Ls1 MG?
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
I built an MGB convertable with a 215 Buick aluminum V8 and it was a tight fit. There are people out there who have managed to get a SBC in an MG, but the most popular V8 is the 5.0L pushrod Ford or an aluminum V8 out of a Rover (same as the Buick 215). Either of these two engines weigh less than the cast iron 4 cyl, so handling after conversion can be very nice
Headers are available for the BOP/Rover motor, but the Fords have to be made and usually have to exit out the wheel well to manage the heat load in the engine bay.
Hood clearance is a problem no matter what engine you choose. Mine had .125" clearance with a heavily modified fuel injection plenum.
Here's a website of people doing this stuff-
http://www2.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/ge...ect=36&thread=
LS1Sandrail
Headers are available for the BOP/Rover motor, but the Fords have to be made and usually have to exit out the wheel well to manage the heat load in the engine bay.
Hood clearance is a problem no matter what engine you choose. Mine had .125" clearance with a heavily modified fuel injection plenum.
Here's a website of people doing this stuff-
http://www2.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/ge...ect=36&thread=
LS1Sandrail
As for the LS1 MG The Ls1 is smaller then the Rover V8 in all aspects but one and this the width from head to head it is only ½“ wider. I have a V8 MGB GT with the Rover 215 V8 and I think you would have no problem doing this swap I plan on doing it here when I get out of school along with one of the LS1 RX7 cars like Hinson. If you look up Boost Performance out of the UK they will give a nice comparison of the LS1 and the Rover V8 in size and power to price options for ya. But the MGB would need some help with the added power I have seen the rover motor tweak the frame in some of these cars so some sub frame connectors need to me fabed up and help with the front end o the car around the radiator support!
Boost Performance UK
http://chevroletls1.com/
Boost Performance UK
http://chevroletls1.com/
Launching!
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 203
Likes: 2
From: harrisville R.I
I am doing a 1974 mgb ls1 swap i set it back as far as i could mine is a chrome bumper so i put a one inch spacer between the crossmember and the body i clear the oil pan easily but did have to do some cutting to the fire wall on both sides behind the heads but i do all my own work so it is ok if i were paying someone to weld it would kill me.so yes it can be done
Swap I too have contemplated this swap because of power to weight ratio (Win). After looking at the cross member I quickly changed my mind unless you are an extremely capable fabricator I would suggest swapping it into something else, like a Chevette or a Starlet if you are looking for power to weight ratio.
MG Memories Oh man that would be insane! Growing up one of my buddies had an MG, and my other buddy had a Fiat. We would race and screw off all over the place MG vs. Fiat vs. Nova. Ah memories!
An LS swap into an MG would be a tight fit, but awesome. Sounds like the formula for a cheap Cobra. 400HP, manual and a...1800lb car. Oh man. Start a build thread and I'll subscribe in a minute!
Billy, got any pics of that swap??
An LS swap into an MG would be a tight fit, but awesome. Sounds like the formula for a cheap Cobra. 400HP, manual and a...1800lb car. Oh man. Start a build thread and I'll subscribe in a minute!
Billy, got any pics of that swap??
The Miata shop that does LSX swaps, Flyin Miata, has a diary on their MGB with LS1 swap.
http://www.slowcarfast.com/MG/index.php
You have to click on the "entries" link at the bottom of each page and hit "newer" to follow along the build entries.
http://www.slowcarfast.com/MG/index.php
You have to click on the "entries" link at the bottom of each page and hit "newer" to follow along the build entries.
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I think a Rover V8 or LS1 would be bad *** in a MG. If you decide on the Rover piece PM me and I can point you in the direction of some really good places that can help you build the engine you want.
It will cost more to build a Rover engine than the LS1. If you go EFI, a carbed Rover motor can be built for next to nothing. Cam and lifters for less than 200 bucks.
Edit: Just a bit more info
The LS1 is going to be a hair shorter than the Buick/Rover engine. An Efi Rover engine is going to be pretty tall (the two piece plenum is pretty massive), but a carb'd Rover engine won't be much taller than an LS1. The heads on the Rover engine point straight up once the valve covers are on so it will be a hair more narrow.
I also want to say that the standard 5 speed transmission for the Land Rover models (don't know if it's the same or not for the ones used in the cars) looks like its longer than my t-56 but this is just from glancing at it.
It will cost more to build a Rover engine than the LS1. If you go EFI, a carbed Rover motor can be built for next to nothing. Cam and lifters for less than 200 bucks.
Edit: Just a bit more info
The LS1 is going to be a hair shorter than the Buick/Rover engine. An Efi Rover engine is going to be pretty tall (the two piece plenum is pretty massive), but a carb'd Rover engine won't be much taller than an LS1. The heads on the Rover engine point straight up once the valve covers are on so it will be a hair more narrow.
I also want to say that the standard 5 speed transmission for the Land Rover models (don't know if it's the same or not for the ones used in the cars) looks like its longer than my t-56 but this is just from glancing at it.
Last edited by My6speedZ; Aug 15, 2012 at 11:59 AM.
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