suspension upgrades

[philman]

What kind of suspension upgrades would be nice on an MGB as a fast road car? My brother will want to know for his B when I get the engine in.

 

[Steve_S]

Polyurethane bushings and good tires will make a world of difference. If it's a rubber bumper car, lower it to chrome bumper height.

Some people will tell you to uprate the sway bar, lower the car more, run stiffer shocks, etc. These can make an improvement but aren't always good for road use. I'd take it one step at a time so you can see the difference each part makes. Since there is no "best setup" for everyone, tailor the car to its driver instead.

 

[CraigFL]

I agree with Steve. This is what I did and it made a world of difference.

 

[philman]

Thanks, I looked at the car and probably all he would want arre new bushings. The suspension seems really tight. It hasn't been driven in about 5 years and hasn't run since the "new" engine was installed.

 

[vping]

I agree with Steve as well and can't wait to do it to my car. New tires already installed and Urethane bushings are on the way. Once I get it on the road I will try it with the stock sway bar and then increase from 9/16" to 5/8".

 

[Nunyas]

I'd like to add that if the car falls into the years between (and including) 1974.5 - 1976 then you will want to ADD a front sway bar, because the MGB's during those years had NONE in stock form. Soooo, "early" RB B's should be lowered, have a stock CB sway bar added to the front end, and swap the bushes for poly. Those three things will make the car handle like a completely different car.

Of course, adding a sway bar to a RB B from those years makes a world of difference to begin with...

 

[vping]

What are the forums thoughts on a Rear sway bar?

 

[Steve_S]

Do not put a rear bar on an early car. It will introduce handling problems that are difficult to overcome.

 

[1965_MGB]

I have read that rear bars on CB cars can cause some problems during hard cornering. Most just suggest upgrading the tiny front bar, but leave the rear bar out.

The later RB cars have one, and probably should retain it due to the higher center of gravity.