Rich, If you veto the 5-speed then go with the smoothcase as original. I
just helped a friend put a "rebuilt" $800 ribcase in his bug-i. It pops out
of 1th and reverse. He also had to use the tower out of my "good" ribcase
just so it would shift into reverse. I have a core ribcase that is better
than the one he got as rebuilt (it only pops out of first). For originality
a 5-speed would be better than a ribcase as at least it is a smoothcase
tranmission, there are no extra points just because a ribcase is British.
You can get a good rebuilt ribcase for around $1200, I'm not sure about a
smoothcase. It is your choice, but both my bug-i's are smoothcases it's just
that one has 5 syncroed gears.
Crash
>The engine is coming out of the Sprite soon and while it's out the
>transmission, with it's noisy 1st gear and shot 2nd synchro, is going to
get
>some attention (read: be replaced!). The car is a 1960 Bugeye with 948,
>smoothcase, drum brakes, etc. So, the question is do I replace the
>smoothcase with another smoothcase or with a ribcase? I've got quotes for
>both (in the $600-$800 range, rebuilt). I like the originality of the
>smoothcase but there is also the appeal of the ribcase improvements
>(bearings, synchros, etc.). We don't plan on driving this car all that
>much, in fact I'd be surprised if it sees more than a few thousand miles a
>year, so the longevity of a smoothcase may not be much of an issue. We've
>already veoted the Datsun 5 speed option (it has to stay British).
>
>Any opinions, anyone?
>
>Thanks,
>Rich Hill
>'79 MG Midget
>'60 AH Sprite
>
>
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