Jim_Gruber said:
Rivergate is showing a 280Z Tranny for use with an MGB 1800 Series Engine. I'm guessing the 280Z Tranny is too wide to fit a Spridget Transmission Tunnel without mods? Curious minds want to know.
More than likely. I've not seen one in person, so I can't say for sure, but it's definitely too long. You'd have to cut an opening for the shifter at least 4 inches further back, which would make the shifting awkward at least. It's doubtful it would fit without cutting the crossmember too.
Then you'd have to go about custom making all the bits. What would you use for a clutch kit? You'd have to make a shorter driveshaft with a different yoke... and not least of which is fabricating the adapter plate. BTW, the adapter plate needs to be very precise and locate the input shaft exactly. If it's a little off, you will destroy the input portion of the transmission. There was at one time some adapter plates for the 210 that were off ever so little. They damaged the gearboxes that were attached to them.
I'm sure it can be done. Worth the effort? I doubt it. Whatever you save on the gearbox purchase will be more than consumed by the cost of everything you'll need to fabricate. If you knew what's required to build a tried and true one... I have a gearbox in mind that I think could work without modifications to the car and is plentiful, but it's cost prohibitive to develop.