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Mk 2 Midget V8

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scott421

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I am restoring a 1966 Mk2 for the wife at the moment . Nearly finished the body and almost ready for its new Barbie Pink paint job /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/blush.gif . Anyway she has dropped the bombshell that she wants me to put a Rover V8 in it (she is almost as big a petrol head as me ) .
Does anyone have experience of this conversion - brakes / suspension etc ?
 
I am not even sure if the V8 will fit a Midget. I know there are books floating around on V8 conversions for the MGB's but not for the Midget.

One thing I did notice is that the value of the car actually drops because of the conversion. You may want to reconsider, especially if the car is completely restored.
 
I'm not sure "Barbie Pink" was in the original pallete, so I'm sensing that authenticity is not an issue. These cars are for fun.

Anyhoo, I have no personal knowledge about performing such a conversion, but one thing i do know is that a lot of cutting and welding would be involved. If you are up for that, go for it!
 
Also plan on beefing it up from front through rear.
A Nissan A15 motor conversion has been known to blow out rear ends and axles. A V8 could be way too much power for the original running gear, suspension would need some close scrutiny too.
 
A 150 HP V/8 in a Midget would require significant and expensive modification to practically every mechanical system in the car. We all know that, some more than others! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cry.gif

Why not put a nice, modern four-banger in there? It's relatively easy and cheap to get 120HP+ out of modern 4 cylinder engines and there are plenty of good examples in junk yards. In fact, there are many choices that would weigh less than the original Midget engine.

A Midget with 100BHP would be a force to recon with, trust me. I admit the V/8 is sexy, but very impractical in most LBCs. Similar power/torque can be had in a 4 modern, lightweight 4 cylinder engine. I'd shoot for about 100-110 BHP, more than enough to propel a Midget to suborbital velocities!

My tuppence worth. Good luck, let us know!
 
There is an older gent in KC who has several hundred thousand on an old midget with a small block Chevy, Where there is a will, there is a way. Several yrs ago there was a semi of s2000 wrecked in the area and drive trains were for sale. I thought that would be an interesting switch.
 
Thanks for the replies , I will report back to her . Its the noise of the V8 she wants I think as she is used to powerful cars with the rest of our stable. Thanks for the link to britishv8 - I never thought of a stag engine in my TR6 .
 
In one of the 'MG World' Magazines a few months ago there was a chap in England that had not only put a Rover V8 into his late model Midget, but he had also fitted an All Wheel Drive system from a Ford Sierra. He had wheel flares and a hood scoop to help make it all fit. You might start checking back issues...
 
I ran into a guy at dougs british car parts on colorado in pasadena 15 years ago that claimed to have a v8 under the hood. When he took off he smoked the tires for a full block. Craziest thing I had ever seen at that point in my life.
 
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