MG Sports Cars

Hello all, Haven't posted for a while.
Been very busy with upgrades. Mainly the rear suspension conversion to 4 trailing links with coilover shocks and a mumford linkage which seems to work very well indeed.
Just finishing an engine swap to a 5.0L rover short stroke with TA cylinder heads, 248 mechanical cam and throttle bodies.
The car is fighting against me though, as everything seems to have a knock on effect resulting in un expected work.
I should be starting the engine for the first time soon and once mapped will see if it has all been worth it.
There doesn't seem to be a lot of info about these heads. Has anyone published bhp figures? cant seem to find any reviews.
thanks
mark

Mark, What did you do to upgrade the rear axles, posi?

Jim,
I am using the MGB axle with quaife LSD. Also have had some special half shafts made which I am assured will cope with the abuse.
I re designed the area above the axle as you can see in this pic.

Its difficult to get a decent photo but this one gives an idea of what I did.

Also I had to re design the fuel tank. It now sits upright behind the mumford link.



It was a lot of head scratching!
Mark

Wow!, Mark you have been busy! Keep us posted.

Not a lot of info yet on the TA heads. Art has a set but hasn't run them yet, looks like you get to be the pioneer, so we are very interested in your impressions and results. Nice work.

Jim

Thanks,
Latest problem is that my alternator doesn't clear the new heads as casting is different than the previous merlins (was very close anyway). Getting very close to starting the engine for the first time. Should have some rolling road info early in January.

Mark

Update
New alternator fitted and engine running. Needs re mapping now.
some pics.

Looking good Mark! Interesting valve covers, I hadn't seen those before. Did you consider the TA ones, or just have those on hand?

Jim

Jim, I had the covers made by these people [jrcast.com] you can choose up to 10 letters. Thought I would be a bit different.
didn't know TA made any!

Cheers
mark

re: "I had the covers made..."

They're so very cool!

Quote:

I had the covers made by these people [jrcast.com] you can choose up to 10 letters.

Hmm.......R-O-A-D-M-A-S-T-E-R......yep, that's ten. Way cool!

Rolling road 429bhp at fly 380 at wheels over 390lb ft torque. she is gonna fly!!!!!!!

That's quite impressive Mark.
Do you mind revealing how much the rocker covers set you back?

Jim

Jim, covers were about £200 inc shipping from Ireland.

Probably not out of line for a custom part. Might be out of reach for the Roadmaster though.

Jim

Regarding the TA heads, on the v8 Owners Forum a 5 liter Rover (NA) with TA heads was reported to put out 429 hp (engine dyno).

Clarification:
The 429 hp figure was extrapolated to the flywheel from a measurement at the wheels. Dyno graphs are not posted yet, will be in a few days.

Larry, I believe it is Mark's engine in this thread

Yes 429bhp at flywheel, 380bhp at wheels, 390ft lb torque.
Car is still at the rolling road as they have found a slight problem. intermittently one cylinder down ( number 6). They have diagnosed the injector as being at fault. Should have a replacement in a few days.
When I eventually collect the car I will upload the dyno sheet.
Mark

Well I haven't posted for a while.
I have been having a miserable time with the new engine. To cut a long story short The mapper messed up big time running the engine very rich which resulted in smoke puffing out the exhaust after only a few hundred miles.
Had to have the cylinders honed with new rings mains and big ends.
On top of this the Engine will just not run properly. I have replaced everything and come to the conclusion that it must be the Canems ECU.
While the engine was being refreshed I had the car blown over and tidied up.






The car has been sent away to have a new Link G4 Extreme ecu fitted together with new loom. the tuning shop said it would take 2 to 3 weeks but has now been 10 weeks and still not done.
I'm feeling somewhat frustrated but hopefully I should see the car again soon and it should actually work.
Watch this space.