MG-V8 Convention 1999 - Champagne Illinois - May 26-28
Sponsored by this newsletter, the third annual MGV8 convention was held in conjunction with the eighth British Car Festival, and was a rousing success! Over a dozen cars in attendance, with tech sessions, bull sessions, parts vendors, an auto-cross, and 1/4 mile drag strip runs -- there was something to please everyone.
Event Report:
WEDNESDAY:
Wednesday evening was given over to early registration and a renewal of old acquaintances, as the MGV8ers gathered in the hospitality room to swap lies, tell stories, and exchange information on V8 conversions.
THURSDAY:
Thursday morning, after a welcoming meeting and a tech session by Kurt Schley, we all gathered in the parking lot for a "show and tell," as the owners gave a description of their car, and answered questions about it. Dave Michel and Rick Ingram video-taped the show-and-tell sessions, and made copies of the video available to register members. The video also included the tech sessions given by Dan Lagrou, Ted Schumacher, and Glen Towery, and has footage of the autocross as well.
Thursday afternoon was the big event - a caravan to the local Air Force base, where an autocross course had been laid out, and a runway marked off for a 1/4 mile drag race. The autocross course was, as would be expected, a timed event, while the drag race was a speed event. The local Gendarmes were there with radar and laser guns to time the cars as they sped past the 1/4 mile mark. Timing gear was not available to time the runs. Each participant had the opportunity to make as many runs through each event as they desired.
The auto-cross course was laid out by local auto-cross champion Barney Gaylord, ably assisted by MG fanatic Mark Ingram and Triumphisti Greg Pretolati. Barney made the first run, showing the rest of the crowd the proper line through the course. For the most part, the street prepared MGV8s, running street tires, were no match for Barney's autocross prepared MGA on racing tires, but it soon became apparent that a challenge had been issued. The rallying cry for the V8ers became "Beat Barney! Beat Barney!" Bill Yobi, after a heroic effort, just managed to squeak by and best Barney by a mere 0.001 second! Tim Duhamel trailed Barney by just 0.209 seconds for third place. Longest time of the day was turned in by our fearless leader Kurt Schley when his car stalled on the course. He still managed a restart and a very respectable time of 1:18.046! The lone Triumph participating, a TR4 driven by Greg Petrolati, ran a best time of 33.283.
After the autocross, we moved over to the drag strip for speed runs. Top speed of the day was turned in by Dale Spooner in his Ford 302 powered B, with a run of 102 mph. This is with an automatic transmission and a 2.79:1 rear axle! Imagine the speeds he could have turned with an axle ratio better suited for drag racing! Speeds for the other MGV8s ranged from a low of 82 to a high of 94 mph (Glen Towery and Bill Yobi tied for second place). The lone Triumph, a TR6 driven by Dan Masters, turned in two back to back runs of 73 mph, matching speeds obtained by road testers when the cars were new. The four cylinder MGs, as one would expect, were a bit slower, Barney's MGA running 66mph, and Carl Floyd in his stock MGB running a 65.
Thursday evening, it was back to the motel for a fresh-up, and then we were of to an ancient roadhouse, the Moon Glo, for dinner. In existence since the 30s, the Moon Glo has a unique atmosphere, fitting to the occasion. Burgers were the specialty, but "cook-it-yourself" steaks were an option, one that many conventioneers chose. It takes two hands to handle a whopper? Nothing compared to what it took to handle one of those gargantuan slabs of beef!
Back to the motel, where the camaraderie and BS continued on into the night.
FRIDAY:
Friday morning found the participants back in the parking lot for more show-and-tell, as the V8 owners who hadn't presented their cars on Thursday got their chance. The vendors made technical presentations, and also gave out information about their wares, displaying a mouth watering array of parts and pieces all designed to make the life of the MGV8 swapper a little bit easier, and their cars a little bit faster.
By late Friday afternoon, the participants in the Eighth British Car Festival began showing up, and it was hard to tell who was who. Many of the early arrivals took part in the last of the V8 activities, while many of the V8ers were also attending the festival.
