MGB with V8

[Instrument 41]

Has anyone out there ever done this conversion. I know that you need to have a rubber bumper car to do this conversion, due to space. Anyone know where I can find a Rover V8 and how much it cost?

[VincentVega]

No experience with conversions, but this place has good info for all things MG.

www.mgexperience.net/

[lendaddy]

MG actually made a B (MGBGT V8) so it's not a big deal and the motors were used in everything as I recall. So while not difficult to do... I wouldn't. The B is a turd, a fun little turd but a turd none the less. No point in giving it big power it just isn't a good idea.

I buried thousands upon thousands and untold hours into a B back in the 80's-90's. Learned a ton about cars including one very important lesson...stay away from cheap British sports cars

In all seriousness though that chassis just plain sucks.

[tevake]

its not just th buick v8 that fits in th MG

[lendaddy]

Also, I cannot imagine the reason you would need a rubber bumpered car. There are no real structural differences between the two.

[romad]

Just see one on that "rate my ride "show. It sounded like they loss handling and end up with a drag car.

[Craig]

There is very importany structural difference between the chrome bumber and the rubber bumpers. The radiator surround is further forward in the rubber bumpers which allows room for the v8 to fit in the engine compartment.
Craig

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by Craig

There is very importany structural difference between the chrome bumber and the rubber bumpers. The radiator surround is further forward in the rubber bumpers which allows room for the v8 to fit in the engine compartment.
Craig

The factory V8 MGB was a chrome bumper car.

Edit: I see there are some differences in the shroud but that's seems terribly minor.

[SeanR]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

The factory V8 MGB was a chrome bumper car.

Edit: I see there are some differences in the shroud but that's seems terribly minor.

It was also a small 3.something liter Rover engine. Much smaller than what we can put in there from the USofA.

/first car was a B.

[Embraer]

the rover v8 is the same as the Buick, Olds, Pontiac 215 aluminum v8. no point in putting that motor in there, though, other than size. if you're going to v8 it, you might as well really do it. parts availability sucks for the 215, as well as the rover. go with small block. britishv8.org has info.

[schamp]

That car will not like that much weight in the front.

[Instrument 41]

I asked the same question about weight and i was told that the small aluminum V8 weights almost the same as the iron 4 cyl.

[MarKoBrow]

LS1 ?? When I was going thru my MGA and MGB phase the LS1 was new now options are unlimited.



or Ford 302

[Instrument 41]

I'm not looking to make a "head snapper". A mild V8 to give the sound a a bit of push is fine.

[MarKoBrow]

Compared to the stock 4 that is in the MGB any V8 will be a head snapper. Have you considered a V6?

[dennis in se pa]

WAAAYYYY too much front end weight.

[Paul K]

How about this?

32V Northstar V8...





Yikes!

Paul.

[Maxim S]

There's a guy on Grassroots Motorsports and a few other forums who's got a really heavily-modded MGB GT with a V8 in it. I think it's a 5.0 Mustang motor. He originally had a Jag V12 in it but the motor was bad and he had to switch it out.

I'll see if I can dig it up later.

[Instrument 41]

I have thought about a V6 but whats the difference in weight between a 6 or an 8. I know that my company vehicle has direct injected 6, it will fly. The only issue with a 6 is that you can't get that "sound" that an 8 produces.

[dennis in se pa]

"He originally had a Jag V12 in it but the motor was bad and he had to switch it out."
What a surprise.
A buddy had a '72 Jag V12. Crankshaft was toast in < 2 years. Status? Prestige? At what cost?