Placing a Rover 3.5L V8 engine into a MGA

Michiel Verburg

New Member
hi people, i’ve joint this forum because i am restorating a MGA and have bought a Rover 3.5L V8 engine for it. I am sure i will have plenty of questions!
 
An RV8 through a standard MGA axle would be certainly be entertaining if you kept the original axle, at least until it broke or it rained.

One of the best points about the MX5 is the 6 speed gearbox is just fabulous with the short throw lever - one of the best I've ever driven anyway. They are pretty strong too, allegedly good for 300lb/ft. I wonder if anyone has ever grafted one onto an RV8? It would certainly make the LT77 feel truck-like in comparison. In a P6 you'd definitely want the V8 rear axle as 5th gear not 4th is 1:1 giving you only one overdrive gear.

Depends what sort of car you want. A grumbly mini pseudo muscle car with the V8 or something in the spirit of the original. I'd go MX5 any day of the week.
 
We have a V spec Eunos Roadster which is excellent, I’ve not driven any of the later versions but if that 6 speed is anything like the NA 5 speed feel it sounds like a very good option indeed!
Arguably the best thing about the mx5’s though is their chassis and suspension geometry/adjustability, it would be a shame to take all the running gear from a good chassis, it would have to be a crash damaged donor for me. That or transplant MGA body onto mx5 chassis!
Jim
 
A Rover in an MGA is not so mad an idea.
I have a BRA 289 Cobra replica that has a 3.9 with an LT77. The motor is warmed up a little and puts out 240 bhp, the car weighs 1000kg with a half tank of fuel. It used to have stock MGB running gear, but now I have four linked the rear axle and made double wishbone front suspension using AVO adjustable dampers all round.
I haven't broken an LT77 in it yet and I do try really hard, the lightness means it just loses traction before anything breaks. although I am forever re shimming and replacing diff gears and pins.
IMG_1320.JPG
 
Me likey :cool:
Just to completely get off subject, does anyone make hardtops for replica Cobras, or indeed replica hardtop Cobras?
I especially love the shape with the roof!
Jim
 
Man i like your idea of a V8 in a MGA.
And the MGA with hardtop also really looks cool.

While searching trough youtube i found this vid.
Nice musik, lovely MGA, and the girl's not bad either :p
 
Corazon, it still amazes me what a a grand or two of MX5 delivers. They are more fun at normal road speeds than some seriously exotic machinery as well as being really robust too. I like old cars but as a daily commuter/summer fun car, not much comes close.
 
Thanks, I wasn't sure whether your company might make them..
Yes a LeMans racing cobra replica would be awesome!

Peter, our mk1 only set us back £600 five years ago..excellent condition, garaged by the same owner since she imported it. Outrageous bang for buck
Jim
 
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