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 ?

[GAjon]

Disclaimer. I love my TVRs.

But why spoil a good MX5 to fk up a good M series.

Now, an mps engine and box!

[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

[GAjon]

I can understand the reasoning behind the idea, the MX5 1.8 and box are fantastic in the MX5, loads available suffering with corrosion issues etc.

I just don’t think it would suit the M.

Is the V8 in it not worth saving?

[GTRene]

a V8 is normally way nicer, the sound alone...

if you want smaler, maybe a audi RS 5 cylinder longitudinal mounted like in Donkervoort GTO cars, would be nice in a TVR, great power also low down, good sound and be the first I guess in a TVR.

MX5 engines alike is already been done in some Vixen TVRs

[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.

[GTRene]

ah,

have you thought about a Ford V6 some have 300+ NA standard and I believe those come cheap as well? not sure though.

then its V6 for V6 only with 100+ more hp standard.

[Slow M]

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.

[keynsham]

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.

[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

[MrHappy]

My LT77 gearbox is on its last legs, rather than rebuild it (again) there’s an MX5 gearbox going in with a bell housing to suit the rover V8 - this is for an MGB V8 roadster.

[magpies]

Justo said:

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

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.

[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?

[Slow M]

Mads Lund did this about ten years ago.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Slow M]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
If I were your in your position, I would build a close copy to Arnfried Weiss' car as possible. That mainly refers to the rear bumper delete, SE arches, sunroof, delete, and Weber carburetors on the Rover V8 engine.

[magpies]

Justo said:

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?

Yes I've used the Jag box, but it is a direct 5th so like going everywhere in 4th on the Ford box. But other diffs are available to reduce the cruising revs if need be. The standard 3.64 (mine is an LSD) gives close to 20mph / 1000 revs, so 70mph is 3500 revs but will take you to 140mph although I have only been to 120.
I have a build thread on here - google search 'pistonheads Cossy sold' will bring it up.
Blue30 also has a build thread on here - google search 'pistonheads Terry's tale'

Also remember a number of MX5 owners are putting the Jag engine in their cars - Rocketeer

Edited by magpies on Wednesday 10th January 16:52

Edited by magpies on Wednesday 10th January 16:54

[LLantrisant]

if the car would be a 4-cylinder modell i would agree...but a V8 should be replaced by a v8...could also be a more modern one, why not