Short bellhousing option on LT77 or R380 to 3.5V8

[paulmmc]

Hi all,
I am about to start rebuilding an SD1 3.5 V8 as well as changing from ZF auto to manual, as I don't like autos. I will be using Ashcroft transmissions to rebuild my gear and transfer box as I want to do all the work together while everything is out of the car (Series 3/RRC hybrid)
My question is, has anyone mated a short bellhousing from their V8 to either the LT77 or R380? I want to move the gear stick forward to squeeze in a third seat in the front as it is going into a pick up and 3 seats is much more useful than 2.
Also, does anyone know if the gearbox mounts are different between the ZF auto, LT77 and R380? Not a biog deal if they are, just would be good to know in advance.
Any advice much appreciated.

[ChrisJC]

I used a 'Stumpy' bellhousing from Ashcroft (which is for 4 cylinder engines), then an adaptor ring. That was the shortest combination I could find.
It's an R380 to V8.

It meant I could get the R380 gearstick exactly where the Series gearstick should be, so from inside it's hard to know that it's an R380.

I made my own engine / gearbox mounts.

Chris.