From: Larry Colen
Now that I've got paint on the engine compartment, I started cleaning
up the motor in preparation to installation. As I document the
progress, I kind of like this shot:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellarsee/8099334872/in/set-72157631773384091/
For the motorheads that have any interest in such things, between
the ported aluminum head, aluminum fidenza flywheel, aluminum back
plate and lightweight reduction gear starter, I've knocked about 50
static pounds off the motor. Other go-fast goodies include the roller
rockers, custom cam, pauter rods, venolia pistons, and of course the
supercharger from http://www.hi-flow.com/
In the previous incarnation of the motor, which unfortunately had a
cracked iron head, I was getting a bit over 90hp on the chassis dyno,
and once saw a bit over 100hp to the ground, just before the head
gasket blew. I'm hoping that this version of the motor will hold
together a bit better and put a little over 100hp to the ground. For
people not familiar with MGBs, a rubber bumper ('76-80) MGB would put
about 50hp to the ground, a stock '69, like Jasmine would put about
65hp to the ground. Before supercharging, I was getting a fairly
consistent 75hp to the ground. So an MGB that puts 100 to the ground
is pretty quick for an MGB. Or about average for a spec miata, which
you could buy, or even build for significantly less than I have
invested in Jasmine's motor. It must be a symptom of the same mental
condition that causes me to shoot with Pentax gear.
Rubber bumper GTs are fairly rare in the U.S. I've only ever seen one up
close & personal.
Cracked cylinder heads are pretty common. I don't know if it was a flaw
in the design or just that no one knew the proper way to torque them. In
the early 90s a complete brand new replacement with valves, springs &
hardened valve seats installed was $199 from Victoria British.
The Miata doesn't have the leg room of an MGB. I test drove one, and
quickly got tired of my knees hitting the steering wheel whenever I
lifted my foot to apply the brake & clutch.
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