This Mod Makes Electric Conversions Redundant - MGB GT Duratec

[@jacobyoung1671]

This was a great day and I'm glad you liked the car. Your observations about the steering were spot on and I've changed the springs and the geo since as a result. Feels a bit less "sketchy death wagon" more "oh a real car".

[@Number27]

Thank for coming down Jacob, really enjoyed driving it!!

[@reallynotpc]

Sounds as though you have achieved something really neat there. Well done!

[@Lemma01]

Please can we ink "Sketchy Death Waggon"/SDK into the reviewing lexicon, Jack?

[@reallynotpc]

@@Lemma01 Seconded!

[@postbump4085]

Great job Jacob, thats inspiring me to do a similar upgrade to my B. was going to do the MX5 gearbox conversion, but may as well mate it to the right engine! Wilwood brakes are a good idea too :)

[@tonyflorio3269]

My god, even through phone speakers that sounds amazing! Why can't modern cars reproduce this symphony of intake honk, exhaust bark and mechanical whirling? Love it!

[@MrAdopado]

Because they have multiple systems designed to meet emissions requirements, efficiency requirements and noise requirements. So if you are happy to compromise on all of these and aren't too worried about the consequences this is what you can get.

[@tonyflorio3269]

@@MrAdopado I know -- drive-by noise regs in particular likely have a lot to do with how modern cars sound. The modern performance car approach (loud, popping exhaust and piped in sounds) doesn't do anything for me.

[@sbrenx7132]

Because of governments

[@garyallsopp6369]

​@@sbrenx7132No, because of a@%*holes overdoing it, p#*&ing people off enough to complain to the police, who've got enough to do without answering nuisance calls, so lobby for tighter restrictions.

[@BodyDestruction]

@@garyallsopp6369Not really, if anything it’s easier now to make a car louder with a simple map. Traffic noise and air pollution are health concerns. Adding particulate filters in the exhaust muffles the sound. A turbo (there’s nearly no new NA car on sale) goes on the exhaust, where it quietens it further. The loudest modern city traffic is a 50cc scooter.

[@dougknight1720]

Wow. Got to be one of the best budget upgrades I’ve seen. Definitely a worthwhile alternative.

[@markmcgrath9098]

1:38 you nailed it right there with your comment about the sound. I used to be able tell what car was coming before I saw it by the sound. Engines sounded unique. Even the boring shopping trolley cars.

[@bobmcl2406]

Nice to know that I am not the only person who tries to use Jedi mind control to influence decisions by other drivers! 😁

[@ciaranburke3243]

Like that I do it myself 😂

[@christophernewman5027]

Yep, with a healthy dose of "Come on, come on" 😊

[@hornetbrown]

I wish I had .30 caliber gun turret on my truck...that pushes the decision making to the other drivers.

[@wearetomorrowspast.5617]

Always had a soft spot for the BGT. And this looks likes the way forward to be able to keep these beauties on the road for a while. Kudos to Jacob. Cool vid Jeff.

[@jacobyoung1671]

Thank you thank you sir.

[@giuseppe4909]

Keeping them going is not a matter of power plants….it’s a matter of RUST

[@stumo114]

I put a Vauxhall 2.0 red top in my MGB about 27 years ago, Lumenition throttle bodies, standalone ecu, custom ex manifold, stainless V8 rear exhaust, ford 5 speed box and quaife diff, I helped develop the Willwood 4pot disc brake conversion with Rally Design which worked brilliantly, in conjunction with cooper s cylinders on the rear with uprated shoes.. I also had the coilover front conversion which made getting the right spring rate fairly easy, together with a thicker front ARB, lowered rear springs with anti-tramp bars and spax shocks.

[@rhettcorcoran2879]

Excellent conversion, I ran an MGB GT for 13 years, I wish I had thought of this during my ownership.

[@adZHARRISON]

get another

[@Yorgos56]

Brilliant conversion. As someone planning an ev conversion i do have a couple of qualms with the figures used. that 30k+ figure is the price charged by high end shops that fully restore cars and use brand new overly expensive electric components (going off that 110hp figure). Many of these shops use stupidly expensive incredibly underpowered components. If you were to convert the car yourself using used components from a written off electric car, a budget of 5-7.5k is very reasonable. My own conversion I expect to cost approximately 5k and will provide me with a motor that is rated at 250hp but has been tested at up to a bit over 400hp. I'm going to do a little pros and cons list for doing the conversion featured in the video vs a diy electric conversion: Petrol pros- done by professionals (so no work required on your end), lower upfront cost, retain the sound, retain that manual gearbox, lighter car Petrol cons- petrol is only getting more expensive (~1k more expensive per year than electric at current rates), more points of failure, harder to maintain on your own Electric pros- lower lifetime cost (less maintenance + save ~1k on fuel per year), more horsepower in a lighter package, less points of failure, benefits of instant torque Electric cons- can't get work done by professionals, have to do significantly more research, can be a lengthy process, may potentially be heavier than before (mine will be heavier by ~200kg, from 1.3T to 1.5T), less range (mine will have approx 115 miles) TLDR: This petrol conversion is brilliant, will fulfill it's intended purpose, will be incredibly fun, with a low upfront cost, but in the long run doing an ev conversion will be cheaper and more powerful. so If you can sacrifice the sound of a combustion engine and the fun of driving a manual, an electric car will be more powerful and cheaper (in the long run)

