The MT75 is also worth considering as it bolts straight onto the pinto, Steve Kerswell has done it. 

I know that the type 9 will require a new section cut and shut under the tunnel area, in fact anything other than a type 2 or type 3 box will require modifications to be made.

thanks adrian  , mt75 gearboxes are getting expensive now as well as the type 9 every one seems to be  useing them been doing some research and the rx8 gearbox is the exact same length as the type 9  the splines are the same and uses the type 9 clutch thrust etc  no diffrence with the 6 speed or 5 speed still would need to make up brackets to mount it and if you want to keep the cable more brackets but soo much cheeper than the ford units comes with a quick shift as standard aswell 

 yep the 6 speed sounds like a better choice daryl  was at a show today and was speaking to a guy who had a 6 speed in his escort  so have a bit better understanding on how its done

I would be interested to see how you get on with the 6 speed because it sounds like a good conversion. There was some talk on here a few months back suggesting that the MX-5 5 speed might be better on the basis of the ratios being a bit better. I think that the 5 speed might also be more plentiful and cheaper. I think it was that the top ratio is slightly taller in the 5 speed and first is rather too low in the 6 speed - Dutton's don't usually want a lower first gear. I guess that either would be good, and 6 sounds better than 5 but I don't know how much difference it makes.

For Reference the ratios are:

5 Speed: 3.136, 1.888, 1.33, 1, 0.814

6 Speed: 3.76, 2.269, 1.646, 1.187, 1, 0.843

i will be changing the box over the winter months but will keep you guys posted just trying to gather info at the moment seem fairly straight forward though

Hi James, there is a guy called Lee Butcher who makes a very comprehensive kit to join the box to the engine and using the cable clutch. A friend has used him and got good service, at a good price. He is trading on Facebook now

cheers steve  im told you have done this conversion was there much to change on the frame or the tub ?? the box looks a bit rounder at the gearstick end 

Hi James, I did the Pinto to MT75 conversion. From a 1300 crossflow. So yes a lot had to be done. New engine mounts. New gearbox crossmember and rubber mount. Plus the prop needed a lot of thinking about. Dave Price has been using a RX8 box, look up his build. You could get mean and use the engine and box from an RX8 !! Some think they are poor engines but its the person who looks after them who is at fault in my eyes. Good luck with your build, keep us informed.

well i now have the rx8 gearbox and hope to start the conversion very soon its the 5 speed as it came at the right price for no other reason there is som chassis mods to be carried out but will take photos of the work as its being carried out for any one else who may want to try this conversion 

I'm sure I have heard that the 5 speed box is a stronger variant. Anyway good luck, keep us informed, and lots of pictures

got the conversion plate today another step closer to starting i have had a look at dave price blog on the rx8 box and will try contacting him for more information , i have a good idea on how im going to mod the chassis to take the box

Dave's car is currently in my yard on the trailer, getting under it for pictures would be awkward but if you need anything...

 i was looking for a couple pics adrian to see how the chassis was modded to fit the box in and if it still has the cable clutch how it had been done  . you may know where i can buy just the drive disc for the clutch 8.5 inch and 23 spline im finding that the hardest part to get . any pics appreciated adrian 

I'll see what I can get. Its in an S2 so there is more space around it underneath and around the bellhousing. To be honest it looks a fair fit in the hole the crossflow box used to fill.

Will the mazda friction plate fit inside the pinto clutch cover I wonder.?

And... it looks like an external hydraulic actuator on the clutch.. but i'll check tomorrow.

hi adrian it is a hydraulic clutch but it can be modded to stay as per the old cable system this is the route im taking im not sure about the mazda clutch though that is something i had not considered 

Given a bit of time I can track down the parts. Checking clutch sizes is easier on the computer (and a wee bit cheaper)

There is no clutch in the car at present (Dave had the same issue I think.) but the engine / adapter / box are bolted together.

 if you can source a drive plate let me know . i have most of the main parts now and hope to complete the job in 3or 4 days once started  but it will be full shifts once the box is in it should only be the prop that i will need to wait on as i wont be able to do that myself  as it will need to be balanced etc 

Good call Daryl. The 1600 Cortina estate used a 23 spline 190mm friction plate. Part number is for a National clutch CK9563. If I get one it will be £85 + postage (3 piece, not sure if you can use the release bearing)

All the other 1600 mk5's used a 20 spline clutch as they had a type 3 gearbox.
You'll have to check the spigot bearing size and the depth of the clutch assembly as I don't have access to that information.

