>My '57 1500 cruises quite nicely at 70mph, but I sure wish it had a higher
>gear.
>I guess that brings up the question of how would I add a higher gear?
>Find a 5sp tranny (such as ...?), or make 4th a bit higher (what could I
>slip in there when I get around to doing a rebuild?), or how 'bout a higher
>rear end (and what would I do there?).
All three options are available. Each has its shortcomings. Probably
the cheapest option is the rear end swap. The pumpkin from a Magnette
will drop in and provide a lower numerical ratio. I have a couple of
vintage racer friends who use this technique. The downside is loss of
low end, with first gear getting a bit tall. Magnettes are still
findable, but getting somewhat scarce.
I've been told that the early MGB overdrive will fit, but the
transmission tunnel needs to be re-worked. Several companies sell
conversion kits to bolt Datsun or Toyota 5-speed transmissions to an
MG. The one I keep seeing the most often is from Dellow Automotive
Pty Ltd in Sydney, Australia. They have a kit which bolts a Datsun
510 tranny to the MGA and MGB. I've seen one of these, and it looked
pretty clean. Australians on this list have praised it in the past.
I guess the big downside is living with something that isn't all
British.
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Jay Nemeth-Johannes 87 Merkur XR4ti
Hewlett-Packard 95 & 83 VW GTI
Measurement Systems Division 71 Saab Sonett
Loveland, Colorado 58 MG ZB Magnette
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