[@TheKaptainKernow]

Have you gat a link to a parts list or supplier for the conversion bits you plan on using?

[@Yorgos56]

@@TheKaptainKernow my plan is to buy a written off Nissan leaf from copart + the inverter and transmission (which also acts as the motor) from a lexus gs300h. and them Frankenstein the components across. If you want some proper advice, from people significantly smarter and more experienced than me, make a post on the openinverter forum, or r/evconversions, or diyelectriccar.

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

The comparison is ridiculous. No ICE can compete with batteries.

[@miff227]

some more cons: No garage is insured to have your vehicle in it, no roadside rescue firm should be towing it. You soon wont be able to legally park it within 50m of anyone elses vehicle, house or business especially with a battery from a "written off" vehicle that was likely written off as no repairer can be arsed with trying to get insured to have your vehicle within 50m of anything else on the site.

[@max_coast]

@@nickiemcnichols5397 Ah see, I'm converting a Nash Statesman to electric and doing it myself, doing it nice, lithium batteries of course, making it compatible with a few public charger varieties and I see the 30k price as entirely reasonable, not to mention the time to wire things up beautifully. Petrol engine swaps can be a pita, but a Duratec to an MX5 transmission is a well supported, documented swap into most old, 4 cylinder things. Plus, you can keep the limited space most of them have and you can stay under the limited GVWR such ancient sheet metal supports, leaving it all for passengers and 1 piece of luggage. Back when I did petrol car projects all the time there's ALWAYS someone saying 'this is as cheap as I did it' and I generally found it an unreasonable pissing contest with not grasp of reality. Doing it yourself, they can both be cheap if you're willing. Paying someone else, I think the petrol will be cheaper, gas spent and all for the amount most people drive a hobby car.

[@bobmizen1]

I've always loved the MGB GT and that was fantastic. The way it sounded, the power and the way it swept around 'Jacks Bend' was so smooth. Thanks again Jack for showing such a unique car. Regards, Bob M. South Wales

[@mrdainase]

I can see a comments war kicking off over who found that bit of road first - Jack or Harry! Obviously it doesn't matter, both have given us all some great videos over time.

[@adrianmonk4440]

@@mrdainase // Harry needs a pacemaker tune-up.

[@bobmizen1]

@@mrdainase Harry’s Road, Jack’s Bend 🤗😂

[@andrewbuckley2892]

Two things... I run a daily driver MGB GT with a second hand 2ltr fully rebuilt engine, ( bought the car with the engine swapped it and resold the car). The engine with very few miles on it was...Iver Searle Power Plus 2000cc engine, reconditioned, lightened flywheel with new ring gear, electronically balanced crankshaft, flywheel and clutch assembly, conrods end to end balanced and pistons balanced. So it cost me a days work and a couple hundred pounds .... the resultant car pulls like a train , and is reasonably original. Also it has been said , at about 1500 miles use per year .... my car can be driven 46 years before it reaches the same amount of carbon as the production of a single new electric car. So how green am I !!

[@cam3002]

That is a good conversion. Been thinking of doing something similar. If using a third generation Miata drive train (NC Miata), it comes with the 2.0 engine, an easy torque upgrade that is a direct bolt-on the the transmission is to use either the 2.3 or 2.5 engines from the same family of Ford products that use the Duratec engine (e.g. modern Escort/Fusion).

[@larry9580]

I'd also use the rest of the Mazda - suspension, brakes, body .... oh, hold on.....

[@mrdainase]

@@larry9580 You would get the same amount of rust thrown in for free too!

[@markjosephbudgieridgard]

Wow awesome love it would be even better in my opinion if it was a 1960s sebring MGB roadster replica with the hardtop fitted... But credit to the guy what a great conversion a real wolf in sheep's clothing now you could have some real fun at the lights leaving some modern cars in your wake the drivers would think what the hell is going on 😂👍

[@andrewcunningham9256]

Yup, endless tuning options too. Not dead yet? Time for a turbo!

[@LOTPOR0402]

To hell with going electric. An MG B with a modern twin cam , finally caught up with the Italians only 45 years late

[@robertwheeler993]

And with the MGA twin cam

[@georgebettiol8338]

@@robertwheeler993 The MGA twin cam engine was released in 1958, however due to various deficiencies which included fueling via the SUs it was not a successful engine and was (sadly) dropped after the manufacture of circa 2000 examples.

