MG Sports Cars

It is looking a lot like Chevy's new aluminum motor might be a real nice choice for the MGB swap. The size, weight, fit, and power output all look pretty good. Since I know they come in different varieties I wonder what would be the best one to use? Anyone know of any problems with that swap?

Jim

Any LS series engine will do. Holley, gm proformace, edelbrock and msd has stand alone carb and plug in computer for the coils. Keep away for the lq ,lr series cause they are cast iron blocks. also you dont want a corvette oil pan because it is too wide to fit in the mgb frame.

Dave

Hi Jim,

I found this link quite helpful for GM performance stuff:

[www.gmperformanceparts.com]

The LS1 crate engine weigh's in at 409lbs, only 11lbs lighter than the Iron 302! :)

Cheers

Pete

For someone with a little spare cash, I should think the third engine in this chart would fit an MGB quite nicely:

[www.theengineshop.com]

I wonder what it weighs? Probably significantly less than an iron 302!

Runs on pump gas. Ted's headers bolt on.

There is a 5.3L V8 that is part of that family. Some have the iron blocks and others have the alloy. I cant recall the designation but they would make a good cheap start and far easier to come by too. I'll see if Jon can send me the link to one of those big hot rod magazines that gave an article on these.

The 5.3L V8 should provide more BHP/Tq numbers over any 302 at the same price.

Also, there are various FWD variations that may have better tighter pulley systems or lower intake manifolds and so on. The LS series has grown quite a bit and the only thing thats going to hold it back is:

The signing of the new fuel economy laws
and
Fuel prices giving people the perception that smaller mean more fuel economy. This has been proven wrong over and over- its more technology than displacement. I think thats why certain motors in our similar cars get varied fuel economy. (Plus gear ratios)

As far as time and money, its still going to cost more but then isn't this group about pushing the envelope?

-BMC.

It's fun to dream isn't it.

How about LS4. Found in FWD GM cars. Small V6 bellhousing pattern.





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/01/2008 08:31PM by mgb260.

LS family engines come in LS 1, LS 2, LS 4 (Special aplication) LS 6, LS 7. There are also cast iron LS engines found in the trucks. including the monster 8 liter

For a swap the pan needed is the from a Camaro. All of the Crank poulleys have the same set back with the exception of the iron blocks and it is minor.
The one to use in the B would the LS 1 325 hp stock and with minor tuning to the computer and easy 380 hp In short the LS can produce in excess of 600 hp with the stock block.

LS 2 which can be found in the 07 Corvette is 400 hp stock and with minor tuning 450.

I own both the Camaro Z28 1998 it produces 315 rw hp with only computer mods.
My LS 2 with a supercharger computer tuning, injectors and a mild tune 7 psi at 6500 rpm produces 485 rw hp

There two projects that I found, both in a B both engines are LS 1 both B's are getting lots of work in the frame section to withstand the hi torque of the LS 1

Good engines run about $2000 to $5000 A LS 7 with 700 hp can be purchase for $15000 a KaTech LS7 for around $22,000 This is a very similar engine to the Lemans version. Both engines pass smog.


Painless has a complete FI harness which makes the swap a snap, I would use the T56 (6speed) trans, the T5 is not strong enough. The good swap would be using the auto trans with manual shifting valve body or both.

The FWD engines have the small Bell housing as mention by Jim N and the it would facilitate the swap with a Tremec as the T56 is wwide and tall.

If hp is the reason to use a LS series engine, then consider the 5.0 Ford that can be build to produce 400 + hp with a 650 cfm Holley carb and it is less $$$ It just takes the right parts and combination.

And the LS7 are dry sump engines.

$4.5K for the aluminum 302 block. Reports on some of the ford forums say there were some initial casting/cracking problems.

There is also a LS3 which is 6.2 L, good for 450 hp I believe.
The FWD and some in Tahoe/Suburbans are DOD displacement on demand. These engines can run on V4 or V8. They are so smooth when switching between V4 and V8 mode, about the only way to tell is to look at the message display in the IPC.
The LS7 is a 7.0L (427ci) 505hp bad boy! They feature titanium rods, sodium filled valves,etc. They are hand built at GM, each builder puts his/her name on the engine.
If you ever get a chance to drive a 7.0L ZO6 vette, they are impressive to say the least! Need DRY pavement though, we had one of our customers put one through chain link fence on a road test.

Back to Curtis's post, the 3rd choice would be ok @$12,500, ( note Deck height is 8.2), but the last one with alum. block (8.2) is only $13,000 (sic). With these initial amounts, the extra $500 would not be a great increase. The increase from 349 to 371 CID should cover the cost. the total outside engine size would remain the same as the Ford 302. the next larger deck size is the the 351 based block, it is taller and wider. While we are dreaming, we maybe can find funds for a Turbo or S/C. WOW!
Now, back to the Bowties.

Very true, my son has a 07 LTZ silverado 24 -26 mpg from Ca to Arizona it ran most of the time on 4 cylinders. this is a cast iron LS. and very smooth engine.
MMMMM Z06 At our club about 30% of the owners that had a Z06 only had it for about 6 months to a year, to much car for some, not a real place to enjoy. For one thing they do not know where to place the traction control, there a 3 different settings on all C6 Corvettes and one setting on the Trucks. When set properly the C6 corvette will not get off track, the computer brakes each wheel as needed to keep on track, rain or shine it works.

