MGB: Worthwhile Upgrades?

Hi all,

As you may have seen from my previous threads, I've just bought a 1976 MGBGT, and after it's had a bit of a recomission (it's only done 14 miles in two years!) I will have time to give it some love, attention and money.

So, can anyone recommend some worthwhile additions that can be made to the car that will be useful or just damn cool in any way? So, if you had a maximum budget of say $350, what modifications would you make to a standard car that is in otherwise good order?

All the best,

Ben

Bigger alternator and relays on the heater fan, lights, horns and cooling fan (assuming you have an electric one).

I agree with relays, especially on the horn and headlights. Also, you might want to replace your voltage stabiliser (notice my correct British spelling! :) ) with one of the new solid state models. It may make your temp and fuel gauges read more accurately.

I would really go over the steering suspension, and brakes, replace all the necessary parts. How's the body? Give it a close look, small issues are easier and way cheaper to do sooner rather than later. How's the interior? Are all the electrics in good order? The list goes on and on. Enjoy! :) Mike

Spend the $350.00 on replacing hoses, rubber parts, etc. that are suspect, and being sure everything is road worthy after just 14 miles in two years.

Nice new STICKY tyres!

Saturn alternator conversion. Also, have your distributor "Schlemmerized"...I still need to do this myself. Many forum members here will attest to the difference it will make. You could also modify the heater valve (research this forum), because the stock one, even when new, is total crap!

With only 14 miles in two years you should check your tires (tyres) too to make sure they are road worthy. You dont want to be doing 110 mph down the M1 and have a tire go out on you....

[quote=BritishV8]
Nice new STICKY tyres![/quote]

Last set I bought were more like $400.

I'd agree with Russ, A modified heater valve as well as a 'Schelmmerized' dizzy. There are other items obviously but those would be a good start.

Jim B.

[quote=Montrose]
Spend the $350.00 on replacing hoses, rubber parts, etc. that are suspect, and being sure everything is road worthy after just 14 miles in two years.[/quote]

X2. Don't forget the brake hoses - two in the front; one in the back. Also brake pads and shoes if they need replacing. Not going won't kill you. Not stopping will...

Jus' sayin'...

Cheers,

Glen

Change oils, filter, coolant and hydraulic fluids an hydraulic hoses, give the car good grease service, check brake pads and the drum brake adjusters. If not allready fitted, hav a look upon a electronic ignition system as offered by Aldon and others.
Check the electrical connections and renew cable connectors ubderneath the slam panel and at the connection between the main harness and the one that runs to the rear. Fit new filters to the carbs and fuel line, fit a new presure cape to the coling system.
When there s still a rest of your budget left, think about the tyres and then about upgrading electrics with relays and a better voltage stabilizer, waxoil...

Assuming you've already done all the fluids, belts, hoses, and tires as part of the recommissioning, the electrical system upgrades noted above are quick, easy, cheap, and well worth it. The modified heater valve and Schlemmerized distributor, as noted by Russ, are also excellent additions.

Do all that, not only will you see pretty dramatic differences in the car but you'll have some $$$ left over. Now how cool is that?

$350 AKA thin edge of the wedge.

Best bang for your buck is one of these

http://www.moto-lita.co.uk/our-products/your-car/your-options.aspx?CB_ID=25&CR_ID=208

It is the part of the car you see most off, They are a symphony in polished aluminium, rivets and wood.
Look great,lovely to touch.
Don't be tempted by cheap imitations. This bit's got to be real. The 15 inch.

cautionary note-love the moto-lita wheels however, whatever you do, don't go the full Biggles.
That fine line between a hobby and obsession?, this is where you take a running jump over it.

From what I've learned from this group, you should follow a 3-stage program:

1 Make it safe - take care of brakes, brake lines, lights, steering, & such things that will get you out of trouble when you really need them
2 Make it solid - replace bushings, Schlemmerize your distributor, clean up wiring & and all the other bits that will let you down (safely) when they go bad
3 Make it fast - fun stuff that ranges from sticky tires, hotter camshaft, supercharger.....well, this list is almost endless.

There should likely be a #4 - Make it yours. Do the things that make your MG more yours and more suited to your idea of an MG. Beware that this will drive some people to total distraction but that makes for interesting discussions as well.

Also stick with this band of characters - they've gotten me through more problems that I've created than I will ever admit while working through my 3 Stage program. Tip of the hat to all of them!

Handling? An uprated front swaybar gets my vote! 3/4" minimum.
RS

a rubber bumper, 7/8ths ,or 22mm

[quote=BritishV8]
Nice new STICKY tyres![/quote]


Hear, hear!

I have a 67 GT and here are my upgrades: Breaks, suspension, steering, wiring harness(advanced wire), starter, electronic dizzy, oil filter and electronic fuel pump and gallons of anti rust treatment!

I say put a nice throaty exhaust on.
Something that will make you smile when you hit the gas.

Don't forget the clutch hydraulics.

[quote=Grasshopper]
From what I've learned from this group, you should follow a 3-stage program:

1 Make it safe - take care of brakes, brake lines, lights, steering, & such things that will get you out of trouble when you really need them
2 Make it solid - replace bushings, Schlemmerize your distributor, clean up wiring & and all the other bits that will let you down (safely) when they go bad
3 Make it fast - fun stuff that ranges from sticky tires, hotter camshaft, supercharger.....well, this list is almost endless.

There should likely be a #4 - Make it yours. Do the things that make your MG more yours and more suited to your idea of an MG. Beware that this will drive some people to total distraction but that makes for interesting discussions as well.

Also stick with this band of characters - they've gotten me through more problems that I've created than I will ever admit while working through my 3 Stage program. Tip of the hat to all of them![/quote]

+1 on that list and especially on the last part about sticking with this group!

Cheers guys, plenty of foor for thought!
Oh and don't worry, I'm staying! :thumbup:

[quote=Benjybh]
Cheers guys, plenty of foor for thought!
Oh and don't worry, I'm staying! :thumbup:[/quote]


You won't regret it, Ben.

If you rummage thru this site, http://www.cibolas7.net/index2.html , you may find some of those discussed above and a few others.

Not all upgrades are things to do or add to the car, sometimes it's what we do to upgrade our knowledge of auto mechanics, body work, electrical, etc.

[quote=Miser]
I have a 67 GT and here are my upgrades: Breaks, suspension, steering, wiring harness(advanced wire), starter, electronic dizzy, oil filter and electronic fuel pump and gallons of anti rust treatment![/quote]

Breaks are hardly an upgrade; they came standard back in the day!

Urethane bushings, uprated brake pads, lowering kit. Your car may already have SU's on it, US spec cars in '76 used the Zenith-Stromburg, so SU's are a major improvement.

I think you missed one of the biggest upgrades - lower it about 1 1/4" to the chrome bumper height as long as you've got the suspension torn apart to replace all those rubber bushings anyway. Also, maybe upgrade to negative camber a-arms - They come in two flavors (flavours) extreme for racers and moderate for daily drivers that use radial tyres.

bb

(Just re-read this thread and I think John Hamilton already covered this, so sorry to be redundant)