MGB The world's first 2.2 Oselli-powered MGB

[kilofoxtrotalpha]

We are installing this engine, the first of its type, in a 72 Roadster, down here in New Zealand. It is based on an Oselli 1950cc stage 2 and initial tests in the UK apparently blew the socks off the figures for a supercharged 1800. Will keep you posted.

 

[drooartz]

Sounds intriguing! Going to have to look up Oselli now, not something I've heard of.

 

[maynard]

Pictures?

 

[kilofoxtrotalpha]

Nothing to see, yet, apart from a load of boxes on a pallet. We'll be installing it in mid-September, after completing a fairly long classic car rally here.

 

[Grantura_MKI]

Oselli have been around for years and have build B lumps to a very high spec that are known for there longevity.

 

[Silverghost]

From their website:

Our 1950cc stage two balanced engine is by far the most popular engine we produce. This engine depending upon ancillary items fitted, will give an increase performance of about 40% on the standard unit and with its increased capacity will give the all important increase in torque by the same amounts!!! All of which are very noticeable in every day 'normal' road use.

1950cc fast road stage 2 fully balanced with clutch and lightened flywheel

£3450.00​

 

[kilofoxtrotalpha]

I think you may have overlooked Oselli's new 2.2... so new, they haven't published performance figures.

 

[kilofoxtrotalpha]

Recent talk on the forum about welch or core plugs seems slightly ironic here, because the rear core plug just blew on our existing engine. Rather than replace it and carry on - and because a proper job involves removing the engine - we've decided to bring forward installation of the 2.2. With a bit of luck, we might have it turning and burning by the end of next week.

 

[DrEntropy]

Recent talk on the forum about welch or core plugs seems slightly ironic here, because the rear core plug just blew on our existing engine. Rather than replace it and carry on - and because a proper job involves removing the engine - we've decided to bring forward installation of the 2.2. With a bit of luck, we might have it turning and burning by the end of next week.

Good decision! That rear welch plug is one reason we've the old short block from our road going '64 B here propping up the garage beer locker!

 

[kilofoxtrotalpha]

Our new 2.2 engine was installed on 1 September, 50 years after the car was assembled in Australia. We had planned to install it after a marathon car rally but the old engine blew a core plug 10 days before the start. So we had to go for broke; and a 2500km road trip was an ideal running-in period.

This engine, the first of its kind and developed by Oselli in the UK, is based on the B-series 1800, bored to 1950 with a stroked crankshaft which increases the capacity to 2200cc. It is fuelled by a Weber 45 DCOE carb. We also fitted an uprated alternator (from 50 amp to 75) and a high-torque WOSP starter motor. The engine is using a 123ignition electronic distributor taken from the car’s original engine. We also fitted Oselli’s recommended exhaust system.

The engine on bench test in the UK developed 154 bhp and 165 lb ft torque around 3000 rpm. We have yet to fine-tune this on a dyno, but expect it to achieve higher performance.

On the rally, and under running-in conditions, the torque from 2500 to 3500 was impressive. (We did not take it beyond 4000rpm during the running-in stage.) We found that fuel consumption averaged about 8.2 km per litre across a challenging variety of roads – everything from back-country tracks and normal rural roads to urban driving.

It is evident to us that the Oselli 2.2 engine will transform any standard MGB, but it is not a cheap upgrade.

We’ll report again, once the engine is fully bedded in and properly tuned.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

VERY NICE! Looks like it belongs in there. (Well, of course it does...!)

Looking forward to hearing more about it.


Mickey

 

[drooartz]

So cool! Those are some great numbers for a B series engine, should make that car just sing.

 

[billspohn]

I did much the same thing when I grafted a Twin Cam head onto an MGB block bored to 1950 cc but the longer stroke would have been incompatible with the 7800 rpm red line I was using.

Should be good for your torque, though.