V8 Conversions in Attendance:
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BILL YOBI, Canfield, OH
1979 MGB ENGINE: 1962 Olds 215 MODIFICATIONS: TRW 10.4:1 forged pistons, larger valves/ported head, Isky 272 cam, balanced, Carter 500cfm (stock manifold), MSD 6AL ignition, baffled oil pan, oil cooler w/ thermostat COOLING: B-cool aluminum radiator, Spal fan, coolflex hoses TRANSMISSION: Rover 5-speed BELLHOUSING/CLUTCH: Rover, lightened flywheel REAR END: stock MGB BRAKES - FRONT: stock MGB, Mintex pads BRAKES - REAR: stock SUSPENSION - FRONT: 1" lower springs, Delron bushes, Spax shocks, 7/8" sway bar, negative-camber A-arms SUSPENSION - REAR: lowering blocks, Delron bushes, Spax shocks, factory sway bar WHEELS/TIRES: 15 X 5.5 Minilite replicas (knock-offs), Bridgestone RE71 195/60 EXHAUST: stainless block hugger headers, custom dual Turbo Flow mufflers, Monza resonator tips INSTRUMENTS: stock and VDO SPECIAL FEATURES: paint (candy apple red metallic), Fiero leather seats w/ speakers, back seat for kids, functional hood scoop, gas struts hood and trunk |
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BERNIE POSEY, Elyria, OH
1979 MGB ENGINE: 3.9L Rover MODIFICATIONS: Crower cam, Edelbrock intake manifold, Carter 500 COOLING: MGB rad w/tanks reversed, 4-row extended Super-Cool core TRANSMISSION: Rover 5-speed BELLHOUSING/CLUTCH: Rover REAR END: Ford 8", 3.0:1 gears BRAKES - FRONT: stock MGB, fresh BRAKES - REAR: stock MGB, fresh SUSPENSION - FRONT: stock MGB SUSPENSION - REAR: stock MGB WHEELS/TIRES: Minilites w/Michelin SR185-14 EXHAUST: 2 1/2" single exhaust, Walker Dynomax INSTRUMENTS: stock MGB (modified tach) SPECIAL FEATURES: Fiero seats (Mr. Mike's leather), speakers in headrest |
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JEFF FOOTE, Olmstead Falls, OH
1977 MGB ENGINE: 3.9L Rover MODIFICATIONS: Crower cam, Edelbrock intake manifold, Carter 500cfm carburetor, Crane ignition COOLING: 4-core Super Cool, 2 1/2" TRANSMISSION: Rover 5-speed BELLHOUSING/CLUTCH: Rover REAR END: stock 3.9 MGB BRAKES - FRONT: stock BRAKES - REAR: stock SUSPENSION - FRONT: fresh SUSPENSION - REAR: fresh, traction bars WHEELS/TIRES: Alloys, 185 14 Michelin EXHAUST: 1 1/2" tube headers into single pipe, 2 1/2" Dynomax muffler INSTRUMENTS: stock MGB (modified tach) SPECIAL FEATURES: |
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JIM STUART, Montgomery Village, MD
1974 1/2 MGBGT ENGINE: 1995 4.2L Rover MODIFICATIONS: Buick front cover, Erson cam & lifters, double row timing chain, Mallory magnetic ignition, D&D swivel filter mount, Vega starter w/D&D nose, Carter 500cfm carburetor, Buick 215 intake COOLING: Custom core, 1977 MGB top and bottom tanks, +4" in length, 2700cfm electric fan TRANSMISSION: T-5 (0.63:1 5th), Hurst shifter BELLHOUSING/CLUTCH: Buick 215 bellhousing, GM 10.5" clutch/pressure plate, McLeod hydraulic throw-out bearing REAR END: Towery 8" Ford center w/MGB ends (3.5:1) BRAKES - FRONT: stock BRAKES - REAR: stock