3rd gear has packed up so I'm going to replace the gearbox either with the original type or abarth one.

I have 2 questions,

1. Will an Abarth gearbox be a direct replacement (6 speed)
2. How many hours realistically should a garage be charging me for the work if i source a box.

Cheers

direct replacement should be fairly cheap to change aslong as not lengthy stripping down is involved which in this case isn't. I reckon around 3 hours. Might be worth changing clutch in process.

Cheers T, why the clutch aswell? I can get the same box again for approx £200 which isn't too bad I guess. Just was hoping I could put something with a bit more strength to replace it

'might' be worth changing, obviously depending on mileage/condition etc but garage shouldn't really charge you much extra for this as it will be easy to replace with box off. Save a big bill later, dont know how much clutch plate costs though.

I see, well clutch seems to be fine *touch wood* only done 24k

how has it broke? Which engine?

Find a gearbox specialist and take it to them and get them to rebuild 3rd/all gears with better quality internals.

Would it really be worth it though? I've heard a rebuild is like 15hours labour.. as opposed to a nearly new box and 3-4hours labour to fit it.. which is much cheaper.