John Maas' 1972 MGB GT with Stroked (4.9L) Rover Aluminum V8
as published in BritishV8 Magazine, Volume XXI Issue 1, July 2013Owner: John Maas
BritishV8 UserID: jbmnsx
City: Poolesville, MD
Model: 1972 MG MGB GT
Engine: Rover V8
Built by: Josh Strohm. (Finished by John Maas.)
Features and Specifications
| Engine: | Rover 3.9L aluminum V8, stroked to 4.9L.
Engine block bored 0.020" oversize.
Buick 300 crankshaft (provides 3.40" stroke instead of 2.8" stroke).
Buick 215 connecting rods (with wrist pin holes honed from 0.875" to 0.912").
Ford 255cid V8 pistons (with 3.68" nominal bore plus 0.040" oversize).
Iskenderian 262 camshaft (Buick 300 spec., 0.445" lift, 262° duration, 110° lobe center).
Buick 300 cylinder heads (with 54cc chambers and large valves).
Offenhauser John Woolf Racing intake manifold.
Edelbrock 500cfm carburetor.
Edelbrock foam air cleaner.
Lucas electronic distributor.
Engine steady rod. |
| Cooling: | MGB GT V8 radiator.
Late-model MGB electric cooling fans. |
| Exhaust: | MG RV8 style four-into-one headers.
Custom dual exhaust system.
Dual chrome exhaust tips. |
| Transmission: | Rover LT77 five speed transmission. |
| Rear End: | stock MGB. |
| Front Susp.: | stock, except for tube shock conversion featuring Bilstein shock absorbers. |
| Rear Susp.: | stock, except for tube shock conversion. |
| Brakes: | stock MGB master cylinder.
Drilled and slotted front rotors. Stock MGB calipers.
Stock MGB rear (drum) brakes. |
| Wheels/Tires: | Superlite eight-spoke aluminum wheels (15x5).
General Altimax HP 185/65R15 tires. |
| Body: | Special Tuning style fiberglass air dam. |
| Electrical: | single 12 volt battery.
JVC KD-PDR80 Stereo with 4 Pioneer 3-way speakers. |
| Instruments: | Smiths gauges, including combination water temp and oil pressure gauge.
Electric oil pressure gauge opening welded over. |
| Interior: | Abingdon-pillow style dashboard, stripped down to bare steel.
Glove box was custom cut into the passenger side and two vents added in the center.
Wrinkle finish paint applied to the dashboard.
A custom center console in matching wrinkle finish was added to hold the stereo, map light, and cigarette lighter.
|
| Completed: | 2011. (Driven ~10,000 miles as of June 2013.) |
| John's Comments: | "I have two other MGB GTs. One is a 1971 GT with a supercharger installed on the 1.8L engine.
Although the supercharger improved the car's performance, it can't hold a candle to the V8.
I have a 1967 GT with a stock engine - it's the lightest of the three cars - but the V8 feels
the best balanced due, I believe, to that heavy Rover transmission in the middle of
the car. The only issue I have is that the V8 currently runs on the hot side. Upgrades
to the cooling system may be required. I plan to install additional instruments including
an oil temperature gauge, an ammeter, and a voltmeter plus a battery disconnect switch." |
Engine Installation
Rover 3.9L engine, bored and stroked to 4.9L, utilizing Buick 300 cylinder heads.
MGB GT V8 style (inverted, extended core) radiator and dual electric cooling fans.
Offenhauser John Woolf Racing intake manifold.
Edelbrock 500cfm carburetor and Edelbrock foam air cleaner.
MG RV8 style (through the fender apron) four-into-one headers.
Interior
Padding has been removed from the "Abingdon pillow" style dashboard. Louvered vents and
a glove box were added, and then the assembly was finished with wrinkled paint.
Driver side door trim.
Passenger side door trim.
MGB GT cargo area.
This shelf lifts up to reveal the spare tire and additional storage.
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Exterior
Special Tuning style fiberglass air dam.
MG contracted the famous Italian stylist Pinin Farina to design a GT variant based on their
existing MGB roadster. The resulting design went into production in 1965. A similar but less
refined roof styling treatment may be seen in the Maserati Mexico model of 1966.
A growing number of enthusiasts are coming to recognize the MGB GT as Pinin Farina's masterpiece.
Too many of Pinin Farina's 1960s era designs look garish and dated now, whereas
his MGB GT windshield/roof/hatchback treatment remains fresh, elegant, and sublime.
With Rover V8 engine installed, the MGB GT really comes into its own as a practical classic.
What the world needs now is... shiny headlight bezels.
Dual chrome exhaust tips.
Superlite eight spoke aluminum wheels (15x5). General Altimax HP 185/65R15 tires.
