I saw an RX-7 motor dropped into a hilclimb MGB in Pensylvania. Grass
Roots Motorsports did an article about it a few months ago. It looked
good but the front half of the engine compartment was empty, I don't know
if the rotory is that much shorter or if it had to be set back for other
reasons, but there were a number of pics that might help if anyone whats
to do it.
James Nazarian
'71 B roadster
'74 BGT bastardization with big aluminum heart :)
'63 Buick 215 cubic inch 'heart'
On Tue, 7 Sep 1999, Jim Stuart wrote:
> Obie-
>
> The Ford is a good fit. I have seen a couple at the V8 conventions over the
> past 3 years. If you can find one, the 1964 Buick 300 is only marginally
> larger than the 215, that year has aluminum heads, to minimize the weight
> penalty. Rover V8's of course, are virtually identical to the 215, come in
> various sizes up to 4.6L stock, & are a modern engine, not too difficult to
> find.
>
> For the most part, MGB V-8 conversions have been limited to the Buick
> 215/Rover engines for several reasons. 1, the original Costello conversion was
> a Rover, then Buick/Olds when Rover cut off his supply. The Factory V8 was a
> Rover, so similar conversions seem to be more acceptable to the general MG
> fraternity.
> 2- All the engineering has been done for the 215/Rover swap, & an abundance of
> swap parts & info are available, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel.
> 3- Its hard to beat the power to weight ratio of an all aluminum engine, plus
> they run so much cooler, an important consideration if you consider the lack
> of room in the engine bay, poor air circulation, & a very narrow place for a
> radiator.
> 4- The weight reduction of the 215/Rover swap improves handling with an almost
> perfect 50/50 balance, while heavier engines will require suspension work,
> spring & shock changes, bigger sway bars, etc, or you will loose one of the
> MGB's best qualities- great handling.
>
> Depending upon your choices, you may wind up with a hot rod built upon a MG
> body, not the same in everyone's eyes as a "V8 conversion", & not necessarily
> a salable item if you should need to part with it sometime in the future.
>
> On the other hand, its your car & money & time. I am sure all on the list will
> help you in any way they can. If you want to go "way out", how about a Rotary?
> Very compact, lots of power, no weight penalty, & I have never seen one done.
> Lots of RX7's around.
>
>
> Obadiah Fayth wrote:
>
> > Hi folks,
> > I have been lurking on the list for a while now gathering info on
> > v8 swaps and given the seemingly rarity of Buick 215s I was wondering if
> > anyone had swapped in any other kind of engine. I was looking at some
> > general engine dimention specs and though it is heavier, the ford 5.0 is
> > almost the same size-wise as the Buick 215. Anyone ever fit one to an MGB?
> >
> > -Obie
> > Tacoma, Wa. USA
>
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