Performance upgrades for the B

This is a pretty general question, but I'm interested in everyone's suggestions on the best route to go for a super hot, street MGB. It seems as though the majority of the MGB crowd is into restoring to original condition, with a few upgrades. But listen I have friends with 2002's and 914's, so I'm forced to go hardcore if I wanna keep up. My B is a 69 Gt. So far I have a DCOE Weber 45 and a hot cam on the way. I'm mainly looking for suspension ideas. But if any one has engine tips I will take those as well. I converted from knock off to four bolt in order to get wider wheels, but I'm gonna need to upgrade the breaks. Thanks in advance

Bill,

You need to get a copy of the book:

'How to Power tune MGB 4 cylinder engines'

by Peter Burgess. It takes a little more than slapping a 45 DCOE and a hot cam in to get the best of the motor.

You also might want to spend some time going through the technicle articles on Doug Jacksons web site : www.mgbmga.com.

Dougs done a lot of work in the performance area with b's, and there's a lot of useful information there.

H.

There is a hoard of estimable information on this site..

If I was a Rocket Scientist.. It will take time for me to understand, all of the Specifications and Formulas...

I know it takes more than a carb and a cam. I've been to dougs site, and done my share of research through Huffaker up at Sears Point. I just wanted some opinions from people who have tried different mods, especially for the suspension. thanks for the input. And I'll definitly give that book a peek.

Bill,

You didn't sound dumb. There just wasn't enough info. in your post to get a feel for your experiance level, and a lot of times here you have to keep the inexperianced from wasting their time and money.

Pay a lot of attention to the head, get some flow work done, bring the compression up around 9.5 or so, don't get carried away, good LCB headers with a free flow muffler, and you'll have a good start along with the DCOE and cam. Roller rockers are something to consider if your going to high RPMS a lot. Remember, most of the horsepower generating tricks are going to cause a loss of bottom end torque, so don't over do.

If you have deep pockets, consider a crossflow head.

As to breaks, cross drilled rotors with to high performace pads ( 20% increase in surface area), and the uprated rear slaves will do for most things. If you're getting real carried away, start looking at the four pot caliper conversions ala RV8.

Properly operating lever arm dampners work well with good tight suspension bushes. Tube shocks are an option, but have their down side also. 3/4" front sway bar for most things, 7/8" if your into stiff. With a GT, consider a rear sway bar, but not with a roadster.

That's a start I guess, others OMV.

H.

I modified the crap out of my MGB, but you're wanting to go far beyond anything I'd ever do. If I just wanted to blow sombody's doors off I'd get a twin turbo RX-7 and have it ported. If you do suspension mods to hang in there with the 914 all he has to do is shim in some more rear wheel camber to knock your socks off again.

n/m

if you're really looking for pure performance, and have about $12000 burning a hole in your pocket (don't we all?) You could put in a ford 508 and replace the drivetrain with a 4wd one... that's eliminate the problem of your car flipping clean over cause of all the torque.. then you could beat basicly anything on the road :) You'll just have to set it pretty far back and put a few weights in the trunk.

I know.. i sound insane, but it IS possible.

I don't know Ryan, I had a friend in school that thought he could get a 327 chevy into an isetta once.

He worked on it for a year, built all kinds of sub-frames and suspension bits, and finally gave up.

Some bags just aren't big enough....

H.