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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Will it fit?

I've got a 3synchro GT and was wondering how difficult it would be to fit a V8. I've got no problem with the mechanical side of things, its more about the bodyshell! I know the radiator would have to be moved forward but what about the bulkhead and the tunnel (3synchro)? I fitted a 5 speed conversion 12 months ago with a reconditioned sierra box, is there any way of mating the V8 engine to this gearbox, which uses a 3-synchro type bellhousing? - I could change this to the 4-synchro type if the front of the tunnel is large enough. Thanks in advance for any help / suggestions!
Paul Grundy

I have a Rover V8 in a narrow (3 synchro) transmission tunnel car (1963). I have a factory V8 gearbox.

Briefly I took all the bellhousing and bulkhead shapes from a wrecked RB car and welded then into place. It is a big job, but the car looks like an RB car in the engine bay only.

It is best explained in the book How to give your MGB v8 power.

I took many photos and can send some if you are serious about going down this path. I like the early cars because there is more leg room.

cheers
Ian Buckley

The supra gear (or celica) toyota box will fit in a chrome bumper with no alterations I believe (w.r.t. tranmission tunnel, you still have those bulk head corners). It certainly fits in my rubber bumper with heaps of room and is a very nice item, very smooth with a 0.78 overdriven fifth gear in the W58 version. Jeff Dellow (see archives) makes a bell housing etc(about $400 or 160 pounds) for this. I believe (according to Roger Williams second book) that someone local to you is importing & selling them, though it might be cheaper to phone direct.
Ian's right about Roger Williams book (a speed pro book I think). He has also witten another along similiar lines which is definitly worth buying. Buying this book would have to be the first step, it gives you a starting point, from there you can ask specific questions. A couple of things I don't quite agree with, but you can't please all of the people etc. and the book is a terrific effort.
For example, don't offset your gear box 14mm to get the gear lever in the right spot, this is frought with potential problems.
You don't need a swirl pot for EFI, just a late model sender for the pickup line.
The most you can remove from your EFI plenum is 33 to 34mm (which is enough).
EFI is easier & cheaper than Carbies
Peter

Just a thought, Jeff might make an V8 bell housing for your seria. He makes dozens of others for all sorts of motors.
Peter

This thread was discussed between 01/08/2003 and 02/08/2003

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