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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Rearend reccomendations

Hi all, great site! Just completed a 3.4 V6 conversion in my MGB, any reccomendations for rearend upgrades? I would like to keep the splined hubs, for my knockoff minilites. Don't know if thats an issue or not. Thanks, Bryan
Bryan Heidtman

Bryan,
Congrads on your completed conversion.

You can use ANY rear end you want, just get a set of aftermarket bolt on splined hubs from one of the retailers and bolt it onto the rear end of choice. My personal favorite (favourite) diff is the Camaro/S10 unit. Smaller then the Fords, and (I think) has more of an aftermarket following.

I reccomend a 3.42 ratio or a 3.73 ratio depending on your gearing in the 'box and the power output from the motor. ALWAYS get limited slip.

-BMC.
BMC Brian McCullough

Bryan,
Are you wanting to upgrade to go to limitted slip, better reliability, ratio, or more tourqe capacity?
Is your diff warn out now?
I am in the process of starting a 3.4 conversion and have the same question but my diff is shot so I have to replace it anyways.
Chris
c l sorenson

Chris,
If you want a stock MG B rear end for 1970-1976 and 1977-1980, I have a few, cheap.

I reccomend them to be replaced since:
-Limited slip is far less costly for GM and Ford
-gear ratios for other axles are more common and easier to replace with more aftermarket support
-When built correctly, the standard MG B rear end can be placed back in the car without any hassels
-although a MG B rear axle is known to be able to put up with the torque increase of some mighty beefy conversions, the GM and Ford units were built for larger cars putting out more BHP and Tq.

The complete cost of finding a good gear ratio like the MG C 3.31 is hard, and usually expensive (and then impossible to replace!). The good Limited slips for these are usually around $1300, wheras one for a GM is $300 to $400. You can get bigger brakes easy. The right unit will weigh within pounds of the MG B rear end. The cost and time involved in setup of the perfect stock MG B rear axle takes longer and costs more according to what i have seen.

FWIW,
-Brian Mc Cullough.
BMC Brian McCullough

I'm looking for a Dana rear end out of an old mail truck...then, I'll sell my perfect MGC rear end!
anthony barnhill

Brian
Thanks for the tip.
Where is the best place to buy the Camero/S10 modified rear-end?
What do they cost. I am on a very tight budget.
Chris
c l sorenson

Chevy 10 bolts from a Camaro or S-10 should be available for under $100 with the Eaton style posi. Narrowing should cost under $500 if you can find a machine shop that is familiar with this type of work. Check with local hot rodders or racers and find out if there's a shop in your area. The rear axle for my car cost $50 and $350 to narrow four years ago in Kansas City. I still had to fabricate spring perches and weld them on.
Has anyone thought of installing the Chevy gear housing onto MG axle tubes? I'm looking into that for my MGA project in order to keep the wire wheels and parking brake linkage.
Bill Young

Chris,
Just use the stock rear end for now. When you have everything else finished, do a rear end. In this way, you can spread out the load and not skimp. If you go cheap, you will end up paying more in the end or taking more time that could be spent driving the car.
-BMC.
BMC Brian McCullough

Thanks for the help, gang. I'll stick with the original for now.
Chris
c l sorenson

FWIW:

I have a B&S 3.9 litre Rover with T5 and an 8" Ford with Auburn 3.27 posi.

rick
rick ingram

Modified S-10 rear ends, ready to bolt into an MGB, are available from D & D Fabrications 810-798-2491. Posi and disc brakes also available.
Kurt Schley

Not that I am going to purchase one...but does anyone know if the S-10 rears he sells are the VERY strong 8.5 inch "big 10" that comes in the ZR2 or if it is the relatively weak 7.5 inch that comes in most S-10s? This is definitely something to look at if you are dropping large coin to pay for!

Galen
G.P. Copes

GM also has some beefier 7 5/8" R&P's in Camaros and S-trucks. It seems to make a big difference, while nowhere near as stout as the 8 1/2".
Glenn

This thread was discussed between 11/11/2003 and 20/11/2003

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