SUSPENSION - FRONT: chrome-bumper crossmember, springs, etc, M&G International 5/8" sway bar SUSPENSION - REAR: stock with 1 1/2" lowering blocks, M&G International 5/8" sway bar WHEELS/TIRES: 195/65/15 Yoko Avid, 15x6 wheels EXHAUST: stainless for MGBV8 - Falcon INSTRUMENTS: VDO electric speedo, tach, oil pressure, oil temperature, water temperature, voltmeter, clock SPECIAL FEATURES: Remote electric hatch & door locks, sunroof, Fiero seats, Vintageair heat/defrost/air conditioning, converted to chrome bumpers |
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DALE SPOONER, Williston, VT
1977 MGB ENGINE: Ford 302ci V8 MODIFICATIONS: 9.6:1 compression, ported aluminum heads, Edelbrock carb & intake, balanced, 315 HP @ 5,200rpm, 335 lbft torque @ 4,400rpm COOLING: Griffith aluminum radiator, Moroso pump TRANSMISSION: C-4 automatic BELLHOUSING/CLUTCH: N/A REAR END: 8" Ford (2.79:1) center with MGB ends BRAKES - FRONT: stock BRAKES - REAR: stock SUSPENSION - FRONT: gas shocks, uprated springs SUSPENSION - REAR: gas shocks WHEELS/TIRES: Minilite replicas EXHAUST: home-made ceramic coated headers, 2" dual stainless pipes INSTRUMENTS: Autometer tach & speedo SPECIAL FEATURES: |
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KURT SCHLEY, Rocky River, Ohio
1974 MGB ENGINE: 1962 Olds 215 MODIFICATIONS: dual Rochester 2bbl 2GC carbs (0.052 jets), Offenhouser manifold, Crower 287 cam, hi-perf lifters/springs, Olds high-comp heads, double roller timing chain, Buick "metric" oil pump, MSD 6 AL ignition, Edelbrock valve covers, Delco 40A alternator COOLING: stock 1977 MGB radiator, (high cooling point is in top hose,) mechanical fan (with cut-down blades) + stock 1977 MGB electric fans, vented inner fenders TRANSMISSION: T5 5-speed from V8 Trans-Am (0.73:1) BELLHOUSING/CLUTCH: Buick/Olds 215 4-speed bellhousing, 10.4" Camaro clutch, TR8 flywheel, 10" pressure plate, Weber hydraulic throw-out bearing REAR END: stock 3.9:1 MGB (2500 rpm @ 70 mph/5th gear) BRAKES - FRONT: stock with TR8 pads BRAKES - REAR: stock SUSPENSION - FRONT: Monroe tube shocks, V8 bushings, 7/8" Adco sway bar in urethane bushings SUSPENSION - REAR: Corvette air shocks, traction bars, Panhard rod WHEELS/TIRES: Prime 225/50 Continentals EXHAUST: Buick 300 manifolds, custom smoothbore stainless flexible hose w/ two wraps of heat resistant Kevlar cloth, then stainless braid, twin turbo mufflers INSTRUMENTS: stock SPECIAL FEATURES: trunk-mtd battery, roll bar, oil filter behind passenger headlight, custom stainless overflow tank |
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WAYNE CLARK, Syracuse, NY
1972 MGBGT ENGINE: Rover V8 MODIFICATIONS: stroked to 265 cid, TR8 heads, Carter 500 cfm carburetor COOLING: stock TRANSMISSION: Rover 5-speed BELLHOUSING/CLUTCH: REAR END: Ford 8" w/2.79:1 gears BRAKES - FRONT: stock MGB BRAKES - REAR: stock Ford SUSPENSION - FRONT: adjustable lowered front SUSPENSION - REAR: 4 link, coil-overs, Panhard rod WHEELS/TIRES: 215/60-14 rear, 185/60-14 front EXHAUST: custon dual - one side INSTRUMENTS: stock SPECIAL FEATURES: 4 link rear suspension, front wiring, new terminal box, base/clear coat paint (mega body work) |
