MG Sports Cars

engine swaps and other performance upgrades, plus "factory" and Costello V8s

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britcars
Phil Ossinger
New Brunswick, Canada
(346 posts)

Registered:
02/02/2009 07:58PM

Main British Car:
1977 MGB Roadster, Rover 3.5 ADVENTURE BEFORE DEMENTIA!

authors avatar
Frontline/Costello Front Suspension
Posted by: britcars
Date: August 09, 2016 08:08PM

I've got a totally wrecked 1971 MGB with the Frontline/Costello front suspension kit installed. There appears to be no damage to the front suspension...the car was in a rollover.
Would there be any problems in putting this whole package under my 1978 roadster?


mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2461 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Frontline/Costello Front Suspension
Posted by: mgb260
Date: August 10, 2016 12:31AM

I would just swap over the Frontline parts to your crossmember.


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4576 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Frontline/Costello Front Suspension
Posted by: Moderator
Date: August 10, 2016 01:06AM

Are you considering magnafluxing the ferrous parts and Zygloing the aluminum ones. (I'm no expert...just curious to understand the question.)

I'd strongly prefer the chrome bumper crossmember for lower ride height... though making that fit will be a pain: oil pan clearance, steering racks mount differently, etc.


britcars
Phil Ossinger
New Brunswick, Canada
(346 posts)

Registered:
02/02/2009 07:58PM

Main British Car:
1977 MGB Roadster, Rover 3.5 ADVENTURE BEFORE DEMENTIA!

authors avatar
Re: Frontline/Costello Front Suspension
Posted by: britcars
Date: August 13, 2016 01:51PM

Curtis and Jim:
I came by this car as salvage. It was owned by a friend who wrote it off last year. In looking at the damage and hearing my friends description of the accident, I think there will not be any damage to the front suspension. However, I plan to thoroughly inspect each part and can Magnaflux and Zyglo the components at a friend's shop.
I too would like the chrome bumper crossmember but was concerned about the interference issues you mention. I have the Rover 3.5 conversion. Perhaps Jim's suggestion to just transfer the Frontline parts to my crossmember is the best choice.
The rear suspension is toast..................both the Doug Jackson composite springs are cracked. The Quaife LSD seems to be OK but I'm not sure I want to run a 3:07 ratio with my T5 and 0.63 OD. The wrecked car has a GM 700R4 that is modified to shift sequentially as a manual with a manually engaged converter lockup.
103_1370.a (Copy).JPG


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4511 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Frontline/Costello Front Suspension
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: August 14, 2016 12:07PM

Quote:
but I'm not sure I want to run a 3:07 ratio with my T5 and 0.63 OD.

I'm pretty sure you don't want want to do that, Phil, unless you are running a stump puller engine like the MG Roadmaster. :)

That Quaife will fit in the rearend of your car, unless you are not still using the stock Salisbury. I don't remember.

Some of us do remember the car, Supernatural, & Jean Gagne (who was at Indy V8 2015).


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6468 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Frontline/Costello Front Suspension
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: August 14, 2016 12:26PM

Rear leaf springs cracked, huh? That could have been before or after he went off the road. I wouldn't want to hazard a guess as to which it was and I doubt you would either Phil.

Jim


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4511 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Frontline/Costello Front Suspension
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: August 14, 2016 04:14PM

The composite rear springs do not hold up without anti-tramp (traction) bars.



mgb260
Jim Nichols
Sequim,WA
(2461 posts)

Registered:
02/29/2008 08:29PM

Main British Car:
1973 MGB roadster 260 Ford V8

Re: Frontline/Costello Front Suspension
Posted by: mgb260
Date: August 14, 2016 06:46PM

If I remember right, Phil has a narrowed 3.45 Ford 7.5. I think he was asking about swapping the entire MGB axle with the 3.07. If it had the 3.31 gears it would be tempting.


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4511 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Frontline/Costello Front Suspension
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: August 14, 2016 08:57PM

Right. I would sell the Quaife & buy a real posi for that Ford rear, then.


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