Octagon January, 2016

Book Review
How To Give Your MGB V8 Power
(Double your MGB’s power!) 4th edition
by Roger Williams
Another publication of the SpeedPro Series
About 12 years ago Roger Williams scribed his
first edition on giving V8 power to your MGB. This
edition updates this information with increases
in engine power from 200bhp engines up to 300
plus outputs and the need to update gearbox,
suspensions and braking systems.
Williams takes us through the process of
converting the 4 cylinder MGB into a more lively
accelerating machine. However before one
starts such a process one needs to know what
degree of performance is sought. To assist he
provides a matrix for moderately powered cars
(up to 200 bhp), medium powered conversions
(200 to 250 bhp), high powered cars (250 bhp
and more). With this are the option selections for
gearbox, clutch, front suspension, rear axle, rear
suspension, front brakes, wheels and tyres.
Engine types discussed are Buick/Rover 3500ccs
215 cu in, Oldsmobile 215, Ford 302, Chevrolet
302, Rover 4600 cc 282 cu in, Toyota twin
overhead cam 32 valve SC400 ex-Soarer. Another
matrix of engine sizes (width x length x height x
weight with weight per BHP) to assist in selecting
a unit to ensure it will fit into the engine bay
without an extreme amount of body modifications.
Williams spends a chapter on the Buick/Rover
aluminium engine including modifications to
ancillaries then a chapter on small block iron V/8
and information to clear the cross-member where
necessary as well as the bonnet fit.
Next discussed is which gearbox to select for a
moderately powered engines (Rover LT77, ex SDI
Rover, Ford T5, GM Tremec), medium powered
(previous examples plus the R380 Rover) to a
high powered engines (maybe Toyota Supra).
Subsequent chapters on cooling (radiator,
coolant flow, various fans, routing of the exhaust
pipes either inside the engine bay or through
the inner wings of the engine bay and louvres
in the bonnet), wheels and tyres (upgraded for
bigger BHP), suspension upgrades (suitable to
your engine conversion and the front suspension
should be compatible with the rear), bodyworks,
brakes, induction and exhaust (carburettors and
manifolds, electric fuel injection, aftermarket
EFI, Exhaust
systems),
ignition and
tuning (points
distributors, retrofitting
breakerless
systems), and
electrics (battery
charging and
capacity).
- by Malcolm Spiden
In all chapters Williams has included many
helpful photographs mostly colour, diagrams for
modifying various componentry and creating
bracketing plus a useful matrix for ease of
comparisons.
Final suggestions from the author - ensure all
parts of your conversion are compatible with the
power you are planning; he believes the 3500cc
or 4000cc is an ideal performance engine for a
MGB; you do not have to carry out all proposed
changes simultaneously for the conversion can
occur over a period of time; however, safety
related modifications need to take priority over
power; purchase related parts from one supplier
simultaneously, if using kits buy from the same
supplier, shop around for the best prices.
This book has been donated to our library by
Capricorn Link for which the club is most grateful.
The Club library hosts a large collection of
wonderfully interesting and useful books. It’s a
shame that it is not used by more members. Next
time you are at the clubrooms, wander up and
stairs and have a browse - you may find some
items you’d like to borrow. Listings of material in
the library can be found on the NEWS page of
the Club website, one listing by title and one by
author. David Robinson is the person who had
the dream of the Club having a great library of
motoring books and is the person responsible for
the purchase of the collection. Elaine Hamilton
did the initial work of cataloguing and processing
the collection and setting up the computerised
catalogue. Peter May has been processing
David’s purchases and getting them ready for
borrowing for the past few years.
The Octagon - November 2015 9