

OK..................I hate to do this, but it has been so long I guess it doesn't matter anymore. I have a transmission that I prefer to all the others (with the exception of the original o/d).........Mazda 626....early 80s, last model just before they went to front wheel drive. I ran one of these in an MGB for years (my yellow RB car, Kelvin). Have friends who used them in vintage racers (VARA)....they are great. The ratios are identical to the close ratio MGB gears....perfect. Not as "Japanese" feeling as a Datsun. Hard to tell by looking under the hood. Why have you never heard of this? Because the group of guys I hung out with in SoCal were quite secretive. Not self-promoters-like the MG hobby seems to attract for some reason. As the years went by the questions went from "How did you do this"? to "Why did you do this"? as in.....why didn't you use this trans or that trans? Not worth the agro. MG people love to argue. I only bring it up now as a 'gee whiz' kinda deal.....you are not likely to find these trans very easily now.

You know what you get when you add a Nissan transmission to an English car ?

A queen with squinty eyes and buck teeth. :D

OK LLoyd...tell us how it mated up to the MGB?
Frank

I have done the Rivergate Datsun 280ZX conversion and its the best. I have another just waiting to do my latest project.

I like a 4 speed with OD. The 4 speed is great for city driving, 6 gears just gets annoying in city traffic. The OD is great for that occasional highway use. I've got a 5speed daily driver and I like it, but I'm also a stickler for originality, so that's why I go with the OD.

LLoyd,
Thanks for the detailed description...not being familiar with the 626 trannie I wasn't sure if it had its own bellhousing or not.
Frank
BTW wasn't trying to be smart...can see in retrospect how it may have appeared that way....do appreciate your response.
Frnak

Close ratio Type 9... best of all worlds

For you trannie experts out there what are the major differences between the B-W T-5 and the T-9. I know the later model 280 Z Turbo models used the T-5 which I assume has the same bolt pattern to the Rivergate/Towery Backplate so should be applicable to the MGB from this standpoint. I assume this is a stouter trannie than the non-turbo version and certainly in pictures I have seen of it looks heavier....but would this perhaps be an option as there are certainly many more vehicles in the US that used the T-5 if one was worried about parts availablity for the stock 280 z trannie?

BTW sorry for hijacking the thread!

I know the later model 280 Z Turbo models used the T-5 which I assume has the same bolt pattern to the Rivergate/Towery Backplate so should be applicable to the MGB from this standpoint.

BTW sorry for hijacking the thread![/quote]


Not sure what is different about them but according to Rivergate the Turbo transmissions or transmission from 2+2's will NOT work with their kit.

Bryan,
I am not an expert here but it is my understanding that the Rivergate kit was just not tested on a turbo trans so they couldn't guarantee it would work...but admittedly I can't confirm it will either. I guess it would help to talk to Datsun expert to know if the turbo charged motors used a different backplate on these motors or if the turbo engine was different from the stock other than the addition of the turbo.
Frank

I have a 83 turbo Z Borg Warner box sitting here on the garage floor. It mates fight up to the rivergate backing plate. The driveshaft size and spline count is different so a new driveshavt will have to be made. I got the correct driveshaft slipjoint with the trans. The rear mount is different but thats a easy thing to overcome. The trans is interchangable with a standard box in a turbo car so the shifter should come out in the same location. Slave appears the same. The clutch disc is another problem. I believe i have a off the shelf disc that will work. I have not checked the pilot bush yet but again thats a easy fix. About the only thing you would use from Rivergate would be the backing plate and flywheel. Some internal parts interchange with a non world class mustang T5. My Turbo Z trans needed a 5th gear syncro and some other minor bits. They interchanged with the Mustang T5. Things like the front bearing size are different and i am sure some other bits. The bell is pretty large and i think the engine and trans would need to be removed as a unit. I notched the normal datsun box i have in a 73 MGb so it would allow a engine removal without the trans. I would be happy to send pics of that mod to anyone that wants it. When i got my BGT with a rivergate conversion the box was crunchy going into second gear. I put Red Line MTL in it and it shifted great after that. I am just learning about these conversions and am not a expert by any stretch of the imagination. Just happy to share any info i have gathered to date. Does anyone have a set of Rivergate instructions they could send or email to me? Bob

Bob,
I do and would most definitely be glad to return a favor to you as you have been so kind to me in the past. Will try and get into the shop tonite and bring it up to the house and copy. Shoot me your mailing address.
Frank

Frank, Sending PM. Thanks! Bob

Bob...PM back at ya...Thanks!
Frank