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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Anti-tramp bars required?

Hi, I am fitting a 2.0 litre Rover T series engine to my MGB (the non-turbo version) to my MGB. I am also in the process of rebuilding the suspension. The engine produces around 135Ibsft torque at 4500 revs and 140BHP, maybe 150BHP with a non-restricted exhaust and carbs instead of injectors.

Now would anti-tramp bars be desirable with this power/torque? Its not V8 torque by any means but various sources say to use anti-tramp bars or MGC/V8 rear springs with even tuned 4 pots. However, I know several people with highly tuned 4 pots who don't use any of the above.

Advice much appreciated.

Chris
Chris Hassall

The factory V8 doesn't have them of course, with 137bhp @ 5000rpm and 185ft lb at 2900rpm. That's not to there wouldn't be some benefit from them, but I suggest only on the track at the limit, unlikely for road use.

Then again the RV8 had 190ps @ 4750rpm and 318 Nm @ 3200rpm, and at the rear had lower torque control arms and anti-roll bar.

I'd also imagine this was required more with single-leaf springs having less mass and more compliance than the standard multi-leaf springs.
Paul Hunt

Chris,

What year car, if rubber bumper and you are modding the suspension the Moss reverse spring eye rear springs are excellent and seem to effectively resist axle tramp and are also more laterally stiff and for road use make a panhard bar unnecessary.

These springs are 2" lower than standard rubber bumper or MGBV8 originals and for the GT rated at 210lbs and 190lbs for the roadster, being softer than the original the car drives and handles a lot better.

They also do other ride heights.

Also if you have a rear anti roll bar I would recommend removing it ASAP.

Kevin.
Kevin Jackson

I'm running a 4.0 litre, straight out of a landrover. It might do 180BHP, might be allot less.
I thought antitramp bars were a go-fast gimmick. Then after a few years got some as part of a kit.
Wrong big time. They make a huge difference. I used to have to gently feed the power into the drive train, other wise the back end would be all over the place. In wet weather , dangerously so. With anti tramps I can just put my foot down and the car will take off in the direction I want it to go.
peter

Chris,

i found out that the tramp bars made a positive difference on my SD1 powered V8 (188 rwhp, with some updates) but on the roadster (B-Series stage 6, 122 rwhp) it was not necessary to fit them. Moss offers special racing springs that can handle the torque of low capacity engines very well and you should ask them for details. On the roadster i installed their TMG40730 and lowering blocks TMG30721 and there seems to be no need for traction bars on this car, as i found out.
The springs for the GT are MSG40721.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Ralph
Ralph

Chris I have 182 bhp rover v8 3.5 and and anti tramps do what they say on the label-mine are with palindromic springs and adjustable shocks set to the softest setting . With 185/14 tyres the power goes down on the road . The Next step however will be 4link plus coilovers -old age wants the comfort factor !
Andy
ap lestocq

This thread was discussed between 06/12/2008 and 09/12/2008

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