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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - ford 2.8L in mgb

I'm putting a ford 2.8l in a 77 mgb, saw a kit advertised from retrofit in Texas. Has anyone used this kit for a conversion?
jim johnston

Is this a larger version of the 2 litre Pinto? If so i have been running the 2litre Pinto in my MGA for 20 years now with stock engine but with 5 speed Sierra box. The power is awesome! When engine was young it could outdrag a 302 Ford V8 Falcon hardtop up to 60mph and that was in stock form! Fitted into the MGA with amazing ease..coming out now to make way for the 4.4 litre Leyland P76 alloy V8 and Toyota 5 speed!!
regards
mark
mark mathiesen

Jim, I have the install kit information, but never completed my car. If you get a copy of MGBV8 news letters, you will find a few guys have tried this conversion. Most often the only complaint is the exhaust manifold does not fit. So, you would have someone else make one up for you.
Dennis

To all,

I have purchased the kit and am in the process. The engine/trans is installed temporarily and, yes, there is a slight interference with the left front header pipe, which doesn't seem to require too much of an adjustment. As I have said before, the kit in itself seems to be complete and well made. The problem is that there is absolutely NO support from the, as he says, "half-blind" supplier. You are on your own!

BTW mine is a RB GT
Bob Cline

The 2.8 should be a V-6.
J

to Bob CLINE Alanta
What year engine and transmission(manual or auto)?
Will the Retro kit work with a bigger Ford v-6?
Are you using speed parts if so where are you getting them from?
JIM
jim johnston

I'm using a A4LD 4 speed O/D automatic. I will be using this as a daily driver and touring vechcle. If you know anything about Atlanta traffic...well.

Anyway, I didn't want to change the rear end. So with the 33% O/D and the stock 3.9, I'm hoping for a good compromise street/highway gear. The varoius Ford 5 speeds have O/D on the top gear, although I don't know how much. You can get a kit for either manual or O/D.

The remobable x-member had to be moved forward to acommodate the A4LD, but that was a simple task. If you stick with a pull-out engine/trans, you shouldn't have any problems. BTW, Get the Ranger/Bronco 2.8. It's better than the car 2.8. The later engines (2.9, 3.0 4.0)have fuel injection. The 2.9 is the only one that would fit, but you would have to get special headers as the 2.9 heads are different from the 2.8. Also you would have to live with the EFI.

Before you do or buy anything, I would get a copy of Sven Pruett's book How to Modify Ford 60 degree Ford Engines. It will save you lot of time.
Bob Cline

I happen to have an extra 3.0l V-6 and an A4LD tranny. I was thinking of testing the fit. I know it will fit block-wise, but how high the FI plenum will stick up is the question. It is a shame that there is not a carb manifold for the 3.0. This engine in stock form will push 147 HP, and can get up close to 200 with the right mods.

Did you try a test fit on a 3.0?
Michael Wish

Mike,
I don't know anything about the 3.0. The book I'm using, the correct title being "How to Build and Modify Ford 60 deg V-6 Engines" ISBN 0-87938-914-1,
doesn't cover this one. Just the 2.6, 2.8, 2.9 and 4.0. The 3.0 is a later engine, I believe. The later A4-type trannies are completly computer controlled, also. The earlier A4LD's require only a 12v circuit to constantly energize the lock-up the torque converter.

I bought the kit with the idea of simplicity and ease of installation and service. Ergo, no EFI.

If it's HP you are looking for, then I would suggest you look into the GM V-6 kits on the market and mentioned in the BBS or the alum 215 V-8. With extensive but not extremely expensive mods (if you do them yourself) to the 2.8, you can get about 180 hp.

With any of the other Ford V-6's it's going to be a custom engineered proposition.
Bob Cline

Bob,

I have looked into the GM V-6, but just happened to have the 3.0 and A4LD lying around right now. I realize it would be an extensive wiring proposition, but have been please with the quickness of the 3.0 in my son's Ranger. I also have 2 MG engines I need to do something with, so when the time comes, finances will probably dictate which direction I go.
Michael Wish

If you decide to sell your 3.0 and go with the gm2.8 or 3.4 60deg you can get the kit from Bill Guzman. It requires no welding. It comes with motor mounts, trans cross member and headers. I am in the process and have found performance parts easier to come by than for the ford 2.8 I had originally planned to use
Garret

Garret Koster

If you need to reach him his e-mail is Bggtv6@aol.com
Garret
Garret Koster

I have been in touch with Mr. Guzman. This was the original way I planned on going (probably will still). I though off the crate 3.4l but to my knowledge, you can only run FI on the 3.4l. What slowed down my going to this was all the talk of the 302 conversion. Then I got to looking at the LS1. I would love to have as much HP as possible without changing the handling characteristics ( and still have room to perform work in the engine bay), hence the V-6 appears to be the best swap. Also, I could race it at the nearest Road Course (Hallet Motor Speedway) where V-8's are not allowed.

My daily driver (74 GT) has taken a lot of my spare time lately. MOF, I am pulling the engine today to fit a new clutch and replace the rear main seal.
Michael Wish

One other thing: There is a guy across the River in Fort Smith, that did a 4.3l V-6 conversion in a CB Roadster. It is a nice conversion with side pipes, etc. Looks good, but the thing seems to be extremely heavy in the front. Might be fine in a straight line, but looks like it would be a bear in the corners.
Michael Wish

If I am not mistaken the 4.3 is 90deg heads. Makes it a little tough to fit. With the work I have done to my 2.8 I will be in the 190hp range. should be plenty quick with weight to hp ratio.
Garret
Garret Koster

Has anyone finished a 2.8 (chevy/ford) carbed conversion? How about remanufactured engines? Don't 2.8 chevy have rear distributers, clearance problem?
jim johnston

This thread was discussed between 11/04/2001 and 17/04/2001

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