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MG MGA - MGA V8 on ebay

I've just spotted this MGA on Ebay UK - item number 120086938968. Interesting in that it is registered as an MGB! So probably best used as a track car. Cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

Cam

Looks a very interesting car. However, I am surprised that it can be registered as an MGB. The items that crry the most weight in registration matters are the body shell and chassis. They carry a total of 5 points out of the 8 needed to decide the registration. The engine counts for just 1 point. See the following DVLA website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/RegisteringAVehicle/DG_10014199

If this car is registered as an MGB just about all of the following would have to be MGB:

suspension = 2 points
axles = 2 points
transmission = 2 points
steering assembly = 2 points
engine = 1 point

Steve
Steve Gyles

I wonder if that nifty LITTLE gusset will be able to carry the load of the angled frame rails that have been removed.
JohnB

I-Spy 2 different number plates. Probably resulting from originality discussions with the DVLA.

Steve
Steve Gyles

A pity that the owner has not completed the car as it would be worth more. Looks like a good restoration and it will be interesting to see what it sells for. As it is I would doubt if the seller will get half his investment back.
Robert
R J Collier

Sticking a V8 into an MGA means cutting the crossmember under the transmission, and usually cutting back the member across the top behind the engine, as well as the braces from the firewall down to the shock area, all a fairly bad idea.

To do that in order to get 135 BHP of throbbing power from the low output MGB V8 engine doesn't seem worth it given that you can get as much or more very easily from a GM V6 without having to hack the frame about as badly.

But then IMHO only a bodger would bondo fibreglass fenders to a steel body - how long do you think THAT is going to last until the bubbles come through?
Bill Spohn

Hacking the frame of an A to put in a V8 has been done as Bill states. That type of work would make the car Junk IMHO. Mounting a V8 as John, http://www.themgdoc.com/mgav8.htm, did answer all the questions Bill brings up.
Cutting the top firewall crossmember at all would be unacceptable IMHO. But if the lower tube were reconfigured properly to allow clearance and the angled front members were retained and reinforced as necessary, as John did, (not replaced with baby gussets as this one did) an excellent conversion is possible.
Bill is also right about blending fiberglass wings into the steel body. It WILL crack if driven. Not a matter of if just when.
The matter of V6 or V8 would be purely ones preference as each have advantages. Just the sound of a V8 makes the swap worthwhile. Consider that Hardly Drivable sells millions of rather poor motorcycles just because they sound great.
R J Brown

If you want 130HP at Flywheel in an A, fit a bored out 1622 motor, (or 1800 bored out), add Supercharger and blow the Twin Cams away!

Read the SC board for 120HP at the rear wheels and grins from ear to ear.

If you want to stay "original", 1622 and a Judson is a total blast.
dominic clancy

Regarding the V8, I have recently disposed of an MGA that had a V8 in it at some time in the past. The lower cross member was cut almost all the way out, and the goal post frame behind the firewall was cut out. The car hit something on the left front and the frame collapsed. It was fairly shot, and I only was able to salvage drive train and suspension parts from it, and believe me, if I say it ain't good, then it's no good.
mike parker

It saddens me when I see someone butcher an MGA. If you want a Cobra, go buy a damn Cobra! These cars were not intended to be super-duper race cars, they were not designed to carry a V-8, they were fun sport-driving cars - we should all endeavor to keep them that way. Shame unto anyone who buys this abomination!
Steve

This thread was discussed between 14/02/2007 and 15/02/2007

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