Need to rebuild or replace an MGBGTV8 gearbox? Posted: 251112 Options for rebuilding or replacing an original MGBGTV8 gearbox? Original MGBGTV8 gearbox rebuilt by a specialist The original four speed gearbox on Factory built MGBGTV8s had the attractive feature of overdrive on fourth gear and also on third on many of the earlier chrome bumper models until it was removed by MG following concerns over a number of new MGBGTV8s returning the dealers for repairs caused by the heavy use of overdrive on third gear. Many owners enjoy the subtle pleasure of overdrive with the smooth torque of a V8 engine so the option of having a gearbox rebuilt does enable them to keep the original feature of overdrive. Hardy Engineering in Leatherhead in Surrey has been mentioned by several V8 Register members as a specialist in gearbox, overdrive and back axle repairs. Peter Berry had his back axle rebuilt by them and recommend them saying he felt "they'd give you a free diagnosis and estimate for the repair work". Guy Konz mentioned he had his gearbox and overdrive rebuilt by Volker Herrmann, the UK gearbox specialist in Germany. Hardy Engineering website Finding a replacement MGBGTV8 gearbox We don't often see original MGBGTV8 gearboxes offered for sale, so enthusiasts who prefer to keep the pleasure of overdrive on their original gearbox have a serious search to find a replacement MGBGTV8 gearbox. Looking at the adverts on the V8 Spares for Sale webpage on the V8 website there have been four seen for sale over recent years with prices ranging from £500 to £1,000. Link to copies of the adverts https://www.v8register.net/subpages/v8sparesforsale.htm Vitesse Mazda 5 speed gearbox replacement The option of having a replacement Mazda 5 speed gearbox supplied and fitted by Vitesse in the UK is one that many MGBGTV8 owners faced with an original gearbox in need of repair do consider and some choose to have. The Mazda gearbox is a modern design used in their production cars and able to cope with V8 engine power. Since Vitesse invested in sourcing a new bellhousing to fit the Mazda box to the Rover engine and launched the product for several Rover engined classic cars it has been a regular choice. As a modification it is subtle in the sense it's not a visible change from the original gearbox without a close inspection, but it does remove the pleasure for many of the overdrive on the original gearbox. But the original MGBGTV8 gearbox is easily damaged by rough use - for example racing through the lower gears and using high engine revs, whereas the Vitesse Mazda gearbox has been seen to cope with a 4.0 litre Rover engine in a MGB V8 Roadster without problems - even when driven hard in tests made by Vitesse! Peter Berry contributed the useful V8NOTE547 on having a replacement Vitesse gearbox fitted to his MGBGTV8. V8NOTE547.htm Vitesse website