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Shop to upgrade a B.

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Bruce Cunha Avatar
placerville, CA, USA   USA
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1950 MG TD
1967 MG MGB GT
Having owned a number British cars, including my current 67 GT and 50 TD; I am considering having a late model MG built into a modern MG. That is a MGB that has been rebuilt to be somewhat of a restomod B. A B with modern car features. New suspension, nice interior, AC, etc. Updated power plant and transmission.

Don't get me wrong, I love driving my MG. I used to have a Mazda RX8 and while it was a super fast car, it has a totally different feel. Not as much "seat of the pants" as my B. But the RX8 was smoother, more comfortable, faster and (i hate to say it) more reliable.

I know there are companies in Germany and in England that have produced some great looking MG's, but what about in the states? Any shops that have done any good restomods for MGB'S?


Many of you would say "why would you want to do that', Well, look at all the 60's US cars that are being upgraded to a more modern car. Why not the B?



Bruce E. Cunha

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Rick Fawthrop Avatar
Rick Fawthrop Gold Member Richard Fawthrop
Langley, WA, USA   USA
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BMC Autos in Minneapolis.
Eclectic Motorworks in Holland Michigan.
Sportscar Craftsmen in Denver.
These shops would all be places to start looking.
All these shops and many others can do the work. They just don't market a finished product like Frontline does.

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MGB567 Avatar
MGB567 Barrie Braxton
Ninderry, KabiKabi country, Queensland, Australia   AUS
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1966 MG MGB MkI "Money Guzzler"
1979 MG MGB GT V8 Conversion "Darkside"
Or you can visit the darkside - we're not just about sticking V8s in them and not everyone is DIY.



Mk1: CKD 11/66 first registered 8/5/67; owned since 3/77. 18GB +40 balanced. Peter Burgess BVFR head. Piper 285. 123. FidanzaFW. 4synch c/r box. Lots more as I did a nut and bolt rebuild; finished 2015. Tartan Red.

GT: December '78. VW Golf guards, flush fit front and rear valances. Torana XU1 vents, frenched indicators & Mk1 rear lights. 'Worked' Rover V8 with Monsoon ECU for EFI. GM4L60E, Lokar tiptronic & Quick4 controller. Vintage Air A/C. FC IFS. CCE 4 link rear. Salisbury with Quaife. Jaguar Storm.

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B-racer Avatar
B-racer Jeff Schlemmer
Shakopee, MN, USA   USA
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You're in a unique situation. In CA, late model Bs are subject to smog rules, which as of yet, are problematic. Its kind of a moot point really because the rules don't let you upgrade the powerplant. But you can get away with it on an earlier car, if I'm not mistaken.



jeff@advanceddistributors.com

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Tau511 Avatar
Tau511 Jason Good
San Diego, CA, USA   USA
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In reply to # 3383122 by B-racer You're in a unique situation. In CA, late model Bs are subject to smog rules, which as of yet, are problematic. Its kind of a moot point really because the rules don't let you upgrade the powerplant. But you can get away with it on an earlier car, if I'm not mistaken.


For engine swaps CA smog rules on anything post 75 are a huge headache but you can register an engine swap. I've never known anyone to enjoy that process and as there are so many pre 75 MGBs around I don't know why anyone would want to struggle with it.

EDIT - I'm wrong about a B though there'd be no approvable engine that could be swapped into it confused smiley



I have no idea what I'm doing. That's why I'm doing it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-10-28 01:16 PM by Tau511.

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rntanner Avatar
rntanner Roger N. Tanner (Disabled)
Oxnard, CA, USA   USA
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1970 MG MGB
1977 MG MGB
There are several people across the US that can accomplish your needs.

First, ask these questions in "MG ENGINE SWAPS" section of the MGB Experience. Look at the Forum List Column on the left side of the webpage.

Two choices that work together, from afar:

CLASSIC CONVERSIONS
1744 N. Lyndhurst
Camarillo, CA 93010
bg.gtv6@verizon.net
(805) 484-1528
http://www.classicconversionseng.com/Contact-CCE.htm

Classic British Sports Car Restortion V8/V6
Brian McCullough
651-462-0145
Stacy, Minnesota
http://www.bmcautos.com

You can either take your MGB to one of their shops, or they can sell you all the "special parts" that make the conversion easier.
RNTanner1939@gmail.com



Roger N. Tanner
Professional Engineer, Retired

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Rob-USLE Avatar
Rob-USLE Rob DE JOODE
Rotterdam, ZH, Netherlands   NLD
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Mustangsix Avatar
Mustangsix Gold Member Jack Collins
Oviedo, FL, USA   USA
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In reply to # 3382912 by Bruce Cunha

Many of you would say "why would you want to do that', Well, look at all the 60's US cars that are being upgraded to a more modern car. Why not the B?

In a word, cost. If I read your post correctly, you're not just talking about an engine swap but a new car altogether.

The retro Mustangs and others are very, very pricey. Folks here pale at the thought of an $80k Front line but a Revology Mustang starts at $175k. A " new " 57 Chevy from Thunder starts at $120k. A new Defender from East Coast starts at $180k.

