Brad,
Don't know if anyone has fitted a GT6 engine to an MGB or GT, but MG themselves
did something similar - they fitted a 3-litre straight 6, and called it the
MGC and MGCGT. The engine was similar to that in an Austin-Healey 3000, and
was intended to replace the Healey's engine, although I don't think it even
went in to a Healey. This was an all-iron lump, so pretty heavy - it was
faster, but the weight affected the handling, so it didn't sell too well. Off
the top of my head I think they made it from about 67-72.
Soon after they stopped it (about '74) they fitted the Rover V8 engine to an
MGBGT to make the MGBGT V8. Being all-aluminium it was not a lot heavier than
the standard iron 1.8 litre, and went like stink. For some reason it was only
fitted to the GT, never the roadster, although many roadsters have been
converted since.
Not sure there would be a lot of point fitting a GT6 engine to an MGB - it is
only 200 cc larger in capacity than the standard engine. Since Rover V8
engines are much more widely available, and more powerful, and cheaper, and
designed to fit, anyone who is going for a conversion would need a very good
reason to pick a GT6 engine instead.
Yes, I know all this because I had an MGBGT (stock) before Daffy. Never really
understood the animosity (albeit mostly good-natured) between MG and Triumph -
after all, about half the MGs and half the Triumphs on the road today were
built when they were different branches of the same company, and our Spits and
the later Midgets even share the same engine. Why can we not just love old
British sports cars, rather than segregating into camps?
Richard and Daffy (sporting a rather bent front over-rider after getting hit as
I was leaving the driveway this morning. Ooops!)
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