[@adrianmonk4440]

@LOTPOR // HILARIOUS.

[@crmercer6407]

The important thing is they're still here

[@dreadlysmellybum]

Yea, the Fiat twin cam…. How reliable.

[@charlesshamseldin9555]

Here in the States, all Ford Focuses from 2005-2010 were gifted the lovely little Duratec 2.0L It is a wonderfully revvy little lump that sounds surprisingly good. I have one in my Focus, turbocharged with a GTX2871R, and a Cosworth intake. The car makes 260whp and is really really fun to drive. Keep up the great work Jack!!

[@adrianmonk4440]

NICE !

[@jase6370]

Love this !. Love to see more retro mods

[@AaronHendu]

Chev's Ecotec is a decent motor, too, for swaps like this. Ford even had a supercharged version of it.

[@davidstuart4915]

dont both this and the 5 cly engine have fundamental design flaws that can cause total failure?

[@ajay-xjs]

I really liked this episode, what a smart conversation. I read somewhere that Yamaha had a lot of input into Fords Duratec/Zetec engines so the carbs from an R1 make sense.

[@adrianmonk4440]

Yamaha also did the Tarus SHO engine for Ford. That is Special High Output or nickname was Shogan.

[@richsackett3423]

It's a really good noise. Sounds like a big 4-cyl bike. The exhaust is nice too.

[@tedvga]

Imagine sitting in your garden on a beautiful summer evening, enjoying the sound of birds, like nightingales, then suddenly your peaceful tranquility is ripped apart by one of these (or almost any car) passing by? This is the age of annoying noise almost everywhere, mostly caused by combustion engines. We've all grown up with this and - without too much thinking about it - regard this as "normal" - however, it isn't... People are so accustomed to this that they even like the sounds of their cars and seemingly don't care to those around them... Go electric! You'd still have the sound of tires and wind, but that is a lot better than with combustion engines!

[@MrAdopado]

@@tedvga Indeed ... I love a fast car but our weekends nowadays are ruined by noisy bikes and cars out to have some fun. We literally have to halt conversations (inside the house) because of the noise.

[@54356776]

​@@tedvga Most road noise is caused by tyres on the road, not engines. Electric cars are noisier because they are a lot heavier. Electric is also far worse for the environment than ice. Also nothing sounds better than a nice raspy engine. A triumph triple is heaven to my ears.

[@richardjones7386]

Hoyle Engineering sell an IRS that does away with leaf springs and allows for a bigger diff and rear disc brakes.. pick a Mazda power plant or BMW 2 litre and the recipe is a good one. Lots of fun to be had.

[@Jonoponomono]

I love it. There is nothing like the involvement of shifting gears and working with the engine and transmission. Like you said, the car has a soul. I have both electric and gas powered cars and as wonderful as the electric car is in so many ways, it is a cold mistress. My TVR, Caterham's and MX-5's have so much more grasp on my heart despite the fact they are nothing like as good as the Jaguar.

[@davidstuart4915]

2 ratios + say, 3 levels of energy recovery - effectively letting u change down several 'gears' approaching a bend and ability to shift up once during acceleration is both doable and desirable?

[@stephenricketts7764]

I have always liked the MGB GT. I think this is a good budget conversion and I agree that an upgraded MG block would be more expensive. You could have put in a V8 but that might not be within the rules of the racing category. On the other hand if you are on a budget the V8 would not be a good choice. I think it sounds good which for me is part of the experience. Well done to Jacob and good luck with his continued work on the car. Thanks Jack for the video.👍👍

[@pbertelli1961]

There should be a law against doing electric conversions on classic cars like these, its just not British! A brilliant, informative and entertaing video, as always!

[@davdidit6]

Years ago here in the USA, a friend’s family had an MGB convertible. They let me drive it. My face hurt every time I drove it, from the huge smile I had. Great video. Also that MGB sounds lovely

[@johnireland1629]

Always loved the lines of the MGB...and this engine transplant is a great bargain. Thanks for the ride.

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

Interesting. I've driven a couple of MGBs over the years, one very regularly, and in particular the steering has been heavy and ponderous, sapping most of the enjoyment. Good to hear it can be sorted.

[@truthboomertruthbomber5125]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with leaf springs in the back and a lot that is really right ! Having the right spring rate and the dampers to suit will provide excellent handling. As for the front end this car has a bit more negative camber than maybe is ideal for the street and also looks to have a good bit of toe out. This set up is ideal for the race track where you have a lot more slip angle than you are going to have on the street.

[@stanschloesser6725]

Love to see your giddy reaction on the pulls. Good stuff.

