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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - 'Big grinning' time

Today it was one of the too rare days in holland one could drive with the hood down from early in the morning untill beginning of the evening. And today i again got the confirmation that buying a MGB and converting it to (Rover)V8 was a wise decision. I drove 260km with the top down and it was superb.
It really is the ultimate classic: good looks, fast, lots of torque, comfortable and relatively cheap.
So anybody who is in doubt of doing it: do it, you only live once and it is a faboulus combination.
I did the conversion myself and you run into problems but it was worth all the fuss.
Regards
Peter
Peter van de Velde

Peter, please tell a little about you car such as, what kind of carburator, EFI or 4 barrel?
Thanks,
Dana
Dana

Peter - congratulations - and welcome to the club. You should re-run your remarks on the MGB board. We are all believers here !

Best wishes
Roger
Roger Walker

Dana,

Its is a 1977 roadster with a 3.5l Rover engine and 5 speed Rover SD1 box. I converted the standard SD1 inlet manifold to accept the original BGT V8 plenum and double SU carbs. I choose the SU because the Holley fuel economy isn't as good as the SU (with fuel prices of 2US$ per litre). I have considered the FI but these systems aren't easy to get overhere. If i run into a Range Rover injenction system at a fair price, i will buy it because exhaust emissions laws could become more stringhened.
I also converted the car to chrome bumper and last winter, i made a full walnut interior (dashboard, centre console, steering wheel, door gappings and door handles) and did the seats (black leather, new cushions ect. Next winter The car gets a full repaint and new brake pipes, wiring loom ect.
It is also lowered to chrome bumper height and i fitted V8 brakes and KONI adjustable shocks.
Regards
Peter
Peter van de Velde

Peter, your car sounds like a nice ride! I also have an SD1 engine with the 5 speed transmision but mine is still sitting in the 1980 Rover SD1 in my back yard and the MGB that it is supposed to go into has been at my mechanics garage waiting for the V8 for 10 months now. I am begining to wonder if this project will ever get done. I have a '69 mgb roadster with a 4-cyl that I drive often but I really would like to drive one of these sexy little cars with the V8 under the hood.
Dana

Dana,

Don't give up. I can understand you are getting impatient. Its worth waiting and at least you have some "classic wheels" to drive.
I assume you have the FI set up. In my previous thread i forgot to mention that i also fitted a V8-axle. Went on holiday to the UK and found a compagny who could replace the crown wheel and pinion for the V8 set-up.
It costed approx. US$ 700,- but although you loose some acceleration time, its makes the car better drivable.
Regards
Peter
Peter van de Velde

Peter, I no longer have the EFI set-up. I sold it because I know nothing about it. There were so many wires and things involved that I decided to go with a four barrel, although I have not procured one yet. My plan was to use the rear end out of the SD1 and have it modified to fit the B.
Dana

This thread was discussed between 15/08/2001 and 17/08/2001

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