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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - V8 Conversion costs & questions

I've been tossing around the idea of doing a V8 conversion on my 78 B for about a year now, and I've got a few questions about V8 costs.

I know a guy that lives near my who has a couple of rover V8s in his garage. One with EFI, one with a Holley 4-barrel and 2 with the standard SU intake setup. I'm not entirely sure of the condition of the engines, but I understand that they all ran when he aquired them. What would be a fair price for these engines? Keeping in mind that I intend to rebuild whatever engine I get regardless.

This leads me to my next question. Does anyone know how much a "complete" rebuild kit for a Rover V8 costs? Is there such a thing available, or do you have to get all the parts indivdually?

Also, I'd like to put a 5spd tranny behind my future engine. I like the idea of these Sierra Cosworth rebuilt boxes from the U.K., but would this bolt up to a Rover V8? They are supposed to bolt to the 4-cyl with no problem.

Any help with these questions would be appreciated.

Andrew
Andrew Turner

Andrew,
I cannot help too much other than some basic tips.. The engine is worth what he and you can make a deal on. I have seen complete just pulled 3.9L motors with harness, ECU and everything go for $1500, I have seen complete olds motors go for $200 pan to carb. All depends on condition, and seller's thoughts of what they are worth.

I have not seen a rebuild kit for Rover, but I did ot do a rover so never looked, I am sure they are out there someplace..

On the tranny, I would not go for a Sierra, get a GM T5, it is made to take V8 power, and you will have lots of people to ask querstions if you run into problems..

I hope that helps a little, I am sure more people will speak up soon..
Larry Embrey

I had twelve or thirteen Buicks/Olds 215 that were cores several years back. I sold them for between $150 to $200 each.

There is a 3.5L from a 1980 SD1 for sale here for $450; about 65,000 miles.

I was at D&D Fabrication a couple of weeks ago and he had a good TR8 motor with carb for $8-900. He's somewhat close you in Almont Michigan

At a junkyard this weekend, I found a 3.9L with some fire damange to the fuel injection components from a dash fire, but the long block looked undamaged for $350.

When I last totaled all the parts to build a 215/3.5L I came to $12-1500, not including labor. This makes the RPI engines quite attractive, in my opinion.

Phil
Phil

About the box. The GM T5 is an attractive option, but how much would a bellhousing cost plus all the other components. And where to get them?

Frank
Frank de Groot

Andrew,
The Sierra Cosworth did use the Borg Warner T5, and is therefore well able to cope with 200++ BHP. However, as Larry suggests, the GM T5 is reckoned to be the one to go for as it readily available in the US and will mate directly to certain Buick/ Olds' bellhousings without an adaptor plate.
I priced up parts and machining for a comprehensive engine rebuild and it was very expensive. As Phil suggests, buying a new or "as new" unit from a reputable specialist is a surprisingly good option. RPI and and V8 Developments, here in the UK, are well respected (can't comment for the US). The other option is to buy a good runner. This is what I have done, having had to dump 2 engines which were basically scrap. Be warned, buying cheap can cost more!
Pete Green

I've got a little over $3,000 in my rebuilt Rover V8 &, that doesn't include the intake setup...it does, however, include the RV8 headers, an aluminum billet flywheel, new AE Hepalite pistons, etal, balancing, head work to include oversize valves, porting, etc, new Isky cam & lifters, crank, etc, etc, etc...&, I've still gotta buy a starter
anthony barnhill

You'll split hairs between having a 'crate motor' shipped from England, and rebuilding one here on this side of the pond. Do the fuel injection. It isn't hard, and it's cool as hell. ;)

Dan Lagrou at D & D fabrications currently has a bellhousing to mate a GM T5 to the rover/buick 215 block. I think current selling price is $260.00 In retrospect my car would have gotten a T5 instead of the rover 5 speed, but such is life.

Not a cheap conversion by any means, but it is SO rewarding!

Justin
Justin

Andrew, call me at 519-725-2895. I can answer all your questions about building an MGB V8 in Canada. I can supply you with the conversion "kit".

Martyn Harvey
Martyn Harvey

Andrew,

You didn't say whether you would be getting one or all of the engines so this is what I would recommend.

Look at the engine number and find out what they came out of (Buick, Rover etc). Above the engine number is the compression ratio. You could get either, say a 8.13:1 out of a Range Rover or a 9.35:1 out of an SD1.

This will make a huge difference to the power output of the engine, unless of course you change all the internals during reconditioning. The Sd1 would go pretty well, but the 8.13:1 out of an old Range Rover wouldn't pull the skin off a rice custard.

You may even be lucky and score a 3.9L Range Rover engine (check the fuel injected engine).

HTH

Stainzy
Stainzy

Posted 09 September 2002 at 23:14:41 UK time
"Martyn Harvey, Ontario, Canada, harv8@sympatico.ca
Andrew, call me at 519-725-2895. I can answer all your questions about building an MGB V8 in Canada. I can supply you with the conversion "kit".

Martyn Harvey "


What kind of kit and what kind of price are?


Peeps everwhere

Unfortunately, all North American SD1s (1980 0nly) were 8.13 cr!! Earlier (69-71) P6Bs were higher cr - about 10.50 I believe.
Martyn Harvey

Andrew,
Here are a few alternatives:

http://www.v6mgb.com

Yup, I like the GM 60? V6.


bmcmcc@mnautox.com
BMC Brian McCullough

I have just had my 1962 buick 215V8 rebuilt. I purchased a deluxe rebuild kit through Kanter Auto. It ran $900.00 for the kit which included everything to do a long block rebuild. Very happy with the outcome www.kanter.com

Good luck,

Daniel
Daniel Biddix

I recently found 6 old Buicks sitting in a junkyard up in Fayetteville, Tennessee..engines still in them..yard is grown over with trees & grass...guy said I could pull the engines for $150 apiece...don't need them as my Rover engine is finished & I have 2 stripped Buick blocks.
anthony barnhill

This thread was discussed between 09/09/2002 and 26/09/2002

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