[@coalhouse_walkerjnr4735]

I drove a stock BGT 'banger' as my daily commuter for a couple of years during the mid-90s recession. It was way more fun than leaf springs and rear drums ought to have been. However, your grin when you drove this one says it all! Looks like it's going to be even more fun when the handling's sorted! All the best to Jacob! 👍👍

[@bzilla-d4i]

Wow, now this is an excellent conversion. Props to the man

[@rogerking7258]

Two of us were driving back from a car show in my Frogeye last week when I mentioned to my mate that I was considering fitting a K-series engine, 5-speed gearbox and disc brakes to make the car more usable. We're both in Motorsport so this would be a DIY project. His reply was a classic - "But I thought you wanted a Frogeye."

[@murrieteacher]

I constantly come up against MGB's at our local hillclimb (Mt Cotton) and they give me and my MGTF 160 race preped a good run. I have been tempted a few times but the B series engine always stopped me. I will have to rethink now what I should do. There are some really potent Honda engines around too. Thanks Jack another great video about cars that we can all afford and relate to.

[@mrdainase]

Bonnet height tends to rule out a good few alternatives. The Busso V6 or Vauxhall Y32SE engines would sound great while throwing you up the road.

[@MG-Driver]

I put the same engine in my GT back in 2011. Made a fun car a great car, so well done on the conversion. Looks a lot neater than what mine was too.

[@jacobyoung1671]

Hey! I have seen your videos before I did the engine swap in the video. Unless I'm mistaken you're the same guy who has the photo next to my school mates Ford T bird? With the r500 engine in the mgb gt?

[@MG-Driver]

@@jacobyoung1671 that's the one

[@Greebstreebling]

We took our black MGB GT to northern Spain in 1982. Wherever we parked in a town, there'd be a crowd of folks gathered around it when we returned. They were iconic machines with a fairly gormless engine. I used to catch the Harwell bus from Abingdon in the early seventies and sat on the top deck so I could see into the MG factory yard as we drove past, I never had the money to buy one in those days.

[@mrdainase]

Probably the best description of the B Series engine ever!

[@RedLP5000S]

Love that MGB. I'm so tired of seeing countless MX-5s. Those are a dime a dozen. The MGB has such classic lines and is immediately recognizable. Great job Jacob.

[@petergraham9267]

🥲about the MX5. They are a "dime a dozen" for very good reason, and even here, he's using the MX5 gear box and driver's seat! . That being said, I'own an MX5 now (hence my bias 😜) but have also owned an MGB, and that engine sound is epic!! I also LOVE this conversion rather than an EV 👍👍👍

[@henrype4315]

Dime a dozen??? I’ll take three dozen. I only have four of them and need some more.

[@gazzafloss]

Good review Jack, and to the owner, Jacob, nice conversion, a classic to boot, well worth having.

[@dennisnichols2411]

Thank you for another great video! You have me wondering how a swap like this might work in my 1959 MGA coupe project. Even though they do differ in construction- the A being body-on-frame and the B a unitary- they share a great deal of bits, as the B had a lot of developed (and undeveloped) components from the A. Here in the States it's easy to get more than one version of Zetec/Duratec (or MXR) and and many MX-5 transmissions. Do keep us posted on his progress and feel free to give more particulars on the conversion as it goes along, please!

[@jacobyoung1671]

Hi there - a lot of people seem to use the mk1 mx5 engine and gearbox in the mgb and I've heard of people putting those in MGAs. No reason why this duratec wouldn't fit but I've not measured. Give it a go.

[@raybob49]

Never owned a B but have worked on several in years gone by. This is dynamic, a super conversion and "Why the Devil not?" Expertly reviewed and a good watch is why I am a subscriber. Electric is not for me, it has it's place but it will not do in the long run, in my opinion. Tell the B owner he has done well with his machine, I salute him and others who do similar. Over 30 years ago now I upgraded my Simca 1501 to Fiat 131 twin cam spec with all-Fiat drive train. Not the fastest but has been comedy on occassion. Many thanks and Best to All here.

[@SpiritintheSky.]

Once again I've come back to enjoy this fascinating video in the great "Number 27" series. Jacob's splendid work reminds me of my 1973 Roadster and the sort of performance the MGs should have graduated to, 11 years on from introduction. Then they would surely have held their own against the Datsun 240Z, a terrific car in its own right. By the way, KKM633L (in teal blue) seems to be still around, although the MGOC has no record of it at present. If its lucky owner is watching, I have a few momentoes to donate.

[@KarelBeelaertsvanBlokland]

Haven't heard you smiling during a road-test for a long time. Well done! The Ford Ecotec engine is brilliant! But on the continent, a VAG 1.8Turbo is probably the more obvious choice.

