guys i need to know the most suitable gearbox 4 a ca18det conversion into a 1200 ute (76 model). would the stock ca18 gearbox fit in the ute with no major mods? any advice would be excellent as im getting the engine and gearbox on the weekend.

the best box as far as i know is the mr30 skyline stumpy 5spd.... reason is that u dont need to move the handbrake as with the original ca 5spd.... and in a ute theres no room to move it back.....

some say it fits in the tunnel... some say it doesnt... putting in a bigger tunnel will allow easier access to starter motor etc for future service/maintainance.....

but if you want to avoid that i'd just get the desired gearbox and see for urself if it'll fit....

if u are getting the ca18det this weeknd make sure if u can take cam cover of 2 check motor condition b4 u buy lot of poeple dont chechk this and after purchare are stuck with a worn motor...
make sure the oil in motor isnt chunky most of them are cause of crap oil..
i used 2 work for importing yard in sydney and no what condition motors come and and that are sold in such awfall condition.. good luck cant wait 2 see finished shot...

Check out fast fours vol7 of this year, there is a ca18 ute running 11s with a standard 4 speed and a heavey duty clutch! Not really advice but worth a thought.

I have heard mixed results with the MR30 skyline box into 1200 utes. Some fit and some don't. Maybe there are different tunnels in different utes???
They do fit into the coupe and sedan even with manual tunnel. It may also depend on how high the engine sits in the engine bay. I have seen some that sit very high making the gearbox hit at the top of tunnel its best to get it sitting as low as possible.
With my old crossmember it sat 5mm off the sump I have now modified the crossmember and the engine sits another 20mm lower again :) still have to modify teh tunnel to fit teh S13 box as the shifter is just over 6"s further back .
Cheers Andrew

PS: I have a rebuilt MR30 gearbox in my shed it was a spare for sale will take $400 for it. It will need a S3 bluebird or ca18 belhousing and shifter.