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Engine rebuild options
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2021 9:36 am
by StevenF
I am looking to rebuild my MGB GT engine in the next few months. I would like to achieve from the rebuild a bit more power/torque, a quieter, smoother engine and perhaps a marginal gain on fuel economy. However, I want it to continue to look from the outside like a standard B series engine so I don't want to put EFI on it or anything like that.
I'm a very steady driver. I don't drive an engine hard so I don't need a racy engine but one with more torque through the range would be good - it's nice to have a few more beans when you need them.
I'm thinking at the moment of the following spec - bore out to 1840 or 1860, have the head ported, fit a tubular manifold and a high torque camshaft, and have everything balanced.
How does that sound? Do you think it will achieve my aims? Any other recommendations? I'm in the West Midlands - any recommendations for someone to do the work?
Thanks in advance!
Steven
Re: Engine rebuild options
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2021 10:18 am
by Bumpa
"THE" MGB engine expert isn't too far from you - Peter Burgess at Alfreton (
https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/peterburgess/indexstart.html) 01773 520021. He is the bloke to talk to and will offer you good advice. My understanding is that the biggest gains on the B engine are to made from modifying the cylinder head - Peter has decades of experience of this work and has written a book "How to Power Tune MGB 4 Cylinder Engines".
More than 20 years ago I had my B on his dynomometer in standard 1800 form and achieved around 65 bhp at the wheels, about right for a well used 1800, and equating to about 85 - 90 at the flywheel. I fitted one of his Fast Road heads and I think he changed the carb needles and put on K&N filters. The camshaft and exhaust remained standard. After the work the at-the-wheels reading was about 90 bhp, so probably 110 - 115 bhp at the flywheel. The driveability of the car was transformed. I didn't note the torque figures.
Get hold of him on the phone or on email and tell him what you have written here. He won't try to sell you stuff you don't need. I travelled from Scotland to use him because of his reputation. I now have his heads on my BGT V8.
Mike
Re: Engine rebuild options
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2021 10:25 am
by StevenF
Bumpa wrote: ↑Mon Aug 16, 2021 10:18 am
"THE" MGB engine expert isn't too far from you - Peter Burgess at Alfreton (
https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/peterburgess/indexstart.html) 01773 520021. He is the bloke to talk to and will offer you good advice. My understanding is that the biggest gains on the B engine are to made from modifying the cylinder head - Peter has decades of experience of this work and has written a book "How to Power Tune MGB 4 Cylinder Engines".
More than 20 years ago I had my B on his dynomometer in standard 1800 form and achieved around 65 bhp at the wheels, about right for a well used 1800, and equating to about 85 - 90 at the flywheel. I fitted one of his Fast Road heads and I think he changed the carb needles and put on K&N filters. The camshaft and exhaust remained standard. After the work the at-the-wheels reading was about 90 bhp, so probably 110 - 115 bhp at the flywheel. The driveability of the car was transformed. I didn't note the torque figures.
Get hold of him on the phone or on email and tell him what you have written here. He won't try to sell you stuff you don't need. I travelled from Scotland to use him because of his reputation. I now have his heads on my BGT V8.
Mike
Thanks Mike. I have been in touch with him. Current rebuild time is 18 weeks from dropping the car in.... Eek!
Re: Engine rebuild options
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2021 11:28 am
by Bumpa
That's the problem with being the best. I did all the spannering myself so he only needed to supply the head and set aside time on the rolling road.
Re: Engine rebuild options
Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2021 1:33 pm
by Ian F
I agree completely with Mike, and having got parts and advice from Peter Burgess, I highly recommend him.
But, if you want to do the work yourself, Peter's book will give you all the advice you need, and you can buy the parts required from Peter (valve springs etc.). Save some money and get the satisfaction of doing the job yourself.
Ian F