MG Sports Cars

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

Go to Thread: Previous•Next
Go to: Forum List•Message List•New Topic•Log In


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4577 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Another Fantastic MGB V8 for the Gallery!
Posted by: Moderator
Date: July 20, 2009 04:52PM

http://www.britishv8.org/MG/MikeAlexander/MikeAlexander-BA.jpg

Read about it here:
Mike Alexander's 1973 MGB with Buick 215 V8 (86 photos!)

Lots of interesting construction photos in the write-up... for example:
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/MikeAlexander/MikeAlexander-KN.jpg

http://www.britishv8.org/MG/MikeAlexander/MikeAlexander-KO.jpg

Love the dashboard and center console!
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/MikeAlexander/MikeAlexander-EB.jpg


castlesid
Kevin Jackson
Sidcup UK
(361 posts)

Registered:
11/18/2007 10:38AM

Main British Car:
1975 MGB GT Rover V8 4.35L

Re: Another Fantastic MGB V8 for the Gallery!
Posted by: castlesid
Date: July 21, 2009 10:52AM

A beautifully built and detailed car.

Just one comment, I would recommend removing the rear anti roll/sway immediately, or all that work will be ruined as you disappear off the road backwards hitting what ever is in the way!

An MGB should be set up fairly stiff at the front and relatively soft at the rear for good handling and roadholding.

Kevin.


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4577 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Another Fantastic MGB V8 for the Gallery!
Posted by: Moderator
Date: July 21, 2009 11:17AM

Kevin, bear in mind that although Mike's car is registered as a '73, the tub and both anti-sway bars are stock items from a 1980 MGB donor car. The car has only been lowered about an inch, so its center of gravity is still higher than most of our chrome-bumper MGB's. It's higher center of gravity means the body is certain to roll more in turns. Rather than remove the rear bar, I think if it were my car (and if I weren't going to lower it further) I might instead go larger on the front bar. Rear anti-sway bars aren't inherently dangerous... they just need to be in balance with the front bar and the overall needs of the particular car. IMHO, my own GT would be improved with a rear bar to balance its oversize front bar.
Get Your BritishV8 T-shirt by clicking here


BMC
Brian Mc Cullough
Forest Lake, Minnesota, USA
(383 posts)

Registered:
10/30/2007 02:27AM

Main British Car:
1980 MGB '95 3.4L 'L32' SFI V6, GM V6T5 & 3.42 Limi

authors avatar
Re: Another Fantastic MGB V8 for the Gallery!
Posted by: BMC
Date: July 21, 2009 07:53PM

I love the early dash coordinated to the body! That panel bolted to the inner wing is wonderful as well. I have had in mind to manufacture something similar for a test stand.

-BMC.


mowog1
Rick Ingram
Central Illinois
(1523 posts)

Registered:
10/17/2007 09:36PM

Main British Car:
1974.5 MGB/GT 3.9l Rover

authors avatar
Re: Another Fantastic MGB V8 for the Gallery!
Posted by: mowog1
Date: July 21, 2009 08:58PM

You should see this one in person! British V8 2009 was Mike's first visit, if memory serves me correctly.


RobertE
Robert Edgeworth

(77 posts)

Registered:
02/19/2008 08:27AM

Main British Car:
Re: Another Fantastic MGB V8 for the Gallery!
Posted by: RobertE
Date: July 22, 2009 11:02PM

I think I was at Mikes first ever showing at the European Car show on Browns Islands. IIRC He took home 1st place in his class. The car is even more amazing in person, the attention to detail is magnificent.. I wish I had the patience!


restorejag
Mike Alexander
Richmond Va.
(24 posts)

Registered:
02/19/2008 05:53PM

Main British Car:
1974 MGBGT 1958 MGA 1968 JAG XKE Ford 302 215 OLDS

Re: Another Fantastic MGB V8 for the Gallery!
Posted by: restorejag
Date: July 23, 2009 10:52AM

Thanks for all the great coments on my car,It was a lot of fun to do .When I started, I was not sure what I was going to do.All
I was sure of was I wanted a V8.After a lot of research,a lot of ideas from British V8,I decided on the 215ci.Mark at D&D was
a great help.I am new to the V8 group and had a fantastic time in Durham N.C. met some great people,hope to make it next year.Any questions about the restoration,please fill free to contact me. I am retired and have lots of garage time.

Thanks again, Mike



Go to: Forum List•Message List•New User Registration•Log In
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.