Mods & Consequences: How to turn a humble MGB into an E-type botherer

These stylish GTs are already fun to drive, but can deliver even bigger thrills with the right modifications

’Adding a V8 turns the ‘B into a genuine Jaguar E-type rival’

It’s rare for any home-built versions of a car to outnumber their factory siblings, but the number of MGBs powered by Rover V8s far exceeds the 2591 official V8 MGB GTs made – and the roadsters certainly do because they were never officially produced by the factory. Such is the car’s popularity that there’s even a book devoted to building V8-powered MGBs and with Heritage bodyshells available it’s possible to build a new V8 ’B GT or Roadster from scratch, while specialist suppliers such as Clive Wheatley can provide all the parts needed.

My own V8 GT, which regularly features in CCW’s Our Classics pages, is a converted 1.8 with a Getrag five-speed gearbox and Frontline suspension, so I don’t feel I have to wrap it in cotton wool as I might a concours original example. They are superb cars; adding a Rover V8 turns the ’B into a genuine Jaguar E-type rival for (relative) peanuts that’s fairly economical and very easy to maintain. They even accommodate tall drivers (something the E-type struggles with) because the packaging

was designed around 6ft 5in MG employee, F Wilson McComb.

Modifications to factory V8s must be weighed against any possible loss of value but there’s plenty of potential to subtly improve performance, reliability and safety. With a converted car the massive aftermarket world is your oyster and improving it will only increase its value. Wallet permitting, in fact, it’s possible to build an MGB V8 that’s as quick as a modern Porsche 911.

FIT A MODERN HEATER £300 Clayton Classics offers a three-speed heater that properly demists the screen and warms the interior like a modern car. It’s a bit of fiddle to fit, but it transforms a ‘B V8, making it a properly practical winter car. TWEAK THE FRONT SUSPENSION £1000+ Bespoke twin-wishbone front suspension systems using the original crossmember offer a great improvement and good but different systems are made by Frontline and Hoyle at just under £1000, and the MGOC at £1395. FIT VENTED BRAKES £600+ There are many larger MGB ventilated front brake conversion kits from MGOC, Frontline and Wilwood from £600 to £1000. The MGOC four-pot conversion allows the standard 14-inch wheel to be retained, but some need a 15-inch wheel. IMPROVE THE INDUCTION £35 Factory V8s used two SU carbs at the back of the engine on manifolds that curled forward. It worked well, but an Edelbrock/ Weber 500 carburettor kit offers gains in both power and economy and doesn’t need a bonnet bulge. Factory V8 GTs used a low-compression 137bhp engine because the highcompression units were allocated to Rover. An RPI rebuild uses the later, more efficient post-1976 cylinder heads and HC pistons with a cam to suit. FIT A LOUVRED BONNET £250 V8s can warm the MG’s bulkhead unpleasantly and the only real solution is to find a way of allowing the heat to escape. Sports Car Metal Works can louvre a bonnet (which also looks great), although remember that it will need painting. FIT A FRONT SPOILER £170 REBUILD THE ENGINE £3500 The BMC Special Tuning front air-dam, while effective, is a large and unsightly addition. However, Frontline has now produced an anti-lift front spoiler that looks good and greatly improves high-speed stability.