4 cyl engine advice needed

[Clarence L.Snyder]

Tedscj at aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 2/17/99 7:04:04 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> frederic.breitwieser at xephic.dynip.com writes:
> 
> > > lots of people seem to be happy with putting in the 215 cu alum. rover v8,
> >  > or the '63 Buick v8.
> >
> >  Heavy, heavy, heavy.
> >
> 
> Actually, I believe the alum. V8 is LIGHTER than the original B series 4cyl.
> and DEFINITELY lighter than a Ford 2.3!
> 
> >  Another option, if you are concerned about the MGB not
> >  holding up to the additional torque of a V8, is to make from
> >  scratch a basic ladder frame - if my memory serves me the MG
> >  is not a unibody, but correct me if I'm wrong
> 
> MGBs are unibody.
> 
> You know, you can do a lot with those series B 4cyl engines.  Vizard has a
> good and extensive book on modifying the A series motor.  The B series (which
> is what you've got) is just a larger version of the same thing.  100hp is easy
> enough to get out of a 1275cc A series, so I'd imagine you could get close to
> 140 from your engine.  And you don't have to spend a lot of money.  The key is
> a lot of work on your cylinder head (the information on how to do it is
> already out there.  You don't have to reinvent the wheel.)  And a VERY HIGH
> compression ratio.  Like 12 to 1.  No problem on 91 oct.  Stock CR is, I
> think,  7.5 for a rubber bumper car like yours, which is pitiful considering
> how much this engine can take, even with street gas.
> I think the saying goes "if you can't get the air in there, then squeeze the
> hell out of what you got!"
> 
> Ted
A friend years ago reworked a 1800 B engine to take a twincam head (from
a twincam "A" and dropped it into the twincam car. Very high
compression, and EXTREMELY quick. Also a very tight fit, with headers
and all. From what I hear he's a surgeon now!