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MG MGA - MGA engine/gearbox options

I'm in the market to buy an MGA when I have sold my Alfa Duetto Spider (I've bought a LHD one to replace it). The Alfa has a 1750 twin cam engine with 135 bhp and a 5 speed box so what options are there for 100 bhp + and 5 forward gears. I read that some have fitted the MGB engine and Siera gearbox. Are some options easier to fit than others.
mj dodridge

Staying with the MGB engine is easiest and you can easily get that sort of power from it in mild performance tune.

Why not look for an OD MG transmission and have a 6 speed instead of a non-MG 5 speed?
Bill Spohn

The mgb/sierra conversion (e.g. Bob West or Hi Gear)is more pricy, but it does give you a better 2nd gear and it "just fits in", there's no welding. Also, you can get a number of different gear ratios for the sierra from some suppliers like Hi Gear Engineering.

The mgb/overdrive is cheaper and more "original", but you need a mgb gearbox cross-member to be welded to the mga chassis and quite a bit of re-modelling done to the central tunnel.

As far a tweaking the B engine, goes, there's a few books out there about tuning the B engine or Pete Burgess is a good contact. 130BHP is easily (not necessarily cheaply) achievable, with a number of ways of doing it, depending on where you want the power to come in and for how long. I've got a 1950cc short-stroked to 2.1 running twin 1.75" HS6, stage 2 head, a 276 cam, high-ratio rockers and a Stage 2 ceramic coated Maniflow exhaust manifold. Nice levels of torque from low-down the rev range and around 130BHP (around 110BHP at the wheels).

Good luck,

Grant :-)
G Hudson

Grant, I have fitted an MGB OD trans without either welding/cutting or modifying the tunnel, except for the separate cover where the shifter comes out.
Bill Spohn

We have a Club member who has put a Miata engine and gearbox in his MGA. I have not ridden in it, but I'm told by friends who have, that this is a real rocket.
Email me if you want his contact email.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

More power? I did a Buick 215/GM T5 here in the states. 200hp from the factory and up to 300hp with a stroked Rover version. It's lighter than the stock lump and quite a fabrication, but it's an option...
SJS Steinhauer

This thread was discussed between 04/03/2008 and 08/03/2008

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.