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I have been lurking for a while trying to get my ideas together before I start tearing junkyard cars apart. Here is where I would really love some design help from folks who have much more experience with these 60* V6's. I have a1979 MGB that I blew the engine on. There is a kit provider that makes the process of swapping the 60* into the MG a bolt-up, and my only complaint about the car has been its lack of power. So I'm trying to get my head wrapped around how to proceed. My goal is to make 225 hp. More is fine, but if I wanted to run 500hp, there are LS swaps, too. Approaching 300hp would require a new rear end and I would rather not. Some other parameters that are important:
1. I want the major parts to be easy to locate, ideally from the junkyard.
2. I have some height restrictions under the hood. The engine bay is spacious, but not tall.
3. There is not an unlimited budget. I am married.
4. I don't want to spend weeks or months chasing some reverse threaded nut that is only made on full moons under the supervision of shaman. I want to move quickly.
5. I am comfortable getting the car running with less HP and building as I drive, but any engine-out projects need to be done before it goes in for good.
6. For those unaware, the MG is a RWD car and I need the block to have longitudinal mounts. The kit is designed this way, so converting FWD blocks, while possible, seems wasteful here.
7. The MG does NOT need any accessories, well just the alternator. No AC, no power steering.
8. The kit is designed for the T5 trans.
Perusing the currently available junkyard cars, it looks like there are a few RWD choices, but mostly in 2.8l varieties. Maybe folks more familiar with which cars the 3.4l came in would find more options than I have, but my supply of 2.8s seems solid. Given that I have somewhat modest HP goals, would it be as simple as a newer (large journal) 2.8 with a cam(s), heads from a 3.4, a 4.3 throttle body? What should I plan for prior to installing the engine 'permanently' (new bearings, oil pump)?
I am very open to ideas from you experts, so if I'm tracking down a bad road, please tell me. Thanks in advance for the input.
1. I want the major parts to be easy to locate, ideally from the junkyard.
2. I have some height restrictions under the hood. The engine bay is spacious, but not tall.
3. There is not an unlimited budget. I am married.
4. I don't want to spend weeks or months chasing some reverse threaded nut that is only made on full moons under the supervision of shaman. I want to move quickly.
5. I am comfortable getting the car running with less HP and building as I drive, but any engine-out projects need to be done before it goes in for good.
6. For those unaware, the MG is a RWD car and I need the block to have longitudinal mounts. The kit is designed this way, so converting FWD blocks, while possible, seems wasteful here.
7. The MG does NOT need any accessories, well just the alternator. No AC, no power steering.
8. The kit is designed for the T5 trans.
Perusing the currently available junkyard cars, it looks like there are a few RWD choices, but mostly in 2.8l varieties. Maybe folks more familiar with which cars the 3.4l came in would find more options than I have, but my supply of 2.8s seems solid. Given that I have somewhat modest HP goals, would it be as simple as a newer (large journal) 2.8 with a cam(s), heads from a 3.4, a 4.3 throttle body? What should I plan for prior to installing the engine 'permanently' (new bearings, oil pump)?
I am very open to ideas from you experts, so if I'm tracking down a bad road, please tell me. Thanks in advance for the input.
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