MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - mgb gt 78 v8 conversion

I'm thinking of putting a rover v8 into my GT... I know its been done a thousend times before... But finding anyone who really seems to know the full in's and outs of whats involved on what age of car has proved a little difficult..

I've been told you can buy a conversion kit... And that the engine is a direct bolt in replacement for the B series.. using a new bell housing...

but... I've also been told that you need to change the rear axle.. gearbox, shaft etc..

HELP...

Regards
James


James

James,

Yes the conversion of a 78 car is relatively straightforward. as the engine bay was designed to take the the V8. I would sugggest that you use the rover SD1 g/box which is a lot stronger and that requires a small mod to the top of the trans tunnel. You do need a higher ratio in the back axle 3.07/1 is the standard V8 ratio and crown wheels and pinion are available.

Rover 3.9 engines are now going for reasonable figures on e-bay, best to try and get one with a complete EFI system as that will save you buying a carb and manifold which is about £500.00 and use less fuel.

If you check out the site I list below it will tell you basically all you need to know, although other options have become available since it was written.

Theres also a lot of information in the archives but you need to register which is free.

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/v8conv/v8convs.html

And to wet your appetite.


http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e258/castletine/P7090018.jpg

Kevin Jackson.
Kevin Jackson

James,

the engine compartment of the 1978 modell will except the engine without any changes, althoug the conversion kit for your car is the right way, as it contains many bits needed.

The rear axle to be used is the 3.3 or 3.09 version, using old MG-C items or one from a BGT V8 that also shares the 3.09 ratio. A RV8 Axle can also be modyfied to fit without great complications and there are also other solutions offered as shortened SD1 rear ends etc.

If you try to call Dave Vale from the V8 conversion centre or Clive Wealthy, they will explane all the points. Go for the adress details on mgcars.org MG B GT V8.

Ralph

Ralph

www.britishv8.org
rick ingram

Ralph.

I think you meant Clive Wheatley, although his prices are a bit higher than Dave Vale at V8 Conversions.

Kevin.
Kevin Jackson

I don't know if it will be any help to you, but I've started to detail my conversion on the blog site www.mgbclub.com. My blog is under the title "MG Mike" in the box on the left of the screen that says "Jump to Blog". Unfortunately, the story starts at the bottom and works upwards. My car is 1969, so I have had to do lots of mods that you wouldn't need to do on a 1978. I'll get some more posted when I get a moment.

Mike Howlett

James,

Loads of us on the MGOC forum, it's really not a difficult conversion.

Buy the book 'how to give your MGB V8 power' all will be revealed !!!!

Where are you...there are plenty of conversions up and down the country, go and have a look at a couple (maybe even scrounge a drive in one) and talk to the guys who have actually done it .

Go ahead ...I promise you will not regret it.
M Barnfather

This thread was discussed on 17/04/2007

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB Technical BBS now