Guys I have read through some or the FAQ's and tech section but now I am just more confused with models etc.

I'm chasing possibly a Datsun 5 speed to put behind a Brittish Leyland A Series turbo in my MG Midget. There is a kit in the states to do so and it lists the box required as from a 210. It has the part number starting with an F.

What boxes here in Australia am I looking for. I know they are getting rare but I'm not sure if there are any hybrid combinations available.

I do have a Toyota box to use as well and knwo there is a kit at Dellow for it but they do not supply a gearbox crosmember and the kit requires cutting up the transmission tunnel whereas the Datsun box requires no body mods whatsoever.

Anyone got any bboxes for sale at a reasonable price??

gavin

not too sure what datsun 5 speeds have a model number starting with "F" you could try to get a 63a box as they are very strong and shouldn't give you any troubles.
You say you have a toyota box, is it a 5 speed celica box? if it is you can use the 3spd datsun Automatic bellhousing to couple the celica 5 speed to your A series engine as it is quite a common transplant, you would then need to modify your tailshaft to take the toyota splined drive input at the back of the box. I live in Australia and you don't see many 5 speeds in top condition pop up very often, although it probably doesn't help that I live in western Australia also known as the wait-a-while state!

Hi Gav - you are chasing a 63A gearbox which has L series internals but an A series bell housing. I have one at the moment but I'm in the US. The 60A 5 speed which is getting rarer in Aus will be too weak for your turbo application.

the crossmember is the easy part to the dellow conversion.
i used some 50 x 6 steel for mounting the box on with some sandwich plates to hold it to the floor. very solid, prob the most solid bit of the car.

I think the "F" code comes before the number i.e. FW60a. I have a one of these (overdrive 5 speed) in my ute and have a similar problem- I have already got the box, but It's not going to to cope with extra torque if I want to go for a blower or turbo.

If you are aiming for a decent tourque curve, you would be better off to bite the bullet and go for a celica conversion. Gearbox crossmembers are not difficult to make.

All of the 5-speed a-series boxes are expensive- up to $700-800 for a good one..... the bloke who owned my car before me was offered a grand for the box

pepper. grunterhunter are you guys bearing in mind what car I'm talking about. The MG Midget has a cross member built into the chassis hence it is also a structural part of the chassis given it's a convertible. Also the transmission tunnel is fully floored front to back so it's not just a matter of fabbing a cross member and bolting underneath. I have to cut out the original member and then restrengthen the car and cut out a section off the tunnel floor for access.

I know at the end of the day it's a better option box wise (Toyota) but no cutting and shutting is also attractive. Looked at teh Datsun box a couple of years ago and steered away due to availability etc but at least then a few of my Morrie mates had then for the Datsun A series into Morris Minor conversions.

I guess the cost of the box on top of the conversion kit puts it out for me. So will probably still chase up the toyota option.

I have 2 T50's to choose from the one usually behind the 4A motors and one from a 2T/3T motor. Most probably will use the 4A one as the shafts are bigger and I can swap the 2T rear section over and get a shifter than comes out closer to standard position.

The breakdown of the sample gearbox code F4W60L is, as best i remember,...
F = Floor shift [R = Remote as in column shift]
4 = four speed
W = wide ratio. This is the standard four speed designation.
60 = This is the 'series' of the gearbox. It represents the distance between the center of two parts, but i forget which. [main shaft & cluster shaft?] A series Datsun gearboxes came in 56, 60, & 63 series.
L = Long. This refers to the length of the rear extention housing. This is the most common size.
This particular gearbox came from an Aussie [B310] Sunny wagon with A15 engine.

Knowing this, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out some of the other codes.

The MG Midget is a Roadster. A Convertable is a four or five seater.

A US model 'Datsun 210' is correctly known as a member of the B310 family [AKA Sunny in Australia] & the US model was available with a 60 series gearbox & quite possibly the 63 series gearbox as well. The five speed versions were both overdrive gearboxes i believe.
Can anyone confirm?

ive been keeping one eye open for a 5 speed that would fit my a10. so i think maybe the celica 5 speed conver is the go coz of the prize of A series one.