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GLEN TOWERY, Cheswold, DE
MGBGT ENGINE: Rover V8 MODIFICATIONS: COOLING: TRANSMISSION: Rover 5spd BELLHOUSING: REAR END: BRAKES - FRONT: BRAKES - REAR: SUSPENSION - FRONT: SUSPENSION - REAR: WHEELS/TIRES: EXHAUST: INSTRUMENTS: SPECIAL FEATURES: |
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MIKE ENGLETON, Munster, IN
1979 MGB ENGINE: 1962 Olds 215 MODIFICATIONS: total rebuild, machined to 0.030" overbore, 10/10 crankshaft, stock cam, rebuilt heads, new rocker shafts, valves, springs, retainers, etc, 10.24:1 compression COOLING: stock radiator with enlarged core, inlet and outlet TRANSMISSION: BW T5 5-speed with 0.63:1 fifth gear BELLHOUSING/CLUTCH: Weber hydraulic throw-out bearing REAR END: stock MGB BRAKES - FRONT: stock, newly rebuilt BRAKES - REAR: stock SUSPENSION - FRONT: stock SUSPENSION - REAR: stock WHEELS/TIRES: 195/70HR14, aftermarket mags EXHAUST: custom dual exhaust. headers from California Direct INSTRUMENTS: VDO tach, no working speedo SPECIAL FEATURES: Melling Engineering high volume oil pickup, modified oil filter assembly & starter nose by D&D, H.P. coil, 78A Delco alternator, Edelbrock AFB 500cfm carburetor |
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MIKEL MOOR, Angola, IN
1978 MGB ENGINE: 1964 Buick 300, 4bbl high compression model MODIFICATIONS: Carter 500 cfm carburetor, Crower cam & lifters, double roller timing chain, high volume oil pump, Pertronix ignition COOLING: cross-flow Griffith aluminum TRANSMISSION: 1988 Camaro V6 T5 BELLHOUSING/CLUTCH: 231 Buick V6, bolts to 300 block, 10.5" Borg&Beck clutch REAR END: 1979 Monza Spyder. 2.93:1/posi (narrowed) BRAKES - FRONT: stock with SS hoses, TR8 pads BRAKES - REAR: '82 Trans-Am discs, hydraulic parking brake SUSPENSION - FRONT: V8 bushings, 7/8" sway bar with urethane bushings SUSPENSION - REAR: tube shocks, urethane sway bar bushings WHEELS/TIRES: Prime (4-bolt front, 5-bolt rear) EXHAUST: MG V8 tube manifold, Jet-Hot coated, custom dual exiting same side INSTRUMENTS: Stewart-Warner in mahogany dash inlay SPECIAL FEATURES: louvers in hood for heat extraction, RV8-style hood bulges. Welded & filled body seams, back-up lights, side marker lights, & locks. Power antenna. Chromed windshield frame. Chrome-bumper conversion. Interior in dove grey, Fiero seats (headrest speakers) |
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TIM DUHAMEL, Somerville, MA
