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MG MGB Technical - Engine and trans

From a Miata into a MGB. Anyone tried this yet? Does anyone have information on this subject?
Dee

Here is a company, Eclectic Motorworks, that has done one. They are highly reputable company I believe, although I have not dealt with them: http://www.eclecticmotorworks.com/miatab.html
You would be better off buying a good used Miata and forget about MGs if the the stock engine bothers you that much, and many dollars ahead. Just my $.02
Andy Blackley

Actually what I was planning on doing is going by the long term parking at the airport using airport transfers sevenoaks and get what I need from a miata (engine, trans, wiring, computer). Taking that back and sticking it into a MG? That way I will have little out of pocket cost (if you know what I mean)! The sounds of a high reving Japanese motor in a little British MG, now that gets the blood pumping. I may just go get in my Blazer and head to the airport no to find me a Miata for my new project. Andy thanks for the link.
Dee

And which airport might that be? I think I'd avoid their long term parking,....
Andy Blackley

While I too fall into the realm of "I kind of like my MGB for what it is, not what it could be turned into", I have to admit getting a little frustrated having to use so much accelerator to beat a mini-van off the line.

It does sort of make the mind wonder what the car would be like with a modern drivetrain. I know, I know, "Put in a Rover V8." Frankly, the supply of Rover/BOP 215's isn't what it used to be, and the technology of those is, what, 35 years old by now?

While I wouldn't take on a transplant in my little sweetheart, I don't think I'm up to discouraging someone else who does.

I wonder what would have happened if Carroll Shelby had met this crowd 40 years ago and said, "I'm thinking of putting a 289 Ford motor into my AC Ace. What do you think?"



Matt Kulka

"What, and ruin a perfectly good English sports car. Horrors!" :>)
Mr. Shelby clearly found in the AC Ace the chassis he couldnt find in a domestic product. Taking a Miata engine out of a very fine little sports car, superior in many ways to our beloved 'B, seems like a move in the wrong direction.
The stock engine is fine by me, and if I crave more power I will either supercharge it, or buy an "affordable" E-Type Series II Jaguar coupe (yeah right...)
A quote I like: "Its more fun driving a slow car fast than a fast car slowly".
Andy Blackley

Would that make it an Engrish sports car?

I have a 91 Miata and I only wish all trannies shifted so well and the pattern so tight and the engine is very nice too even if it is slightly underpowered.

I still can't fathom putting a Miata drivetrain in an MGB however.
Mike Magee

Mike: Quite agree. Whatever you do, don't leave it in long term parking if Dee is in your neighborhood!
Andy Blackley

As the guy who put a Miata engine in an MGB, I can tell you that the guys above are right. We did the swap for a variety of reasons, but it isn't a swap that makes sense from a time/budget perspective.

I've got a Moss supercharged MGB that makes 20 HP more than the Miata-powered car and it took a lot less time and money to do. It took five hours to install the supercharger and eight hours to change the head and cam and about 15 hours to dial it all in. We've got 100+ hours in the Miata installation.

Don't get me wrong. I really like the Miata installation and it goes like stink. But it still doesn't make a lot of sense given the alternatives. Will we do another one? Probably. We've got a ratty 1991 Miata waiting to give up its drivetrain.

Of course, you can buy a half decent used Miata for about the price of a Moss supercharger, but that's another issue for another board.

--Carl
Carl Heideman

I've found the cheapest way to get more speed in the B is to drive downhill more.
AJ Hooker

This thread was discussed between 21/02/2004 and 24/02/2004

MG MGB Technical index

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