190mm is 7.5 inch. What gave you the impression it needed to be 8.5 inch.?

hi guys i thought it was the 8.5 as thats what was already in the car , but since it uses the 7.5inch  23 spline that suits me even better as i have a full new clutch in the shed (result ):)  i have the prop shaft that came with the box but will be getting a professional to do that bit . i had thought of the type 9 or mt75 ? but they still require the mods that im going to have to do and both are getting quite expensive looking at £300+ for one that needs work done at the moment im looking at £250 and thats me got all the parts required still have the prop to do but the up side is the rx8 box is comes with a nice smooth shift on the gears and the ratios are fairly decent as well .much better than a 4 speed . im quite lucky  as i have had the offer of a 4 post ramp for a week to get the most of the welding done and hopefully set up the engine and box .

yep its just the prop end for the box i have daryl apparently thats the only bit i need im told the ford one fits but you run the risk of damaging the gearbox 

i checked today with the supplier of the conversion plate about the clutch plate and it can take the 8.5 inch theres plenty of room for it the guy said . but im thinking if i change it to the smaller clutch i would need to change the flywheel as well ?? can adrian or daryl confirm if my thoughts are correct on this 

cheers mate 

well i haven't been on for ages i bought all the parts to do the rx8 gearbox then got offered a type 9 at a decent price so ive removed the 4 speed and started on the type 9 upgrade as it seems a fair bit easier to do especially at the clutch looks like im going to have to mod the tunnel some to let the gearbox sit back a few inches i have been looking in the gallery to see if there was any pics but cant see anything . the good thing is i already bought a new clutch and will still be able to use it :) hoping to get it back up and running in a couple of weeks . 

i have just found the pics of adrian southgates legera  perfect im going to use this idea hope you dont mind mr southgate 

Got more pics, probably on flickr.

well i got the 5 speed fitted today thanks to mr southgate for the pics they came in very handy done it almost the same as adrians picture but replaced the side to side protection with a 25mm sq box section welded in the front of the original currently waiting for the sump and head gasket to get to the next stage of the game plan i have even painted the inner wings and chassis frame work so looking pretty good at the moment

Should have said you wanted gaskets... 

 there was nothing wrong with the prop ? the old gearbox was ok after i change the saddle for the gear stick and put a new clutch in it  

got the bottom end of the engine completed and ready to lift in tonight zip tied all the wiring back in place 

 hi daryl the original prop fitted up to the 5 speed i had taken a measure of the gap/play on the prop and the gearbox  and left the same gap on the new 5 speed box so hoping it s going to be ok 

dont know tbh  i think it leaves it around the same as the mount for the gearbox was moved to let the gearbox sit further back to reach the prop (around 3 " back ) i will know better once i try fitting the engine but i have took a rough measure tonight and it looks like there's plenty room whether the engine mounts etc will match up or need moving i will let you know i like the wee car i just felt thet the 5th gear will be better on the longer journeys i would like to get down to some of the shows like stonelee maybe this year     

There is a possibility that one of the 6 cylinder gearboxes would have matched closely, maybe the type 5 or the 2000E box but to be honest I can't be sure.

I know my white leggy was a four speed but when I restored it using a type 9 in the green shell I used the same prop, just had to move that gearbox mount. Obviously the one you had was the same type of gearbox.

I have a Type 5 in the garage - it's ~31" long, which I think is about 1" longer than the Type 9.

Ford 4 speed single rail gearbox, used for more demanding applications than the Type 3 box. It is available most often without an integral bellhousing, although later boxes (usually found in Sierras) had integral bellhousings. 

Cast iron maincase with alloy tail housing. Often referred to as the ‘Rocket’ box. (Rocket is the name of the original close-ratio competition gearbox that was based on the Type E). 1" x 23 spline input shaft. Fitted in:

• Ford Capri 1.6 / 2.0 82 on
• Ford Cortina Mk3 2.0
• Ford Cortina Mk4 / Mk5 1.6GT / 2.0 / 2.3
• Ford Escort RS2000 Mk1 / Mk2
• Ford Escort RS Mexico Mk2
• Ford Sierra 1.6 / 2.0

Oil capacity 1.5 litres. Standard oil grade SAE80.

Ford’s first RWD 5 speed box, based on the Type E. Cast iron maincase with alloy tail housing. This gearbox is commonly used for 5 speed conversions on older vehicles. Some later versions were available with integral bellhousings, although they are more commonly found with removable bellhousings. A 4wd version of this box was also available for the early XR4x4 models. 1" x 23 spline input shaft. Fitted in:

• Ford Capri 1.6 / 2.0 Feb 1983 on
• Ford Capri 2.8 Nov 1982 on
• Ford Sierra 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 to Dec 1988
• Ford Sierra XR4i
• Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.8

Oil capacity: 2wd 1.9 litres, 4wd 1.25 litres (plus 0.5 litres in transfer box). 
Standard oil grade 75W90 semi-synthetic.

The main differences apart from those stated in the blurb...

Type 9 had a shorter casting on the back to make up for the spacer casting with the 5th gear in on which the mount was further back.

Type 9 has a 3 bolt stick fixing.

Bellhousing, input shaft, clutch and output shaft all match.