I haven't personally heard of this kit, but the running gear has found its
way into a lot of Lotus Seven knockoffs. I'd be interested to hear about
the conversion, and just what is involved as I am starting to look at a
conversion for my tourer. If it is a physical drop in as opposed to the V8
into a CBB then it might have some legs. Right now the Zetec is a bit
pricey, but they are only going to get more plentiful while the V8 gets less
so. Not to mention efficiency, FI, etc.
James Nazarian
71 MGBGT V8
71 MGB Tourer
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-mgs@autox.team.net] On Behalf
Of Matt Trebelhorn
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 8:43 AM
To: MG List
Subject: conversions (duck and cover)
I have, in the past, been mightily flamed on this list for raising the
topic of conversions (alternator, transmission engine...) It is with
some trepidation that I raise this subject again.
In the new issue of Classic Autosport, there's a cover story on the
MGB. There's a sidebar on modifications, and there's a section on
getting more power, and there's a sentence or two on engine
transplants... and a vague mention of a soon-to-be-released kit for
transplanting the Ford Zetec motor into the B. (Also mentioned is a
kit for putting Miata running gear in a B; but that seems
counterintuitive. Isn't there already an MGB-sized roadster that uses
Miata running gear? ;-)
Now, I really don't care what the purists out there think about these
kits; but if you'd really like to tell me that you think I'll burn in a
very hot place for talking about this... well, go ahead. FWIW, I think
the Zetec kit is an interesting possibility -- a clean, fuel-efficient
little motor that puts out as much hp as the stock MGBv8s did, with a
World Rally Champ pedigree to boot. But that's just me.
What I want to know is, who is putting the kit together? Has anybody
seen a car so converted? Anyone heard of this kit before?
Thanks,
Matt
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