Michael M

Hi All
I've just joined thanks for adding me
Doing a engine and gearbox conversion
its going into a Datsun 1200 coupe.
the engine is fine fits nicely different sump a few minor changes nothing major
My issue is the gearbox, it's too long
gear lever is way back where the handbrake is
I was told the nc box bolts up to the bp motor and the selector can be moved closer to the front?
This car will be a road car keeping the engine stock
not dragging or burnouts more of a weekend car
Any suggestions please would be a great help

SpartanSV

Whoever you heard that from is mistaken. The NC trans will not bolt to a BP.

Michael M

Ok thanks
any suggestion what box besides the bmw box

SpartanSV

I think anything that will fit a RWD BP application is going to be designed for a Miata and it's shifter location. I don't think you'll find an easy button.

HarryB

How about building a linkage to bring the shifter where you want it to be?

Michael M

I've seen it done before I didn't mind that would you know if any speed shops sell them or anything on the net

Zed.

NB gearboxes have a square cover plate @ the middle / top of the tailhousing, I believe this allows access to the selectors & selector-shaft so easy to fabricate a foreward mounted gearshift?


as example

Rich.

Icedawg

The 79 - 80 Mazda RX7 shifters sat further forward than the later ones. The later ones are like the 90-97 Miata trans tail housing and shifter.
I used to have some sitting around, but I traded them for some other Rx7 running gear parts, so I can't make a measurement.
I know you have to cut the tunnel open to fit the 79 tranny into a 81-85 RX7, so it is noticeably moved forwards.

The 79 tailhousing will swap onto the Miata trans, but the shift "fingers" have to change if it is a 99 or newer gear box. You can still buy the fingers for a 99.
Not sure how to get you info on how much it moves the shifter though.

The second gen RX7 86-90 has a different tail housing too, and I seem to recall the shifter is further forward, but am not as certain. I think I threw all of those away, so can't measure it either. Again, you can swap that tail housing onto the Miata trans, needing new fingers for the 99 and up.

Changing the tail housing also changes how the trans mounts to the car, but that probably helps you since you will likely not use the power plant frame from the Miata.

The housing changes move the shifter around, nothing changes the length of the ouput shaft or its terminal location, except moving the engine forward.