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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Nissan L6 Engine and MGC Conversion

Has anyone out there successfully used a Nissan L6 engine (1970-83) out of a Z-car with five-speed gearbox to convert a MGC to more modern power?
If yes, what kind of problems did you encounter and how successful was the swap?
I would like to put my old engine and transmission in the shed for future reference, and am entertaining a Nissan swap that involves no cutting or permanent modifications.
Cheers,
Dave
Dave Winne

Dave,
I suggested somethign similar using the 3.0 ltr in line six Nissan engine (commonly known as the RB30) on the MGC board some time ago and the responses were not positive.

So far as I know it has not been done but good luck with the project and it would be good to know how you progress.

Cheers , Pete.
Peter Thomas

Dave, spend some time with a tape measure checking the dimensions of the engine and trans. I think you'll find that the Nissan engine is quite a bit taller from the crank center to the top of the cam cover than the original engine which was close to the hood (bonnet) line already. I'm installing an inline 6 into an MGA and found that the OHC engines available were too tall for that application. The other dimension that is critical for a 'no cut' installation is bell housing diameter which will determine how far back the engine can be placed.
Bill Young

Z car flywheels are smaller in diameter than MGB or MGC. Deck height on an MGC is about 10.25, head is about 3", and rocker cover about an additional 3, giving a crank C/L to rockerbox top of 16.25.

It's a place to start.

If you want to go quasi-nutso, look at a 292 Chevy or 300 Ford- Similiar deck heights but 4.9 liters. Backed up w/ a 3.35:1 first gear T-5, this would be a torque monster.

greg fast

Dave,

A few years ago the 'Healey Chatter' magazine had an article about putting that same engine in a big Healey. Apparently Nissan (Datsun back then) copied alot from the 3000 for the new Z car. From what the article mentioned, the Z engine is a virtual dead drop-in for the Healey. Remember that the C engine was a redesigned version of the 3000 engine, made somewhat smaller and lighter. I would doubt that the Z engine will fit in the C without a lot of cutting, though it would probably be lighter and more powerfull.
HTH - Tom
Tom Sotomayor

I have been accused of going quasi-nutso a couple times before. My other car is a '79 MGB V8 with 3.5 Rover and 700R4...I put 3,000 trouble-free miles on it last Summer and it is a blast!

I guess it's time to get out the tape measure. I never thought of the 300 six, but it is a great motor that is virtually indestructable.

Keep those cards and letters coming,
Dave
Dave Winne

For more information on the 300, look at www.fordsix.com
greg fast

I used the AMC/Jeep 4.0 six in my project as it came by cheaply with a 5 speed already fitted out of a Jeep pickup. Also a strong engine with a good history. Clifford Research has performance parts for most American made inlines.
Bill Young

I think there are always at least 2 roads to travel. In this forum almost everyone would steer you in the restoration direction. Of course that would mean keeping everything as original as possible and driving around a car that looked as if someone had traveled back in time grabbed the car from 1969 and then brought it back to 2005. Most MGC’s I’ve seen fall into this category, which is great unless you want a more modern/better engine or you want to have an MG that reflects your own unique style. Modern hot rods are cars that embody the owners personality, style, thinking, etc. It all falls under customizing which is a very American thing.
There is customizing the right way and customizing the wrong way. I have an MGC that someone decided to put a Ford 302 in, but they also painted over the original red with an orange/metal flake paint, added rubber bumpers and put a wing on the back. In my opinion, Ford 302 good-paint, bumpers and wing BAD!
Customizing a car is not a bad thing and neither is leaving it stock. I love the look of a cherry MGC, especially the Sebring cars. I think of the Sebring cars as customizing the right way. Beef up the engine, add fender flares and a racing paint scheme and you’ve got yourself a great customized car-albeit one bred for racing. The only downfall I can see is the heavy underpowered engine. How cool would it have been if those Sebring cars were ripping through the competition with a 427 under the hood. How dare Carroll Shelby do such a thing to a British car.
That said, in the spirit of America go ahead and do an engine swap. However, would it make a huge difference if you put in a Nissan L6? After the cost of the swap it might be cheaper to just rebuild the original. While the L6 will save some weight it’s still only a good engine-not a great one. Didn’t the L6 come in turbo form? Even that might not be all that great. The Toyota inline turbo 6 that came in the Supra would be a better choice. That would be a swap I’d be interested to see since that engine with the proper boost can put out some serious ponies.
a. reyes

I think you'll find most here agree with your position, tasteful change is OK (and bad metalflake- and in my opinion, any metalflake is bad metalflake), and change in bad taste is not OK.

What I think the concern is, that there were only 9000 C's built, probably half are gone now. While I don't have a big problem with modifying one of 4500, this is a far cry from the half million B's that may only have 10% remaining. What most don't want to see happen is what happens so often- then engine and car are seperated engine goes 1 way, the car another, so any chance of reeassembly is lost

I've got a CGT that I plan a (hopefully) tasteful restification- Megasquirt efi or triple SU's, modified IP, maybe air- my vision of a 2005 MGCGT. This will maintain the C engine- only because that's what I want.

Then I have a rust rat- abandoned after being stripped. I have no idea what to do with this- It may be easier to put the front clip on a B shell- I'm still thinking.

I also have the advantage of a couple of C engines.

Anyway, do what you want- it's you're car. And stay away from metalflake
greg fast

Gee this is really turning into a "Fab Five" makeover!
Just joking there of course.

Cheers , Pete.
Peter Thomas

a. reyes, utah
Where are you located? Its rare to see someone else in UT, let alone someone else with a modified MG. Are you going to the British Field Day in SLC first weekend of June? Would love to see the 302 in the C. More info on the show can be found at www.britishmotorclub.org
Jake

This thread was discussed between 10/05/2005 and 11/05/2005

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