[@alunprice8537]

Just recomissioning one of there which has been sat for 15 years very good film as usual

[@ronwalsh]

Looks to be a perfect conversion for my 65 MGB. The sound is really on point that is for sure.

[@jamesh2515]

Really Fantastic - great to see this authentic everyday content. Something different, involving and achievable for many.. Thanks

[@larryl.3068]

Great video! I wish I had seen this video before I spent the money rebuilding my 72 BGT engine and sourced an overdrive transmission.

[@eze8970]

Great project car, & one far more in keeping with lower budgets. Thanks Jack! 🙏🙏

[@malcolmlane-ley2044]

I bought an MGB GT as a project and it thankfully has the upgraded brakes and suspension already done which is a good stating point. I believe people can be a bit 'sniffy' about unusual engine transplants tin the MGB thus when you come to sell the car the resale price would be negatively impacted. The route I have investigated is the V8 from a Rover SD1along with it's 5 speed gearbox, this will give you about 170 hp but way more torque than the Duratec and has the benefit of not being so frowned upon as there was a factory version with a Rover V8 albeit with only 137 hp, I think the lazy power delivery and sound also suits the car better and it would likely be cheaper to do. It's a personal choice of course and as an alternative putting an R1 or Hayabusa lump in there would give a phenomenal power to weight ratio but not a very relaxed drive.

[@johnwalker283]

Yes,and twice the fuel consumption.

[@johnwalker283]

Yes,and twice the fuel consumption.

[@68404]

And twice the comments apparently@@johnwalker283

[@davyboy888]

The Duratec engine with MX5 box is a very popular transplant for Mk2 Ford Escorts and they're really great. Interesting to see this done on a B.

[@Drakos99]

it's nice that you are reviewing home modified and therefore both more accessible and affordable and interesting cars to the likes of me, than very valuable classics and expensive modern cars.

[@chriswilliams5498]

I saw a clip of a Triumph stag being electrified. I lost all hope. The very essence of a Stag is the v8 burble. So electrify away. But some cars need to be left as they are.

[@roystonvehicles9129]

People have always done engine swops, it's not an alternative to an electric conversion, it's an engine swop for increased performance, maybe economy, I'd have thought that at 5k you could tune a b series up pretty good, supercharger (?) good old reliable engine the B series, had loads, we used to go to France in a bgt, 38 mpg and could cruise at 90 (ish) in overdrive, you were very brave in flying around in something with, shall we say undeveloped suspension, can't see how double wishbone front suspension is antiquated. Great video tho, you look like you can drive a bit as well.

[@1969triumph]

I have been lucky enough to have driven a lot of MGB's including V8s & that one you drove seems to go better than most, at a fraction of the cost. Very Impressed.

[@tolrem]

When I was at school [in the Dark ages] they used to put Ford Cortina 1600 OHV engines in Morris Minors.Apparently it mated quite well to the existing gearbox if I recall correctly.I remember my dad [who was a mechanic by trade] saying that it was too much power for the Minor to handle!

[@1240enzo]

Fiat twincams mated to Fiat’s 5spd box was another way of updating the old Morrie.

[@philtucker1224]

Cortina engines were 1500.

[@neilmarshment2910]

Great review Jack. I agree, electric conversions remove the soul of a classic. Nothing like the sound an feel of a combustion engine - hearing a classic MGBT or Aston whirrrrrr is not the same.

[@bernardwarr4187]

Although not a big fan of the BGT’s I have always thought, with a good engine there is no reason why they can be a daily drive. It’s a practical car, easy to handle and hatchback for shopping

[@zadokmotorfreight2423]

Agree 💯

[@playchimpmakerlabs3678]

As a student I used to drive mine from nottingham to manchester frequently and in 3-years it never let me down!

[@theblackhand6485]

Seeing this MGB the tiny Honda 800 cc SS comes in mind. These had chain driven motorcycle engine with a long stroke. Would be nice if NR 27 could make a review about those Honda's.

[@davidbeattie4294]

I put 90,000 kms on a Yamaha FZ-1 (R1 in street clothes) and other than installing an Earls Performance jet kit I never touched the carbs. That carburator set-up is a great choice. I think the idea of putting a modern engine and transmission in the MG is a fantastic plan. The result is an elemental sports car with total reliability. Great project.

[@ekim000]

The induction noise on that thing is worth the price of admission! Fabulous. An electric conversion on a classic is the very last thing I'd think of doing to one.

[@maddhatter3564]

As an American I've long been curious about the manual Trans setup in Europe. ty for showing this in operation. Seems shift pattern and clutch location is same as U.S. Love the roar of the little monster.

[@grayfool]

What a great conversion. Terrific idea. Good man Jake.

[@007JHS]

Interesting engine set up... being a Ford Duratec I'm guessing it was fuel injected with a computer control... Interested to know how all the electronics and computer were ditched for carbies.... carbies!... just great.

