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MG MGB Technical - How much weight can you save?

In rebuilding my 67 MGB, I noted the amount of heavy parts on the B engine and was wondering just how much weight you can take off the car.

I know they make lightweight flywheels, aluminum back engine plates, aluminum water pumps aluminum heads, aftermarket air cleaners, plastic fans (or electric) (any others?). Some things probably could be made lighter such as the solid steel adjusting bracket on the Generator or Alternator,

Anyone know how much weight you can shave and what does that gain you?
Bruce Cunha

Hi Bruce

Not sure how much each item would save you, but...

Std B approx 2400 lbs 0-60 approx 10.2 secs with 100 lbs ft torque.
Lighten car to race specs(UK) approx 1900lbs 0-60 8.9 secs 0-60 with 100 lbs ft torque.
Fit Big 1950 torquey engine to std car 0-60 7.7 secs with 160 lbs ft.
Lightened B with 160 lbs ft motor 0-60 6.7 secs 0-60.


Using guesstimate formula 0-60secs =(2 x weight in lbs/Torque in lbs ft) to the power of 0.6.

Lightened flywheel has extra effect of letting engine spin up faster.

Peter
Peter Burgess Tuning

This is a mental exercise I've often played with over the years too Bruce.
But let's face it, if you're simply after speed these days, you'd not even consider mucking around with an MGB.
Nonetheless, on top of your suggestions for your 67 B you can add, if you're really keen to do the exercise:
Gear reduction starter
Alternator instead of generator
Aluminium radiator
Tubular rear shocks to replace the lever arm units.
Single gel type (eg Odyssey) 12 volt battery.

Must be a fifty to sixty pound saving, at least, in my list.

And if you have a later B you could swap to the earlier Banjo axle, and save another 60 pounds (of unsprung weight at that)!

As for me, I like my MGA and my MGB for what they are, a couple of fun cars of the fifties and sixties with performance that is still good enough to keep up with modern traffic. A second or two off a standing quarter, is probably almost irrelevant.

If I'm honest with myself, both my current road car (BMW 325) and its soon to arrive replacement (BMW 428i) would leave either of my MGs in their wake in a straight line or round corners.
But this won't stop us from dreaming about making incremental improvements to our little old relics, will it?
So let's dream on and scheme on! :)
T Aczel

Driver weight?!!
Michael Beswick

Last year I weighed all the tools and spares I take with me on long-distance trips - came to the equivalent of an extra passenger, MG definition that is, not the typical occupant of today. Never noticed that much difference minus that and the Navigator when on short outings on my own. Unless you are competing it I doubt it is worth the effort let alone expense.
Paul Hunt

Stick a Rover V8 in it!!
Allan Reeling

I agree with Michael: driver weight.
Steven Rechter

No passengers and shell racing seats!
Allan Reeling

Bruce
Until the Buick V8 replaced the Ford Cosworth conversions, the speed merchants stripped out pretty much everything they could starting with plastic for glass, GRP for wings and trunk lid, Aluminium bonnet, bumpers, over-riders/spare wheel away plus some of the ideas mentioned above.
I guess they had a lot of fun out-pacing the TRs but the cars had no re-sale value and were often short-lived.
I am with Allan - the V8 transforms the drive and allows you to carry Paul's extra passenger. You don't need a factory car, there are lots of wonderful conversions in the US and all the expertise you need.
Roger Walker

Thanks guys. I was thinking of just the engine. If you add up the cost of the light weight parts currently offered for the motor, it is getting pretty close to the cost of a supercharger, which appears to be the easiest way to gain horsepower.
Bruce Cunha

Bruce
When I first started lightening an old midget I had, I pulled EVERY bolt out of it, carefully measured what was actually needed and cut the rest off --Ended up with about a quarter of a bucket of thready bits that weighed heaps. Don't know exactly how much but it was heavy
willy
William Revit

Hi William, you needed a lightweight race/sprint bucket to make carrying easier and faster, not the Jack and Jill version which is opposite to tractor pulling sleds :)

Peter
Peter Burgess Tuning

"Std B approx 2400 lbs 0-60 approx 10.2 secs with 100 lbs ft torque."

Must be some extra large horses, Peter - road tests put a stock early MGB at least a couple of seconds slower than that. ;-
Bill Spohn

Hi Bill, you have to drive it like you stole it :)
The maths is a guideline which gives an idea of the effects when things are changed...like pirates of the Caribbean..the pirates code was more a sort of guideline!

Peter
Peter Burgess Tuning

I realise the BGT was a bit heavier, but here are the 0-60 times from various road tests over the years -


Geoff_MGB

lol
Peter
maybee one of them there mop buckets with a skidalong wheel
would be the go
Just guessing I reckon there was probably 15-20kg of bolt bits in the bucket--a worthwhile project -

cheers
William Revit

I seem to remember Custom Car Magazine circa 1970 head to head test against Ford Escort RS 1600 achieved just over 10 secs for 0-60.
c cummins

This thread was discussed between 04/03/2015 and 06/03/2015

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