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Hi All. I am about to restore my 1972 MGB. Thinking of doing a Rover V8 conversion but not sure what is involved. Has any one done one before. Will the rover gearbox fit. I know that there is some body mods to be carried out. I have owned the car for about seven years and only use it on sunny weekends as a fun car. So open to any advice. Regards John
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V8 Coversion Is It Worth It
- Thread starter WJM
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bill_young
Jedi Warrior
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There are a lot of guys out there that love their BV8 conversions. Loads of power and make really great touring cars. First I'd suggest you take a look at this basic guide and history for the Rover/Buick V8 swap into a B at https://www.mgcars.org.uk/v8_conversions/rogv8.html and then start looking at all the information and cars covered on the British V8 Newsletter site. https://www.britishv8.org/index.htm As PJ said, Tony's well underway with his conversion and will have lots of good information as well. The most common combination used these days is the Rover engine with the T5 five speed transmission or the Ford 302 with a T5. Also gaining in popularity is the use of the GM 60 degree V6 engines with matching T5s as used in Camaros etc. Plenty of experience and vendors around to assist you with the conversion and parts such as mount kits, bellhousings, etc. Most are listed in the vendor directory of the British V8 Newsletter. There are several guys in Australia with conversions and I've seen most of their posts on the MG Experinced V6 and V8 forum. https://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/list.php?40
That should keep you busy for a while. If I can help in any other way please let me know.
That should keep you busy for a while. If I can help in any other way please let me know.
Is it worth it? Absolutely!
Will the Rover gearbox fit? Yes and no. The Rover (LT77) gearbox would be my fourth or fifth choice. Most people who use a Rover gearbox in their MGB find they need to raise the top of the transmission tunnel. Here's one example photo of what that might look like:
Paul Schils' 1973 MGB-GT (27 photos)
Bill is correct that the Borg Warner T5 is more popular in North America. It's cheap and easy to find here, and it will bolt directly to the original Buick 215 bellhousing if you have one. It only weighs 75 pounds, and it's extremely durable.
... but in Australia and New Zealand, Toyota five speed transmissions seem to be the best choice. I'm told they shift a little smoother and faster. I also understand there are two or three suppliers of suitable bellhousings in Australia. Here's an article about using a Dellow bellhousing to install a Toyota transmission.
Several better photos of the Dellow bellhousing and Toyota transmission appear in this very recent "How It Was Done" article:
Brad Chapman's 1975 MGB V8 conversion (18 photos)
The BritishV8 website really is the best source for information... it provides literally THOUSANDS of detailed photos and a huge searchable online archive of articles that span seventeen years of experience, plus a message board that's specifically oriented toward conversions.
Will the Rover gearbox fit? Yes and no. The Rover (LT77) gearbox would be my fourth or fifth choice. Most people who use a Rover gearbox in their MGB find they need to raise the top of the transmission tunnel. Here's one example photo of what that might look like:
Paul Schils' 1973 MGB-GT (27 photos)
Bill is correct that the Borg Warner T5 is more popular in North America. It's cheap and easy to find here, and it will bolt directly to the original Buick 215 bellhousing if you have one. It only weighs 75 pounds, and it's extremely durable.
... but in Australia and New Zealand, Toyota five speed transmissions seem to be the best choice. I'm told they shift a little smoother and faster. I also understand there are two or three suppliers of suitable bellhousings in Australia. Here's an article about using a Dellow bellhousing to install a Toyota transmission.
Several better photos of the Dellow bellhousing and Toyota transmission appear in this very recent "How It Was Done" article:
Brad Chapman's 1975 MGB V8 conversion (18 photos)
The BritishV8 website really is the best source for information... it provides literally THOUSANDS of detailed photos and a huge searchable online archive of articles that span seventeen years of experience, plus a message board that's specifically oriented toward conversions.
QuickSilver
Jedi Trainee
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WJM said:
Hello John:
I have a 77 MGB and I already have a Ford 302 with an AOD transmission.
The MG engine is a strong runner right now so I am apprehensive about taking out a perfectly running power train.
Please share your findings as you proceed.
Basically all I am looking for are engine and transmission mounts for a Ford 302.
The engine I have is currently sitting in an 87 Mazda B2200 truck and warms the cockle of my heart even just idling.
Here's a wave file of the engine running.
boxofparts
Senior Member
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https://www.aluminumv8.com/
This is where I would start.. I have looked into it and just can't justify the expense. A supercharger or Turbo might be cheaper in the long run but not have that V8 coolness..
This is where I would start.. I have looked into it and just can't justify the expense. A supercharger or Turbo might be cheaper in the long run but not have that V8 coolness..
rick_ingram
Yoda
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boxofparts said:
Dan and Mark Lagrou of D&D have been doing this for a looooong time. They built my 3.9 litre stroker motor for me. I also sourced my T5 transmission and a radiator from them.
