MGB V8 Roadsters
Discussion
I'm seriously considering whether a V8 MGB Roadster will be my next classic.
Given that they're all individually built, the quality and specification varies wildly and there are some for sale that I wouldn't go near. The other end of the spectrum are the Frontline cars which are well out of my budget.
I've done my research on the subject and am familiar with the available options, brakes, suspension, gearboxes etc.
What I don't have is any first, or even second hand experience.
Common sense dictates that the car should be competently built and have the various ancillaries uprated to handle the extra power and performance.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has owned or driven a converted V8 Roadster. I'm particularly keen to get first hand accounts of the various rear suspension upgrades particularly from Frontline and Hoyle.
.
Given that they're all individually built, the quality and specification varies wildly and there are some for sale that I wouldn't go near. The other end of the spectrum are the Frontline cars which are well out of my budget.
I've done my research on the subject and am familiar with the available options, brakes, suspension, gearboxes etc.
What I don't have is any first, or even second hand experience.
Common sense dictates that the car should be competently built and have the various ancillaries uprated to handle the extra power and performance.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has owned or driven a converted V8 Roadster. I'm particularly keen to get first hand accounts of the various rear suspension upgrades particularly from Frontline and Hoyle.
.
Well it’s a long time ago but I started with a rubber bumper as because it’s easier to convert. I overhauled and fitted a rover v8 3.5 with a Lt77 gearbox. There is a small amount of relief required in the tunnel and a shortened drive shaft. The oil filter is a remote filter using the original oil cooler. The ignition is a new electronic dizzy,the exhaust I used block huggers which was available at the time now the thing to do is the through the inner wing manifolds. The intake was originally a holly carb but I changed it to a copy of the MGB v8 t type intake with SUs mainly for the look and I am comfortable tuning SUs.
Suspension I lowered chrome bumper height rear with Lowe springs and blocks front wi5 lowering springs front shocks are V8 spec original and rear is tube shocks adjustable.
Brakes are original rear because they an are large on the 1980 MG the front are MgV8 disks with princes 4pot calipers.
There’s probably more but that’s what I remember
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/1C6tFMcz.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/1Kwb1Nhf" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/1Kwb1Nhf.jpg)
Suspension I lowered chrome bumper height rear with Lowe springs and blocks front wi5 lowering springs front shocks are V8 spec original and rear is tube shocks adjustable.
Brakes are original rear because they an are large on the 1980 MG the front are MgV8 disks with princes 4pot calipers.
There’s probably more but that’s what I remember
Texpis said:
Well it’s a long time ago but I started with a rubber bumper as because it’s easier to convert. I overhauled and fitted a rover v8 3.5 with a Lt77 gearbox. There is a small amount of relief required in the tunnel and a shortened drive shaft. The oil filter is a remote filter using the original oil cooler. The ignition is a new electronic dizzy,the exhaust I used block huggers which was available at the time now the thing to do is the through the inner wing manifolds. The intake was originally a holly carb but I changed it to a copy of the MGB v8 t type intake with SUs mainly for the look and I am comfortable tuning SUs.
Suspension I lowered chrome bumper height rear with Lowe springs and blocks front wi5 lowering springs front shocks are V8 spec original and rear is tube shocks adjustable.
Brakes are original rear because they an are large on the 1980 MG the front are MgV8 disks with princes 4pot calipers.
There’s probably more but that’s what I remember
You've owned it for a long time - you must like it ! I'd love to build one from scratch but don't have the time or place. Also a lot cheaper to buy one ready done.Suspension I lowered chrome bumper height rear with Lowe springs and blocks front wi5 lowering springs front shocks are V8 spec original and rear is tube shocks adjustable.
Brakes are original rear because they an are large on the 1980 MG the front are MgV8 disks with princes 4pot calipers.
There’s probably more but that’s what I remember
There are a few decent ones for sale - the difficulty is finding one without driving all over the UK.
tis looks cheap? first I thought incl hardtop, but thats excl, but I guess still not expensive for a MGB V8
1969 MG MGB Heritage shell build 3.9 V8
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1702055
1969 MG MGB Heritage shell build 3.9 V8
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1702055
Thebaggers said:
I think it is 340, it is one of the Tuscan challenge engines, have a dyno print somewhere. Side exits so it does make a good noise.
that is some good power!ah, now you mentioned it, I do not see a rear exhaust
also no side exhaust in those pictures, 'sounds' like fun. 
also great you made it yourself, very handy when you have to replace things, or find some troubles after some problem, you know the car inside out that way.
I once looked at one with a 4.3 BV in it and 300hp also sebring kit in the Netherlands long time ago, came across it when taking some other car route, so I stopped by that garage asking if it was for sale.
answer yes and no? hm, it had troubles to keep the drive axles in a good state, to the wheels or diff? forgot, he said, they could not fix the problem? it was on its third + axles or something, they even made stronger ones? so... whit that in mind at the time (long time ago) and me not that handy for all those sort problems (at the time no internet lol) so I decided to take his advise and drove on, but never completely forgot that one, looked very cool, also green. They used it for motorsport, but also had road plates.
Mr Tidy said:
IIRC there was a guy called Ken Costello who was fitting Rover V8s to Roadsters before BL got around to making V8 GTs, and his conversions got good reviews back in period.
By the late 70s the MGB really needed a bit more than the 1,800cc OHV boat-anchor could deliver!
https://www.mgcostello.com/evolution-of-the-costello-v8#:~:text=Initial%20development%20of%20the%20Costello,Triumph)%20and%20bespoke%20%27block%2DBy the late 70s the MGB really needed a bit more than the 1,800cc OHV boat-anchor could deliver!
Autocar tested a Costello GT in May '72; at that time cars had gearbox uprated as per MGC, larger clutch (9.5 v 8.0"), 3.07 diff. I used to see one of the early ones regularly but not for many years now.
TarquinMX5 said:
Mr Tidy said:
IIRC there was a guy called Ken Costello who was fitting Rover V8s to Roadsters before BL got around to making V8 GTs, and his conversions got good reviews back in period.
By the late 70s the MGB really needed a bit more than the 1,800cc OHV boat-anchor could deliver!
https://www.mgcostello.com/evolution-of-the-costello-v8#:~:text=Initial%20development%20of%20the%20Costello,Triumph)%20and%20bespoke%20%27block%2DBy the late 70s the MGB really needed a bit more than the 1,800cc OHV boat-anchor could deliver!
Autocar tested a Costello GT in May '72; at that time cars had gearbox uprated as per MGC, larger clutch (9.5 v 8.0"), 3.07 diff. I used to see one of the early ones regularly but not for many years now.
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