Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? : MG Engine Swaps Forum : MG Experience Forums : The MG Experience

Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #1
Dans78MGB Dan Goodwin Shreveport, LA, USA 1978 MG MGB MkIII "Brittnee AKA: Killvette"	Posted: January 18, 2012 07:13PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 199

I've been doing a ton of thinking and debating about what motor to put into my B. I feel like it would be cool to keep it all MG, but I want more power than what can be had from a 1800. I'm not going crazy on power though, because I'm keeping the stock rear end, and the wire wheels. I was wanting about 250hp, which with a 3500 swap would be very very easily had. But I still feel this need to keep my MG, all MG... So, I was wondering if anyone had put an MG inline 6 from a C into a B, and how hard that would be to do? and would it really be worth it, or is the 3500 conversion a better route to go and why? Also, how much power can be had from a MG inline 6?

I know I ask a ton of questions, and I always appreciate the answers I receive. That's what makes this forum so great, is there are so many people with knowledge who are willing to impart that knowledge on others.

Thanks as always,
Dan

By the way, I did a search on the forums but nothing came up about this subject, so....

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #2
Mgbinsc Adam Schanne Hilton Head SC, USA	Posted: January 18, 2012 07:48PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 505

I'm not 100% positive, but I didn't think the stock MG rear end holds up well to 250HP. That's a small part of the reason that I went V6 so I wouldn't have to do a rear end conversion as well. IIRC the rear end is ok for around 200HP, but add my heavy foot to the equation and I might be pushing it.

Like you said though, you will have all the info you need here shortly! Jeez what we do without all these OLD pros around here?! moon

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #3
Kill R B x x x, USA	Posted: January 18, 2012 07:54PM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 729

Dan, forget the inline MGC engine. First of all it is a dog compared to any 3400 engine or larger. That car has completely different suspension to accept the 6 cylinder. The MGB rear has a truck rear end. It will take 250 HP but will require changing spider gears very often. Ask me how I know? eye rolling smiley

. There is very little alteration to the later MGB for a 3500 conversion and that is at the tunnel gearshift opening. If you ever want to change it back (are you really serious?) you could weld the small piece of metal back in without any trouble at all. The 3500 engine along with the Ford T5 is an amazing change in power and reliability.

Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 01/18/2012 08:07PM by Kill R B.

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #4
denvermgb Brad Carson Aurora, Colorado, USA 1975 MG MGB V8 Conversion	Posted: January 18, 2012 08:17PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 1,050

Dan,

I might be wrong but I think keeping the wire wheels and putting 250 hp to the rear would be a challenge for the wire wheels. I would also look at the FAQ conversion thread that is at the top of this forum, and, take a look at the BritV8 website - most types of conversions are represented there in the "How it was done" section.

A lot of folks doing conversions are going withh the GM V6 - lots of parts availability, and there are guys on this forum that make parts/kits for it, lots of support. If you want to stay "pure" MG, I think you can sink a lot of $ in an MG engine and not really get the HP gains you would from a GM V6, Buick 215/Rover, etc.

Good luck with what you decide. This is a fantastic group on the dark side, I have learned quite a bit (and continue to do so). Keep us posted on what you do, don't hesitate to ask questions.

Brad

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #5
Dans78MGB Dan Goodwin Shreveport, LA, USA 1978 MG MGB MkIII "Brittnee AKA: Killvette"	Posted: January 18, 2012 08:57PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 199

Okay, I've read through that FAQ section already, I am re-thinking the inline 6 now, since I checked and they don't make anything really but replacement parts for it, so...I think a 3500 and T5 is the way to go. Now I just need to find some upgrade parts for the 3500, cause according to BCC a converted 3500 is about 235HP, so a Cam and better exhaust should throw me up to around 250HP and the Flywheel, and about 225 to the rear wheels.

As far as the stock wire's they are going the way of the dodo, but the 15x5.5 72-spokes should handle 250hp very well. BTW, anyone have some painted 15x5.5's they want to part with?

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #6
mgv8glen Glenn Towery Dover De., USA	Posted: January 18, 2012 11:22PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 2,330

I did a Rover 3500 V-8 20 years ago & the man HAD to have wire wheels! I told him with 200 hp. he had to get a BOLT ON W/W with H/D stainless steel 72 spoke wheel that was 5.5 inch wide by 15 inch, or I would not put the car together for him. He asked me why? I told him 2 words SAFTY/FAST! FWIW

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #7
Mgbinsc Adam Schanne Hilton Head SC, USA	Posted: January 19, 2012 07:27AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 505

Wire wheels and 250HP, does that really even go together?

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #8
favedave David Church Saint Joseph, MO, USA 1967 MG MGB GT "Marilyn" 1995 Ford Probe 1995 Ford Probe "The Probe"	Posted: January 19, 2012 09:06AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,824

Ferrari V-12s, and the original AC Cobra and the original Ford GT 40 all had wire wheels, as did Jag, Aston Martin, etc.

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #9
Jim Stabe San Diego, USA	Posted: January 19, 2012 10:00AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 1,231

In reply to # 1960071 by favedave Ferrari V-12s, and the original AC Cobra and the original Ford GT 40 all had wire wheels, as did Jag, Aston Martin, etc.

