All this talk about MG/Honda mating has got me wondering.
Do any of you know if this has been done using real British
bodies and Japanese drivetrains. Every time my `67 MGB/GT
coughs or spits, I think about how nice it would be to have
a clean reliable Toyota or Honda engine in it.
I still have to ask why you'd change the *engine* in an MGB.
Reliability isn't the answer -- power, maybe, but the B series
can be made to go pretty well, reliably, for less money (and
certainly with fewer hassles) than converting.
The engine isn't the unreliable part of MGBs. You'd be better
off to spend your money working on the electrical system and
putting new oil seals into the engine. Easily 80% of the problems
that MGBs have can be related to electrical malfunctions or
oil seal failures. The basic mechanicals -- the metal parts
of the engine -- are tough as old boots.
I doubt if
I'd ever do it because I'm a stickler for authenticity, but
it sure sounds good. Any thoughts on the feasibility?
If you're determined to change the engine, change it to something
with more power (or possibly to something with fewer emissions;
that's a reason that I can imagine, especially for the future).
For that, the logical choice is either rotary -- go for a built
13B, or just get a new engine out of an RX-7 that comes with its
electronic fuel injection and ignition, and get, what is it now,
160 bhp with daisy-fresh exhaust and something of its own sporting
heritage. The RX motor is small, light, and compact, and should
prove little trouble to fit. This, for instance, is a popular
conversion on Spridgets, which have tiny engine bays; I've seen
several good clean conversions on Spridgets and it'd be a piece of
cake for a B. Best bet: use the RX transmission (the B's won't
take the revs or the power for long, and also the rotary's power
take-off is higher in the block than a piston engine's is, and the
RX transmission compensates for that).
If you like torque rather than high RPM, try the factory way and
drop in a TR-8 motor. It's best to have an MG built after
September, 1973 for this one, because the factory changed the
bulkhead shape to accommodate the V8. In stock form, that puts
out something like 155 bhp but with more torque than the RX-7
mill; the aluminum V8 weighs something like 40 pounds less than
a B-series four, to boot.
On another subject, I have to say something good about the
electrical system in the car. I started it up last night at
10pm 35 miles from home and the generator light stayed lit.
Hmmm...
I was
amazed to find that the car started just like it always(well,
usually) does and didn't even crank slowly. Thank You Batteries!!
Like I said, the cars are amazing -- the electrical components were
often shortchanged. All things considered, I'd probably rather
have a B with a good rebuild, a nice cam, a free-flow exhaust and
some well-balanced SUs and spend the money on upgrading the electrical
components and on modern oil seal materials. RIght now, for instance,
I'm having occasional starter-solenoid problems (I'm 90% sure that's
what it is, but more on that later...)
--Scott
|