sebring v8 conversion

[v8 racing]

hi guys i am after a bit of information, i am intending to build a sebring rep, i build rover v8 engines for a living so it will most definetly end up with a nice rover engine, the main thing i am after is what rear axle to use? my dad has got an old jag axle that he used in his rallycross mgb but surely things have moved on from jag axles? also the front suspension? any ideas thanks

[na]

you could try asking on the MG BBS - http://www2.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgb...

sections to try:
Modified MGAs and MGBS
MGB Engine Conversions
MG Motorsport
MGB Technical

[v8250]

Choice of back axle will depend upon power output/engine torque and budget. Roger Williams MGB V8 book gives some very good guidance [engine, to box choice i.e. LT77, R380, Toyata to back-end et al].

Are you wanting to keep live back-end or go Jag IRS route? There's always a Hoyle IRS using XJ6 LSD? Or T5/T5Z box with Quaiffe/Gripper?

It's worth looking on the following links for more info:

http://www.vord.net/cars/mgb_mods/updates.html

http://mgv8.homestead.com/Conversions.html

http://www.v8register.net/

Front/Rear suspension see Roger's book again - it has very clear options with well proven combinations/set-ups [ISBN 1904788939]. Good luck on project.

PS am assuming you'll be taking manifolds out through wings

[LordBretSinclair]

v8250 said:

PS am assuming you'll be taking manifolds out through wings

+1. RV8 manifolds work very well

[Moikey Fortune]

Good Luck with the project!

Will it be a road going version or just for track use?

Please keep us updated with the progress

[v8 racing]

Thanks for the replies, i will look into those books and websites, i want the car to be a road car but it will be built to do trackdays hillclimbs etc..., the drivetrain will be a rover engine making around 400hp with a t5 gearbox, i no it wont be a 5 minute job but realisticaly i would like to have it done in 2 years, since my dad had a supercharged v8 one in rallycross back in the 70/80's i have allways loved the shape.

[SWH]

Have had these guys bookmarked for ages, for when money and time availability match up:
http://www.hoyle-engineering.co.uk/

Seen many different RV8 style options for the front, then then total replacement type options like these guys do as well... but not seen a full replacement rear setup such as this before, other than Jag IRS setups; anyway, looks very neat - anyone got experience of it in action?

[v8250]

v8 racing said:

Thanks for the replies, i will look into those books and websites, i want the car to be a road car but it will be built to do trackdays hillclimbs etc..., the drivetrain will be a rover engine making around 400hp with a t5 gearbox, i no it wont be a 5 minute job but realisticaly i would like to have it done in 2 years, since my dad had a supercharged v8 one in rallycross back in the 70/80's i have allways loved the shape.

I picked up a very original 1977 B' earlier this year with the plan to do similar upgrade. With much pleasure, I'm enjoying this B' so much in std form that I'm leaving her as she is. The car's huge fun and think I've been lucky in finding a genuine 'good one'. Have made some slight changes - in process of upgrading bushes and suspension all round - keeping lever arms and live back-end but with a few tweeks. Then to address engine c/o Mr Burgess, exhaust, and ignition/timing/distributor.

Still hankering after V8 B', so have decided to buy rubber bumpered GT with good body, change over to 3.9/4.0ltr engine and R380 gearbox. Remove RB's and fit sebring fr/rr valence. Really don't need any more than 200bhp, so will keep suspension relatively std but set-up correctly.

Your 400hp with a T5 'box will be a flying machine. Good luck with project.

[v8 racing]

i am hoping it will be pretty rapid!, i have fitted quite a few 4.6 engines into customers cars and they are quite impresive with around 280hp, has anybody used the bmw rear end on an mg yet?

[Chilliman]

v8 racing said:

i am hoping it will be pretty rapid!, i have fitted quite a few 4.6 engines into customers cars and they are quite impresive with around 280hp, has anybody used the bmw rear end on an mg yet?

Rob, I'm thinking of selling my factory BGT V8....

[v8 racing]

Chilliman said:

v8 racing said:

i am hoping it will be pretty rapid!, i have fitted quite a few 4.6 engines into customers cars and they are quite impresive with around 280hp, has anybody used the bmw rear end on an mg yet?

