Moss Motors, Ltd

I'm planning on doing a conversion of my current car to a V8.  I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has done.  If you did do it I was wondering if you could share your experience and give some tips.  I'm researching different engines at this stage, planning and bugeting.  How much time does it take, etc?  I went to somebody who works on cars and was told 3-4 months from getting the parts to rewiring and painting the car.  Would you agree with this estimate?

The v8 in a Spridget involves lots of cutting to the structure. I put 180 hp in my former Sprite with a modified Ford Zetec 4 cylinder. You can go up to 250 hp with the Zetec. I recently wrote a how to article along with 30 photos of this conversion. Take a look at www.britishv8.org/Other/RichardBondy.htm

 Let me know if I can answer any additional questions. While at this site shiift over to MG cars and have a look at Bill Young's 2.8 liter Chevy V6 Midget. Bill will gladly answer your V6 tech questions. Good luck. Rick Bondy

Richard is right, a V8 in a Spridget requires a lot of surgery. There are several around that are being redone or completed and most of those have been shown and discussed on either the British V8 forum or the MG Experience forum in the past couple of months.

As far as the time to convert goes, I really doubt if the 3-4 months is reasonable unless you can devote yourself full time to the project and have basically unlimited funds. Just solving the various problems that arise takes time, and since there are so few examples running to draw upon you'll face plenty of problems along the way.

The Spridget chassis is part of the problem. The brakes are limited in their ability to stop a stock Spridget, add more weight and running faster it becomes a problem and there's no easy solution. That adds time and complexity to the project. Looking at others who have swapped engines into Spridgets, it seems that larger 4 cylinders, Mazda rotarys, or the Chevy V6 makes for enough power while still keeping the weight within reason for the stock brakes with upgraded pads and rotors. The V8 options really work best if you can run an all aluminum engine such as the Buick/Rover V8 or a newer LT series Chevy. But you're still pushing the limits of the brakes with that much power and weight.

Back in the early 70s I bought a bugeye that someone had installed a 283 Chevy in, so I'm very familiar with the amount of cutting necessary to install one of these engines in a Spridget and the brake problems with it. I built my car with the Chevy 2.8L V6 and it's a much more balance car than that old Bugeye. Take a look at what's been done and take your choice, but I think you'd be happier with another choice than a V8 in the Spridget chassis.

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'73 Midget (V6)
'59 MGA (I6) under construction
'73 Lotus Europa

"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"

For what very little it's worth, let me state that installing a V-8 in a Spridget is, in my opinion, like putting a 300HP outboard on a canoe. You you can do it, but why? It's not manageable, it's not elegant, and you'll get tired of it.

The front suspension can't handle the load, believe me. And the rear is no better. By the time you're done with all the mods and compromises, all you've really proven is that it can indeed be done.

For my money, the best way to go here is a high performance four from Japan. A bugeye with a Honda S 2000 engine and gearbox would be a joy.

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

By a mistake I posted to the wrong forum.  My message relates to MGB.  Anyway to move a message?

No problem, the MGB chassis changes everything, as the old SNL skit made famous "Never Mind". Still you should get over to the British V8 newsletter and take a look. Plenty of MGBs with various V8s installed, from the Buick/Rover to Fords and Chevys. A V8 conversion in a B is a relatively simple matter, and yes the time frame you quoted is quite doable if you can keep at it. In the case of the Buick or Ford there are kits available with engine mounts and headers so it's almost a bolt in depending on the year of the car.

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'73 Midget (V6)
'59 MGA (I6) under construction
'73 Lotus Europa

"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"

Oh Boy does that change everything. And yes, Bill Young, I remember Emily Litella (played so sweetly by Gilda Radner) like yesterday. My wife and I even attended a performance of SNL in the early/mid seventies and sat within several feet of the stage. We got a sense of just how physically hard they all work during that hour and a half that really doesn't come through on TV. None threw more physical effort into what they were doing than Gilda. I'm certain she's up there making God Himself laugh out loud now. We also witnessed the first public performance of The Blues Brothers (Akroyd and Belushi). That was something else again. Oh Geez, I'm rambling. They said this would start to happen.

