Jim Lewenauer's Rover aluminum V8 powered 1974.5 MGB-GT
as published in BritishV8 Magazine, Volume XVI Issue 2, October 2008Owner: Jim Lewenauer
City: Mequon, WI
Model: 1974.5 MGB-GT
Engine: 4.2L Rover aluminum V8
Conversion by: Tom Hoagland, Richland Motor Cars
| Engine: | 4.2L Rover aluminum V8 engine, rebuilt with all new wear items (including
rings, bearings, gaskets, cam, lifters, seals, etc.). Standard bore and grind.
Offenhauser intake manifold (ceramic coated). Edelbrock 500cfm carb with
low-rider air filter. Pertronix Ignitor ignition. Melling high volume oil pump.
Alternator and A/C brackets are ceramic coated. Rover aluminum valve covers.
TSI geared reduction starter. |
| Cooling: | aluminum radiator with Spal 16" puller fan. |
| Exhaust: | RV8-style 1-5/8" exhaust manifolds (ceramic coated) with dual exhaust.
Magnaflow muffler. |
| Transmission: | rebuilt Borg-Warner T5 ("World Class") 5-speed with 0.63:1 5th gear.
Heavy duty 10" clutch assembly, lightened flywheel, and hydraulic
throw-out bearing. |
| Rear Axle: | new Chevy S10-spec (10-bolt) axle, narrowed. 3.63:1 final drive ratio. |
| Front Susp. : | lowered coil springs, oversized anti-roll bar, Monroe tube shocks, and
polyurthane bushings. |
| Rear Susp. : | De-arched springs, Monroe tube shocks, anti-tramp bars, and polyurethane
pads and bushings. |
| Brakes: | Wilwood 4 piston calipers with cross-drilled, vented rotors. |
| Wheels/Tires: | Saab/Shelby Minilite-style 15x6 wheels with Goodyear Eagle GPS 195/60R15 tires. |
| Exterior: | basecoat/clearcoat paint in MG "damask red" with stripes in Rover
"Zambezi silver metallic". Moss Motors "Sebring" valances, front and rear. |
| Interior: | new gray leather upholstery (from "Prestige Leather"), custom gray
dashboard trim, radio console, and center console. Mountney leather-wrapped
steering wheel. Stainless shifter knob. New carpet. New fabric headliner. |
| Electrical: | Autometer "Cobra" gauges. Vintage Air air conditioning system. |
| Completed: | June 2008. 300 miles driven. |
| Comments: | this car was originally built to spec for Marc Kuritz. |
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