Original British Leyland Press Release for the MGB GT V8

Not to be published until Wednesday 15th August 1973

MGB GT V8

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE

Capacity-3528.08 cc
No. of cylinders-8, 2 banks of 4 @ 90 degrees
Bore-3.5 ins (88.9mm)
Stroke-2.8 ins (71.12mm)
Compression ratio-8.25:1
BHP @ Rev/Min (DIN)-137 @ 5,000
Torque @ Rev/Min (DIN)-193 lb ft @ 2,900
Air Cleaner-Twin paper elements
Firing Order-1, 8, 4, 3, 6, 5, 7, 2
Crankcase Ventilation-Sealed breathing system

FUEL SYSTEM

Tank Capacity-12 galls (54 litres)
Fuel Pump-SU electric
Fuel Filtration -Fuel filter on bulkhead
Grade of Fuel-97 RON min. (4 star)
Location of Fuel Tank-Under luggage compartment floor
Carburetter type-Twin SU HIF6

TRANSMISSION

Clutch Type-Borg & Beck diaphragm spring
Diameter of Plate-9.5 ins.
Actuation-Hydraulically operated by pendant pedal
Gearbox Type-4 speed all synchromesh, with reverse
Gearshift-Direct control centrally mounted on floor

GEAR RATIOS

GearGearbox RatioFinal Drive RatioOverall Ratio
1st3.1383.0719.637
2nd 1.9743.0716.062
3rd1.2593.0713.866
4th1.0003.0713.071
Overdrive0.8203.0712.518
Reverse2.8193.0718.657

FINAL DRIVE

Type-Open propeller shaft to rear axle
Universal Joints-Two Hardy Spicer needle roller UJs
Rear Axle-Hypoid. Three quarter floating.

OVERDRIVE

Type-On top gear, Laycock Type LH fitted
between gearbox and propeller shaft

LUBRICATION

Type- Pressure lubrication on main bearings, big ends, camshaft bearings, hydraulic tappets, connecting rods and rocker shaft. Leak lubrication to push rods, timing chain and sprockets, valve stems, distributor drive. Splash feed to cylinder walls, small ends. Oil mist to valves and rockers.
Oil Pump-Gear type
Oil Pump Drive-Gear from camshaft
Pressure Relief Valve Setting-33 lb/in2
Filtration-Full flow
Oil Filter-Disposable unit
Location-RH side wing valance
Oil Cooler-9 row
Capacity of Engine Oil-9 pints, including filter
Gearbox-Splash feed gears operating in oil
Capacity of Gearbox Oil-6.5 pints (dry fill, including OD)
(90 EP oil), 6 pints refill including OD
Final Drive-Splash feed (crown wheel operation in oil)
Capacity of Final Drive-1.8 pints (SAE90 Heavy Duty Oil) from dry.
Refill 1.5 pints.

PERFORMANCE (Figures obtained by Engineering)

GearMPH
1st39
2nd62
3rd97
4th121.8


Road speed per 1000 rpma) 4th gear23.4 mph
b) Overdrive28.5 mph


Acceleration (2 Up)
MPHKPHTIME IN SECS
In top gearIn 2nd gearIn 3rd gear
20-4032-648.553.456.35
30-5048-807.653.45.60
40-6064-977.754.35.75
50-7080-1128.55-6.45


Through Gears
MPHKPHSECS
0-300-483.0
0-400-644.6
0-500-806.5
0-600-978.25
0-700-11212.0
0-800-12915.2
0-900-14420.05
0-1000-16026.55
0-1100-17638.30


Standing Quarter Mile-16.45

FUEL CONSUMPTION

(Steady running on 20 miles of Motorway)

MPHMPG in 4thIn Overdrive
303334
403234
503032
6027.530
7025.627.5
8021.9024.5
9019.021.25
100 16.920

SUSPENSION-FRONT

Independent with coil springs and lower wishbone mounted on a crossmember assembly. Lever type dampers with double levers carry top end of swivel pin. Anti-roll bar.

