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MG MGB Technical - Up-rated B Suspension?

I have a '64 B that I'd like to get to go around corners flatter and have better steering response. My goal is to use the car for spirited road driving. Currently it corners like a small '60s Buick (not a compliment!). There's lots of body roll. It initially understeers, then oversteers as the body takes a set (rolled over ~10 degrees) with the rear of the car bodywork seeming to be high as the car corners.

Currently the suspension is stock, and is in good, but not great shape: The rubber lower control arm bushings are in very good condition and one of the front shocks appears recent. The rear rubber suspension straps are tired. Steering rack appears to recently rebuilt.

In the late '70s, I had a '71 B. I made the car corner flatter by fitting new shocks all the way round and filling them with 20wt motor oil. I also installed delrin control arm bushings, which did good things for steering response. The car cornered flatter because the suspension almost never moved. Not a sophisticated or comfortable approach but it did corner fast.

What are the current recommended upgrades to get a B to corner like a sports car? After 2 years of miata driving, Buick-like corning just isn't interesting. I've been looking at the moss motors site, and I see a lot of options, but surprisingly no sway bar kits. As it's a '64, there are no sway bars installed on the car. IMO, the car needs a lot more roll stiffness. I'd welcome an option that lowered the car ~1" but that's not necessary.
Steven Loe

You must fit an anti-sway bar of at least 3/4" diameter to the front only. 7/8" might be better. Do not fit one on the rear. This will make a huge difference. You will still get roll oversteer but at much higher speeds and it will be more controllable. That's your first step IMO.
Mike Howlett

Stock 5/8" late Rdst or GT or bigger ARB - several ARB in my Moss book 5/8 to 7/8, 4 Upgraded lever shocks from Peter Caldwell, stiffer front springs, good rubber.

FRM
Fletcher R Millmore

Steven-
Post your Email address and I'll send you an article that I have on the subject of improving the handling of the MGB.
Stephen Strange

My V8 came to me with a rear bar and an uprated front bar, and the back used to break away far easier in the wet than my standard roadster. But then tyre choice has a far bigger effect on that than the bars.
Paul Hunt 2010

Stephen,
Would appreciate a copy of the article.

Richard.
RH Davidson

Thanks everyone for the response. Stephen S: My email is stevenloe5000@yahoo.com
Steven Loe

Steven,

That what I modified on mine of 1964, I just added an anti sway bar and V8 front bush, no more roll since then
but I noticed a few understeer maybe due to V8 bushes during fast corners?
Rgds.
Guy RENOU

I installed a four link kit from Classic Conversions. The results are very good.
The angled upper bars anchor the side-to-side motion much like a panhard.

I replaced new springs and shocks with urethane bushings, so the comparison is not from old worn out to modified as is so often the case.

The rear suspension is much more compliant with the coil overs. The car feels lighter on its tires.

Installation is easy enough for anyone who can weld two tabs on the rear axle.
Pete
p p

This thread was discussed between 09/04/2010 and 14/04/2010

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