Mazda MX5 Box

Mazda MX5 Box

Author
Discussion

Rossco2010

Original Poster:

133 posts

167 months

Thursday 24th October 2019
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Hi,

I’m planning a v8 conversion of a B and looking at gearbox options.

It seems like an r380 or MX5 mk3 kit are the obvious options (the BGT v8 box having a dreadful reputation and LT77’s being a bit agricultural vs the r380).

Has anyone got any experience of these in a v8?

My worry is the Mazda box is too light; I’d really want a T5 (had one in a Chimaera) but it’s more work than I want to do.

Any thoughts welcome (apart from ‘buy another Chinaera’)

Graham-P

1,548 posts

245 months

Friday 25th October 2019
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I’ve just got a V8 Sebring with a LT77 in it and as you say a bit agricultural sounds like straight cut gears at times. I will be planning a Mazda box in the future, the kit is around £2300 and includes everything, clutch assy, prop shaft, brackets etc....Been watching vids by RPI in Norwich and ratios seem good for the 3.5 although I have a 3.9 stage 2.

pb450

1,301 posts

159 months

Monday 28th October 2019
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I have a Vitesse (MX5) box now in my early factory V8. The original box was coming to the end of its days after 45 years of good service and a rebuild didn't seem like the sensible option in this intrinsically weak box in the V8 application. Vitesse fitted it (for a very reasonable fee) and the difference is litterally night and day.

The box feels so right for the car and the ratios are perfect. No more overdrive, which is a shame, but the 5th gear ratio is virtually identical to the o/d.

I really can't recommend it enough. Have a word with the boys at Vitesse Global Ltd, they're very friendly and really helpful.

PS. Yes, I know it's not original on an otherwise original factory V8 but the driving improvement means I really have squared this one with myself, no question!