Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Tremec T5 Gearbox & Plus 8

I was contacted a couple of days ago by a Plus 8 owner who has some wear in his LT77 gearbox. Having searched for an R380 as a possible replacement he is considering two other routes.

A Tremec T5, or an MX5. He favours the Tremec, because he has concerns about the strength of the MX5 Five Speed, although anecdotally this is a strong gearbox, and superior to the six speed.

With regard to the Tremec option, he would like to discuss with anyone who has first hand experience of this conversion. He knows anecdotally it can be done, but that's not a substitute for hands on experience.

I'm not sure if he posts on TM so I have thrown it out here, just in case anyone has done it, can refer him to someone who has done it, or even anyone with the MX5 five speed conversion.
Or even a solution to a worn out LT77 or source of an R380.

Worth a try Here

Or for the more adventurous it's a lovely place for a visit No2 Daughter studied Law there.

Lots of companies have a rebuild service for about £320 .

I would suggest talking to some of the +8 race chaps who seem to favour the T5.

Some time back I am sure I heard of Toyota Celica box to Rover V8 conversions.

That Tremec looks like a great box but at £2.698 Exc VAT a bit expensive the racing boys can afford it, just like boat owners

The Mazda box is used by some of the MGB V8 Roadster conversion chaps and also MGB GT V8 owners looking to upgrade. Many of them have considerably more power than a standard Plus 8. I haven't heard of any issues.

Looks like it drops straight in too.

https://www.vitesse-ltd.com/product...ox-conversion-kit?variant=21482018439251

5 speed MX5 gearbox's are good for 250lbft max torque if you don't abuse them. 6 speed are stronger.

The LT77 and R380 are both strong units , but are not known for rapid changes.

The Mazda box and the T5 are both much quicker in action than either of the Rover options, which is why the racers favour the T5 (this was before the Mazda box became available.

Talk with someone like Brian Gateson at Techniques Morgan about the T5 , there is a bell housing available for this conversion.

I believe the Mazda box is used in the Baby Doll +4s and I don't think they experience many problems despite a hefty increase in bhp and torque.

Dear all,

I am the +8 that Dave mentioned. I did post, but as a new member, maybe I did not post in the right place.

Thanks for your answers.

For your information: It proved impossible to source a 2WD R380. The 4WD is available, but not the 2WD. Likewise, Ashcroft exclusively work with the 4WD versions.

Things have progressed a bit further than Dave wrote; The standard T5 is £1,815.00 Ex VAT from RoadCraft UK Ltd. Including the bell housing and hydraulic release bearing it became about £2,980 ex VAT). I have not seen any negative comments about the Vitesse Ltd. Mazda conversion kit. But it is about £4,200 ex VAT. So I now have a T5 with Rover V8 bellhousing sitting on the floor, waiting for installation.

And before taking tools in hand, I would like to hear any do's and don't from someone who has first hand experience from the conversion.

Good you found a solution that suited you, have fun in your lighter Plus 8.