LSX Oddity: LS1 into a ’72 MGB

[Keith Tanner]

Happy new year Dropping in for an update - probably the last one until I paint the car. But I thought you guys might enjoy a peek under the car. I got it on a lift for the first time. It was built on jackstands.

I also dropped it on the scales. 2378 lbs with an almost-full tank of gas and a spare tire - full street trim. 51.9% of the weight is on the front wheels. Now if only the weather will warm up so I can use full throttle in at least one gear. I lit the tires up in fourth at about half throttle driving to work yesterday...

 

[Bigredmariner]

That thing is awesome Keith.

 

[Tucson Z60]

The MGB GT's in England were avaialble witha V-8 option. They came with what was called the Rover 3500. The Rover 3500 is a buick 215 aluminum V-8 that was installed in the MGB GT V-8. These little cars all had the sheet metal in the fender wells already done up with the indentations to accept the V-8's!!

The Brits used the 3500 in many cars and the Rover, I think the last time they used in a sports car imported to the US was teh Truimph TR8. So if your ever looking for small block 215.....look into to some old Rovers and Range Rovers.

Here is a circa 73 or So MGB GT V-8 factory installed!! Damn cool!!

Lovin the Dual SU carbs!!

 

[buRRp]

Very nice. Can,t wait to see it after it's painted.

 

[Keith Tanner]

The Rover engine was available in the US in Discoveries and Range Rovers up until 2004. It eventually got punched out to a 4.6, and was the basis of a bunch of tuning companies in the UK. Small size and very light weight make it a good choice for small sports cars, and there are a lot of MGs running around with them. I've actually got one of the Buick 215s stashed under my workbench, ready to go in the 1967 Land Rover someday. Think of it as the small block Chevy of England and you're on the right track.

However, that 1973 car you show had a massive 137 hp. The final Land Rover versions had 225 hp and 280 ft-lb. The engine's light and small, but not a powerhouse. I drove a Rover-powered MGB GT before I started my project, and while it made glorious noises it was about as fast as a stock 1990 Miata in a straight line. I think all of the "rubber bumper" MGs (74 and later) had the V8 engine bay mods, even the 4 cylinders. Wouldn't have helped me though, I needed more room in the engine bay.

 

[Zembonez]

Cool stuff! Thanks for the continued updates.

 

[66nova]

This is an awesome project Looking forward to the progress.

 

[nubuilder]

The car is coming together very nicely!

Should be a very fun car to drive and very well put together once you're all done. Keep up the good work!

 

[Tucson Z60]

The Rover engine was available in the US in Discoveries and Range Rovers up until 2004. It eventually got punched out to a 4.6, and was the basis of a bunch of tuning companies in the UK. Small size and very light weight make it a good choice for small sports cars, and there are a lot of MGs running around with them. I've actually got one of the Buick 215s stashed under my workbench, ready to go in the 1967 Land Rover someday. Think of it as the small block Chevy of England and you're on the right track.

However, that 1973 car you show had a massive 137 hp. The final Land Rover versions had 225 hp and 280 ft-lb. The engine's light and small, but not a powerhouse. I drove a Rover-powered MGB GT before I started my project, and while it made glorious noises it was about as fast as a stock 1990 Miata in a straight line. I think all of the "rubber bumper" MGs (74 and later) had the V8 engine bay mods, even the 4 cylinders. Wouldn't have helped me though, I needed more room in the engine bay.

It was sometime in the late 60's that British layland bought the rights from GM for the 215. I am not sure why they all kept it so nutered on power. The engine was the bases of some Formula racing stuff done by Dan Gurrney and others in the 60's. They could get pretty good power out of them.

In ca 80's and 90's you used to see these engines in Dune Buggys and they were making some real power with turbos. I have also seen them used in 911 engine conversions and twin turbos. I have to say a lunky sounding 911 with a Carrera package is pretty impressive. The tinny noise is gone and it's business sounding.

There is a local guy in the small town I live in that has 215 with a vortec type supercharger in a 90 or so Miata. I think he bought some kits stuff to build it. He does not do much with it except run it at the local drag strip.

 

[vansdonk]

I think that the hubby, Mark would take back the mean thing he said earlier if he could see this now.