ZT-T 190 Gear Ratios

Dubya · 25th September 2015, 06:11

I've owned my 190 for several months now, and though I love the way it drives and sounds it seems to be quite low geared. In 5th at a steady 70mph it's pulling nearly 3500rpm, my old Peugeot 405 SRI (yeah, I know!) would only be pulling 2500rpm! This probably explains the poor economy (30mpg at best), though obviously helps acceleration. Does anyone know if higher ratio gear sets or differentials are available? It's a shame Rover went belly-up just as 6-speed gearboxes were becoming commonplace. Now one of those would have been nice...

coab · 25th September 2015, 06:19

You can fit a standard 2.5 R75 box with higher ratios.

Dubya · 25th September 2015, 06:24

Would a standard R75 box be strong enough to take the extra power though?

Phil-T4 · 25th September 2015, 06:39

Dont do it, it alters the driving experience of the whole car for the worse!

I had the ZT 160 gearbox on mine for awhile and hated it!

Robson Rover Repair · 25th September 2015, 08:46

Part of the appeal of the 190 is the 5th gear at 70moh is in the ideal power band so when you accelerate your just nice for tearing on.

Infact it would give you the impression it's a diesel in 5th gear at 70mph alway it setup.

Very impressive.

Changing the gearbox 5th well you might as well have a 75 manual then.

MrDoodles · 25th September 2015, 19:49

There was talk of someone trying to fit the 6 speed box from the Mk 1 BMW Mini Cooper S, however, not heard any more!

You are correct of course, that the 190 is crying out for a 6 speed box!

Typhoon190 · 25th September 2015, 20:29

I'd agree with the above, and TBH, 30mpg is not bad mpg for a big old V6.

Robson Rover Repair · 26th September 2015, 13:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDoodles

There was talk of someone trying to fit the 6 speed box from the Mk 1 BMW Mini Cooper S, however, not heard any more!

You are correct of course, that the 190 is crying out for a 6 speed box!

I belive it's going into the forged 1.8t.

jonc3725 · 26th September 2015, 13:45

Apart from the mini has anybody tried or measured up for a 6 speed box?
It would be an interesting project even if an adaptor plate was needed.

Simon.h · 26th September 2015, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDoodles

There was talk of someone trying to fit the 6 speed box from the Mk 1 BMW Mini Cooper S, however, not heard any more!

You are correct of course, that the 190 is crying out for a 6 speed box!

But that's the 'oxford' box which was known to be very unrebiable.

25th September 2015, 06:11	#1
Dubya Loves to post 2005 MG ZT-T+ V6 190 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Hereford Posts: 474 Thanks: 126 Thanked 139 Times in 103 Posts	ZT-T 190 Gear Ratios I've owned my 190 for several months now, and though I love the way it drives and sounds it seems to be quite low geared. In 5th at a steady 70mph it's pulling nearly 3500rpm, my old Peugeot 405 SRI (yeah, I know!) would only be pulling 2500rpm! This probably explains the poor economy (30mpg at best), though obviously helps acceleration. Does anyone know if higher ratio gear sets or differentials are available? It's a shame Rover went belly-up just as 6-speed gearboxes were becoming commonplace. Now one of those would have been nice...

25th September 2015, 08:46	#5
Robson Rover Repair NI/ROI RS ZT-T 190 / 75 Diesel x3 / 6 door limo / 216 Cabby / Rover 25 van Join Date: May 2009 Location: Antrim Posts: 8,101 Thanks: 299 Thanked 1,046 Times in 568 Posts	Part of the appeal of the 190 is the 5th gear at 70moh is in the ideal power band so when you accelerate your just nice for tearing on. Infact it would give you the impression it's a diesel in 5th gear at 70mph alway it setup. Very impressive. Changing the gearbox 5th well you might as well have a 75 manual then. __________________ Cheers, Colin Robson Rover Repair on Youtube DISCOUNTED MTEC BRAKES FOR ALL MG ROVER'S Braided hoses, more coating and pad options for 2024

26th September 2015, 13:45	#9
jonc3725 Posted a thing or two MG ZT 190 + and MKIV Supra Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Plymouth Posts: 1,551 Thanks: 224 Thanked 493 Times in 359 Posts	Apart from the mini has anybody tried or measured up for a 6 speed box? It would be an interesting project even if an adaptor plate was needed. __________________ Jon C Living the dream MK IV VVTI Tiptronic TT Toyota Supra MG ZT 190+ BornTuesday, 10th July 2001 @ 09:01:10 259th ZT to run off the production line, out of 18,894 252nd ZT 190 + to be made out of 4,023 101st ZT in Solar Red (code: CEU) to be made out of 1,888

25th September 2015, 06:19	#2
coab This is my second home 2007 57 GOLF GTi EDITION 30 DSG Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Newport Shropshire and Coventry. Posts: 5,137 Thanks: 2,424 Thanked 1,452 Times in 852 Posts	You can fit a standard 2.5 R75 box with higher ratios.

25th September 2015, 06:24	#3
Dubya Loves to post 2005 MG ZT-T+ V6 190 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Hereford Posts: 474 Thanks: 126 Thanked 139 Times in 103 Posts	Would a standard R75 box be strong enough to take the extra power though?

25th September 2015, 06:39	#4
Phil-T4 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T, Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Olney Posts: 2,969 Thanks: 245 Thanked 1,088 Times in 657 Posts	Dont do it, it alters the driving experience of the whole car for the worse! I had the ZT 160 gearbox on mine for awhile and hated it!

25th September 2015, 19:49	#6
MrDoodles Banned MG ZT+ V6 190 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Spalding Posts: 13,245 Thanks: 369 Thanked 1,196 Times in 818 Posts	There was talk of someone trying to fit the 6 speed box from the Mk 1 BMW Mini Cooper S, however, not heard any more! You are correct of course, that the 190 is crying out for a 6 speed box!

25th September 2015, 20:29	#7
Typhoon190 This is my second home MG ZT-T 190 Monogram Typhoon Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 4,704 Thanks: 328 Thanked 557 Times in 443 Posts	I'd agree with the above, and TBH, 30mpg is not bad mpg for a big old V6.