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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - 5 speed conversions

With all the people changing to 5 speed trannys. What is happening with your old one? What is the going price of a rebuilt MKII tranny?

With the dollar as low as it is, the 5 speed conversions coming out of Europe are getting $3,100.00. Makes looking at changing to a 3.9 rear end a lot more sensible. Then again are they hard to find?

I haven't sent the check for the 5 speed, but come Monday? If I had a good MKII tranny I would consider switching over to the 3.9 rear end and be happy with that.

Ray
MKII... with a tired early 1500 tranny
Ray Ammeter

Ray, I have one of the first 5-speed trans from Hi-Gear that I imported when no one here sold them. Your current cost is about $1200.00 more than what I paid in 1999 or 2000. The 3.9 will help out quite a bit and should be avalable on the MGB on E-bay. Cost should be about $125-$200. The 5 speed and a 3.9 will make your MGA a freeway cruiser. Doing 70 mph my rpm is about 2900. You now have to make a choice of what you want.
JEFF BECKER

Ray because of Classic Rally regulations I am not able to fit a 5 speed box nor an 1800 engine into my 1600, otherwise I maybe would.

Instead therefore I fitted the 3.9 diff, which by the way is a very simple to do mod. My car now cruises pleasently allday at 70MPH+ without a care in the world. If a 3.7 was readily available I would be tempted to fit that. Naturally a tiny bit of acceleration is lost but, the acceleration of my car was less than stunning anyway as I am sure they all are. So I decided that acceleration of a little less than stunning was more than adequate.
Bob (robert) yes Y8 is toast again :)

Ray

Like Jeff I have the 5-speed and a 3.9 diff. I believe I am right in saying that only the mgb roadsters have the same diff. The Coupe back axle is a different design.

There does not appear to be a big market for the original geaboxes on Ebay over here, otherwise I would probably parted company with it. Instead I have it in mind to learn more about the mysteries of gearbox operation and have a go at rebuilding it. I seem to remember that synchro in 2nd was shot.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve,
What is the difference between the coupe and Rdstr. I thought both were on the same frame with the coupe top hand fitted on a rdstr body. My factory Alum hardtop looks like a coupe when mounted on the car.(Almost)
JEFF BECKER

Jeff

I am not an MGB expert. I should have said MGB GT rather than coupe. I believe that all GTs had the semi-floating rear axle, which is not compatible with the MGA rear axle.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Hi Steve, Nearly right. All GTs had the "Salisbury" axle when introduced in 1965. The MGB roadster introduced in 1962 had the banjo rear axle which is the same as the MGA -but different ratio. From about 1967 all MGB roadsters had the same rear axle as the GT but some had them fitted earlier.So basically you need to be looking for an early MGB to scrap - just now waiting to hear from MGB owners!! Cheers Cam (ex GT owner)
Cam Cunningham

This thread was discussed on 16/09/2007

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