SUSPENSION-REAR

Tube type axle with three quarter floating drive shafts. Rubber mounted semi-elliptic leaf springs. Spring shackles are fitted with rubber bushes. Lever type dampers fitted.

BRAKES

MASTER-Servo assisted


FRONT
Type-Lockheed hydraulic
Hydraulically operated by pendant pedal
Description-Disc brakes with fixed caliper
Diameter of disc-10.7 ins.
Diameter of wheel cylinder-2.125 ins.
Swept frictional area/brakes-3.19 ins.2
Automatic adjustment


REAR
Description-Hydraulically operated drum brakes with
leading and trailing shoes.
Diameter of drum-10 ins.
Diameter of wheel cylinder-0.8 ins.
Total Swept Area/Brake-106.82 ins.2
Shoe Width-1.7 ins.
One brake adjuster per backplate
Area of Lining-33.6 ins.2/brake


HANDBRAKE- Mounted on right hand side of floor tunnel between seats. Operated on rear wheels via single cable to compensator and single cable to each brake backplate.

STEERING

Type-Rack and pinion with collapsible column
Ratio-16.417:1 overall effective ratio
Steering column-Anti-penetration with universal joint
Steering wheel diameter-15.5 ins.
Number of turns lock-to-lock-2.93
Steering box oil capacity-8.0oz (Hypoid 90 or Hypoid 80)
Turning circle-Right Lock - 33 ft 1 in
Left Lock - 34 ft 0 in

BODY CHASSIS CONSTRUCTION

All steel unitary contstruction - two door, two seater, four light GT body with 'Lift up' tailgate.

WHEELS

Type-Cast aluminum with chromed steel rims.
Wheel center chrome finisher w/ MG motif.
Size-5J
Fixing-4 stud

TYRES

Type-Radial ply
Size-175HR - 14

WEIGHT

Kerbside-2427 lbs

COOLING SYSTEM

Type-Closed pressurized system w/expansion tank
Pressure-15 lb/in2
Fan -Two thermostatically controlled
Electrically operated plastic fans w/ 4 blades
Radiator-Cross-flow front mounted
-4 row 12 gills/inch Brass tubes, copper gills.
Capacity-16 pints (including heater)
Thermostat-Operating at 82° C (home market)
-Fan thermostat - 90° C

ELECTRICAL CHARGING SYSTEM

Type-12V system, negative earth
Battery-Two 6V batteries connected in series
(11 plates each battery)
67 amp hr at 20 hr rate
Voltage Control-Incorporated in alternator
Generator-AC Delco 43 amp alternator

IGNITION

Coil-16C6 ballast type
Sparking plugs-Champion L92Y (0.035in gap)
Distributor -Lucas 35D8 with automatic advance and
retard device

LIGHTING

Headlamps-Double dipping sealed beam
2 lamps 12V 75/50W
Sidelamps-12V 5W
Flashing Indicators (front)-12V 21W
Tail lights-2 lamps 12V 5W
Stop lights-2 lamps 12V 21W
Flashing indicators (rear)-2 lamps 12V 21W
Rear number plate light-2 lamps 12V 5W
Reversing lights-Two, automatically actuated 12V 21W
Hazard Warning Lights-21W
Interior Courtesy Light-Mounted in centre console - switches
on front doors.
Roof light at rear-Operated by tailgate
Instrument lighting-Green (controlled by rheostat switch)

ANCILLARIES

Windscreen wiper-Twin blade, self parking, two speed,
matt black switches on LH column stalk
Windscreen washers-Electrically operated by LH stalk
Horn-Twin windtone - operated by horn push on
wheel centre.
Starter Motor-Lucas 3M100 pre-engaged
Headlamp flasher-RH column stalk with headlamp dip
Ignition/Starter Switch-Incorporated in steering column lock
Warning Lights-Ignition, indicators, headlamp main beam
and heated backlight
Gauges and Instruments-Water temp, fuel gauge, speedometer with
odometer, oil pressure, impulse tachometer
and trip mileage recorder.
Switches-Rocker type for fan, side and headlamps.
Heated backlight.
-Rheostat switch for green instrument
illumination.
Heater-Fresh air type with two speed fan and face
level ventilation.
Cigar lighter-Mounted on console.
Column stalks-LH: windscreen washers, two speed wipers,
overdrive control.
-RH: indicators, headlamp flash, main beam

