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Great idea. I would love to see how you cram eight cylinders in a spot made for four. By the way, how do you beef up the front end to support the extra weight?
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Paul,
As a matter of fact, just about any car wide enough to seat two people comfortably side by side is wide enough for a V8, and V8s are just 2 4-clynders side by side, so usually there is length enough as well.
Specifically, as Tony pointed out, From '77 on, all MGBs were made with provisions for a V8. After the factory modified earlier models for the factory version of Costello's V8 modification, they decided in '77 to make all cars the same, V8 or 4 cylinder. Thus a V8 swap into one from '77 on is a virtual "bolt-in" operation.
As for weight, using the same V8 the fctory used, ie, the BOP/Rover aluminum engine, several pounds are removed from the front end, so no mods are required. If you should prefer to use a Ford 302 with aluminum heads, you only add a few pounds, so nothing is really needed to be done to the front end.
Check out the website above for many examples of V8 engine swaps in MGBs and other British cars. Better yet, come on over to the V8 meet and check them out in person, even take a ride in one if you still need convincing. Be forewarned, though -if you do ride in one, and certainly if you get a chance to drive one, you WILL want one! Nothing about the car's character is changed except one aspect - they are ever so much faster, and even more fun than stock.