Any T5 with VSS for MGB swap?

[SappySE107]

I am looking for a manual transmission to swap into an MGB, and I really need a VSS setup for the ECM. I want to have a working tach and speedo when I am done but this is my first RWD swap so I have no idea how to go about this at the moment. The ford T5 is what the MGB guys seem to like, but as far as i know its just a bellhousing difference between the ford and GM...if that. Who knows. If you have any input, I would love to hear it. I know the driveshaft and rear end are going to need some attention but again, me = clueless.

Going to use a 3500 LX9 in it with OBD1 computer and will need to make a new wiring harness since the MGB had a nice engine bay fire:P

[IsaacHayes]

Nice!! My dad has his old MGB still. The year before they raised the bumpers. I'll ask a guy I know that works on lots of trucks and see if he knows.

But I think you should get really adventurous and run the 3900. Rowdy cam, locked out cam phaser, and use the intake vane with an RPM switch. That would look awesome longitudinal.

[SappySE107]

I am not even sure how modded the 3500 will be. Headers, porting, cam, crank scraper are all I have planned right now. TCE makes the mounts to bolt this right up but I am just not sure on the transmission side of it.

Its a 79 with the black 5mph bumpers. Same year I was born:P

[Scott_68B]

I'm using a NWC GM V6 T5 and am pretty happy with it. It works well enough with the stock rear axle. It's geared a little shorter than the v8 version and that seems to be an issue with some guys. I'm planning on updating to a GM rear axle with a 3.42 ratio at some point in the future. I got the tranny out of an 86 Firebird and it came with the bellhousing with two starter pockets that I was able to use with my GEN II motor with some minor grinding on the bellhousing. I'm also using a Howe HTOB. I had a driveshaft made locally with updated, stronger u-joints. This T5 came with a VSS but I'm retaining all the stock gauges including the speedometer so I'm using the tranny to drive the speedo. I've fabricated my own VSS and bolted it between the driveshaft and rear end...works well once I got the ECM adjusted for it. I recently came across a VSS unit that you can use inline with your speedo cable that looked like it would do the trick. I believe it was 8 pulses/revolution. I know this is pretty high level but I'm happy to go into more detail on this in you're interested.
You’re really going to like the way that thing runs when you get it on the road.

-- Scott

[SappySE107]

I dunno what an HTOB is. I forgot about the bellhousing and starter issue, but its good to know even an 86 has the VSS in there. Id like to run as many factory parts as possible and can adjust the VSS code for whatever it takes. I figured the rear end isn't very strong and I think it has a 3.91 FDR stock. 3.42 would be plenty for this small car. The biggest concern my dad has is cutting the car, so if I can fit something stronger in that only needs brackets made up and no cutting, that would be awesome. Until I start pulling it apart though, I honestly don't know how its routed or what kind of space I have to work with.

Does the stock speedo read off a cable driven by the transmission?

[Scott_68B]

Yes, the speedo is cable driven off the tranny. Hydraulic Throw Out Bearing (HTOB). The rear end (3.909) is surprisingly strong, probably would be ok even with a hopped up 3500, at least to start with. The GM unit would probably be better in the long run. What are you concerned with cutting up? I did very little modification to the car to get the motor/tranny into it and mine is an earlier car which has less clearance firewall wise. Your car probably won't need any modification at all since it has the modified firewall and forward mounted radiator.

-- Scott

[SappySE107]

It has 26500 miles on it so leaving as much of it stock as possible for this swap is how my dad wants it to be. If the stock rear end is fine and the driveshaft can be replaced without cutting anything to fit the larger diameter driveshaft, then thats perfect. Did you have to modify anything on the interior for the 5 speed shifter?

[Scott_68B]

26000! Wow, bet it doesn't need any body work.

Believe it or not, no, no modifications to the interior. I set the engine as far back as possible and the shifter came up through the standard hole. The tranny is one that is tilted at a 17 degree angle so the shifter had to be cut and rewelded. I actually used the original MG shaft and welded it to the T5 shifter. I think it looks stock.

One other issue you're going to have to tackle are the fuel lines/fuel pump. There are lots of different approaches to solving this and you'll probably hear a different one from everyone you talk to. I ran new lines from the tank to the engine compartment, 3/8 for supply and 5/16 for return. I originally used an external fuel pump but was very unhappy with it...it was real noisy and I didn't trust it. I went with an in-tank pump/surge tank from a VW Jetta. This pump fit inside the tank and I didn't have to cut the trunk floor. I'm really happy with it, it's quiet and I can run the tank pretty low without worrying about uncovering the pickup when going around corners. I've got pics I'll share if you're interested in this approach. Some of the other options are using a GM in-tank pump and cutting the tank as well as the trunk floor. Other guys are using an external pump out of a Volvo and then plumbing in a large fuel filter that functions as a surge tank to avoid fuel starvation when going around corners. Others just run the external pump and keep the tank above 1/3 full. This might a good option for you, at least in the beginning, as it requires the least amount of changes to the car.

