what is the best engine that will fit my 1971 mgb gt.

[timcrowe]

hi I'm looking for the best option to do something fun with my 1971 mgb gt. i was wondering if any one could help me out in telling me what engine would fit best into it as i plan to keep the stock look but have a total engine make over if that may include gear box also?

[GingerWizard]

i believe there was a e46 BMW engined one knocking about somewhere.....

[v8250]

logically a rover v8 + r380 box. or even a mazda 2 ltr + 6-speed box as per 2012 LE50?

there are a fair few cars out there with high output modern ford engines i.e. simple mechanicals, readily available parts, good for tuning, and cost-effective.

[na]

v8250 said:

logically a rover v8 + r380 box. or even a mazda 2 ltr + 6-speed box as per 2012 LE50?

from personal experience a RV8 is nice

also from personal experience I would strongly recommend you buy from and have any work done by others rather than the outfit that are doing that LE50 project :thumbdown:

Edited by na on Tuesday 6th December 10:44

[alfa pint]

Apparently a toyota V8 from a soarer will fit in, but only comes with an auto box. There's quite a few people put in a ford zetec 4 pot, someone with a mitsubishi V6 in there and the odd K series conversion. Another one that fits well is the O series turbo engine from a rover 220 turbo.

A rover v8 will fit your 71 car, but you'll either need to swap the crossmember for a rubber bumper one, and/or replace the bonnet for one with a suitably large bulge, depending on which carb / efi option you go for.

The easiest and probably cheapest option is to sell your car and buy one that's already been converted. I reckoned it would cost me about £5k to put a V8 in my B. I could buy a B V8 that someone had already done for about £6-10k.

[mgtony]

Came accross this on Ebay the other day and it got me thinking:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Ford-Zetec-Engine-2-...

Good job my engine's okay at the moment or else I can see myself starting something I wish I hadn't.

[na]

alfa pint said:

The easiest and probably cheapest option is to sell your car and buy one that's already been converted. I reckoned it would cost me about £5k to put a V8 in my B. I could buy a B V8 that someone had already done for about £6-10k.

subject to the quality of the work done I totally agree

as said R/B models are easier to convert and the extra height and rubber bumper can be usefull in a car that is used on rough roads and for more regular use

ETA: and holiday touring on back roads when the car is fully loaded down


my V8 from many years ago - ignore the the shiny oversills it came with those

Edited by na on Tuesday 6th December 10:51

[na]

mgtony said:

Came accross this on Ebay the other day and it got me thinking:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Ford-Zetec-Engine-2-...

Good job my engine's okay at the moment or else I can see myself starting something I wish I hadn't.

hi Tony,

I prefer the old 8v engines with more torque and less revs to the newer 16v all revs and less torque

if you're having a 16v you want 8 cylinders really

[timcrowe]

could any of give me a basic idea on exactly i would have to do. like an engine gear box etc...
and a general price
thanks

Edited by timcrowe on Wednesday 7th December 03:08

[alfa pint]

How long's a piece of string?

Depends on the engine and the level of tune tbh. The overdrive unit won't stand up to too much torque and neither will the prop shaft, so the chances are you'll have to replace them.

There is a great book called something like 'how to put a v8 in your mg b' which might be by lindsay porter, but I wouldn't swear to it. It focuses on the rover v8 conversion.

Don't forget you'll have to make improvements to brakes and suspension components while you're at it.

Which engine are you thinking of? How much do they cost? Will it need reconditioned? Should it be reconditioned while it's out? Do you need to make specific engine mounts? How much work are you doing yourself? If it's a V8, will you cut holes in the inner wings for the manifolds? What fuel system are you wanting to use? SUs? Webers? Motorbike carbs? Throttle bodies? Fuel injection~? Big 4 barrel Holley? Will you need to improve the cooling? Is the engine heavier than the B series?

And so on ad nauseum.....

However, I calculated on about £5k to put a 200bhp Rover V8 in mine. Which is why it's cheaper to trawl the classifieds and find one that's already been converted.

[na]

alfa pint said:

. . .And so on ad nauseum.....

However, I calculated on about £5k to put a 200bhp Rover V8 in mine. Which is why it's cheaper to trawl the classifieds and find one that's already been converted.

X1

I see a pattern from two who have owned V8 Bs at least

this is a big subject on each engine option let alone as a whole, if your serious you'll research and study, buy the books or buy a converted car even then unless you buy very well indeed you'll need to work on it a bit but this way you'll learn at a cheaper rate and be able to drive the car at the same time (if you buy well)

you could start by buying this book as it's reduced in price and will tell you about V8s in Bs - (Ref: 4780) http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/MG_Books.html

Edited by na on Wednesday 7th December 13:26

[MG CHRIS]

Don't frontline enginering do a kit for the k-series engine for around 3 grand ive seen one with a turbo fitted producing around 250bhp i believe that would be fun to drive.

[na]

yes

see my first post on this thread though