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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - MGB V6 Project

Well now that I have sold my Z28 and we bought a house with a garage I am mulling over doing a MGB project. I really like the looks of the MGB but could do with a bit more power. There is the usual Buick/Rover V8 swap but the engine its self is fairly expensive and I want to do someting a bit different. So my thoughts wandered to a V6 powered B. The Buick V6 would be an excellent choice as it was derived from the V8 so I could use a lot of the V8 swap knowledge/documentation and possibly the motor mounts. I ruled out the older odd-fire V6 but the 79+ carb rwd even fire ones would do nice. Get a 3.8L V6 and 5 speed for not much and put a 4.1L intake and 4bbl carb on and I'd have a 140hp and a bunch of torque. There is also the possibility of taking a motor from a 96-2002 wreaked Camaro/Firebird. They came with 200hp / 240lb-ft V6s with the 5 speed. This way I'd get a fairly new engine with fuel injection. After relocating the battery to trunk I'd have a weight distribution really close to a standard B. I figured the total cost would be the area of $10K and would take my a year to finish depending on the condition of the inital car. So after all that I have a couple of questions:
How much is a fair price for a reasonably rust free MGB (68-73 or 74+ would be my preference) with a shot engine?

Are the Buick/Rover engine mounts usable for the V6?

And would buying a half finished project from someone else be reasonable?

What are the dimensions for the stock MGB motor (weight, width, height, length)?

I have a buddy of mine who has a 78 MGB that has been sitting for 5 years in unknown condition. Is it even worth looking at? I know I'll need to go through all the suspension and brakes but how much would that cost?

Thanks!

-------------------------------------------------
http://www.britishcarforum.com
Dave

Dave, there is a kit available for putting a 3.4 60° V6 in the MGB. It has gained a lot of popularity in the past few years. These engines are available from 2002 all the way back to 1989 GM models. The over all weight difference from the MGB engine/drive line is about 80 lbs.The newest ones are easily tuneable to over 200 HP. Look on the website at Killerbv6.com for more info. Send me email to ask more questions. Dann - British Car Conversions/ Killer Bee Conversions
Dann

BTW our V6 version MGB GT will be at the Grand Rapids, Michigan show if you can make it.
Dann

You might also want to consider the 60 degree 2.8/3.1/3.4 liter GM V6s from the late 80s through early 90s. The last rwd incarnation in the Camaro/Firebird was a 3.4 liter Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) with distributorless ignition (DIS) about 200hp and good torque.

The narrower V makes it an easy fit - no holes in the fender wells or block headers- no steering column issues and there are already a few kits on the market. A little less power than the 90 degree 3.8 liter, less aftermarket parts, but a much easier swap. If you go with a carb and distributor on a rubber bumper (2.8 or 3.1)- no cutting, welding, or EFI pump and return line issues.

Anyhow, you can take a look at the following sites for info on parts and this particular swap:

www.v6mgb.com (check the forum found here for discussion on various issues unique to this swap)

www.killerbv6.com (they do a kit to utilize the front wheel drive V6s which sport aluminum heads, and are cheap and plentiful)

Bill Guzman makes motor/tranny mounts and headers for about $500 total. His site is found here:

http://www.classicconversionseng.com/

If you are going the 3.4 SFI route and intend to retain the GM fuel injection, be sure to get as much of the harness as possible. Also, if you are pulling it off another car yourself, be sure to get the VATS (Vehicle Anti Theft System) box located behind the dash just to the left of the glovebox AND the ignition key. Why? because this stupid box sends a special signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) when the correct key is placed in the ignition. The GM keys have a little resistor with one of 15 possible resistance values. Measure the resistance of the resistor in the key then get one from radio shack. The resistor convinces the VATS box that you are not a theif, and the VATS box tells the PCM to enable the fuel injectors. The General loves his little acronyms for everthing.

The alternative is to buy a black box designed to fake out the PCM. This black box issue might also apply to the 3.8 as well. Anyhow, Brian McCullogh sells them and other swap stuff. His site is at:

http://www.drive.to/bmc.com
(then click on the MGB conversion link)

Good luck whatever road you choose,

Brian Corrigan
Brian

Whoops, I meant 2002 back to 1993 models.Before that and now there is a 3.1 model also.
Dann

Hmmm ... thanks guy. The Chevy V6 is definitly something to consider. I just assumed the Buick would easier to fit with it being so similar to the Rover/Buick V8. But those Chevy V6s are everywhere. I'll check out those links.
Dave

Brian C.,
Thank you for the mentionings.

Dave,
One thing to add.. Shawn's V6 Forum does not normally come up for me under his website..
My website links has it listed, so you can get it there-

But, heres a direct link:

http://amazingforums.com/forum/V6MGB/forum.html

He even goes as far as placing a link to <Gulp> Ford 2.8L V6 conversions on his website. ;-)

Good luck,
-Brian Mc Cullough.
BMC Brian McCullough

This thread was discussed between 08/08/2002 and 10/08/2002

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