Pete Mantell's 1969 MGB with Ford 302 V8
(originally published in British V8 Newsletter, Volume 12 Issue 1. Updated photos and text: 9/2006.)
Owners : Pete & Sue Mantell
Contact: pjmantell@prairieinet.net
City: Sidney, IL
Model: 1969 MGB Roadster
Engine: Ford 1990 302 (5 liter)
| Engine: | 2004 Ford 302 (stroked to 342cid) crate motor M-6007-A342, dynoed at factory
400HP, 390ft.lbs. torque. (Previously Pete had installed a 1990 Ford 302 with
Edelbrock cam and aluminum SVO x303 heads.) |
| Intake: | Edelbrock "Performer 289" manifold and 600cfm Edelbrock carburetor (electric choke). |
| Cam: | F303. |
| Engine Electrical: | MSD 8579 distributor, 6AL ignition box with rev limiter, and MSD "Blaster" coil. |
| Cooling: | Griffin aluminum radiator, Ford Motorsport short neck regular flow pump, and twin
10 inch Summit cooling fans. |
| Motor Mounts: | 64 Comet 289. |
| Exhaust: | Mantell Motorsport headers stainless Summit Racing mufflers exiting just in front of rear wheels. |
| Transmission: | TremecT5 Super Duty Z, with hybrid driveshaft built by Dan Lagrou of D&D. Modified and strengthened MGB tranny crossmember. |
| Clutch: | Ford Motorsport clutch, aluminum flywheel, Mcleod HTOB and MGB master cylinder. |
| Rear axle: | S10 axle from D&D. |
| Front suspension: | Fast Cars Inc., 7/8" sway-bar, and Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings. |
| Rear suspension: | Lowered 1 inch, tube shock conversion. Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings. |
| Brakes: | Wilwood (from Fast Cars Inc.) |
| Wheels/Tires: | Compomotive "MO" 5.5" x 16", Dunlop tires. |
| Body: | MGC Hood, BMC Special Tuning front air-dam. |
| Interior: | Miata Seats with RCI 4 point harnesses. Grant steering wheel. |
| Electrical: | Autometer gauges. 12-circuit Painless universal wiring harness. |
| Est. Cost: | Around $10000 so far! |
| Completed: | It's never complete! I'm always planning upgrades.
Date first driven was May 2003 (with stock 302 motor). |
| Performance: | Still need to test with my GTech Pro, but it's very quick. I enjoy taunting
Porsches, Corvettes and tuned imports. |
| Weight: | 2280 lbs |
| Comments: | "Like most conversion owners, trying to wipe a permanent grin off my face is
impossible. Can't drive her enough. She's a blast to drive! This has been an
on-going project for the last 6 years. Original idea was to create V8 power in
an MGB on a very small budget! I had to restore and modify for V8 at the same time.
It's great seeing the expression of shock or horror on people's faces when you
draw along side and they hear a MGB with 302 Cubic inches, then all they see is
the taillights disappearing in the distance!" |
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Body Modifications
Transmission Tunnel Mods
Remote Oil Filter Adapter and Extension for Oil Pressure Sender
Motor Mount (passenger-side)
Trial Fitting of the Engine
Modified Crossmember for Oil Pan Clearance
Ford Bronco Oil Pan (rear sump)
Transmission Mount (bottom view)
Transmission Mount (top view)
Cutouts for Exhaust
Another Trial Fitting
Hydraulic Throw-Out Bearing (HTOB) and Fittings
Crossflow Radiator Installed as a Downflow to Ease Installation
Engine in Place, Ready to Run!
Pete Mantell's 1969 MGB with Ford 302 V8
