Stage 2 Tune identification : MG Performance Forum : The MG Experience

Stage 2 Tune identification #1 Engine Tuning
ThatMEGuy ThatMEGuy A Bristol, Avon, UK Sign in to contact 1970 MG MGB GT 1972 MG MGB GT 2015 Volkswagen Passat "Gemma"	Topic Creator (OP) Apr 10, 2024 03:14 PM Joined 2 months ago 9 Posts

Hey all,

Firstly thanks for any information/assistance you can provide.

I have two MGB GT’s, a ‘70 and a ‘72, I’m told by the previous owner of them that one has a stage 2 engine. Now I know that means one of them is around 2L rather than 1.8, but I’m wondering if there’s a simple way to tell which is which, without tearing heads off and measuring bores?

Also, assuming there haven’t been any porkies told, and one is in fact a stage 2, are there any recommended or required suspension/drivetrain upgrades to look for or do?

The projects:
MGB GT - Chrome bumper, stock, complete and sort of running. needs sills, seals, wiring and springs.
MGB GT - Chrome bumper, in bits for full rebuild, planning engine swap, poss. circa 2000 5 speed Mazda 1.6l petrol

The daily:
2015 VW Passat Estate 1.6TDI Bluemotion - approaching 150k miles, running well.

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Re: Stage 2 Tune identification #2
B-racer Jeff Schlemmer Shakopee, MN, USA Sign in to contact 1950 Willys Jeep Pickup "Ratrod" 1964 Land Rover Series IIA 1971 MG MGB	Apr 10, 2024 06:53 PM Top Contributor Joined 17 years ago 20,021 Posts

Start with a compression test. A real Stage II prep will be North of 180 psi, and not 5 psi difference from cylinder to cylinder. Head will be ported, visible with manifolds off. Will likely have flat top pistons.

Most people do a basic rebuild with a street cam and call it stage 2. Nope. Lightened flywheel, indexed crankshaft, CC'd head, ported intake, modified carbs, the list is very long and you'll have in excess of 6k in receipts if you did a lot of the work yourself.

jeff@advanceddistributors.com

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Re: Stage 2 Tune identification #3
ThatMEGuy ThatMEGuy A Bristol, Avon, UK Sign in to contact 1970 MG MGB GT 1972 MG MGB GT 2015 Volkswagen Passat "Gemma"	Topic Creator (OP) Apr 11, 2024 03:34 AM Joined 2 months ago 9 Posts

Thanks for this Jeff, exactly the info I was looking for. I’ll have a look the next couple of days for any porting etc and see what I can see, though a compression test will have to wait a bit

Don’t think there’s any receipts, but I shall have a look at all the paperwork i have

The projects:
MGB GT - Chrome bumper, stock, complete and sort of running. needs sills, seals, wiring and springs.
MGB GT - Chrome bumper, in bits for full rebuild, planning engine swap, poss. circa 2000 5 speed Mazda 1.6l petrol

The daily:
2015 VW Passat Estate 1.6TDI Bluemotion - approaching 150k miles, running well.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-04-11 03:35 AM by ThatMEGuy.

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Re: Stage 2 Tune identification #4
ThatMEGuy ThatMEGuy A Bristol, Avon, UK Sign in to contact 1970 MG MGB GT 1972 MG MGB GT 2015 Volkswagen Passat "Gemma"	Topic Creator (OP) Apr 11, 2024 03:52 AM Joined 2 months ago 9 Posts

So having dug through the paperwork, I’ve found the receipts for a 2.1L stage 2 engine, purchased and fitted in 1999. It also gives me the reg of the car, so I know which one to look at

The projects:
MGB GT - Chrome bumper, stock, complete and sort of running. needs sills, seals, wiring and springs.
MGB GT - Chrome bumper, in bits for full rebuild, planning engine swap, poss. circa 2000 5 speed Mazda 1.6l petrol

The daily:
2015 VW Passat Estate 1.6TDI Bluemotion - approaching 150k miles, running well.

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Re: Stage 2 Tune identification #5
Speedracer Hap Waldrop Taylors, SC, USA Sign in to contact 1967 MG MGB Racecar "The Biscuit"	Apr 11, 2024 10:14 AM Top Contributor Joined 18 years ago 43,774 Posts

Poeple can call a engine build whatever they want to state it is, stage 1, stage 2, whatever.. I give my customer an itemized invoice with specs, unless you have that who knows what you have, either dig in there and find out, or if it runs fine, drive and enjoy the car.

Hap Waldrop
Acme Speed Shop
864-370-3000
Website: www.acmespeedshop.com
hapwaldrop@acmespeedshop.com

Acme Speed Shop www.mgexp.com

MG/ Triumph Performance Street Engines - Cylinder Head Porting for street performance and race - DIY Engine Rebuild Kits With Free Tech Advice - VTO alloy wheels for British Sports Cars, and others

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