MGB GT thoughts
Discussion
Hi All,
I have been spending some time reading around the MGB GT and what can be done regards turning a already solid bog standard car to something that retains the external charm but braught up to modern standards in its driving.
I have noticed Frontline have alot of mods for the suspension front, rear, brakes which should transform the car in my opinion. A 5 speed gear box along with a LSD should help transfer the small power from the 1.8 unit but what has got me thinking has been the engine power to match all the upgrades to the handling!
Yes there are the Kseries and t series engine however moss europe do a stage 2 2100cc engine! Has any one any experience with the larger engine and what would it feel like attached to the car along with full exhaust system, moss supercharger and pully kit? Would the engine cope as I persume it would go very well along with the gear box and LSD?
Thoughts welcome as its something that I have been interested for a couple of years now and may go ahead with the first step and buy a car which has been restored to further upgrade.
Thanks Richard
I have been spending some time reading around the MGB GT and what can be done regards turning a already solid bog standard car to something that retains the external charm but braught up to modern standards in its driving.
I have noticed Frontline have alot of mods for the suspension front, rear, brakes which should transform the car in my opinion. A 5 speed gear box along with a LSD should help transfer the small power from the 1.8 unit but what has got me thinking has been the engine power to match all the upgrades to the handling!
Yes there are the Kseries and t series engine however moss europe do a stage 2 2100cc engine! Has any one any experience with the larger engine and what would it feel like attached to the car along with full exhaust system, moss supercharger and pully kit? Would the engine cope as I persume it would go very well along with the gear box and LSD?
Thoughts welcome as its something that I have been interested for a couple of years now and may go ahead with the first step and buy a car which has been restored to further upgrade.
Thanks Richard
you're making an assumption that all these things improve the car, that might not be the case overall
some 'improvements' spoil the nature and balance of the car obviously if you do too much you will end up with a car that only looks like a B which may be your aim
whatever you do for power you could always do more so why not start with a car that has more power at the start
it would be a lot cheaper to buy a a car already converted to a good quality
pushing the old b-series out too much can be less productive than a change of engine type, but the k-series is an old engine now
you really need to drive a standard car that regularly used and in good mechanical condition then a converted upgraded car to see what's what
all personal taste of course
buy Frontline kits from places that give you a proper warranty like Moss, MGOC ect.
some 'improvements' spoil the nature and balance of the car obviously if you do too much you will end up with a car that only looks like a B which may be your aim
whatever you do for power you could always do more so why not start with a car that has more power at the start
it would be a lot cheaper to buy a a car already converted to a good quality
pushing the old b-series out too much can be less productive than a change of engine type, but the k-series is an old engine now
you really need to drive a standard car that regularly used and in good mechanical condition then a converted upgraded car to see what's what
all personal taste of course
buy Frontline kits from places that give you a proper warranty like Moss, MGOC ect.
na +1
Richard, luckily all this has been done before. The real trick is to ask yourself what you want from the car. Many MGB's have had £1000's spent on them with mods that often disappoint. The Frontline/Hoyle type mods will transform the car, however, you will lose the MGB 'feel'. A properly set-up MGB still running with lever arms + upgraded springs + ARB's + poly bushes will give a very rewarding drive. IMHO LSD's are not needed until you hit 150-200bhp which means a V8 engine and even then a standard diff' will still give excellent performance.
Engine-wise, be careful with 2100cc units as there's simply not enough block material. If it's power you want do consider a V8 with that wonderful burble and plenty of power/torque. If it's a more livelier engine, why not an 1860cc MGB unit? If for all round better performance + fuel economy a K series or 2.0litre Ford engine makes sense.
Gearbox-wise, a Ford Type9, or even better an R380
There are many good forums where you can discuss this with others who have completed similar projects. You will save yourself many £££'s if you buy a car that's already been mod'ed. Ultimately it's your choice that will be determined by your budget. Take a look here for some inspiration...
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/32/v8/
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/search-classic...
Richard, luckily all this has been done before. The real trick is to ask yourself what you want from the car. Many MGB's have had £1000's spent on them with mods that often disappoint. The Frontline/Hoyle type mods will transform the car, however, you will lose the MGB 'feel'. A properly set-up MGB still running with lever arms + upgraded springs + ARB's + poly bushes will give a very rewarding drive. IMHO LSD's are not needed until you hit 150-200bhp which means a V8 engine and even then a standard diff' will still give excellent performance.
Engine-wise, be careful with 2100cc units as there's simply not enough block material. If it's power you want do consider a V8 with that wonderful burble and plenty of power/torque. If it's a more livelier engine, why not an 1860cc MGB unit? If for all round better performance + fuel economy a K series or 2.0litre Ford engine makes sense.
Gearbox-wise, a Ford Type9, or even better an R380
There are many good forums where you can discuss this with others who have completed similar projects. You will save yourself many £££'s if you buy a car that's already been mod'ed. Ultimately it's your choice that will be determined by your budget. Take a look here for some inspiration...
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/32/v8/
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/search-classic...
Thanks for the replys, yes I must try driving a standard car first and compair it against a modified car such as a kseries. Edd from frontline has mentioned that I can pop down and be driven in the car to see what a car is like with 170+bhp per ton! I should have mentioned that I enjoy older cars for their shape and retro/classic looks compaired to modern cars however I do not enjoy their reliability or lack of modern power. I have had a the mr2 mrk2 and loved its bussy engine and currently my z3 has lots of torque. I would like to find a chrome bumper car that has had a recent refurb i.e.paint work, rust treatment and sills but aim to give it a modern running gear/suspension OR modern suspension, gearbox and upgrade the orgininal engine as this would require less mod work to the engine bay.
I thought the t series engine transplant that it ment to be a drop in would be a good compromise but I have not heard about the ford engine choice, does this require major work?
I thought the t series engine transplant that it ment to be a drop in would be a good compromise but I have not heard about the ford engine choice, does this require major work?
a classic doesn't have to be slow, poor handling or unreliable it's manly the previous and current owners that make them so
older cars are not generally quick or very fast but they can feel so, it's all about how they feel to you rather than figures on paper or where the speedo needle is pointing or pub bar bragging
a few updates can make living with them easier and even more reliable but a lot of that is only down to the poor quality of some modern modern parts, the old parts can be fine some have already lasted 30, 40+ years
older cars are not generally quick or very fast but they can feel so, it's all about how they feel to you rather than figures on paper or where the speedo needle is pointing or pub bar bragging
a few updates can make living with them easier and even more reliable but a lot of that is only down to the poor quality of some modern modern parts, the old parts can be fine some have already lasted 30, 40+ years
The B engine taken to 2.1 is at the limit and careful boring to stop breakthrou, keep to 1860 -1900cc
A fast road cam, maniflow exhaus and manifold and small porting of the head. will do wonders carbs take your pick webers or 1'3/4"'s
Ploybush the car and lower it for improved handling.
You can go on and on!!
www.mgexperience.net is a good site for all MG's
A fast road cam, maniflow exhaus and manifold and small porting of the head. will do wonders carbs take your pick webers or 1'3/4"'s
Ploybush the car and lower it for improved handling.
You can go on and on!!
www.mgexperience.net is a good site for all MG's
Thanks for all your replys and personal email which are all greatful because I need to consider which way I would like to go with this. Does anyone know of any other specialists out there who are mgb engne converstion experts in the kseries, ford engine or tuning the normal engine to provide a classic look with performance figures to match for example my Z3. I dont have the time or skills to do the work myself thats why I look into specialist.
Richard
Richard
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