They are knowledgable and their prices are fair.
tony barnhill
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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Up in Delaware is the guy who started V8 conversionas in the US, Glen Towery....if you ever get a chance to drive his 4.2 conversion, you'll see that's it is well worth the conversion.
I've been working on mine off and on for years so can't talk from driving mine...but, I have driven Glen's!
I've been working on mine off and on for years so can't talk from driving mine...but, I have driven Glen's!
rick_ingram
Yoda
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I've seen some very nice V6 conversions...and driven a couple as well.
The engine bay of a V6 just begs for more as well- it looks a little barren....There is just no comparison when it comes to the exhaust note of a properly tuned V8, though....
Ford has a nice crate motor of the Boss 302 available....and aftermarket parts are available through a miriad of suppliers.
YOMV
British V8 2010 will be held in Indianapolis (probably) July 7 through 11. Make plans on attending now!
The engine bay of a V6 just begs for more as well- it looks a little barren....There is just no comparison when it comes to the exhaust note of a properly tuned V8, though....
Ford has a nice crate motor of the Boss 302 available....and aftermarket parts are available through a miriad of suppliers.
YOMV
British V8 2010 will be held in Indianapolis (probably) July 7 through 11. Make plans on attending now!
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I have a freind in th local club who did a Rover 3.9 V-8 in a late 60s B GT.
He kept the look stock (from the outside) and made it more of a tourer than a racer, I believe he put a T-5 in it, and a tall rear end. It still goes like stink, also A/C, it is a great all around british car, fast, comfortable, still sporty. He even kept a stock look in the interior/instrument panel. Not a cheap proposition, but a really really nice car, I was fortunate enough to drive it once.
He kept the look stock (from the outside) and made it more of a tourer than a racer, I believe he put a T-5 in it, and a tall rear end. It still goes like stink, also A/C, it is a great all around british car, fast, comfortable, still sporty. He even kept a stock look in the interior/instrument panel. Not a cheap proposition, but a really really nice car, I was fortunate enough to drive it once.
According to his profile, John (who started this thread) is located in <span style="text-decoration: underline">Australia</span> and that will likely affect his choices. For example GM V6 engines and T5 transmissions are somewhat less common in Australia, but Toyota transmissions and bellhousings to adapt them to Rover engines are readily available. There are V8 specialists in Australia who can help with the conversion. Australia has a community of people driving Rover V8 conversions who can provide advice about getting cars through inspection, etc.
Bill Spohn wrote: "The cheaper GM V6 conversion goes just as fast, weighs about the same and if you don't open the bonnet, they won't know you are a couple short of a full load of cylinders (and the displacement is the same)."
There are plenty of good reasons to like sixty degree GM V6 conversions, but they do sound quite different and their displacement is not the same. The V6's came in 2.8L, 3.1L and 3.4L versions. The Rover V8 started at 3.5L, but it's easier to find nowadays in later model versions that displace 3.9L/4.0L, 4.2L or 4.6L.
Here's another nice example:
Laurie Houghton (of South Adelaide) built this 1973 MGB / Rover 3.9L
Bill Spohn wrote: "The cheaper GM V6 conversion goes just as fast, weighs about the same and if you don't open the bonnet, they won't know you are a couple short of a full load of cylinders (and the displacement is the same)."
There are plenty of good reasons to like sixty degree GM V6 conversions, but they do sound quite different and their displacement is not the same. The V6's came in 2.8L, 3.1L and 3.4L versions. The Rover V8 started at 3.5L, but it's easier to find nowadays in later model versions that displace 3.9L/4.0L, 4.2L or 4.6L.
Here's another nice example:
Laurie Houghton (of South Adelaide) built this 1973 MGB / Rover 3.9L
billspohn
Jedi Knight
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davester said:
It is very hard to say what I think about people that say that one sort of engine is the only one worth considering, without being disparaging.
I like engines - all sorts of engines. I own 4, I6, V6, V8, V12 and all have their attractions.
Maybe it is the upbringing - in a culture where American V8s are the only thing worth considering, even if another configuration offers something better (could be power, space utilization etc.) I count myself fortunate to have missed that and to be able to keep an open mind about this sort of thing.
Ah well.
BTW, the GM 60 deg. V6 is also available up to 3.9 these days (the one below is only a 3.4).
QuickSilver
Jedi Trainee
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davester said:
+1
Years ago I remember someone from the northwest selling conversion kits for pre-Rover Buick V8s into MG. They used to advertise in Hemmings. Never got the info when I was only daydreaming - then I scored an engine and have never seen them since. Presumably the kit would have had at the least engine mounts.
QuickSilver
Jedi Trainee
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MGZT260 said:
I apologize in advance if you already knew the following information.
Fast Cars makes a front suspension kit that may be made to include a Ford 302 mount already. About $4,200 - ouch but it looks purdy and it has lot's of nice stuff like big brakes, adjustable suspension, etc to justify that price.
If you have a rubber bumper car, allegedly there is very little to do in modifications to the engine bay and the mounts themselves are relatively easy to make.
I started my Ford 302 swap last weekend officially.