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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - 5.0 conversion

I am doing a 5.0 conversion and am wondering if anyone has driven one with the heater box still in tact. Does the front end plow? If not, where was the engine located? If so, where does the engine need to be placed to avoid this? Any advice will be a big help. Thanx
CEO Geoff

CEO--My Ford 5.0L conversion still has heater box intact --its a 1979 MGB.The engine is as far back to the firewall as possible. The front end does not plow --I have 550 lb coil srings and aluminum heads for weight reduction. Good luck on your conversion its well worth the effort !
Gil Price

Yes, will want alum heads. that is 50# of weight shaved off. I did not motice any plow, but mine had bad body roll due to no front swaybar and bad fron shocks. I have since re-installed the front bar and put new heavy duty shocks on her, so this summer should be fun. Heater box is retained. Engine is as far back as possible without cutting the stock firewal. the left side head is probably 1/8" away from it.
Larry Embrey

A Ford 5.0 with aluminum heads, aluminum intake, and a T5 transmission weighs 15-25 pounds more than a stock MGB engine with an overdrive transmission. Not enough extra weight to worry about.

Check out back issues of the British V8 newsletter, and the engine swap website, for more information. Especially the latest issue with Pete Mantell's MGB/Ford 302 featured.

Both can be found at: www.britishv8.org

Dan Masters

Thanks 4 the references. Verrrry helpful. I still don't know if i'm gonna pony up 4 some aluminum heads. I hopefully am under the wrong impression that they are 2 grand a pair, nicely dressed. If so, I'm back to my original stance; with cast iron heads, is proper handling out of the question?
Geoff

When I first built my car it had cast heads and a 2bbl.I drove it for a couple of years in this configuration.It did feel a bit nose heavy,lots of rolls in the corners.Biggest help for that was a large front anti-sway bar.Huge difference.Edelbrocks are under $1,100.You can always add them later if you want more grunt.If budget is a concern I would build the car with the stock motor and spend money where it needs to be spent....cooling system,rear end,exhaust, suspension,wiring,neon wipers,etc....
Dale

You can also get AFR, twisted wedge, Holley alum heads. They all make models in the $900-1100 range for a PAIR ready to run.

I agree with Dale, get the car running and then worry about dropping weight and performance afterwards. a HEad swap you can do in the car in a day if you have all your gaskets and misc parts ready to go.
Larry Embrey

I built mine the same way. Started out stock 1990 5.0, upgraded all other areas, suspension, brakes etc.
Drove it all summer 2003.
The car is a blast to drive, didn't feel too nose heavy at all with a decent sway bar.
This spring I am changing to Edelbrock RPM heads.
I will let everyone know if I can feel a difference.

Cheers

Pete
Pete Mantell

Now Dale of course we all know "neon wipers" are a priority!
Michael S. Domanowski

Thanx again, guys. My plan is to make the car turn and stop before I put in the big mill. Any suggestions regarding this would be helpful, too. Who's using the Moss rr. Coilover setup? Moss says they can't keep 'em on the shelves, but I have yet to see a car outside of their website using it. Carb vs. EFI- does the 5.0 intake plenum take up any more space than the carb setup? I haven't seen many EFI cars, and I am curious to know if it's because EFI is that big a headache.
Geoff

I have a t bird turbo rr end (disc brake, 355 gears)and t bird front rotors and calipers. Am I putting really big brakes for cheap on the front or opening a can of worms? Will aftermarket 4 lug mustang cobra 16x8 wheels work? I wanna flare the beast, so let the ideas/ suggesions fly.
Thanx
CEO Geoff

Geoff,
No-one to my knowledge has done a 5.0 efi yet. There may be a few 302/5.0 out there runing a carb intake with the holley TBI system, which is a GREAT option for anyone wanting EFI ease of driving/starting, not to mention is ti a good bit shorter than a carb set-up.. BUT it is a bit pricey at $1500
Larry Embrey

Mike,I was testing to see if anyone actually reads my posts.....
Dale

Geoff
Go to www.classicconversionseng.com and look at Bill Guzmans coil over and ask him about the 10 3/4 vented rotors and wilwood calipers. I have a freind at Moss and after chatting I will use their coil over on my stock conversions but for my 302 I ordered Bill's. It seems to be a better built unit.

Take a look and call him if you have any questions. He is very helpful
Garret




garret

Dale
I only read your posta about teeth and Canadians -----
OOPs thats another thread --sorry
Gil Price

Hey, cut that out, eh.
Derek Nicholson

This thread was discussed between 24/03/2004 and 27/03/2004

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