Surely doing it the hard way, but it's a "parts what ya got" kinda deal. Anybody have experience putting a 283 or 327 in a chrome bumper MGB along with a Muncie? Seems like it could be a happening little car on the cheap with some fabrication. I know a 60 degree V6 or a 215 Buick/Rover is the common and easy conversion, but humor me and outline what would need doing.
way back in the 70's my dad was the industrial arts teacher at a school. he always wanted a shelby cobra but couldn't afford it. so he decided to build his own. he had a 1958 bugeye sprite that he pulled into his shop at school and started to build..he made a complete tube ch***is, and he gutted the body, with only the shell remaining. he shoe-horned in a 350 out of a chevelle i do believe, along with a super t-10 ******. the driveshaft is 11" 12" slicks on the back. the car weighs roughly 1600-1700lbs, about 450hp, and goes like stink, it lifts the front end, and yes it's street legal. the car is smaller then an mgb, or spyder, or triumph. i have some pictures at http://groups.msn.com/1929modela/shoebox.msnw (there's pics on both pages)
There was one that street raced around the OKC area for 10 or so years. It finally disappeared. Not sure what happened to it. It never did run all that great, not sure why.
i had an 1978 MGB that i bought new , the dealer's son where i got it had one with a 350 chevy and 4-speed.... what i remember was he had to do alot of cutting of the firewall and transmission tunnel to get it in , and i think he did some notching of the inner fenderwells too to get the exhaust out he gave me a ride once , went like hell
There are 2 alpines that are fairly cheap on eBay right now... They're the same body as the Tiger... number 1 number 2 They'll take less as far as firewall and tunnel than the MG.... but the MG can be done.... and a narrowed 8" would be good to put out back as the stock rear won't last a NY minute behind a SBC...
You could just blow it... http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=37880&SortOrder=1 But it would probably cost more than the V8 conversion... I'm sure with a shoehorn, a sawzall and some WD-40, you can fit it in there They're out there...all different sorts: This one has a Ford 289 in it Here is a guy with the Buick 215 you mentioned: http://69.204.100.206/mgb/index.html He even has articles on his web site: http://69.204.100.206/mgb/leonsmgb/images/Mg-1.jpg http://69.204.100.206/mgb/leonsmgb/images/Mg-2.jpg
As a kid, my grandparent's neighbor had one with a big block in it. Scary as hell when I was 8 or 9. Now, I think I'd like it!
Chrome bumper B's have a smaller engine compartment. Late '74-80 are set up for the 215. Ive wanted to do one for years but just sold my second to last B Now all I have is a 1980LE, that will be my wife's first resto. Small and light are the name of the game, but you can do anything if you through enough money at it. I think a TR-6 would be a perfect candidate. Its not unibody, and the tractor engine is big and heavy. I would like a V8 TR-6 with a TR-4a front. Id lover me a TR-250
My parents' old neighbor has a MGBGT with a V8 from the factory. I guess they put the Rover V8 in the things. Looks stock, except for a big bubble on the hood. Anyway, if the factory can do it, you should be able to fit one in somehow.
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