MG Sports Cars

Has anyone ever tried to put a Buick 350 into a MGB, how would it compare with the 302 swap? Thanks

Your Buick powered MGB project should elicit a response from Jim Blackwood....that combination is right up his alley.

To the best of my knowledge nobody has tried it. However it should make a very good swap, if somewhat more difficult. The stock Buick 350 heads are quite good, much better than anything else in the SBB line and can be ported to give very good results. (check out the V8Buick website for more info) It fits in the engine compartment much the same as a BOPR but does require some mods which I'll get into in a minute. The iron block adds reliability, makes engine building easier and allows much higher power levels without adding much weight at all.

The bellhousing is the GM standard BOP corporate bellhousing which is very common. Front cover and ancillaries are common to the other SBB, Rover and V6 lines for the most part. Internals are stronger and the engine weight is around 450 lbs with iron heads. 4bbl intakes are common but aluminum heads are not yet available. Although no one has done it yet, much speculation about using aluminum Rover style heads seems to indicate that a custom camshaft should be all that is needed to make a set of aftermarket heads such as the Merlins or the new TA heads work, getting the weight back down to about 400 lbs. TA has stated an intent to cast 350 aluminum heads but I don't expect to see those for at least 2-3 more years. Power output is excellent with exceptional torque. Turbocharged, it has produced 1000 hp from a stock engine.

As for fit, getting the engine low in the chassis is the challenge, as it is about 1-3/16" (depending on induction, could be more) taller than the BOPR. Physically it is identical to the 340 Buick except for the port layout, so for details on fitting take a look at the 340 thread. The biggest challenge is modifying the crossmember and steering, including moving the firewall cone down. But, this has a nice side benefit in that you get more steering wheel to leg clearance. (watch the steering rack to lower control arm clearance) With the right combination of parts you don't need to run a remote filter, but doing so may give an engine position you like better. You will need to fabricate headers and engine mounts. The mounts used on the MG-Roadmaster and on my 340 work well and are easy. Stock heater box can be retained, engine position will determine if any firewall trimming is needed or not. Mini starters are available for a reasonable cost, fit and work well. Pretty much all other issues are common ones with proven solutions.

JB