rubber bumper mgb gt suspension upgrades??

[J4ckwdh]

Hey all, just bought a gt and intend to stick a rover v8 in it, the question is what suspension upgrades would be best to make the car able to take and put down the power?.

A budget of 1000£

Can’t afford a totally new rear kit from moss or frontline.

Car will be used on the road

Also a Sebring kit will be fitting at the end of the project.

[v8250]

You need to define what bhp/rwbhp you're planning on running, then spec' your suspension and brakes. Do not fall into the trap...as many others have done...in thinking you can complete a thorough BV8 conversion on a nickel & dime budget and then expect the car to drive/handle/perform well, it won't :. start with expected power, complete drive train spec and then make damned sure your steering, suspension and brakes are man enough to do the job. As a note, you may find it lower cost to buy a proper car, properly converted by previous owner and then improve over time. To complete a properly spec'd BV8 conversion costs money.

[J4ckwdh]

Let’s say I’ll be making 200hp at crank

[mikemgbv8]

As the Rover engine is slightly lighter than the B , weight at the front is not a problen, but, I fitted shorter 600lb springs at the front, 30% uprated levers, V8 bushes and 3/4" anti-roll bar with polybushes.

At the back ( Shortened Sd1 Vitesse axle ) I fitted uprated rear springs from Moss, Spax adjustable dampers, and poly spring seats and shackle bushes, mines a chrome bumper (although 77) so I dispensed with the rear anti-roll bar .

[mikemgbv8]

Incidentally , mine's a Sd1 Vitesse, converted to hot-wire, with inlet from V8 Developments, and some TVR bits ( I live 1/2 mile from the old TVR factory, and got some help from one of the chaps there).

Horsepower is not the issue, it's the massive torque of these lazy engines, managed to twist the half shafts off my conversion, so fitted 1000lb/ft ones , they should be OK.

[J4ckwdh]

Great stuff, guessing you got a custom prop shaft? , are there any limited slip diffs that will go easy into a mg ?

Where’s the best place to get parts? Moss ?

[mikemgbv8]

Yes I sent the Rover shaft to one of the propshaft firms,and they shortened it for me.

I've had parts from MGOC, Moss and and Clive Wheatley mainly, I cannot recommend highly enough getting the book
"how to give your MGB V8 power"......most of your questions will be answered there,and Roger Parker at MGOC is also very knowlegeable.

A few pointers from him here :-

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/v8_conversions/rogv8.htm...

Edited by mikemgbv8 on Wednesday 30th May 16:30

[v8250]

J4ckwdh said:

Great stuff, guessing you got a custom prop shaft? , are there any limited slip diffs that will go easy into a mg ?

Where’s the best place to get parts? Moss ?

1. buy and read this book www.amazon.co.uk/How-Give-Your-MGB-Power/dp/184584...

2. work out which 'box + driveline suits your 200bhp - a rebuilt LT77 with RR clutch will handle this power - or, as previously said, by a late 2wd R380.

3. rear suspension you have two options 1. live back axle with correctly located anti-tramps, 2. if wanting lsd buy and fit Hoyle IRS from Mark at Fisher Services, you then have two lsd options, either 7" or 7.5" Cosworth viscous lsd.

4. pay attention to prop and drive shaft strength/torsional load capabilities otherwise they'll go bang!

5. if 200bhp with xxx Nm you need to add 20% functional design contingency. if not, you'll have reliability issues + you'll sleep at night knowing the job's been done correctly and you can use your 200bhp + xxx Nm torque all day long.

[sunbeam alpine]

Anti-tramp bars on the rear springs - makes a big difference.

Can be "challenging" to fit.