Swaping LA1 in an 76 MG

[Anonymous]

I'm dreaming at this point. I don't know if this will happen anytime soon.

My dad has a 76 rubber bumper MGB convertable sitting in our driveway.
It's been sitting there sense 1990, when the starter or something went out.

It needs a lot of work, and my dad wants to put a new engine in it. He wants to put a V8 in this little, 2000lbs car.

I'm starting to think a 00+ 3400 would be a better choice. Cheeper, lighter, and I understand more about the engine.

Smilinguy99 posted this link http://www.killerbv6.com/ and he got my mind running on this again.

How difficult would this be?

[skalor]

I would get a 3.4 V6 from a '93-94 camaro. They are available with a manual or auto, and you can usually pick one up on ebay with tranny, wiring harness, and computer for under $500. Plus, they are OBDI and that will come into play later on. There is a guy around here someone that's putting one into a MGBGT and I would see if you could find his posts.

[Anonymous]

I would get a 3.4 V6 from a '93-94 camaro. They are available with a manual or auto, and you can usually pick one up on ebay with tranny, wiring harness, and computer for under $500. Plus, they are OBDI and that will come into play later on. There is a guy around here someone that's putting one into a MGBGT and I would see if you could find his posts.

I'd stick with the LA1 as mentioned. Newer, generally lower mileage, better design, more powerful, often just as cheap, and will run fine on an older OBD1 computer. I believe the conversion parts at killerbv6 are actually meant for installation of a FWD engine into the "B".

[RacerX11]

Plus the added benefit of ~30 pounds of weight savings from the aluminum heads will definitely be noticed in an MGB.

Marty

[Anonymous]

Marty, you're sure keepin me straight here... I forgot to mention that.

[jeremy96gase]

ok, now what tranny should i use? the stock one with the bellhouseing from killerbv6?
or maybe a 5 speed form an F-body? If all possible i'd like to stick with a manual, cause thats whats in it now.

Edit: opps on the first post.
that was me

[Anonymous]

I dunno how strong the stock trans is. A T5 would work well with the engine, how well would it fit in the car? I'm not familiar with MGs.

[jeremy96gase]

Does anyone know if a LA1 would bolt on to a T5?
for how well it will fit thats something I'd have to ask on the MG boards. If they will ever let me log in.

[Anonymous]

There is a bellhousing for the 60deg motors (certain Camaros, perhaps?) that has starter pockets on both sides... and I've been told that a bellhousing from a 2.2L S10 will mate to the FWD 60v6 engines.

[smilinguy99]

ok, now what tranny should i use? the stock one with the bellhouseing from killerbv6?
or maybe a 5 speed form an F-body? If all possible i'd like to stick with a manual, cause thats whats in it now

If you use the T5 from a Camaro, think about the shifter placement. It sits about 21 inches from the front face. It's long. The Mustang is about 19 inches back. There are lots of the Mustang trannys about.

If you do use the Camaro get the one from the 3.4L unit. It has the "Ford" bolt pattern and the killerbv6 bellhousing will fit it.

You may not want to use the bellhousing from the Camaro. That bellhousing tilts the transmission 15° to the left. I posted a picture of the killerbv6.com b/h and the Camaro b/h in the transmission forum somewhere.

I have the killerbv6.com b/h here at home. It is a quality piece. Looks like a factory item, but I have no idea which vehicle it came off of if it is a factory piece. In any case it is about the same price as a new Camaro b/h so it is reasonably priced anyway.

sg99

[Anonymous]

Does the input shaft of the Mustang T5 match that of the V6 F body clutch disc?
Also, S10s have the shifter moved forward compared to the F body trans.

[Scott_68B]

I'm using a bellhousing & T5 from an 86 Firebird v6 and mating it to a 3.1 MPFI FWD motor in my conversion. I had to grind some metal off the bellhousing in order for the stock starter to fit but it seems to work and it looks like everything else lines up correctly. I used a stock v6 Camero/Firebird clutch on a FWD flywheel.

Scott

[Cliff8928]

I'm using a bellhousing & T5 from an 86 Firebird v6 and mating it to a 3.1 MPFI FWD motor in my conversion. I had to grind some metal off the bellhousing in order for the stock starter to fit but it seems to work and it looks like everything else lines up correctly. I used a stock v6 Camero/Firebird clutch on a FWD flywheel.

Scott

Some of the stock starters (usually the older ones) are larger... in all dinmensions... The little one in the picture is the newest design... Possible that it might fit w/o modifications..

Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740

[smilinguy99]

Does the input shaft of the Mustang T5 match that of the V6 F body clutch disc?
Also, S10s have the shifter moved forward compared to the F body trans.

Good point. The diameter and the spline on the Ford transmission are indeed different. Also different is the register bore of the bellhousing. That is, the big hole upon which the front bearing retainer centers itself.

It may not be hard to find a clutch disc to fit the Ford input shaft AND your pressure plate. Mixing and matching pressure plates and clutch discs is not as dangerous as it may sound. I once mixed an Opel clutch disc with a Datsun 510 pressure plate and machined the flywheel to make it all fit--of all things--a Chevette! Alternatively, you could replace the Ford input shaft with an input shaft having the proper spline and diameter. Check it out before you jump.

If you use the Ford tranny with the GM or killerbv6 bellhousing, you will have to install a GM front bearing retainer. They are relatively cheap, not a biggy either. The register bore of a GM b/h is 4.680", while the Ford register bore is larger. You can also have a machine shop turn down the Ford bearing retainer to the necessary size.

Yes the S-10 shifter is about 11.7" back from the front face, The Mustang is 19.5" and the Camaro is 21.2" back. Here's a link for you that has some Tremec T5 dimensions (the Borg Warner T5 is now made by Tremec):

http://www.ttcautomotive.com/Spanish/onlineorder/pdf/Light_Duty_Condensed_Specs.pdf

If you are having a T5 built for you just tell them which case and bearing retainer you need.

sg99

[Anonymous]

Nice info, but would the older BW T5's be the same as what's in that .pdf?