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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Which V8 engine

Which engine,transmission and rear is the most desired? Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,Cecil
Cecil Gregory

Gosh, what an open-ended question. I assume you mean with the BOP/R family(?) I ask because in some ways the "most desired" is probably a Ford 302, though (i) you're on your own stuffing it in there, and (ii) it will probably -- though this remains to be tested -- largely devalue the car as compared to a "standard" Rover conversion. By "most desired", I'll just guess you mean provide good performance, reasonable brit-car authenticity, can be done without modding exterior or interior of car, and has a salutary effect on the car's value. In that case, I'd suggest:

- Rover 3.9 V8 (or 4.2, which is a stroker of the same, for a little more bottom end -- most people favor 3.9 but guys like Towery favor 4.2)

- Rover 5-speed (in this country, most likely from a TR8) gearbox

- MGC 3.07 rear end. (There are many perfectly sound alternatives such as Ford 8", but I'm trying to keep this brit-feeling for you.)
Ted


Nah! With all due respect, the "classic" combination is British body coupled with American powertrain.
That combination was preferred long before the MGB was even introduced.

The Rover engine is commonly used, but it's just a knock-off of the Classic Buick design (with all
due respect, mind you ;) The Buick engines are starting to get a little hard to come by, even
State-side, and are just plain rare everywhere else,. The Rover version isn't too hard to find anymore.

The Borg-Warner T5 is a good, modern transmission.

There are several good axle alternatives - but I think most people would agree that a limited-slip differential is "preferred". It's kind of a pain to get that feature into an MGC axle... Ford 8" has long
been a popular choice, but the newer Ford 8.8 axles are becoming increasingly popular.

I just hate hearing anyone bring resale value into the conversation. If you're building the car with
your own sweat and tears it's almost more like a pet than a material possession. You worry
more about finding it a good home than you do about its "value".
Curtis

Curtis,

The old Rover/Buick is available new and running up to 5.5L now, so maybe old but still going.

The Hoyle front and rear IRS with cossie diff (choice of ratio's) would be my preferred set up prob with T5 box.

Paul
Paul

Cecil,
The Rover V8 was "preferred" by Leyland because it was the only one they had apart from the abysmal Triumph Stag V8 so the talk of it being "traditional" and other drivel is simply to cover up a lack of options.

Because MG got stuck with it I see no reason why someone else should have to follow suit unless they want to.
One thing in the Rover V8's favour is the amount of knowledge and parts available for the swap.

In other words which engine YOU want in YOUR car is the most desired.

Let's get this in perspective here...Chevrolet alone in the US market had more V8 engines in production than the entire British motor industry at the time the Rover deal was done.
That still leaves Ford, Chrysler and the rest of GM to go.

As to devaluing the cars...driving the car does exactly the same thing and raises the obvious question:
Why exactly did you buy it in the first place?

Cheers, Pete.
Peter Thomas

v8? cecil, come over to the dark side, GM 60 degree v6 is the way to go, parts are easier to get, less costly, conversion itself is less headaches, less costly, easier and requires no body mods, mine has 225hp goes like hell, gets 26mpg and doesn't ever overheat, at least that is when the battery ground strap is connected properly, come to grand rapids, MI in august and check out all the options, good luck, jim
j.a.madson

It's as much a question of cost and availability but if a BMW V8 came your way....
Roger

This thread was discussed between 07/07/2002 and 10/07/2002

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