British automaker MG may be the very definition of British sports car. Sure, the Jaguar E-Type gets all the Oohs & Aahs and the original Shelby Cobras were built on another, less-well-known roadster (the AC Ace) chassis, but the MG’s open-top cars nail down the low-weight, high-fun factor. Unless you’re a Triumph fan, in which case you have gentlemanly disagreements over their relative merits. However, the assorted four-cylinder engines used in the MGB and its predecessors has, well, some drawbacks. Mainly, they have no power and the iron blocks weighed a whole bunch. But this one for sale in Ohio makes up some of the difference with the 2.8-liter V6 from a third-generation Camaro.
Sure, the early 60-degree V6s of the 2.8-liter displacement only made 135 horsepower on a good day, but when the MG’s original 1.8-liter four-pot—especially the one in this later ‘79 B—might have made 90 while weighing as much or more than the V6, those are cheap gains. The best swap going around is the 3.4-liter V6 from 1993-1995 fourth-gen Camaros—and really, most people who buy a V6 fouth-generation Camaro to modify will sell the engine cheaply—but any gains made from a lowly 2.8-liter should liven up the old B. However, the V6 in his MGB is a bit warmed over with “mild cam headers” (which we’ll assume is a mild cam and headers), though it does have an automatic transmission that takes some of the fun out of MGB ownership.
This one comes with a rare hardtop and some modern amenities including an upgraded stereo. The asking price of $6,500 is probably about as high as you’d ever expect to see in a late rubber-bumper MGB, but we do like the idea of adding non-stressed horsepower—as opposed to winding up the old 1.8-liter engine—to a fun little British chassis. So what do you think? One ton of fun or British Lame-land? And as an aside: How fun does that second-generation Toyota MR2 in the photo look?
British handling? With the raised ride height that came with the rubber bumpers MGBs handled like a frog on quayludes. That’s why a lot of late model MGBs are converted to chrome bumper specs to regain good road manners and lose those hideous lumps of rubber. As for the motor – I presume the builder didn’t have the room to slot in an LS.
This car is overpriced and ugly. I have a custom frame, suspension, SBC powered, 4-speed, 1964 MGB, it makes me laugh like a little kid when I drive it , way too fun. Today(!0-1-16) I will hopefully fire up its new engine, aluminum rod, solid roller cammed, ported head 358, should be more fun. The 3.4 V6 conversion with approx. 200 HP (Classic Conversions makes a kit) is probably the most practical and bang for the buck. MUCH better deals on conversions are always for sale on the MGExperience web site.
I hope they changed everything electrical in the car! My brother owned an MG Midget and what a POS! He couldn’t sell it fast enough.
The electrics were no doubt made by Lucas. Joe Lucas the company founder was known as “The Prince of Darkness” as his products were known to fail regularly – usually at night on empty country roads!
Why do the British drink warm beer? Lucas refrigerators.
Reminds me of the swap on my bucket list, Triumph TR7 with Buick 3.8 supercharger. Or make it easy by turning a TR7 into a TR8 with the Rover 3.5 aluminium V8.