1977 MG MGB roadster V8

Interested in a unique British sports car with exhilarating power and American electrical reliability (Lucas not welcome here !) plus amenities like air conditioning, heated seats and cruise control ? Then read on …………..

This car began life as a 1977 MGB roadster. A British sports car enthusiast and restoration specialist, tired of the underpowered, unreliable nature of his favorite car, the MGB, decided to build a unique version that vastly improved performance and comfort while simultaneously meeting American reliability standards. He found a ’77 MGB and started by completely stripping it down to the basic body, removed the roof, interior, drivetrain, electrics, cooling and fuel systems. A 302 HO engine was sourced out of an ’86 Mustang and completely torn down and rebuilt with performance parts (details below). Wanting to improve handling and beef up the drivetrain, wheels and tires, the body was enhanced with Sebring fender flairs, front air dam and rear spoiler from Brit-Tek Ltd. The engine was mated to a Ford “World Class” T5 5 speed trans with a lightweight aluminum flywheel (ARP bolts), hydraulic clutch with custom driveshaft to a custom rear differential by Fast Cars Inc with an aluminum case and positraction, 3.25 final drive ratio. Likewise, the front axle/suspension was also replaced with a Fast Cars custom coil over setup specifically designed for a V8 in an MGB.

Engine build specs:

Balanced, .030 overbore Patriot Performance Al cylinder heads AirGap aluminum intake

Ford B303 hydraulic roller cam, 284*/284* advertised duration, .480/.480 lift

Resized rods with ARP boltsFord Perf roller rockers (1.6 ratio) Melling oil pump

Ford Perf Main girdle /studs hyperutectic coated pistons, 9.0:1 compression

Externally, the engine has been enhanced with a $1600 polished aluminum, clear coated serpentine pulley kit, Ford racing cast aluminum valve covers, bar milled, polished aluminum oval air filter, mini high torque starter, engine oil cooler, easy access remote oil filter, billet aluminum water neck (180* thermostat) and 12 point stainless steel bolts throughout. The cooling system consists of a custom dual pass aluminum radiator, Derale thermostatically controlled 17” fan, 16 psi polished aluminum radiator cap and polished stainless steel radiator hoses. The ignition includes a new TFI performance distributor with fully adjustable vacuum advance, high output coil and performance 9mm wires. The dual exhaust features custom built 1 5/8” stainless steel headers by Fast Cars, performance 2.5” tubing throughout, performance mufflers and polished stainless steel tips.

The upgraded brakes started with a new dual master cylinder with 1” bore, new brake booster, new oversize11 in.four wheel discs with 4 piston Wilwood calipers front and rear, adjustable proportioning valve and all new stainless brake lines. A new gas tank was fitted with all new fuel lines and anexternal 105 gph electric fuel pump. New 15” x 8” torque-thrust style alloywheels and BFGoodrich tires (205/60SR 15 F), (215/70SR15 R)complete the suspension.

The interior was replaced with a $5,000+ leather package, including heated seats, door panels and soft top boot, electric window lifts, new premium carpeting, beautiful hard wood steering wheel, custom Dolphin vintage style gauges including a programmable speedometer and custom air conditioning/heater unit, turned aluminum panels around the steering column and new soft top and boot. There is a newPyramid Proheadunit with 300W, 4 channel amplifier and 4 speakers. Accelerator, brake and clutch pedals are billet aluminum. Twin hoop roll bars (non SFI) with “MG” cutouts finish the interior. A locking polished gas cap with the MG logo completes the look.