They all had 72 spokes if I remember correctly and they would get crooked pretty easily if you put a lot of power through them. I also think they had larger splines which was more of an issue then the # of spokes

Jim

"If you want me to agree with you then we would both be wrong"

'66 MGB widened 11" with LT1 Chevy and 6 speed, C4 Corvette suspension
Pictures here Part 1 http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,7581
Continued in Part 2 http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,22422
Continued in Part 3 http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,33108

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #10
BrsMgbv6 Bryan Heidtman SW ohio, USA	Posted: January 19, 2012 10:14AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 488

Been running these with the V6 for several years without trouble. I think if you drive halfway sane its cool. I'd love a set of 72 spoke chrome daytons....

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/2012 10:16AM by BrsMgbv6.

Reply Quote

Attachments:

DSCF1925.JPG (31 KB) –

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #11
Dans78MGB Dan Goodwin Shreveport, LA, USA 1978 MG MGB MkIII "Brittnee AKA: Killvette"	Posted: January 19, 2012 10:16AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 199

well, here's my question then. Is there a spot on the forums that tells me what wire wheels will fit the MG hubs? how many splines are the MG hubs? cause realisticly I need wire wheels that are about 6 or 7" wide out back....or how hard is it to convert the rear to bolt on hubs? and would that be wierd to have knock-offs up front and bolt-ons in back???

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #12
Dans78MGB Dan Goodwin Shreveport, LA, USA 1978 MG MGB MkIII "Brittnee AKA: Killvette"	Posted: January 19, 2012 10:18AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 199

In reply to # 1960120 by BrsMgbv6 Been running these with the V6 for several years without trouble. I think if you drive halfway sane its cool. I'd love a set of 72 spoke chrome daytons....

I personally don't like that style of wheel. 72 spoke dayton's would be nice though...But in Black powdercoat.

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #13
BrsMgbv6 Bryan Heidtman SW ohio, USA	Posted: January 19, 2012 10:41AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 488

Dan, what and where are you in the process/ I don't follow every thread and I dip in and out of this forum, but if that pic I clicked on in your homepage is current, you got alot more work to worry about than wheels and wires and such...

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #14
Mgbinsc Adam Schanne Hilton Head SC, USA	Posted: January 19, 2012 12:35PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 505

I just took a look at that picture, wow. Whats the cars current status?

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #15
BrsMgbv6 Bryan Heidtman SW ohio, USA	Posted: January 19, 2012 12:54PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 488

Adam, I'm guessing current status is parked?

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #16
Jim Blackwood * BlownMGB-V8 Gunpowder Rd., USA	Posted: January 19, 2012 01:19PM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 2,242

Wires are a bad idea for any significant amount of power.

JB

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #17
BMC Brian Mc Cullough Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA 1959 Austin A40 Farina 1959 Austin-Healey Frogeye (Bugeye) 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite MkII "Green Sprite" 1969 MG MGC GT "CGT" 1979 MG MGB → more	Posted: January 19, 2012 05:17PM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 4,346

Wires hold up okay but it depends on how you drive. If your dumping the clutch, probably not so long. using 300 BHP on 48 spokes isn't going to get you far either.

-BMC.

How to advertise on this website

BMC British Automobile – Minneapolis, MN USA BMC British Automobile is a Restoration and Repair shop north of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our time is spent solely on British vehicles and British Conversions. MG and Austin are our specialties.

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #18
Duncan Duncan Cowen Vancouver, Canada 1956 MG MGA 1500	Posted: January 19, 2012 05:27PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 1,360

I feel silly, but no one else has said it... If you want more power, but you want MG, then go for the 3.5l V8. You use factory-designed, bolt in MG stuff for that swap (except for the motor, that MG sourced from Rover). Although the power you're looking for might be a little tough to achieve, from what I read on this forum.

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #19
Dans78MGB Dan Goodwin Shreveport, LA, USA 1978 MG MGB MkIII "Brittnee AKA: Killvette"	Posted: January 19, 2012 05:53PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 199

It is in work, those pictures are when i first got it, the interior is stripped, and the convertible top is gone and replaced with a removable hardtop. The front suspension is being broken apart right now, and I'm just trying to figure out where I need to go with the main picture of this project. So, how do you convert from splines hubs to bolt on hubs, do I just buy the new hubs and assembly it with those ones instead? and also, can I use 5 lug hubs instead of 4 lugs?

Again thanks for all the help everyone. Right now my main focus is the suspension, Brakes, and rolling stock. Then powerplant and driveline.

Reply Quote

Re: Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB?? #20
BMC Brian Mc Cullough Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA 1959 Austin A40 Farina 1959 Austin-Healey Frogeye (Bugeye) 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite MkII "Green Sprite" 1969 MG MGC GT "CGT" 1979 MG MGB → more	Posted: January 19, 2012 06:30PM Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 4,346

Dan- front hubs are simple. Bolt on the units you want.

I have a set of shell wheel hubs if you need them and might have a set of 5 lug as well.

-BMC.

How to advertise on this website

BMC British Automobile – Minneapolis, MN USA BMC British Automobile is a Restoration and Repair shop north of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our time is spent solely on British vehicles and British Conversions. MG and Austin are our specialties.

Reply Quote

The MG Experience

www.mgexp.com

MG Engine Swaps Forum

Odd Question about Engine to put in a MGB??

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!Members Sign In if you've already registered, orRegister a New AccountRegistration is free and takes less than a minute

Join Our Club

MGExp Menu

—

Adjust Text Size

More to Explore

Add your reply here, or post your own questions!

Members Sign In if you've already registered, or
Register a New Account
Registration is free and takes less than a minute