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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - what are they like to drive

Ive bought an MGB Gt in kit form ie a bodyshell and all the bits in boxes and i have done lots of research on it goes together read the book and asked loads of questions, but one thing i would love to know is just what are these cars like to drive, what have i got to look forward too when i eventually put it all together.
dean stanton

Dean, Is your kit a V8 or not? If not post on the MGB General for a better chance of responses.
Mike Howlett

Dean,
Apart from Mike's suggestion which is a good one I would find a local club and angle a ride in one similar to yours to get a "feel for the real" as the expression goes.
This will give a far better idea than aything in print!

Horror stories about about all cars and B's and BGT's ae no different in that regard.
Personally I tend to take it all with some suspicion unless I know the speaker well enough to know that they know what they are on about.

Good luck with your project.
Cheers, Pete.
Peter Thomas

Sorry forgot to mention it is a V8 (not factory built)but seems to have all the right bits except the right ratio axle and lower carb set up
dean stanton

just to add to this ive previously owned an mgb 1.8 but have never driven a 3.5 car just wondered how they go, can the chassis handle all that power etc.
dean stanton

Dean, one word, YEHAAA. THey are a complete blast to drive. I am going to assume you are building up a Buick/Rover car. They will be a toucvh lighter than stock up front which will help handling in an already quick car. Get in touch with your local club, they should have someone with a V8 willing to let your have a ride..

Larry
Larry Embrey

Dean,

Larry is right - even with a standard (eg SD1/Range Rover)sourced Rover V8 driving a V8 is very different to a stock 1.8 B series powered MGB. Remember that when the factory launched the MGBGTV8 in 1973 they claimed 0-60 in about 8 secs compared to 11.5 secs for the 1.8 litre. Whilst 8 secs doesn't seem that fast these days, when the factory V8 was launched a Escort 1.3 managed 0-60 in 18 secs, whilst the Mini 1275 GT managed 13.5 secs. The Rover V8 has loads more torque than the 1.8, and it's no heavier. Have fun.
Adrian

Awesome!!
Bruce

As a comparison to the numbers above, my 5.0L car will be doing 102MPH when that Mini 1275 is reaching 60. I am doing 82 mph in 9 seconds in current trim with a STOCK MGB rear end, wheels and tires..

Once I get the Ford posi rear end installed and some better tires it will be even faster.

Larry
Larry Embrey

Dean,

I have mine on the road but still trying to get it right.

Its as much fun to drive as it is watching the panels vibrate on the modern cars when you rumble past them. It is a wonderful feeling when that Golf GTI suddenly realises that that 'Old car' that he was going to cut up is pulling away from him.

Frank
frank swinton

This thread was discussed between 31/08/2002 and 03/09/2002

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