[@johnnygeorgopoulos4072]

Throttle bodies, not carbs....fuel injection.

[@007JHS]

@@johnnygeorgopoulos4072 Equally great

[@John-G]

Fantastic conversion - ideal for the ULEZ on any pre 80's B, Spitfire or GT6, even a Triumph Vitesse which would be fun!

[@johnsheppard7935]

...the smile on your face says it all, thanks Jack - certainly a conversion worth considering and considerably cheaper than Frontline's version.

[@dan3092]

Resto Mod what's not to like a 4 wheel alignment Hunter session will sort the geo it sounds great good mpg and in reality a much smaller carbon print as it's recycling at the end of the day.

[@garyallsopp6369]

Nope, not for me - Ford engine in an MG! 😮 Me I'm looking for a accident damaged MG4 to transplant into my daughter's MGF (maybe even twin motor X-Power 😁). For me, most cars' souls are in their chassis - Every car I've ever driven, the engine has been some form of compromise. Sure, some cars are about the engine and you wouldn't want to touch them, but for most it's just the weak point. Then again for 5 years my daily was a Westfield SEi Wide, so maybe my perspective is skewed 😆 Each to their own I suppose, as long as it's reversible. Just spare me the armchair generic 4-cylinder jockeys who don't like EVs because a Nissan Leaf isn't as much fun as a TVR; neither of which they've ever driven. Great videos by the way - keep them coming!

[@mrdainase]

Rear axle location on a MGB is fairly decent, it's those horrid lever arm dampers in standard form that can ruin things. A firm front/softer rear setup is the general rule of thumb, which you can do just by changing the oil in the units (shocks is a better option though), and with decent new bushes all round they drive fine. Can't abide the B Series engine though, that damn lump of iron haunted the business for decades longer than it should.

[@john1703]

After late 1964, with the five bearing crank, it was smoother, albeit still heavy. That engine also was fitted to the Austin/Morris 1800S.

[@rjbiker66]

Was there a parabolic leaf spring upgrade for the mgb?

[@mrdainase]

@@rjbiker66 Yes you can still get them, and there's also a multi-link rear setup available which from memory is a bolt-on job. If you don't have the cash then just taking the springs off, getting the surface rust off them, a good layer of Hammerite or Hard Hat and then a thin skim of oil/grease between the leaves will make a difference to them. Poly bushes are a good option as well but they do need a smear of copper grease to preventing squeaking.

[@mrdainase]

@@john1703 The B Series and the Landcrab were made for each other, a bad engine in a bad car.

[@jassonsw]

That's an absolute no brainer. 1/6 of the cost, better range, thousands of more places to re-fuel, way easier to get a mechanic to work on it in future and sounds great.

[@marcusott2973]

I once drove one of those Lotus Elan +2, with Spyder Chassis, Scorpio brakes, Z-tec on throttle bodies, the works. That was so close to being the perfect everyday classic, and I was so close to being able to afford it. 😂😂😂

[@Dreddingbath]

Superb... i can feel a new series coming on...

[@Lemma01]

Let's be honest - never seen a BGT move off the line like that! Strange to say, a fair few Elise owners have ended up with the Duratec - it's capable of fairly high outputs.

[@adrianmonk4440]

Another fine segment of Modifications, B-stardizations, Hybridizations, AND BEASTS.

[@markalcock6031]

that engine and gearbox combo looks like a lot of fun

[@mikev.5845]

Oh the sound! And that open road. If my afterlife were driving that thing (or the influenzo) and never arriving anywhere that would be heaven 😊

[@black8art]

Removing the old "B series" and putting the MUCH LIGHTER duratec in the engine bay, would improve the balance of the car no end! Having that MX-5 box to "stir", also loses weight, and adds SO MUCH FUN! Even if you decided to go "full leather" inside and all the "mod cons", like electric widows, air-con and posh seats, you'd never have a heavier car than stock! 1960's class, but with 2020's reliability and performance? ...NO BRAINER! (Not sure I could live without the old 1800 long stroke torque and "rasp" though? I wonder if there is a lighter, and maybe a racier version of the "B"? My old "Forza4" virtual car, was bored out to 2.0ltr and lightened and had a sport box and rear end, which made it a REAL weapon on the track!)

[@AntonHu]

Looks to be the very best BGT I've seen with that low front, though!

[@colsjit]

I have a 1981 MGB GT (yes you read that right, 1981, even though the factory closed in 1980!). After the factory in Abingdon CLOSED down in 1980, all the remaining MGB GT parts were shipped to British Leyland in South Africa as CKD (Completely Knocked Down), where only 200 was ever built from imported CKD kits.

