MGB V8 Roadsters

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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.





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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.

There are a few decent ones for sale - the difficulty is finding one without driving all over the UK.

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Thanks to the two owners above for the pictures and background info.

Just shows the very different ways that the V8 conversions can be taken.

There's loads of useful info on the owners club sites and you can even buy a brand new bodyshell configured for a V8.

Frontline have taken the MGB to a whole new level, but at a cost !

https://www.frontline-cars.co.uk/

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51mes said:

There is a book that details how to do it "give your mg v8 power”. https://www.v8register.net/subpages/bookreview2.ht...

The factory cars don't have the big holes in the inner wings costello used to route the exhausts, as they didn't have the budget for new metalwork, instead relying on hugger manifolds that squeezed between the block and the chassis arms.

I'm 8 years in with my factory GT v8, and as an occasional as required mechanic and tinkerer looking after a b v8 is achievable, though cramped at times. Though bodywork - the Achilles heel of any 70s car is beyond me..

The best thing you can do is start with as good a shell as possible, if component 1 is good - you are a long way down the road.

I've got the book, it's truly excellent. Even though I'm intending to buy, not build, it gives invaluable information of the best options to look for.

An interesting observation from a V8 guru in the MG club, who's seen and built numerous V8's, is that those with the exhaust taken through the inner wings inevitably have less corrosion than those with the hugger manifolds. He can only put it down to the inner structure being kept dry by the heat from the pipes !

Edited by mph on Sunday 21st April 11:20

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dave53 said:

First post for me, I've been dropping in to the forum for a while so thought it was about time I registered! Wife and I have had our BV8 for 26 years now, bought from a guy who had converted it from an automatic B in 1988. Not a Costello conversion but using parts supplied by the Kent Conversion co who I believe took over from Costello, it used a P6 v8 and the standard B overdrive gearbox. We gave it a total nut and bolt restoration in 2006 and fitted a 3.9 Range Rover v8 and LT77 'box. Still looking good, its an absolute hoot to drive. I'll post up some pics once I've worked out how to do it!

Look forward to the pictures. Does your car have any modifications/upgrades to brakes or suspension ?

I think Costello also had a link with Frontline who now produce some really nice modified MGB's.