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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Feel free to help me out guys

I just had to chime in:

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef10ee4

Anybody know Mr Shiftright?
Carl Floyd

There has been an English cartoon character featured in Road and Track for decades..his name is Nigel Shiftright...Joe Troise & Phil Frank are the creators..perhaps this is a parody of the series?
Mike Maloney

Carl, Mr. Shiftright is a contortionist or has an extremely flexible back. must be painful to be in such a bent position with one's head in a body cavity up to the shoulders. all this rant about other's cars is a waste of time and effort. The threads in the (MGB General) "Originality", "The Hood Scoop" (V8 Conversions) and this guy are blindsided by the fact that we don't build cars to please others, we build to enjoy ourself. i suspect these naysayers have nothing better to do than cause hiccups on the road of life. Have a Great Day! See you in Townsend
kelly stevenson

I was going to reply to Shiftright's derogatory comments...but needed to log-in...and the last thing I need is another BBS.

Suffice that to say that I totally DISAGREE with the poor lost sole.....he has no respect for the V8.

The V8 lost its popularity (and marketplace) in 1974 when the United States experienced its first gasoline crisis. The cost of gas went to (gasp!) about $0.70 a gallon...the speed limit was reduced to 55mph...(typical knee-jerk reactions)... and the American public began to seek out the more fuel-efficient cars (and sports cars) such as the Datsun 240Z/260Z.

Had we not had this "drisis", the MGB/GT V8 would have continued into production, in my opinion.


FWIW - YOMV

rick
rick ingram


Geeesh, that forum sure looks like a waste of time... trolls and know-nothings! To say that the MGB V8 wasn't popular is just bizarre: who knows if it would have been popular or not, since it wasn't even offered in the U.S. market?

I think it could've proved EXTREMELY popular. The small, lightweight V8 would have been uniquely positioned at a time when Americans were trading-in gas-guzzling muscle cars. (Many of our conversions get pretty good gas mileage, even when we drive like idiots!) IMHO, MGBs with little aluminum V8s are best enjoyed on twisty roads where we can have SO MUCH FUN at speeds way below 55mph. They're also surprisingly fun in town between stop signs (not to mention in parking lots, being auto-crossed!)

But guys, we have to face facts. MG was tragically mis-managed year-after-year. We could list their stupid mistakes for pages. Failing to offer the little V8 in the U.S. market was just dumb BECAUSE high fuel prices presented an opportunity, not an obstacle.
Curtis

I responded to 'em. Like Carl, just couldn't resist. But my fingers are sore enough without starting in on the pages and pages of education this guy clearly needs. A guy can only do so much, and some lost souls are beyond help.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

I really don't know why you guys rise to the bait....my initial reaction was to respond.....but then I decided that it just wasn't worth the effort.

One of the problems with the internet is that there is almost as much mis-information as fact out there, I find it very annoying (my age I guess)when people affect to speak with authority about things of which they have no knowlege.

Rant over I feel so much better....The sun is shining this morning here in Bispham, so I hink that I shall take the V8 (Rover of course) roadster for a spin .
M Barnfather

im not gonna respond to em,,who cares what they think as far as the v/8's only being slightly faster & not as drivable comments, well the blue meanie would love to respond personally..theres always somebody sayin somethin ,in the british m/c world [i've been around that for 35 years now] its always stuff like he's added clipon's or rearsets or a boyer ignition or mk.2 amals or god forbid mikuni's, so what? if it's tasteful & who's to judge that? to each his own. i fully admit i'm guilty of it myself,,choppers,, who would do that to ANY m/c?? as far as misinformation & out right morons go WELL I once had this guy argue with me that Triumph never made a 650cc.Tiger m/c on & on he went, even though i had my freshly restored 1970 650 tiger right in front of him, he actually claimed the side cover decals which said 650 Tiger were something i had custom made? I guess in an attempt to fool the whole world? I'm sure to this day he's sitting somewhere sayin its all a conspericy to prove him wrong.
denny 1

The guy did shut up though.
Jim Blackwood

Bet you enjoyed that Jim !

Roger
RMW

Actually I did Roger, quite a bit in fact.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

:)

I read his bio by clicking on his name. With all that experience, it is hard to believe how narrow minded he is.

Back to wrenching on the TF.
Carl Floyd

I don't know if his point was that, driven to the limit of the stock MGB engine's ability, it isn't going to bite you by breaking the back end loose. Certainly wouldn't want to spill our tea steering with the back wheels!

If you like the MGB as a momentum car - you drive it around a track smoothly allowing its finese to make up for its lack of power while trying to squeeze out every drop of power - then, yeah, putting a V8 (or better still a 60 degree V6) in its place is going to remove the fun of that particular challenge. Having more power on tap gives you more options and allows you to change the character of the car with a push of the go pedal. The light weight exacts no penalty in handling, but the greater engine performance can get you beyond the limits of the stock suspension and braking bits...so what?

No particular point to make here, except this guy really rubs me the wrong way with his attitude of,"if it isn't pure, it is just wrong." It ain't wrong sister, just different.

YMMV,

Brian C.
Brian Corrigan

Hard to deal with a CLOSED mind -- so I didnt get into the fray.Hes missing out --and we are NOT .
See you all in TN
Gil
Gil Price

This thread was discussed between 22/04/2006 and 28/04/2006

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