MG: MGB Roadster V8

Description for MG MGB 1977

1977 MGB V8 Roadster

I bought this British racing green roadster in 2011, proceeded to remove the heavy, weak 1.8 liter 4 banger and 4 speed transmission and then engage in a year long assembly process to install a lightweight all-aluminum Buick 215 ci (3.5 liter) V8 and 5 speed Camaro box.

The performance transformation with this engine and drivetrain is truly exhilarating . It now accelerates with the speed of a modern high speed sports car and can cruise comfortably on a highway at very low RPM's. I have gotten 29 MPG on long highway trips.

Unfortunately, I just turned 75 and cannot get my 6 foot plus frame in and out of the car the way I used to. so it's time to give the car a new home.

The MGB however is in great shape. All the conversion bugs have been sorted out and its really a pleasure to drive.

The car was painted by the previous owner just prior to my purchase. The usually objectionable black bumpers were painted the same color as the car and I get a lot of conplements on this feature.

The external changes I've made to the car are as follows: 2 rows of tasteful louvers in the hood. A V8 insignia on the rear deck (the same badge design used in the factory V8). A dual exhaust system which required centering the gas tank.

Everything on this car works! The lights, signals, accessories, heater, blowers, horn, handbrake, wipers, everything!

I went way overboard on the money I spent on this project with over $25K invested.

Here's a list of the performance modifications I added to the B:

Engine: Mileage on new engine: 3056

1963 Buick (BOP) 215 ci displacement. Professionally rebuilt with honed cylinders and new Hastings rings. Valve job and head reconditioning. Crower stage 2 hydraulic lifter cam. All oil passages enlarged with 5/8" oil pick up tube (ensures better oil pressure to lifters). Large oil pump gears for improved flow. Booster plate. Metric oil pump base. Remote oil filter. Edelbrock 4 bbl carburetor. Offenhauser finned alum valve covers. Hydraulic hood struts.

Ignition: Delco Remy distributor rebuilt by D&D. Pertronics solid state ignition. Flamethrower ignition coil.

Cooling: Custom HD alum radiator fabricated by D&D. 16" pusher fan (thermostatically activated). High flow water pump (D&D). Pulley mounted engine fan.

Transmission: professionally re-built '88 Camaro 'world class' 5 speed. Shortened shifter. Transdapt custom bell housing.

Clutch: lightweight (27 lb.) flywheel. Camaro spec disc & pressure plate. McLeod hydraulic throw out bearing. New clutch master cylinder.

Rear Axle: MGC ring and pinion (3.31 ratio).

Shortened/balanced driveshaft by BMC.

Exhaust: Gas tank centered to accommodate dual exhaust. Jet coated 1.5" dia tube headers (4 into 1 collectors). Headers routed thru inner fenders via RV8 style. Twin Dynomax mufflers.

Electrical: 100 amp Delco alternator. Custom lightweight gear reduction starter. Halogen headlights. Relays wired into 'high draw' components. Battery cut-off switch (red handle in trunk). GPS plug-in receptacle added.

Brakes: standard MGB power brakes. All new premium 'green' front brake pads. All new rear shoes. All new hard and soft brake lines. New master cylinder.

Suspension: all new suspension poly bushings. New premium front Suplex lowered springs. Re-built arm damper shocks.

Gauges: All new Speedhut premium gauges (tach & speedo say 'MGB V8'). Speedometer is GPS driven with multi features.

Wheels & Tires: Minilite style cast alum wheels. New Yokohama Touring S P195/70R14 size tires.

Other: Includes spare tire and original jack. Convertible top (tan color) is in good shape with no tears. Wind buffer screen included (not shown). 3 cup holders.

All work performed by a meticulous mechanical engineer (myself !).