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Car update: fuel pump controller installed, pump much happier and no more boiling gas.
That's the good news.
Bad news, run on the dyno and the power curve goes flat as a pancake at 4250rpm.
Missing a solid 150+hp. Timing is 15 / 34, all in by 2600. Got plenty fuel, headers are stout enough. Not missing or anything like that,the only thing I can think is the exhaust is corking it?Will pick up a bit with a clutched fan and better air filter but thats not going to make that much difference. Thoughts?
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How restrictive is the exhaust? Nothing up with the camshaft is there?
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The headers look ok - 1 7/8th inch. Collector looks like 3 all the way back but there are 2 pinch points down to 2 1/2 or so and 2 big collectors per bank.
Not like the car is quiet or anything but considering it is a pretty mellow thump rather than a evil cackle....Cam's fine and power and torque curves are both very healthy up to 4k - just looks plugged after that.
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I have a little conundrum and a possible solution id like to run by you cats for ideas.
At the moment, I have the MGB (with a tired engine that needs rebuilding). I also want to start doing a lot more track days and as much as I love the B, it is a slug. Sarah and I both really enjoy using it for 'touring' and it would be a shame to ruin that for track use and still have a relatively slow car. I am also enjoying the couple of track days I have done with the MGs on Track lot - they are good bunch and it is all very civil.
Options:
- Bomb the B/V8/engine transplant route. some obvious benefits, including being able to continue doing the MGoT days. However, may ruin the car for it's normal duties. i need SPACE for bucket seats and the biggest seats you can fit are way too snug for the motorway driving part.
2.Buy a BGT V8 for track duties and keep the B. Same benefits as above, and i do know my way around one, now. however, do i really want 2 MGBs?
3.Buy another car for the track (2002/kit/etc). this again has obvious benefits, but is expensive. i would also not be able to do the MGoT days. i really don't fancy the track days with wankers in m3s and clios*.
I have (up until the track day at donington) been convinced that a rebuilt basic engine in the b and a 2002 was the way to go. after the track day (the 2nd with MGoT), i am now not so sure. they do about one a month at all of the good tracks and are well organised. i am still very much a novice, so this part appeals.
The possible solution: I spoke to a dude that runs a reputable MG garage who has a MGB GT shell that has been converted to a 130hp1.8 Zetec out of an RS1800 Fiesta. It runs and drives, but the shell is bare. From what i have read, this is the silvertop to have, with better cams, inlet manifold and ecu (it runs everything from the Festiva). There is obviously scope for gains, with exhaust, ecu and itb upgrades possible.
It has all the bits there to convert mine, with no chopping of firewalls or xmembers, and would be available for about 750 beans. the dude could even fit it in a week for me, if i wanted. that would look at about £2-2.5k, for double the hp and a pretty reliable engine with room o improve, if i needed. i could even get a fair chunk of that back selling on all of the bits i pull out.
a worked b series could be at least the top end of that budget and a v8 8-10k. a good bmw 2002 starts at about 5k without any mods for the track.
any thoughts? i am really leaning towards this idea of the zetec. it will be about the same as replacing the engine in it, and give me a significant boost in ponies to improve the track fun as i get more experience with the mg dudes. it will also, presumably, be much better on the annual holiday duties to whitby/scotland/cornwall. there is always the opportunity for the track only car later on down the line
the originality thing doesn't really bother me. i have always wanted it to be a driver, but i am a bit worried it will lose the character of a mgb. oh well, i can always buy another if i miss it that much. i doubt it.
anyone familiar with the zetec conversions to escorts and the like? i am slowly making my way throw the biblioteca de la interweb - but there is wuite a bit to wade though. i'd just like to know what to look for if i go and check out this guys conversion.
- Bomb the B/V8/engine transplant route. some obvious benefits, including being able to continue doing the MGoT days. However, may ruin the car for it's normal duties. i need SPACE for bucket seats and the biggest seats you can fit are way too snug for the motorway driving part.
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i don't really want to sell mine. i wouldn't get that much as the paint isn't great and it needs a new engine anyway.
the conversion uses an MT75 out of a scorpio, with a modified clutch to suit.
i have looked into the k series route and that is as expensive as the v8 route as there is bulkhead and xmember choppery. i don't care too much about the purists. they are the ones in the fields with the picnic baskets, not castle combe.
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If you can avoid having to cut things up then that's a massive plus, what is involved in terms of engine mounts for the FWD Zetec block- straightforward?
I have no experience of the 1.8, I did drive the 1.3 and the 1.25 extensively one summer, and the 1.3 (the old engine) was a dog, whereas the Yamaha designed 1.25 was a great little engine.
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If you want a track car and to stay with the MG guys, why not pick yourself up an MG TF for track use and keep the B for the road? They must cost peanuts to buy, and you have the mid engine handling, and the highly tunable k series. Obviously they have their issues with the engine, but the knowledge to eliminate that is out there (something about using the new design of oil rail and relocating the thermostat if I recall) and if it blows up you can probably just pick up another one.
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I did consider that route, Niall, there are some quick ones at the track days. i drove one when my uncle was over last year and hated it. I just can't bring myself to it.
i think the hgf problems were to do with the gasket and water rails being made of ice-cream.
neil - the fella said he used slightly modified rb mgb mounts
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If you want a track car and to stay with the MG guys, why not pick yourself up an MG TF for track use and keep the B for the road? They must cost peanuts to buy, and you have the mid engine handling, and the highly tunable k series. Obviously they have their issues with the engine, but the knowledge to eliminate that is out there (something about using the new design of oil rail and relocating the thermostat if I recall) and if it blows up you can probably just pick up another one.
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ha. after doing 3 or 4 sessions in different v8 sebring gts, both my mate and i were convinced we needed one. changed my mind about the gt
there's a belter on pistonheads atm
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I did consider that route, Niall, there are some quick ones at the track days. i drove one when my uncle was over last year and hated it. I just can't bring myself to it.
i think the hgf problems were to do with the gasket and water rails being made of ice-cream.
neil - the fella said he used slightly modified rb mgb mounts
As long as they're easy to buy and modify then that's fine.
What engine management would you use- Festa?
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you really need to drive one. i felt like i was sitting on top of the thing like one of those kiddies inflatable pool toys
As long as they're easy to buy and modify then that's fine.
What engine management would you use- Festa?
the ecu out of the rs1800, to begin with. from what i have read, that is the one with the best std map and also pre-immobiliser issues.
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Fair enough. Life is too short to drive anything you hate.
I wouldn't want one either, to be honest.
I'd be looking for a complete track ready BGT if it were me. V8 or M/T series converted maybe. Although I bet the ZR and ZS are fucking great on a track.
Or maybe take the piss completely and track a Montego or Maestro Turbo.
Dammit
Olly398
Jung
NurseHolliday
BRM
bq-
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a small volvo engine ?