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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - rubber bumper lowering

I figured I might as well start an argument.

On the suspension of my rubber bumper car:

It had to be lowered, the Rover V8/5 speed didn't weight enough to bring it back to original height. And I never liked the high look of the rubber bumper cars anyway.

As it sits now, the car is low enough that a floor jack is a struggle to get under the crossmember. I constantly read about how it's bad to use the competition springs with the rubber bumper car. That's baloney. With the new springs (550#) in front, urethane bushings everywhere and the special tuning springs in back, it now sits 1 inch lower than a chrome car all the way around and handles like a go-kart. (great). But it is a fairly harsh ride.

I bought all the competition springs and bushings from Moss. My tube shock conversion on the back is from Jack Emery. I think the shocks are pretty stiff, but still no complaint. It sure beats the $3000 or so for the special front ends I have been seeing so much of recently. I have no doubt that they will handle better, but it's not a race car and it handles so well and steering feels really good. The front springs and bushings were under $200.00. How can you not at least try this route? So spend 3 grand and go from maybe .82 g to .9g on a skidpad. It will look niftier than my suspension.

The best thing is, there is nothing saying I have to leave it this way.

Yep, I did it my way.

Ha Ha
Richard
Richard Morris

Richard, you're a bloomin' idolt! NAH, only kidding. Since you said you wanted to start an argument I figured I'd at least begin by responding in kind.
Actually I agree that you're using a pretty smart approach since it's so similar to what I did. How could I disagree? What I did find though is that the ride is quite a bit better with units such as Ted's and with the years comes a need for a better ride. Can't enjoy it if you can't drive it cause of an aching back you know. So I've been looking at suspension lately and there are some new things in the works that I'll elaborate on later. It pretty much comes down to money though. (Doesn't it always?) Just how much handling/comfort can you afford?

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Hi Richard,
I think that was the right way to go. After a couple of years of lowered, hard suspension, I decided that the original ride was better and I needed more ground clearance. I had kept my original springs, so on a Saturday it was back to stock. Guess I'll just have to build another one for autocross :)

Kelly
Kelly Combes

Richard,

Watch the bump steer!
Carl Floyd

Richard:

Thank you for making me laugh out loud. I really do mean that in a nice way. You did state the reality of lowering the car a lot with springs, it handles like a go-cart and the ride is harsh.

For canyon zipping it's going to be fun, but after a while you might think about going to the 480lb spring which will bring the car a bit more off the bump stops and get the suspension working a bit better over bumps. Stiff is fine for race tracks and porn movies, but for comfortable driving having a bit more compliance will make the car more enjoyable in the long run. As you say though, it's an easy change to make.

My current thinking is to go with lowered spindles and stock GT front springs in my 78 roadster. The aim is to lower the car but keep the geometry and compliance close to original. I'm keeping my blown '70 MGB on totally stock suspension as it's important to have some kind of baseline.

I've driven the Fast Cars suspension and like most modifications it is an awful lot of money for the improvement in road holding and ride. But that is the way of things. To make any kind of real improvement compared to original it takes a lot of engineering and work. For those that appreciate it, the Fast Cars set up is pretty spiffy and even at the price is good value for the amount of work and fabrication required for each unit.
It's way out of my price range though, so I'll appreciate if from afar and keep to the original front crossmember.

Kelvin.
78 MGB V8 (in bits)
58 MGA Miata Twin Cam (also in bits)
69 MGC GTS replica (you guessed it)
70 MGB (blown) actually runs
80 TR8 (runs ok)
80 Rover SD1 (runs bitchin)
68 Morgan +8 (not enough bits there yet)
KJ Dodd

The lowered spindles and adjusted bump steer bashing seem the ticket for the desire. Just how thick would you guys want the "optimum" sway to be on front thereafter....1-1/8" or so?
vem myers

I saw lowered spindles somewhere, don't remember where. But they are available. And that will correct the geometry if you think it's a problem.

I never heard of a 1 1/8" sway bar. Surely you are joking. If you mount it out far enough, you can use it as a bumper.

Richard
Richard Morris

I know several V8'ers that use a 1" front anti-sway bar. I run a 7/8" up front in poly with the stock rear bar also in poly.

Lowered spindles available here:

http://www.mgbracing.com/partsservice.html
Carl Floyd

Thanks Carl, I had forgotten where I saw those spindles.

I still think the 1 1/8" front bar is too heavy, especially if you use a Rover V8 (lighter than stock) And use the AC mount, which set the engine back against the firewall.

I will go out on a limb and say my cars roll center is lower and further back than most. I really need to weigh each wheel to make that a truth. Any idea how to do the per wheel weight without buying anything expensive?

I like the feel of my car as it sits. But I think I can benefit from these modified spindles (and drop the front a little more).

Richard
Richard Morris

"Any idea how to do the per wheel weight without buying anything expensive?"

Sure.

Come to the 2007 British V8 Meet and we'll ask Pete Mantell to bring his scales again.

My car has been 4 corner weighed on digital scales for free at 2 different British V8 Meets courtesy of Mantell Motorsports.

Carl Floyd

Just for comparison, my 215 is set further forwards than anyone's I've seen and the weights showed that it is still close enough to a 50/50 balance to not make any difference, something like 50# front to rear IIRC.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

This thread was discussed between 27/12/2006 and 09/01/2007

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