There are also a couple of 454 ci LS engines and 500 ci LS. Just imagine for one minute Katech LS 427 massage, add a Pro charger super charger and tune to 15 psi the magic number is 1000 hp and it is street legal and can be driven at low street rpm.
There is in our club that was done by A&A Corvettes, INSANE !!!!

If I was going to do a LS swap into an MGB I would go with the LS 1 iether from a C5 Vette or a Camaro, the C5 would need to change the oil pan.

Jim,

In my research the 5.3 truck ls series engine has a very high intake on it. Alot of hot rodders kind of stay away from the 5.3 because of how tall the engine is with the intake.

The LS1 engine can't be bored out much at all. If you do, the piston sleeve needs to be removed, then the aluminum block bored for a larger sleeve. Talking big bucks $$$$.

The LS1 can be stroked to a 383 cid without re-sleeving. If you stroke to 405, 408, 427 need to re-sleeve.

Some of the Camaro 2002's LS1's came with the ls6 block in them. It is a little stronger block than the ls1 block.

The LS2 is pretty much the same dimensions as the LS1 engine. Motor mount in the same place on the block.

The Camaro oil pan a must and maybe vette pully system that is set closer to the block for clearance issues.

Can STS remote mount turbo system with one turbo and get 500hp w/8lbs boost with stock heads and stock lower end.

The best way for the buck is find the doner that has what you want. I paid 4900.00 for 2002 w/50 tho miles Ls1 engine, 6 speed trans, exshaust with both front and back o2 sensors , catalitic(sp) converter (I will not use)all the wire harness, computor, driveline, AC and all front end accessories. The recycle yard just dropped everything out from under the f-body Z28 Camaro in one piece from drive line to rad and gave it all to me.

Ls2's can also be found in 05 and 06 GTO which has the IRS suspension. It has the disk brake in the rear.

ebay sites for ls engines [stores.ebay.com]

[stores.ebay.com]

[stores.ebay.com]

Good source of info for ls1 or ls series engines

[www.ls1tech.com]

The LS series can be converted to the carb setup also.

Have fun :-)

Calvin

I love the LS series GM engines. But....if torque and hp is the need then a 3.4 V6 is the tickect. OK!!! oerhaps no as mch as the LS. But...consider this a 302 Ford can make an easy 375 to 425 hp and about 390 lb of torque for much less.

Now! imagine a 351 small block Ford 450 to 500 not rare and veru street minded. Ok how about a stroked 302 to 347 or A 302 , 327, 331, 326.327, Tjis can make lots of torque a good road race 302 is a 331 using the Ford 1600 rods very nice.

or a 351 stroked to aqll the way to 557 ci 650-700+ hp ok this one would be more $$$ than a LS1

The point is that a small block Ford can be build for much less than a LS1 unless you buy a used LS 1,2 and used it stock

But for an MGB ? Cheaper to buy a used Camaro and alot more fun.

A V6 is a very fun car to drive and a small block Ford with the right parts to keep in on the gorund can also be fun.

I guess it depends on your goals with the car. For drag racing a SBF would be good, however if you're looking to do auto-x/track events then the LS1 is a much lighter engine, unless you get an aluminum block for the windsor.

On another note, what all do you think would need to be done to a B to allow it cope with the power from an LSx? Obviously more rubber and better suspension, but what else?

If Pete's info is correct, the LS1 really isn't that much lighter than a 302 with aluminum heads. I think the LS engines are really cool, but significantly more expensive in all respects.

302V8 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> The LS1 crate engine weigh's in at 409lbs, only
> 11lbs lighter than the Iron 302! :)

And apparently 457 lbs fully dressed. Heavier than my 340 Buick? Amazing. Well, at least it's in the ballpark. I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing more of those.

Jim

The LS1 can only be bored out .030 tho. Also the LS1 block can except the LS6 and the LS2 heads. The LS6 heads = $$$$

If an Ls1 fully dressed is 457 lbs, then add the wopper T56 tranny to it at 125 Lbs, total of 582. I guess I'm adding the weight of my son in the car over stock. Can take off a little for an aluminum drive line.

Calvin

The late model Ford 302 bare block (roller cam) weighs about 120 pounds. Earlier 289/302 blocks weighed up to 135 pounds. The Dart aluminum Ford block weighs 90 pounds, which means each pound of weight saved costs over $100. Aluminum blocks still have iron/steel main caps and most have iron/steel liners. The lightest blocks will be those without any cylinder liners. In addition, the crank weight has to be considered. V8 cranks typically weigh 70 to 90 pounds (almost as much as a block). Some Chevy cranks (including the LS series) have hollow crank pins which makes a crank maybe 10 pounds lighter than a Ford crank. Other details make a difference such as saving 10 pounds on the flywheel, and even 10 pounds by using a clutch with an aluminum pressure plate (expensive), headers versus cast manifold, light mini starter, etc. A LS crate engine comes with cast iron exhaust manifolds, maybe the Ford engine weight does not include manifolds? I read somewhere that a Rover 4.6 weighs the same as an aluminum head Ford 302 (but I cannot find the reference). Anyway, this makes sense because of the bigger cross bolted main caps in the Rover, and the longer stroke crank (which must be heavier).

The 300 Buick crank weighs less than 50 lbs (I just shipped one) but the 340 cast iron block is 142 lbs vs 60lbs for the 215 block (Buick) minus main caps. Rods are about a pound and a quarter each.

But I really have to question the LS1. Why? Why would you go to the trouble to build such an engine out of aluminum and then make it that heavy? I just don't see how that makes sense at all.

Jim