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MGB MGB on Steroids

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No idea, but some group was doing the same thing to a TR6. Whatever happened to that?
 
Well, I just got this email:

Tony

I've owned the car since I got out of the Navy in 1972. It is a 1966 model and the first thing I did back then was put a 215 Buick all aluminum V8 in it with a Muncie and a Jag independent rear end. The engine eventually got changed for a 215 Olds Jetfire that was turbocharged. The car was featured in the original Hot Rod Magazine Engine Swapping Guide. I drove it for about 10 years and had a mishap that crunched the front. I didn't have a good place to work on it then and I sold the drivetrain and just kept the body. The car sat until 2001 when I decided to redo the car using Corvette suspension and an LT1 engine and 6 speed trans from a Z28 Camaro. The last time I narrowed the jag rear slightly to fit under the MG fenders, this time I widened the car (11") to fit over the Corvette suspension. There is less than 300 lbs of original MG steel left in the car - I have fabricated everything. It has a steel tube frame that is welded into what is left of the original monocoque. When I get done it should weigh somewhere around 2,300 lbs and the engine should produce somewhere around 425 hp. A 500 hp Viper has a power to weight ratio of 6.8:1, this should be 5.4:1. It will roll on 9.5" wide x17" front wheels and 11" x17" rears. I am at the point where I have to make new rear fenders with slight bulges to cover the tires and other various new body panels. I built a helve hammer, power shrinker and an English wheel to do the metal work - time now to start beating on some sheet metal.

Jim
 
Reminds me of Steve Wayne's MGA...widened 8" (as I recall) with 302 Ford power...

302mga.jpg
 
Sounds very interesting. There is a TR3 which has been widened featured in the British V8 Newsletter as well, stil not quite finished when the article was published. The major stumbling block is what to do for a windshield? Steve used a plexi racing screen, but the others look like they're planning on using a full frame and finding a curved glass to fit isn't going to be easy. https://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Triumph-TR3-Plus-4.htm
 

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Bill...I'm now in a continuing dialog with the owner of the widened MGB - I've invited him to come on over here & tell us some of his history & something about the car....think about it: he converted his '66 MGB to V8 power in 1072! Who else was doing that back then? Costello and..........
 
tony barnhill said:
think about it: he converted his '66 MGB to V8 power in <span style="font-weight: bold">1072!</span> Who else was doing that back then? Costello and..........
Click to expand...

Perhaps Merlin was around still, but it's unlikely that anyone else was doing anything remotely similar. I wonder if you can joust in an MG.
 
Tony, you should also tell him about the British V8 site. They have a new feature in the forum area for projects under construction where he could post photos of his progress as he gets them. I have my current project MGA posted there. Also would be a nice place for you to get all the photos of SSSnake in one place. https://forum.britishv8.org/list.php?13
 
bill_young said:
Tony, you should also tell him about the British V8 site. They have a new feature in the forum area for projects under construction where he could post photos of his progress as he gets them. I have my current project MGA posted there. Also would be a nice place for you to get all the photos of SSSnake in one place. https://forum.britishv8.org/list.php?13
Click to expand...
I took Bill's advise and you can see the photos on the British V8 forum under Jim Stabe's wide body LT1 powered MGB.

Thanks

Jim
 
Yikes...there are some scary beasts out there....think
I'm gonna have nightmares for awhile...
 
BIBBER said:
Yikes...there are some scary beasts out there....think
I'm gonna have nightmares for awhile...
Click to expand...

Most of these conversions do not give one nightmares...but daydreams!

Come to a British V8 meet sometime....you'll find out what I mean!

:smile:
 
Jim Stabe has joined the BCF & is learning how to post photos...

But, I just went over & looked at those photos - JIM WINS!!

Still, it is gonna be fun the day he & I can park our cars side-by-side at a V8 meet!
 
Rick...not meant in a negative way....I am just in
awe as to the raw power some of those conversions possess...
 
You coming to Raleigh, NC for the V8 meet this June, Tony?

And..British V8 2010 will be in Indianapolis, IN.
 
I never know from day to day where I'm going!
 
Stewart said:
That car is pure evil. If you park your normal mg next to it your going to come back and find it turned into a triumph
Click to expand...
We have a British car day car show out here in sunny San Diego and I can't wait to be able to park it in the middle of a bunch of narrow MGB's. I have looked at it so much that when I see a stock width car it just doesn't look right. The car will be really low but with everything tucked up inside it will still have 5 1/2" ground clearance. The headlight center is right at knee height on me (I'm 6'4") and the width really accentuates the low look. I want to keep as many of the MGB styling cues as I can so that someone casually familiar with the model will look at it (not next to another B) and sense that there is something different but not be able to put their finger on it - also can't be running. I'll keep adding to the album on the British V8 forum as I get things done. You guys have inspired me.

Jim
 
A couple of months ago I went to look at a basketcase MGA for a friend, while we were there the guy showed us his B with a 3.5L V8 (Ali Rover from memory)shoehorned in, looked the real sleeper!
 
zblu said:
A couple of months ago I went to look at a basketcase MGA for a friend, while we were there the guy showed us his B with a 3.5L V8 (Ali Rover from memory)shoehorned in, looked the real sleeper!
Click to expand...
Oh, they're not showhorned in - there's plenty of room...I can even install my engine/trans by myself & remove them....did it many times during mock-up, but might ask for help once the paint is finished!

A real easy swap if anyone's thinking about it, the Rover V8 I mean.

Jim....meant to ask a question: What did you use to cut the car in half? Plasma?
 
tony barnhill said:
zblu said:
Jim....meant to ask a question: What did you use to cut the car in half? Plasma?
Click to expand...
I used a sawsall with a 12" blade. It only took about an hour. I had the the halves of the car supported on the fixture I made and when the last cuts were made the pieces didn't spring at all. I just slid them apart the amount I wanted and started to fill in the gaps.

Jim
Click to expand...
 
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