INTERIOR BODY FINISH

Type of Windows-Front wind-down and opening quarter lights
-Rear opening rear side windows
Type of Window Winders-Safety plastic regulator handles (manual)
Type of Door Handles-Recessed safety type
Type of Door Lock-Anti-burst
Seating layout - front-Two rake adjusting front seats with break
back catches
Seating layout - rear-Occasional folding (for larger luggage area)
Glovebox-Passenger side - lockable, also hinged
centre arm rest
Driving mirror-Framed safety dipping rear view mirror
Floor covering-Rubber mats of floor
-Carpets over gearbox tunnel
Luggage compartment cover-Carpet
Sunvisors-Two (vanity mirror passenger side)
Seat belt mounting-Front seats
Seat belts-Inertia type (front only)
Ashtrays-Front mounted centrally in front of
centre arm rest
Sundym glass all around
Headlining/trim-Unsupported grey PVC
Upholstery-Full width nylon seat faces
Arm rest-Hinged between front seats
Steering wheel-Black vynyde rimmed alloy with
imitation slots in spokes
Arm rests/door pulls-fitted to each door
Map pocket-Mounted passenger-side footwell
Gear Lever Knob-Simulated leather with gearchange pattern
Gear Lever Gaiter-Leathercloth
Handbrake Grip
Head Restraints on Seats
Heated Backlight
Face Level Vents-Directional vane type at centre of fascia

EXTERIOR BODY FINISH

Bonnet opened by-Interior release
Bonnet supported by-Telescopic stay
Tailgate-Lift-up supported by spring assistors
Tailgate lock-Press button opened with key - slam type
Spare wheel-Housed in luggage compartment
Door handles-lock on each front door
Bumpers-Full width with rubber faced overriders
front and rear.
Chrome exhaust pipe trim
Grille-Black ABS injection moulded
Badges-Traditional MG badge mounted on central
grille bar.
-"MG" motif with "BGT" mounted on right
hand side of tailgate.
-British Leyland house badge mounted on
passenger side front wing.
-Distinctive "V8" badge for grille, tailgate,
and passenger side front wing.
Chrome side strip full length
Exterior mirrors-Two on doors
Tools-Toolbag, jack, wheelbrace
Laminated windscreen-

DIMENSIONS

Height (unladen)-49.96"
Width-59.94"
Length-154.75"
Ground Clearance (laden)-4.25"
Track - front-49"
Track - rear-49.25
Wheelbase-91.125"
Cubic capacity of luggage compartment-9.6 ft3

VEHICLE WEIGHTS

Max. allowable front axle weight-1279 lbs
Max. allowable rear axle weight-1594 lbs
* Net Vehicle dry weight-2339 lbs
Net Vehicle Weight Kerbside-2427 lbs
(including fuel, tools, oil, and water)
Payload-450 lbs
Max towing weight 1680 lbs
Max roof rack load 50 lbs
* with spare wheel, tool kit and oil, less petrol and water.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Fog and spot lamps
Radio

OPTIONAL EXTRAS FOR EXPORT

Fog and spot lamps


The performance and fuel consumption figures, specifications and detailed dimensions in these Press Releases are taken from pre-production vehicles and are subject to the usual variances which can occur in volume production.



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This article is part of a set of FIVE!  If you enjoyed this article, check out:
      MGB GT V8 Press Release - Introduction
      MGB GT V8 Press Release - "Description of the Car"
      MGB GT V8 Press Release - "Development of the Body and the Engine"
      MGB GT V8 Press Release - "Grandest Tourer - Latest of a Line"


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