MX5 Engine and Gearbox

[Justo]

Hi

Working on a couple of projects. I have project car TVR 3000M with a V8 rover in it and 5 speed box. Please don't shoot me for this but has anyone considered putting in an MX5 - 1.8 and 5 speed box to use the car as a daily driver. I know its not very sporty but any comments ?

[Justo]

🤣🤣 good point

I suppose I am just looking beyond hard to get and rising in price Ford Zetec 2.0 and Type 9.

J

[Justo]

I should be a bit clearer

I have two 3000m - one white and one red. The red one is body off and a rover V8 and lt77 box sitting waiting on me to get paint and bodywork done


I have the V6 out of the white one and I am trying to decide what to put back into it. I have seen Zetecs used and other engines. I was thinking MX5 engine and box because they are really robust and cheap and I think the correct dimensions and then add a turbo. Only ideas at the moment.

[Justo]

Slow M said:

If you want a soulless piece of st, you don't have to fk up a TVR.

Buy an MX5.

If you have the budget and time to also do the TVR, build it with the V8, with EFI. That way, it can become a daily driver you can actually fall madly in love with.

Just my 2p.

I do get that believe me - just looking at ideas.

Thanks for the input.

[Justo]

keynsham said:

I think it is a good idea for a daily driver. I am surprised that there are not a lot more engine transplants in TVR's considering the dubious reliability of most of the engines as they get older. It is a very common thing to swap out engines and gearboxes in old cars in the states but it seems taboo in the UK for some reason. It is a shame because it can make an old car much more fun to use. Engine choice is down to the owner of course.

This is where I am in part - I have had the big engine cars a V6 and V8 and the noise is lovely - but I also love the idea of stepping into a car each day that will start and run and go and not cost a fortune to travel to work in.

As I say - just thoughts

[Justo]

magpies said:

I fitted a Jag AJ30 from a year 2000 Jag S type with 5 speed anual 'box - whole car £600 with 80k and 6months MoT. Sold £300 parts into my 1988 TVR S1. Engine is standard apart from an Emerald ecu, this is giving 265bhp (revs to 7000). I have done 12000 miles in the 3 years it has been on the road including 6 European trips.

That sounds promising - i will have a look and see what the dimensions etc are for the engine and box, to see how it will fit in an M. Is that Jag gearbox?