Rob, I'm thinking of selling my factory BGT V8....

Hi rich thanks but i can't see the point of buyng a genuine car and then ripping it apart to put a different engine in and arches etc..., i thought that was a keeper for you?

[Chilliman]

Still might be keeping her Rob, but my B roadster (probably didn't tell you about that one) is ready for a nut and bolt rebuild, and she's definately a keeper coz my daughter insists it's gonna be hers one day. I also hardly drive the V8 since I got my monster back from you

ps, back on the 9th, planning to drop her back very shortly after that if it's ok....

[v8 racing]

Chilliman said:

Still might be keeping her Rob, but my B roadster (probably didn't tell you about that one) is ready for a nut and bolt rebuild, and she's definately a keeper coz my daughter insists it's gonna be hers one day. I also hardly drive the V8 since I got my monster back from you

ps, back on the 9th, planning to drop her back very shortly after that if it's ok....

yeh thats fine drop off when you can, do you not fancy fitting an eight in your roadster for your daughter? imagine all the boys around her then lol!

[Chilliman]

Hmm, actually been thinking about it for a good while now, and she's a real petrolhead However, the roadster's a '72, and like the V8 (which is a '74) I decided to keep them both as near original as possible.. If I was going to do a V8 conversion it would have to be a 3000M.. Mmmm

[culminator]

Hi Chilli,

Sorry for the thread hi jack but I may be in the market for a GTV8. I'm in the process of selling my Aero 8 and thinking of some cheap fun. A GTV8 fits the bill and having had a few in the past, I'm keen to get another.

Email details: [e-mail]

Cheers

[v8mgbgt]

Have fitted Jaguar IRS suspension to MGB if anyone's interested.

http://www.mgbv8.co.uk/

[v8bloke]

Hi
I have a sebring Gt V8 which i use mainly for trackdays. It is road legal and very quick. Over the last 10 years or so it has evolved into a bit of a hybrid. Have a look at this clip it was a trackday last March with Lotus on track. As you can see the handling is quite amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muIYiftiflg
My advice is to keep the MGB axle with 3.07:1 crown wheel and pinion but use composite leaf springs with a panhard rod and anti tramps.
My engine spec is 4.8 short stroke with Merlin heads, huffaker inlet manifold, edelbrock 500 carb and mechanical 238 cam with Yella Terra roller rockers.
I have 2 mates that were so impressed they have built clone copies although one is a roadster.
Cheers

Mark

[ctsdave]

Hi Rob,

Have you spoken to Malcolm Beer about this? He has forgot more about MG's than most people know, plus has been involved with racing them for 30+ years! Also, look at the MGCC BCV8 championship (dad used to race in this class D before the TVR). We ran a standard back axle for series regs but telescopic shocks, panard rod, tramp bar etc... It was on slicks but always handled well!!

HTH

Dave

[v8250]

v8bloke said:

Hi
I have a sebring Gt V8 which i use mainly for trackdays. It is road legal and very quick. Over the last 10 years or so it has evolved into a bit of a hybrid. Have a look at this clip it was a trackday last March with Lotus on track. As you can see the handling is quite amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muIYiftiflg
My advice is to keep the MGB axle with 3.07:1 crown wheel and pinion but use composite leaf springs with a panhard rod and anti tramps.
My engine spec is 4.8 short stroke with Merlin heads, huffaker inlet manifold, edelbrock 500 carb and mechanical 238 cam with Yella Terra roller rockers.
I have 2 mates that were so impressed they have built clone copies although one is a roadster.
Cheers

Mark

Hello Mark, that's a very impressive video with a nicely balanced car; you must have put in some long hours over 10 years. I have PM'd you with a question.

[v8bloke]

v8250
Thanks and yes it has been a lot of work and things havent always gone to plan. Did a trackday last Saturday with Lotus on Track and found this clip of my car from trackside. I did 6 sessions with 12 cars on track and was not overtaken once. Car now has 336bhp and weighs 980kg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQkCMkgsqK0&fea...

Mark