Back to subject. The B is a reasonable platform for a V8 conversion, but you know, even here, I'm beginning to lean toward high performance fours. The MGB engine bay was designed around a four, so things are more accessible, headers and exhaust are far more easily accomplished, and if you look at what the "tuners" are getting out of two litres these days you'll be VERY impressed.

Ah, but to each his own. If ground thumping torque is your thing, more (V8) power to you. Just remember to upgrade the suspension and brakes to handle it all...

 

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

I did go through the newsletter on the britishv8 web site.  I noticed that a lot of the MGBs have stock suspension...I wonder how much longer that suspension is going to last.

The MGB suspension is quite strong and gives good life even with a V8. Many of the Cobra kit cars are designed to use a MGB front suspension assembly because of both the strength and availability. The factory continued to use the original design suspension when they copied the Costello idea and produced the MGB GTV8 and the RV8. Upgrading the bushing material and brake pads does give some improvement in both braking and handline though. Plenty of information on suspension upgrades in the V8 Newsletter and through many of the advertisers there.

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'73 Midget (V6)
'59 MGA (I6) under construction
'73 Lotus Europa

"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"

You can also Wankel it

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Wankel

I had thought about putting RX-8/RX-7 engine in it, but I'm not sure if it is a good match, plus the engine is kind of pricey.....unless you know of a place where to get it. 

You really need to talk to Bill Guzman. He has a great kit for V6 MGB upgrades and lots more. He has done many many conversions.

.. Classic Conversions Engineering: MGB GM V6 Engine Swap Kit, developed and marketed by Bill Guzman. Other products available.
www.classicconversionseng.com

 

Cheers, Dave Wellwood

Sorry, but I didn't pick up on what year car you have. Based on your forum name, I'm guessing it's a 1979.

The rubber bumper MGBs are all designed to accept a 90 degree V8 engine, so if it is a late model you are smiling. If I was just trying to get more pep out of a B, I'd recomend one of Bill's V6 conversion kits. The V6 fits in pretty easily and the kit is a good way to get the job done with the minimum amount of cost. Keep in mind though that any V6 or V8 conversion really needs a higher gear ratio rear end to be enjoyable. It's tough to find higher gears for the stock MGB rear end, although they do exist. Usually conversions end up with some kind of modified rear axle, either Ford 8" or Cheby. This is where the V8 newsletter comes in handy with lots of tips.

Stuffing a motor and trans in the car is usually the easiest part of the swap. Sorting out electrical, fuel and rear end issues tend to take up a lot more time. Stick with an engine that you can buy off the shelf headers for, because you really don't want to have to fab your own. BTDT

Your best bet is to go with a matched set of conversion components from a reputable company that has experience with the swap. There are kits out there for the Buick/Rover V8s, Ford 302/5L and the GM V6s. My personal favorite is the Rover motor, because that is what the rubber bumper MGB was built for and everything fits nicely with a wide range of suppliers for mounts, headers etc. The Ford motor is the up and coming V8 with new stuff coming out every day, it's got by far the most performance potential.  The GM V6 makes a nice, easy conversion with as much, if not more power potential than the Rover.

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Kelvin Dodd
Global Sourcing Engineer
Moss Motors, Ltd.
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Bill,

Your idea of a Japanese four back on the V8 Spridget response intrigued me. I was thinking of a V-6 conversion for my 77 MGB, but also thought about a Miata, or Honda four. Do you know if anyone has done this before?

zach

 

 

For anyone who's considering an engine swap into an MG you should take a look through the photos and articles in the British V8 Newsletter. http://www.britishv8.org/Photos-MG-Conversions.htm Yes, other four cylinder engines have been used. Carl Heidleman at Eclectic Motor Works did a Miata conversion into a BGT a few years back and documented it in his web site as well. http://www.eclecticmotorworks.com/ 

You can choose any engine you want, but using one that's been done before and documented can save you hours of trouble and lots of dollars because you can be fore warned about potential problems.

The only engines which have "kits" developed for the MGB that I have heard of are the GM 6, the Ford 302, and the Buick / Rover. Anything else will require you to fabricate the brackets and headers, etc.

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'73 Midget (V6)
'59 MGA (I6) under construction
'73 Lotus Europa

"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"