If you haven't already, you should visit http://www.britishv8.org. There are lots of how to write-ups. Many of them are v8 oriented but the things we are discussing are common no matter which engine you use. There is also a get together once a year where they have tech sessions and driving events. I went this year and it was an absolute blast. The tech sessions were really informative…I learned a lot and saw a bunch of different cars and different approaches to converting them. You can read about this on the site as well.

Hope this is of some use for you.

-- Scott

[SappySE107]

Thanks, I will check it out. I went there before and saw a 302 ford swap. Now I am on the mgexperience forum as well. I want an in tank fuel pump and don't want to cut so the jetta pump sounds good. The whole care is pretty solid with only minor surface rust underneath and on the grill. The hood is in need of repair and the engine bay is a mess from the engine fire, but it could have been a lot worse.

[sunbeam39]

See you've got it but: http://www.britishv8.org/

There is lots of conversion, rebuild info and links here. Ihave used several to try to sort my conversion out but so far only two have put a 3.4 litre with T5-5sp in a Sunbeam Alpine.

[SappySE107]

I found the T5 spreadsheet so that was a great start I am not sure how much power the stock rear end will take. I know the shaft is going to be custom.

[BMC]

MGB V6

Hi Sappy,
Read a lot of your posts and sure we have spoke about many things in the past.

A few examples:
I have a spare LQ1 MPFI version. New in the crate that I need to find a new owner for.

I also have a 1982 S10 Long box with T5 and a 3.4L L32 SFI conversion. Been on the road that way since 1999. What a great tow vehicle. Probably going to be half painted before winter is over. Maybe even completed after many years of waiting!!

Finally, I have done Many MGB V6 conversions, mostly in SFI, only one in carb.

Currently, I am building the '04 3500 Malibu V6 in a '76 MGB. Done many conversions all over the board in the MGB V6 world.

I KNOW this is your stomping grounds and you may not like going elsewhere to get your info, but there are five sites I would like to direct you towards:

http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/list.php?40

-the absolute most number of MGB V6 guys gathered anywhere on the WWW. Its rare to see them jump over here unless they are serious about more mods but just jumping to a 3.4L is such a power gain that most of them are in heaven with a stock motor (have you driven your stock MGB- know what I mean??)

Dann's site is here:

http://killerbv6.com/

He has quite a bit for the FWD conversions and I bet this is the fellow you have been speaking with. His front cover (TCE setup) with Dann's mounts look fantastic. There are less costly ways of going, but nothing with more style for any conversion and when you add up the price difference, its not too much beyond some other systems. Dann also has a clutch fork system figured out for the Ford T5 with his bellhousing.

Bill's site (CCE) is here:

http://classicconversionseng.com/

Bill has RWD conversions. For the 3500, there is not much for the motor Bill can help you with. He is a iron head guy and usually carb conversions. VERY helpful and has other items that you might want later such as big brake conversions utilizing Wilwood components along with special front and rear suspension systems along with 5 bolt hubs for the MGB. (We also provide CCE products but do not currently have most listed in our online store)

Our MGB V6 webstore can be found here:

http://bmcautos.com/shop/

Take off the /shop/ at the end and you can get more info about us and V6 conversions and so on. We have a number of misc. bits and pieces for certain conversions and adding to this all the time. Some of these items are bit and piece but we are here to find the best and save people time. We also sell the HTOB kit complete or in bits and pieces- the way the HTOB system come from the factory is just not right for the MG conversions though without the extra bits we provide. We also provide parts for using the HTOB with the Ford T5 where needed

There is also a site here that MGB and other Brit car owners need to visit here:

http://www.britishv8.org/

Check out the articles, newsletters and so on. I have never had enough time to go through it all! (Yup, I know, two people have named it- it must be good- now 3 people have said it!)


I hope no one thinks I have not crossed the line naming vendors, myself included, but i really dont think it takes away from this site by mentioning the whos who of the MG V6 website world- we just happen to be on the edge of this world!

-BMC.

[BMC]

BTW: The Ford T5 has a different pulse than the GM. GM used a 2000 and then went to 4000ppm for the L32. The Ford uses something like 16? From this Alpine with the V6 conversion in here now, I can tell you that you can cross teh ford T5 back and forth between the cable and the VSS. If your signal is wrong, you can always install a short cable with a VSS from an aftermarket supplier.

-BMC.

[SappySE107]

so 94-95 camaro T5 is what I want That was what I was looking for originally.

I will be cleaning the car up so its not so bad when the engine and trans get pulled out. Never got to drive a stock MGB but the 3400 setup was wicked. I am getting the TCE mounts cause I know they function as well as they look. I am a member on the mgbexperience site, as 79fireball. There doesn't seem to be much on suping up the engines on that site. Since it is my dad's car, I am not supposed to sup this sucker up either. Considering the application, porting will make it quick enough (for now). Suspension and brakes are what I want to address later. Since the hood is damaged we are looking for a good 2" cowl. I can use the space for the 3500 upper with spacers.

[sunbeam39]

That is what I have gone to a 3.4 SFI, with T-5, there will be a S-10 shortened in the rear end, with rear discs. Just trying to sort new parts list out, wait until allowance goes up to pay for it all.