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RJDubya83
Original Poster
6 posts
11 months
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Hi Guys,
I have had an MGB for a few years now as a rolling chassis while i sort out the bodywork issues and am getting to the point where i need to get it back on the road/track to have some fun with it.
I know this question will have been asked before but cannot find a link which satiates my thirst for ideas, I am looking for an interesting but not overly expensive alternative to modifying the original engine. I have looked at the Nissan 200sx engine route but think it may require too much modification of the shell, thought about the possibility of using a ford type-9 gearbox and a zetec but have found this route to be prohibitive from a cost point of view. Any ideas of what engine and gearbox i could use to give it modern(ish) performance whilst being both cheap (under £1500 all in) and doable by myself with no experience of doing an engine swap.
Any ideas and advice would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob.
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Snake the Sniper
2,235 posts
70 months
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What have you found prohibitive about the Zetec route? Almost any other option will be probably be more expensive. Engine is maybe £200-300, a type 9 maybe another £100. Then it's just an exhaust and you can use all the standard fueling gear from an old Mondeo/Escort. Should be doable for under £750 if you're careful, and less if you can do things like make engine mounts/brackets etc yourself.
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RJDubya83
Original Poster
6 posts
11 months
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Its mainly the fabrication of things like the engine mounts as i cannot weld well enough to be happy with it on the car. Plus i think the examples of this modification i have seen required the passenger floorpan to be modified to fit the exhaust (correct if i'm wrong on that).
This may still be the best way to go as the parts are fairly cheap, i'll probably have to spend more on getting the welding parts done that i cannot do myself. My welding is appauling and should only be used as a last resort!
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stevieturbo
8,369 posts
116 months
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I think you need to decide what sort of power you want.
a 200sx with around 200+ is a far cry fron a n/a Zetec etc.
Is it turbo power you want, or n/a ?
I guess an obvious choice might be a simple MX5 engine swap ? Although it probably will be more expensive than the zetec/type 9 swap.
But if a Rover V8 and LT77 can fit, even the Nissan shouldnt be that difficult ?
And if you buy a decent MIG welder, you should be able to learn quick enough, and it's a very handy thing to have in the garage.
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RJDubya83
Original Poster
6 posts
11 months
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I would prefer it to be n/a with a view to possibly upgrading at a later date to a turbo. Possibly a K-series to be swapped to a T-series or a redtop to swap to a cav tubby engine. I have been trying to think of more unusual options but this just seems to add in cost and extra work to complete, the possibility of a low pressure turbo saab engine mated to an omega box was an interesting thought to reduce the liveliness caused by the turbo on corners.
I do agree though, its easy enough to learn, i had been playing with a friend of mines mig until it decided a constant live would be the way to go... Think its more confidence in my own welding thats the issue.
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Snake the Sniper
2,235 posts
70 months
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The K series, whilst an excellent engine if looked after, will be more expensive for what you're looking at doing. Although if you can find an old Rover 200 I've known people get the engine out, all the engine electrics and so on and sold the rest on for a profit, so it is possible to balance things like an after market bell housing with savings elsewhere on the project.
And engine mounts aren't hard to do in the grand scheme of things. Where abouts in the UK are you? There's a lively 16V section on the MG BBS and I'm sure someone will be near enough to pop over and knock up some mounts for some beer and biscuits! Even if not, there will be a few folk on there who have done the Zetec swap before and can tell you exactly what needs doing and save you a bit of guesswork.
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Steve_D
8,654 posts
127 months
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If your main issue is the welding then just fabricate your mounts and tack weld them. Remove them and get them welded up by someone else.
Steve
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odyssey2200
17,482 posts
78 months
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Toyota 3FSE and 5 speed box will go.
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RJDubya83
Original Poster
6 posts
11 months
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Having looked into this a bit more last night (when i got chance) i think the zetec/type-9 route may be the best way to go even if it hurts my pocket a little to get some fabrication done. There seems to be an abundance of people already completed this conversion so i should be able to get advice and assistance where required. Time to strip the rest of the engine bay of the original wiring and additions from the previous owner to make way for mocking up etc when i get my hands on the engine and gearbox.
I have found that there are a few bits, such as the oil pump, that i will need to source from other cars due to the size of the zetec 1s but this shouldn't be too much of a struggle.
Thanks for your advice, i will now see if any of the MG lads have any advice regarding it and hopefully some pics of conversions done along the way.
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HairbearTE
580 posts
23 months
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The toughest thing about this kind of swap on an MGB isn't usually getting the engine in - there's loads of room - it's trying to squeeze a half decent sized radiator into the mix that's the tough nut to crack..
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Steve_D
8,654 posts
127 months
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HairbearTE said: The toughest thing about this kind of swap on an MGB isn't usually getting the engine in - there's loads of room - it's trying to squeeze a half decent sized radiator into the mix that's the tough nut to crack.. We run a 2.0 Zetec in our kitcar (SuperCat). We use a VW Polo rad which is actually quite small and would be lost in an MGB engine bay. Steve
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HairbearTE
580 posts
23 months
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Steve_D said: HairbearTE said: The toughest thing about this kind of swap on an MGB isn't usually getting the engine in - there's loads of room - it's trying to squeeze a half decent sized radiator into the mix that's the tough nut to crack.. We run a 2.0 Zetec in our kitcar (SuperCat). We use a VW Polo rad which is actually quite small and would be lost in an MGB engine bay. Steve Yeah, some of the polo rads are tiny, if you can successfully use one to cool a 2.0 zetec then it's a great choice. The MGB is hampered by the shape of the inner wings and some of the metalwork around the valance. I have seen big rads in MGBs but it usually involves a bit of chopping around. It's an issue i'm going to have to face up to myself soon enough..
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RegW
1 posts
1 month
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Hi - who knows a mechanic/garage who has already done a Zetec swap that could do one for me?
I already have the T9 gearbox fitted.
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PaulKemp
170 posts
14 months
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Polo rad is a good one to try
One from a 1.9 Desiel would be big enough
You don't need to go wide you can go deep with multiple cores to get more cooling
Blanking the gaps round the sides so air has to go through the rad helps
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Rupert Rigsby
15 posts
2 months
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Mazda MX5 transplant seems a popular choice, and its not that hard to do according to those who have done it.
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davepoth
19,913 posts
68 months
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RegW said: Hi - who knows a mechanic/garage who has already done a Zetec swap that could do one for me?
I already have the T9 gearbox fitted. It's likely the gearbox will need to be refitted unfortunately - the Zetec will need to sit a bit lower in the car because it'll be taller than a B-series, so the gearbox mounts are likely wrong for a different engine.
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jimbob82
535 posts
3 months
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Bennachie
458 posts
20 months
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Do it right.
Get a Rover V8 in there,
you KNOW it makes sense........................
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v8bloke
130 posts
80 months
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