If that's your thought, expect pricing to be similar for an MGB.


Member Services:
Ceres Motorsports specializes in the repair, restoration, and customization of classic British cars including MG, Triumph, and many other makes.
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Bruce Cunha Avatar
placerville, CA, USA   USA
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1950 MG TD
1967 MG MGB GT
Yep, I figured price would be high. I know what custom cars are selling for at auction, but I am thinking I want something that I like, and I have always liked MG cars. And I just don't see modified MG's coming up all that often. That is why the question. The next step is finding that one shop that I can work with to come up with a new/old MG.

As for smog. I was thinking about that. My thought was to use a rubber bumper 74. As I remember, the rubber bumper has more engine space. Is that correct? Also, To make it look like a newer car, I think the rubber bumper gives more potential for looking like the bumpers on new cars.

Frontline is a potential. That would probably get me to around $75,000 with shipping. I would have to see if they do rubber bumper cars and then left hand drive. The plus with them is that this is what they do.

(BTW, I would still keep my 67 GT and drive it as I currently do.



Bruce E. Cunha

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ohlord Avatar
ohlord Platinum Member Rob C
A tiny Island off the coast of Washington State, N.W., USA   USA
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1957 Land Rover Series I "EYEYIYI"
1957 Land Rover Series I "OVRLND"
1971 MG MGB
1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2"    & more
Nice stroked BOPR on sale up here.
Or if you want one built to your specs
Bradley Restoration in Mt vernon wa.



LNDRVR4X4.COM
Home of Project "INCARN8'


1957 Series 1 Land Rover electric VEHICLE CONVERSION

FIXITUPCHAP.COM
FIXITUPCHAP INCORPORATED

RD3 Radar/ Electronic Warfare Technician
VIETNAM 1969-1972

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tvrgeek Silver Member Scott S
Hillsborough, North Carolinia, USA   USA
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Just the engine is only half of it. If you want a modern car, you are looking at a modern suspension, modern electrics, modern AC, power brakes, electric assist steering, and so on.



Cogito ergo sum periculoso

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MGB567 Avatar
MGB567 Barrie Braxton
Ninderry, KabiKabi country, Queensland, Australia   AUS
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1966 MG MGB MkI "Money Guzzler"
1979 MG MGB GT V8 Conversion "Darkside"
"If you want a modern car, you are looking at a modern suspension, modern electrics, modern AC, power brakes, electric assist steering, and so on."

That's why I said come over to the darkside as we're into all that. For example my GT will have modern front suspension and brakes courtesy of Fastcars; 4 link rear courtesy of Bill Guzman; new wiring courtesy of AAW, A/C, power windows, central locking, LED lighting, power mirrors with indicators, modern instrumentation etc but will also have an old school V8 (but with EFI) and T5 transmission.



Mk1: CKD 11/66 first registered 8/5/67; owned since 3/77. 18GB +40 balanced. Peter Burgess BVFR head. Piper 285. 123. FidanzaFW. 4synch c/r box. Lots more as I did a nut and bolt rebuild; finished 2015. Tartan Red.

GT: December '78. VW Golf guards, flush fit front and rear valances. Torana XU1 vents, frenched indicators & Mk1 rear lights. 'Worked' Rover V8 with Monsoon ECU for EFI. GM4L60E, Lokar tiptronic & Quick4 controller. Vintage Air A/C. FC IFS. CCE 4 link rear. Salisbury with Quaife. Jaguar Storm.

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Peter-Sherman Avatar
Peter-Sherman Peter Sherman
Melbourne, Australia   AUS
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go see Glen , and make it like it was supposed to be, he used to do it in a weekend
http://www.britishv8.org/articles/rover-hot-wire-efi.htm

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Bruce Cunha Avatar
placerville, CA, USA   USA
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1950 MG TD
1967 MG MGB GT
Excellent. This is just what I wanted. To go this route and spend the kind of money it will take to build the car I want, means spending the time to really research what is out there, and this forum is giving me new avenues to evaluate this. Seen too many horror stories about folks having a shop start a build only to end up having to take the car somewhere else and spending a lot more money.

Reliability is also an issue. I want a shop that really knows MG's and what is available out there for parts that work. I know the Engine swap people have gone down this road with the "what works" category and will be checking with them also.

Peter. Thanks for the link. The magazine looks like it also has some good areas to look into.



Bruce E. Cunha

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ohlord Avatar
ohlord Platinum Member Rob C
A tiny Island off the coast of Washington State, N.W., USA   USA
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1957 Land Rover Series I "EYEYIYI"
1957 Land Rover Series I "OVRLND"
1971 MG MGB
1971 MG MGB "Bedouin 2"    & more
.



LNDRVR4X4.COM
Home of Project "INCARN8'


1957 Series 1 Land Rover electric VEHICLE CONVERSION

FIXITUPCHAP.COM
FIXITUPCHAP INCORPORATED

RD3 Radar/ Electronic Warfare Technician
VIETNAM 1969-1972



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-10-30 10:49 AM by ohlord.


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