One conversion often recommended for improved engine performance is the use of some sort of freer flowing air filtering system.  There are several available, the most commonly used and recommended being the substitution of K&N brand cotton gauze filtering elements.   

Among the K&N brand filter elements offered for use on the MGB, there are choices for simple replacements for the OE cylindrical paper elements, "pancake" style elements with chromed mounting and end plates, and today, more modern conical one piece elements which combine a moulded-on rubber end plate, the actual filter element,  and a moulded-on rubber mounting ring that simply clamps around the outside lip of the OE factory cast  aluminum air filter backing plate used from 1962-1974.  

Hap Waldrop, owner of the Acme Speed Shop in South Carolina, http://www.acmespeedshop.com/, and an avid MGB racer, has used the last of these choices on his customer's cars and his own racecar.  The K&N model used is # RU 4410 and is probably the simplest  and most efficient K&N filter conversion you can undertake.  You can reuse the OE Cooper's cast rear mounting plate with its integrated air horn and improve the air flow to the carbs by eliminating the turbulence within the filter/carb assembly generated by the OE mounting bolts/spacer tubes.   Below, you will find some photos from both Hap Waldrop and Clifton Gordon of this conical filter's installation and the improved fastening of the rear mounting plate possible.  Hap has used both shallow round head bolts and also recessed allen bolts to help improve air flow even more.

Clifton Gordon's installation of the K&N RU 4410 filter.

Note the simple rear mounting clamp installation!

Hap Waldrop's use of shallow head Allen Screws to help smooth air flow. 

Hap's recessed allen screw mounting.

Clifton Gordon's finished installation.

Here is an untouched photo of the mouth of one of my SUs taken immediately after removal of my K&Ns after a 14 month term of service. The K&Ns used were at least 10 yrs old, having had only normal maintenance as prescribed by K&N when using their products.

The "unvarnished" truth!  I don't sell 'em, I am not even sure that they clean as well as some modern alternatives, such as those offered by Amsoil, but this is a sample of my luck, and I live in the filth capital of Idaho, land of constant earth moving and development.

http://www.studdsey.fsnet.co.uk/mgbtunings.htm 


Anyone wanting an authoratative guide to how to gain the most out of an MGB should visit and then bookmark this site.  Steve has done every MGB owner an immeasurable service in writing this and bringing together his and other's experience and knowledge about how to make the most of a solid little car. If you decide to print off the site, just know it is 41 pages long!  The bountiful harvest of a singular purpose.

Jeff Schlemmer's Advanced Distributors, http://www.advanceddistributors.com/about07_3.htm
will provide you with excellent rebuilding of your worn out Lucas distributor, done with excellent parts and quality workmanship.  In addition, he is able to tailor your distributor's advance curve to suit the components in your engine.  The photos below are of the distributor he rebuilt for me and when I received it, I was very gratified that it had become such a fine unit, had the least "slop" in the shaft of any NEW dizzy I had ever encountered, and performed so well with my engine. I highly recommend his work and that you consider his services.  You will be grinning from ear to ear, rather than chasing another electrical gremlin around in circles.

Rick Ingram's "Pieces of Eight"  Please contact Rick at mowog1@aol.com for further information!

These are Rick's front struts.  They really open the hood up high and out of the way for great access to the engine compartment.  I've had mine on for over 12 yrs and I have truly appreciated the ability to get to what I need to work on with no hassles.  The last time I hauled the engine out, I did not need to remove the hood or tie it to a rafter, and everything had plenty of room to go in and out.

And these are Rick's rear hatch struts for the GT.  Again, improved access, and no more collapsing hatch because one of the old fashioned stays had gotten weak!  A small modernization that MG could have used back when they were building these.

 Wade Keene created a very nice stainless steel wire mesh grille upgrade as seen below, and at an affordable cost.  It required some looking for the stainless mesh and some cutting and installation.  Looks really sharp to me!                                                                                           

Wade has mentioned that the grille mesh is plenty strong enough to easily support grille mount rally lights, and there should be plenty of air flow to the radiator through the mesh chosen.

It makes for a nice looking grille overall.

He has done a first rate job making his, and if you made your own, it will make any MGB Look just a bit classier in a very vintage British way!

For my Australian and all MG visitors, if you need used parts or restoration services, you can count on Maurie Prior's work and enthusiasm.  Please go to his site at

http://www.mgusedparts.com 

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