[@daniellee9015]

Absaloutly brilliant video jack ❤👍what a beautiful car brilliant

[@jehl1963]

This conversion is also "Greener" than an electric conversion since the carbon impact of a used engine and gearbox is 0 tons of carbon per year, unlike a new electric motor and a new set of batteries.

[@tedvga]

Aren't you forgetting something? E.g. the carbon impact of burning fuel and its production process?

[@jehl1963]

@tedvga Not really. It's well documented that electric cars don't pay-off (carbon wise) until ~100k miles have been put on the vehicle. A conversion is no different than a new car in that regard.

[@ryanmccormick2150]

The MGB GT is a great looking car in my opinion, dropping a ford 2.0 engine into it is a fun idea.... Looks like a barral of laughs for not silly money 🤑. Cracking stuff as always Jack buddy 👌....oh almost forgot to say I'm all for internal combustion for as long as possible! Especially on toys like this MGB, the sound of the engine is a lot of the feel and fun in a car like that!

[@Number27]

Thanks Ryan.. hope you’re enjoying yours!

[@stephenboitoult8774]

I've read a lot of comments on here about the sound of this thing, one or two even thought it wasn't loud ENOUGH! Not saying I don't like the noise, I most certainly DO, but i'd like to make a couple of points. Firstly the car is pretty stripped out in the back so the body is gonna be like a drum inside making it louder than it probably WILL be when the trim and back seat is all refitted. Secondly, when I was young (in the 70s) cars were loud and good rock was even louder, I loved it in both forms. Now i'm older I see virtue in peace and quiet (Not electric quiet) I build cars like this and have 2 Dolomite type cars, both with Vauxhall powerplants. The first is a 2 door Toledo and is a stripped out, lowered, lightened, detrimmed, stiffened up, road legal track day car. It's very loud, harsh, bumpy on the local lanes and a whole lot of fun. But not so much fun sat on the motorway at a steady 80. Get out after 2 hours of that and it's not only your ears that are buzzing. And racing seats are HARD! The other car is a Dolomite Sprint and is the car i've labelled "the cruiser" It's still quick with 147bhp on tap, but it has an auto trans, is fully trimmed and has extra soundproofing, more compliant suspension, a posh modern stereo that does everything but change your nappies, electric windows, central locking and a towbar. This car was built to do the Club Triumph Round Britain Reliability Run where we drive from Hertfordshire to John o Groats, to Lands end, to Hertfordshire. IN 48 hours over an October weekend. Roughly 2200 miles. All done in aid of charity. It's comfortable enough and quiet enough to make this epic challenge fun! The Toledo could do it just as easily, but i'm not sure I could survive that! If you have a car like this B, it is, like my Sprint, a daily driver and you don't WANT to be deafened every time you start it up. Too MUCH noise gets old very quickly. And you REALLY don't want the neighbours moaning when you go off to work at 6am every morning. How much noise is too much is pretty subjective, But I WILL say from the exterior shots, this B sound the mutts nuts!

[@matthewjenkins1161]

Biggest cost of an EV conversion is usually the batteries, which are second hand to start with. 10 years down the line if lucky and will need replacing again. A well built internal combustion engine used a few weeks each summer in a classic car, would last 50 years plus between rebuilds.

[@AaronHendu]

Yep, I have nothing against electric powered vehicles, love them in fact, but if your toy sits for a large part of its ownership, batteries are not a good choice. At least with the current tech.

[@chrisnurczyk8239]

Genius conversion - Brit classic that now has a reliable engine, doesn't leak oil all over your driveway, and will run in the wet (no more Lucas Prince of Darkness). You can even find parts for it. Reminds me of the 60's when Bizzarrini built his beautiful cars to compete w/Ferrari, and put Chevy V-8's in them. Bizzarrini's always started & ran, lotsa power, and didn't spend every other week in the shop like the Ferraris did - and were much more affordable.

[@gordonkachuk5457]

What a pretty car the MGB GT is thanks to the hand pf PininFarina. Luckily I owned one in 1972, a 1968 model with knock-ons. Lovely.

[@Ian-po6gg]

I had one in 1972 as well. It was GLO 106J and I wonder what happened to it?

[@timsullivan3921]

Interesting engine choice. I have a MGB roadster and am installing a 3.5L Rover V8, which will make for interesting driving, as the rebuilt motor has 250bhp. Being alloy the V8 is a lighter engine than the standard 4 cylinder, which should improve the car's balance.

[@davidgerrard8661]

I have a 3.9 in mine. Changing the diff ratio is a must

[@timsullivan3921]

@@davidgerrard8661 doing the maths 100% agree, I feel a 3.08 is too tall maybe a 3.3 as a 3.7 is not that much different to a 3.9. I also adding a Quaife LSD, Kpnis, Panhard and Tramp Rods to handle the extra power

[@wildeleistengegend3955]

Pininfarina's stylistic interventions are fundamental! Excellent car.

