MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - V6 Conversions

Hey, Just wondering if anyone has any new information on the GM 60 degree V6 conversions. I'm interested in the swap but due to a small budget want to do most of it myself. Seems there has been a lot of interest in this but the info seems to have dried up a bit lately. Perhaps we should have a separate V6 - Conversions subject heading. In the meantime, does anyone have any links to new info?
Thanks a lot.
Tony Mason

Tony: I'm nearing the end of my conversion. Check out Bill Guzman's site at aol.com/jgu1744/Guzmanhomepageindex.htm. I bought my kit from him and am very satisfied. I chose a '94 Camaro engine/tranny combo and had a professional friend install it for me. Mechanically, it went in without any hassles to a '72 B. I chose to retain the FI setup, which necessitated some engineering. Fortunately, my friend knows what he is doing. He's working on the body now and we hope it will be done in 3 weeks. If money is tight, you probably will want to consider going with carburetion. There is a gent in Minnesota who is working on a wiring harness for this conversion. Bill G. can put you in touch with him. E-mail me if you have any question. FYI, I've found several net sites that offer advise and sell products to improve performance. 300hp seems fairly easy to attain.
Bob Fish
rcf@dmv.com
ROBERT FISH

Thanks Bob. I had heard that there were a couple of guys in MN working on this. Hopefully I can hook up with them. I have seen Guzman's kit. Looks great but I see he has bumped the price up another $100. Probably still worth it but it does eat into the budget. The wiring harness is the part that worries me. If I can come up with a donor car, that would help but will still need to do a bit of research. If someone has a harness, that would make it a lot easier. I think it sounds like the standard FI would be the way to go instead of going back to carbs.
Tony Mason

I adapted the engine wiring harness from an '87 Camaro for my V6 midget swap. If you can get the entire harness from the computer out to the engine then there are only about a dozen or so wires you have to patch into the MG harness. A kit would be easier, but it can be done. Get a factory service manual for the electrical system for your donor engine and a good MG wiring diagram.
Bill Young

Wow! I'll bet the Midget hauls now. I have a '74 with a uprated 4 banger. I love the car but more HP sure would be nice. Think I'll keep my eyes on the GT for now though. Thanks for the info on the wiring harness Bill. I guess, more than anything, I'm not up to speed on all the sensors that are required but I'm sure you're right about a good factory service manual. They can save an enormous amount of time and frustration.
Tony Mason

Bob Fish,

I'm researching the 3.4 Camaro transplant. Can you give any site addresses on how to get the high horsepower figures you mentioned. I've seen a few sites, but havn't seen anything like 300 hp; is it through supercharging or turbo? Also, are these carburated or EFI? I can buy a '95 3.4 and 5 speed and all the ancillaries (total lift out) for $2000, with 21,000 miles, and am about to take the plung, so any info will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve Watson
'78 RB
Steve

Steve: Check out www.norrisracingtech.com. They are in Cleveland and offer an induction kit that contains mild to wild heads, roller rockers, either over-the-counter or custom grind cam, and an enlarged throttle body. I'm not saying they claim 300 hp with their kit, but, they are getting close. Also, there is a circle track series that uses this motor, so, quite a bit of development work has already been done to extract horsepower. Actually the 300 hp figure came from the Chevrolet book I bought at a dealer about modifying Chevy motors.
Aso, I've been told that switching to an aftermarket computer chip in the efi motors will net close to 200 hp. That's a pretty easy mod.
ROBERT FISH

There is a pretty good but small section on the 60 degree GM V6 in the book 'Chevy Power' which you can order from your local Chevy dealer. Finding speed parts for this engine is not easy, so any leads such as the previous entry are appreciated. I was not able to locate a chip for my computer, but I really didn't search too hard as the engine is strong enough for me in stock tune in a Midget.
Bill Young

Robert, Bob, Bill,

I too want to keep the EFI. I know the fuel system, fuel tank, etc.. needs major mods, but if I get the whole electronic ignition system with the '95 camaro, what else makes the EFI more expensive than going to carbs? Robert, what did you use for the clutch; I understand with Bill Guzman's kit you need a hydraulic unit; or is it an automatic?

Thanks again,

Steve Watson
'78 RB
Steve

Clutch release linkage will be mostly determined by which transmission and bellhousing you use. The Camaro bellhousing can be modified so that a 1500 Midget slave cylinder can be used, but the pedal effort is rather high. The S10/S15 truck bellhousing has a slave that is mounted to the rear, gives more tunnel clearance and would probably give better pedal feel. I used the Camaro bellhousing and 5 speed and am not unhappy with the results, though less pedal effort would be nice. If you use the Camaro parts you will probably have to drill and tap the alternate transmission mounting holes in order to mount the trans in an upright position and then make a modified rear mount.
Bill Young

All: Have any of you heard of the NAMGBR V8 Registry or their winter party this March 4-8? It will be held in Sebring, Fla at the International Raceway just after the HSR Historic Race weekend and before the 12 hours of Sebring. I am planning on having my V6 there and there may be others. There will be tech sessions, concours, track time, parade laps, etc. There is a special hotel rate for us at the Chateau Elan, located at the track. I attended last summers meet in Cleveland and learned a lot about doing my conversion.
The MGB V8 Registry covers all V type motor conversions. Their newsletters cover a lot of technical topics as well as "How I Did It" articles. If you want more info you can email me at: rcf@dmv.com, check out their website at members.aol.com/DANMAS4/mgv8.htm, or email mgv8news@aol.com directly.
ROBERT FISH

<<or email mgv8news@aol.com directly. >>

Kurt's email address has changed.

I would recommend emailing Don Rausch at donmgv8@yahoo.com for info on the Florida Winter Party. He is organizing the event and will be taking over as publisher of the MGV8 Newsletter.
Carl

I'm new to MG's but have some experience in engine swaps. I saw a '74 MGB with new interior and paint (no engine) for $1200 and a wrecked '79 Buick Turbo 3.8 for $500 and thought they might make the perfect combination. What do you think?

Kraig Short
www.carcepts.com

Kraig Short

Kraig,

The 3.8 has been done, havn't seen a turbo version though.

Go to the following site, plus there may be others you can find in the archives.

http://members.aol.com/danmas/mgbv6.htm


Regards,

Steve Watson
'78 Roadster
Steve

Steve, the clutch release bearing has been used in several vehicles such as Ford rangers some Dodge, Mazda, etc. The one I used in the kit for the T5 Trans the bearing is from Mcleod, and can be purchase from PAW.
It has the correct ratio and trow.

R/Bill
Bill Guzman

I am in need of Bill Guzmans' web page address and phone number. Someone posted a web page address the other day at AOL that doesn't work. Anyone have the correct one?

Thanks,

Larry
Larry Diede

Larry,

here it is; I don't know if his phone is on it, but his email is.

http://hometown.aol.com/jgu1744/Guzmanhomepageindex.html
Steve Watson

Is anyone familiar with 2.8 liter swaps into MGA's? I'm just beginning to put together my parts list and accumulate the necessary ingredients. I am not convinced that I want to go FI, but the only aliminum head 2.8 has it. Anyone have an opinion on the weight balance and effect on handling with the steel head 2.8? Any links or advice is appreciated.
Gary Patterson

Gary, I tried to send you an e-mail, came back undeliverable. I'll try again. Please send me a note so that I can check and make sure the address is correct.
Bill Young

This thread was discussed between 28/01/2001 and 10/02/2001

MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical BBS is active now.