Best way to get more performance? Lose 1000 lbs. MGB swap

MustangSix

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Check this thread and particularly post #34. http://www.mgexp.com/phorum/read.php?40,2895734,page=3

An MGB weighs in at only between 2100-2300 lbs (1000kg) depending on year. The 200 is actually lighter than the B-series lump by about 30lbs. That's hundreds less than even the sleekest early Mustang and as much as 1000 lbs below some of the larger cars here.

The MG suspension, brakes, and chassis are very capable in stock form; (R&P, 11" discs) no upgrades needed. The rear is 3.909 and is good for far more power than a 200 could make.

I like the SU's adapted to the log. Looks really cool and probably works very well. Well done!
 
I'm glad others are looking at the 200 for an upgrade.

One problem is that you have to be a member of the forum to see the photos of the 200 in the MGB.

In post #34, it is noted that the 200 is from an 83 Zephyr with a 65 bellhousing and clutch.
The 200 from an 83 would have a low mount starter/big bell, whereas the 65 bellhousing would be a high mount/small bell.

Again, great post. Thank you for sharing.
 
Dan,
Sorry, didn't know about the registration, but if you want to join, it's a painless process. Not sure if images will link from there. Let me give it a try.

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Thank's Jack.

Looks like the 200 was made for the MGB.
I went ahead and joined the forum.
Made my first post and offered help.
 
Found a couple more pictures. Very interesting swap.
 

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You've got to love that carb mod. I've recently thought 2 synchronous 1 barrels split out like that would be ideal for these engines. Very cool. I would have gone a little further apart though and put them right inbetween 2-3 and 4-5
 
nice to see "your" site linked on another's.
Wish Mike could see this…

I all ways enjoyed seeing the GT model drive by in town back in the day.
For the bent8 guys, OEM in the Sunbeam 'Tiger' (or wuz it the Alpine?) was
a 289!

I've seen plenty SU carbs (Brit, Italians & other European) but never w/those 'cans' on em.
Some kinda air cleaners? Why do U never see em on other SUs?
 
Jack, that MG is a rocket. A 1K diet will be power plus. Bill
 
woodbutcher":1cvhzsuv said:
:unsure: Hi Chad.IIRC,that was a 260.
Good luck.Haqve fun.Be safe.
Leo

Hi again Leo.
U mean the Sunbeam Tiger?
No, I believe it wuz a 302 (may B 289?).

May B I'm not following U...
 
wsa111":28x5pi4n said:
Jack, that MG is a rocket. A 1K diet will be power plus. Bill

Bill, absolutely right. Losing weight is better than gaining horsepower in lots of ways; cornering, braking, fuel economy.....

In terms of power to weight, a 220 hp 2000lb MGB would be the equal of a new 450hp 4200lb Challenger, Camaro, or Mustang. New cars are heavy!

Even a lightweight like a roundbody Falcon will be 600-700 lbs heavier than an MGB.
 
MustangSix":16slyjuk said:
Even a lightweight like a roundbody Falcon will be 600-700 lbs heavier than an MGB.

Are you sure about that? I've always heard the roundbody's curb weight quoted at 2350-2450 depending on options. They were not heavy cars. An MGB is small but not light - that quoted 2200lbs above seems about right. There is certainly no way an MGB weighs 1600lbs. A Bugeye Sprite weighs about 1300lbs, a fiberglass Saab Sonnet weights about 1700lbs. A roundbody is only 200lbs heavier than an MGB.

For example: http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/201 ... ture3.html

1961 Tudor - Curb weight: 2,388 pounds
 
Research shows the MGB weighs between 2000 and 2300lbs depending on year. So, barely lighter than a roundbody.

In 1975, the car produced 62.5 bhp at 5500 rpm, and 86 lb.-ft. of torque at 3000 rpm. Curb weight was 2,287 pounds
 
And the Sunbeam Tiger was a 260 in '64-'67 and a 289 in '68. Never a 302. :) A Tiger weighed about 2600lbs, about the same as a Cobra. Slightly heavier than a '63.5 roundbody with a 260. :)
 
Various sources place the weight of a roundbody between 2350 and 2500 lbs. I guess the difference could be 2dr, 4dr, or wagon configurations. So yep, pretty light for an envelope that size.

I've got weight slips for my 66 Mustang at 2795 lbs and for the 79 MGB roadster (stock, before weight reduction) at 2350. We dropped 98 lbs off the MG just by taking the rubber bumpers off. Our Zetec/T5 combo is over 100 lbs lighter than the MG lump. Along with some other stuff we trimmed, it's likely our MGB is right at 2000 lbs. If you used a 200 cube six, it would still be 50 lbs lighter than that massive British chunk of iron. An alloy Duratec would trim almost 200lbs from the MG.

Still, I'll take a 300 lb reduction if I can get it. When you get into the flyweight category even a few lbs makes a difference in hp/wt ratios. If you think about it, a 200-220hp early Falcon is in the same power-to-weight class as a 375hp 2015 Dodge Challenger 5.7 Hemi at 4100 lbs.
 
Can anyone share additional details on how the side draft carbs were mounted to the log head? It appears short stub manifolds were mounted on top of the log, and the original carb opening blocked off. I would be interested in seeing a bit more on that.
 
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