[@kipsome45]

Very enjoyable as always Jack. I was just left wondering who would consider an EV conversion on an old MG in the first place?

[@echo9911]

for me personally, I don't see the point in an EV conversion on any classic car. It ruins the car in my opinion

[@roland9367]

There are lots of classic cars with shit engines. Typically the not sporty ones. Don't sound great, no power and unreliable. They are great for EV conversions. Especially nice when it improves as much to the point people start daily driving the classic car.

[@colinscutt5104]

love the traditional jump leads in the back

[@maddhatter3564]

More power, better mileage , availability of parts. Genius. You make American gear heads proud.

[@skydog7544]

Should also point out that with engine swaps you lose the MOT and tax exemption as well as historic vehicle status so have to pay the ULEZ charge

[@ciaranburke3243]

Another way to screw people 😡

[@stephenboitoult8774]

This is NOT TRUE! So long as you keep the car within the DVLA's notoroius "8 point rule" you keep historic status, tax exemption and ULEZ exemption too. You can change the engine, gearbox and axles and still stay within the regs. You do still need to get it MOT'd, but I would and do on any standard classics I happen to own anyway, as well as the 2 restomods. It's not a high price to pay!

[@veritasvincit2745]

Disregard the ULEZ charge. Just don't pay like the television licence. Don't engage and don't enter into a contract by acknowledgement of it.

[@freeplayfrank7736]

What a nice road and great job driving it. We can't do that in Canada, cops would have a field day.Thanks take care.

[@herenow2895]

Nice bit of road there, alongside Cornbury park. Especially that nice S.

[@benbuchanan672]

People idolise V8, V10, V12; and 6 cyls. But cars like this convince me that sometimes a revvy four pot is the best there is.

[@peregrine1970]

That thing sounds great and looks like a blast to drive.

[@Ken_in_the_highlands]

Interesting video Jack. Can you clarify the costs, was that parts only or did it include Labour for a garage doing the conversion?

[@salmanzh]

I'm also keen to know, since it sounds like the 5k was for parts and DIY and the EV conversion costs are from a shop

[@popincourt8058]

I had a 1972 B-GT with a Cologne V6 from a Capri, along with its four-speed gearbox. Fabulous car. Wish I had not sold it. Can’t even remember why I did…

[@stijnvandamme76]

Except in many countries engine replacement with more power is banned, or requires individual re-homologation, and the process is ridiculously expensive and convoluted, at least in Belgium it is

[@peterduxbury927]

I am certain that the Insurance would be invalid, unless you go through the Declaration Process. The whole car has a much higher performance now. If we do anything like that here in Australia, the car must pass severe inspection before it can be road-registered. This could be a downside.

[@RWBHere]

Thanks for giving us a good laugh at the thought of sticking another incredibly inefficient dinosaur dinner burner into it. Taking such a bad retrograde step is truly hilarious. The MGB GT is a car which really benefits from a well-engineered fully electric conversion, both in terms of reliability and running costs.

[@RWBHere]

And it would be much more fun to drive. 😉

[@chrislaunders8283]

My partner has a 1974 MG and I fitted an overdrive box and modern rear shockers, this transformed it, as for conversions years ago she had a 1994 1.8 turbo diesel Vauxhall Astra with the Isuzu engine, which seemed to me a brilliant engine to fit in the MG, fast, very economical and ultra reliable, but she wouldn't let me.

[@colingregson8653]

Nice sound for a GT. I personally have a TreVoR which goes like stink and sounds like Thunder !!. Love it !!

[@TalkieToaster.]

That's brilliant. A neighbours son is selling a Vauxhall Chevette with MX-5 running gear for around 5k, very tempting! Can't beat breathing new life into the classics, they have so much character.

[@xenasloan6859]

Brilliant advice, a few more things that need cleaning up, but you're so right about no electric. Really brilliant advice, yeah

[@Laz_Arus]

In my younger days, I owned a Datsun 2000 Sports, which was a natural alternative for the MGB. The former was a superior car in just about all metrics except the exhaust sound. I do miss the induction sound from a carburetor engine. Modern fuel induction engines, like the one in my ND MX5, just don't have the raw sounds from bygone days.

[@Number27]

Hello old chap!! Hope you’re doing well!

[@Laz_Arus]

@@Number27 Livin' the dream here downunder Jack. 👍 I just wish it was a little warmer. Currently reminds me of an English "summer" 😁

[@ianmcass]

I put a 3ltr Vauxhall V6 in mine with a rear axle from an MG RV8. It goes quite well :)

[@bugattieb110ss]

NC MX5 engine and box. There's a company here in the UK doing these conversions Frontline Developments iirc. However, like most restomod outfits, they are ridiculously expensive. It's far cheaper (and more satisfying) to do it yourself.