Time Line of my 1978 MGB V8
March 1999 - Bought 1980 MGB for $300
May 2001 - Bought 1984 Jaguar IRS rear end from Southern Imports for $300
2001 -2002 - Did lots of research, bought all the books and wore my modem out looking for related MGB V8 sites
December 2002 - Started modifying the Jaguar rear end
January 2003 - Started disassembling the MGB
February 2003 - Pulled original four cylinder and transmission and sold them on Ebay; Bought a 1989 Range Rover for the engine
March 2003 - Turned MG on its side and removed the leaf sprung rear end. Started the body modifications, cutting the battery boxes out and the hole for the Range Rover 20 Gallon gas tank; ran the new under carriage wiring, fuel lines, and brake line. Drilled more drain holes and undercoated body. Started measuring for engine fitment.
April 2003 - Finished Jaguar rear end mods and installed it under the MGB; dropped body back to it's wheels; installed the 20 gallon tank
May 2003 - Bought a Borg Warner T5 transmission from B & S Auto Salvage for $450. Bought all the parts needed to mount the tranny to the engine. Made the engine mounts.
June 2003 - Dropped the engine and transmission in! It took about 45 minutes. Bought Miata seats; took the MG to Chesapeake Machine to have the headers and driveshaft made; made gear shifter
July 2003 - Brought the MG back to my shop; finished wiring the EFI and started the engine! Drove the car with no exhaust to Kenny's Muffler to have the custom exhaust made. Tried out the "bulged hood idea".
August 2003 - Modified the EFI plenum to fit under the OE hood. Built the new styled dash and sent it to Berry, My upholsterer to have it covered. Bought a Frenzy roll bar and modified it to fit into the MGB. Started on the bodywork and made the ground effects.
September 2003 - Finished the body prep and painted. Installed the insulation and carpet. Bolted the Miata seats and seatbelts in. Had the MG's front wheels allied. Stated wiring the accessories and installed the lights, doors, ect....
October 2003 - Completed interior, installed VDO gauges and dash board: installed the Cabriolet Mohair top. Registered the MGB with The NC DOT and got a tag. Started driving my MGBV8!
November 2003 - Played around, fine tuned, drove about 300 miles a week.
December 2003 - Played around, just drove. The car is very fast and getting 23MPG
January 2004 - Added cruse control, drove passed the 3000 mile mark with no breakdowns!
I took this photo right after returning home from Charleston and driving for 100 miles in the sleet and snow. The car ran perfect and in total control, thanks to the snow tires, all the way home. My wife, Sharai is waving in the picture.
I am holding an ice MG badge in my hand that had just fallen off the crest.
February 2004 - Replaced the front brakes with my new ventilated Wilwood kit, changed the oil, drove passed the 4000 mile mark, still no breakdowns.
March 2004 - Added air conditioning, drove past the 5000 mile mark, No problems.
April 2004 - Switched to the 14CUX ECU with fault display, drove past the 8000 mile mark, no getting 26 MPG, No problems.
May 2004 - Replaced valley pan gasket with a composite rover part (the valley pan gasket had been leaking oil). Replaced the fuel injectors with the new style. Archived 28 MPG. Drove past the 10000 mile mark. No problems, except for the front disc brakes squeaking.
June 2004 - Just drove back and forth from Charleston, SC to Shelby NC each week. Drove past the 11000 mile mark, No problems.
July 2004 - Drove more. Had the first part brake on me. The Lucas electronic ignition died while I was at a cook out. I was only five miles away from the shop and I had a new one on the shelf. Drove past the 13000 mile mark.