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MGB-GT GT Suspension. RICK.

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PAUL161

PAUL161

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Rick, didn't you put a custom suspension, front and rear under your GT? Do you have any photos of the whole conversion and where the parts were obtained? If I remember correctly, the whole front cross member is custom. Am I correct in this assumption? Would appreciate some photos. Thanks, PJ
 
PAUL161 said:
Rick, didn't you put a custom suspension, front and rear under your GT? Do you have any photos of the whole conversion and where the parts were obtained? If I remember correctly, the whole front cross member is custom. Am I correct in this assumption? Would appreciate some photos. Thanks, PJ
Click to expand...

Yes....I have FastCars, Inc's front crossmember on the front of the GT. It is about #75 lighter than the stock crossmember as is literally a bolt-on piece. Its geometry is based on that of a BMW M3. This piece transforms the handling of the B/GT..It's not cheap...but in my case, felt money well spent. An easy conversion for the home mechanic.
See: https://www.fastcarsinc.com/

On the rear, I used Classic Conversion's (Bill Guzman) four-link rear suspension (attached to a narrowed Ford 8" differential. This was a little more than a bolt-on, with some welding and fabrication required. Install time was the equivalent of about 8 hours (at home, with a two-post lift at my disposal - install time may be increased if you are using jack stands.) The kit is designed for a chrome bumpered MGB...the battery box of a rubber bumpered MGB interferes with the travel of the top link on the right hand side. A simple fix by adapting the battery box with some scrap angle iron and a welder. The kit is well thought out...and lowered my GT by about 2"...and I still have more adjustment available if I need/want it.
See: https://www.classicconversionseng.com/toppage3.htm

I also used Hap's (Acme Speed Shop) 15" Charcoal Superlites to put the rubber on the road. Hap is a member of this forum. (Note that this is NOT the wheel that is shown in the FastCars picture).
 

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Thanks a lot Rick! And thanks for posting the web sites. What a great looking setup. PJ
 
Here's another front end option...I used the Hawks Engineering setup...main difference between them is that you modify & reuse your existing MGB cross member for the Hawkes setup:

hawkbeam.jpg


I got it through Doug Jackson, their US distributor: https://www.mgbmga.com
 
PAUL161 said:
Rick, didn't you put a custom suspension, front and rear under your GT? Do you have any photos of the whole conversion and where the parts were obtained? If I remember correctly, the whole front cross member is custom. Am I correct in this assumption? Would appreciate some photos. Thanks, PJ
Click to expand...

Here's the four-link installed.....
 

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Thanks Rick, Curtis, Tony! The information is well appreciated. Is the stock ratio rear advisable? Is the stock rear up to the additional torque? Will wire wheels take the additional torque?
I'm looking at doing something with the 79. Not sure, as it needs a lot of prep work. The rockers, dog legs and some other minor sheet metal needs replacing. Even thought of buying a rotisserie. As per a question from the wife, has anyone put a high performance auto transmission in one that you know of? I know a lot of guys cringe at this, but it'll be so far from stock, what's the difference. If it's a performance thing, I've seen autos whip the tail off of sticks in a quarter, but personally, I like the T-9 set up. For a trip, roughly, what kind of mileage will a 302 get? Small tank on these things is in question. PJ
 
PAUL161 said:
Thanks Rick, Curtis, Tony! The information is well appreciated. Is the stock ratio rear advisable? Is the stock rear up to the additional torque? Will wire wheels take the additional torque?
I'm looking at doing something with the 79. Not sure, as it needs a lot of prep work. The rockers, dog legs and some other minor sheet metal needs replacing. Even thought of buying a rotisserie. As per a question from the wife, has anyone put a high performance auto transmission in one that you know of? I know a lot of guys cringe at this, but it'll be so far from stock, what's the difference. If it's a performance thing, I've seen autos whip the tail off of sticks in a quarter, but personally, I like the T-9 set up. For a trip, roughly, what kind of mileage will a 302 get? Small tank on these things is in question. PJ
Click to expand...

Yes...the stock 3.9 MGB is sufficient for most of these conversions.

Personally, I would not run wire wheels (most MGBs are 60 spoke)...but there are a few conversions out there with them on.

Yes...you can install an automatic trasmission. Check out the British V8.org website for styles.

You will not want to run the T-9, but run the T-5 with this conversion. I suggest you contact Pete Mantell at https://www.mantellmotorsport.com with questions regarding this conversion.

The Ford 302 can get into the mid-20 mpg easily....as long as you keep your foot out of it 100% of the tme. Twelve gallons give you good range.

HTH

rick
 
I'm using an MGC rear end
 
Thanks again fellas. I'm documenting all this info for a future trip to the asylum, and the bank.
jester.gif
 
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