1979 MGB ENGINE: 1962 Buick 215 MODIFICATIONS: Crower cam & dual valve springs, silicon-bronze valve guides with teflon oil seals, Kenne-Bell high volume oil pump, Holley 4160 390cfm carburetor, Offenhauser JWR dual port intake manifold, Mallory Unilite distributor, Allison Red coil COOLING: TRANSMISSION: T5 5-speed w/ Hurst shifter BELLHOUSING/CLUTCH: Centerforce 10.5", Weber hydraulic throw-out bearing REAR END: stock MGB with 3.9:1 ratio BRAKES - FRONT: BRAKES - REAR: SUSPENSION - FRONT: chrome bumper crossmember, late model steering rack with modified steering arms, 1" lowered springs, Spax adjustable tube shocks, MGB V8 A-arm bushings, Adco 7/8" sway bar SUSPENSION - REAR: MGB lowered springs w/ polyurethane bushings, Spax adjustable tube shocks, Adco 3/4" sway bar WHEELS/TIRES: Enkie 14 x 7, Cooper Viper 205/60HR14 EXHAUST: INSTRUMENTS: SPECIAL FEATURES: |
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WAYNE & JAN PETERSON, Topeka, KS
1980 MGB ENGINE: 215 Buick MODIFICATIONS: COOLING: MGB modified TRANSMISSION: TR8 BELLHOUSING/CLUTCH: TR8/Buick REAR END: MGB BRAKES - FRONT: MGB BRAKES - REAR: MGB SUSPENSION - FRONT: MGB SUSPENSION - REAR: MGB WHEELS/TIRES: Mitsubishi wheels, Goodyear tires EXHAUST: Dual to single INSTRUMENTS: MGB SPECIAL FEATURES: Mallard green paint, rubber bumper/chrome grill, special rear light treatment, black lower side panels |
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List of Attendees:
(Attendees whose name is underlined drove a V8 conversion to the meet.)| Ken Bierman, Des Peres, MO | Max Furton, Morrisville, PA | Kurt Schley, Rocky River, OH |
| Steve Carrick, Grand Rapids, MI | Tom Hitch, Indianapolis, IN | Ted Schumacher, Pandora, OH |
| Bill Casper, La Grange, MO | Dan Lagrou, Almont, MI | Alan Smith, College Park, GA |
| Wayne Clark, Syracuse, NY | Dan Masters, Alcoa, TN | Dale Spooner, Williston, VT |
| Tim Duhamel, Somerville, MA | Dave Michel, Alexandria, VA | Jim Stuart, Montgomery Village, MD |
| Mike Engleton, Munster, IN | Mikel & Terri Moor, Angola, IN | Glen Towery, Cheswald, DE |
| Carl Floyd, Kingsport, TN | Wayne & Jan Peterson, Topeka, KS | Allen & Patty Wulf, Wheatridge, CO |
| Jeff Foote, Olmstead Falls, OH | Bernie Posey, Elyria, OH | Bill Yobi, Canfield, OH |
| Robert Franzen, Stevensville, MI | Jack Renaud, Dearborn, MI | YOUR name should've been here! |
Autocross Results: (seconds)
| OWNER | CAR/ENGINE | 1st run | 2nd run | 3rd run | 4th run | 5th run | 6th run | 7th run | 8th run | 9th run | 10th run |
| BILL YOBI | MGB/Olds 215 | oc 33.0 | 34.072 | 32.427 | 32.092 | 30.811 | 49.479 +1 |
30.516 | 31.279 | 30.317 | 30.540 |
| BARNEY GAYLORD | MGA/MGA | 31.529 | 30.318 | 31.238 | 31.675 | ||||||
| TIM DUHAMEL | MGB/Buick 215 | 35.659 | 33.117 | 32.533 | 32.055 | 31.584 | 32.327 | 31.251 | 30.527 | ||
| MAX FULTON | ???/??? | 33.849 | 35.445 | 35.708 | 31.404 | 31.850 | 32.763 | ||||
| GLEN TOWERY | MGBGT/215 | oc 34.9 | 33.653 | 31.659 | 32.054 | 32.360 | 32.787 | ||||
| KURT SCHLEY | MGB/OLDS 215 | oc 38.2 | 34.732 | 33.069 | 33.841 | 78.046 | 32.684 | 33.739 | |||
| CARL FLOYD | MGB/MGB | 35.031 | 33.970 | 32.753 | |||||||
| JIM ORR | ???/??? | oc 28.6 | oc 39.8 | oc 35.6 | 32.837 | 33.146 | |||||
| MIKEL MOOR | MGB/OLDS 215 | oc 33.8 | 35.282 | 34.370 | |||||||
| JIM STUART | MGBGT/ROVER 4.2 | oc 1:01 | 38.147 | 34.507 | |||||||
| GREG PETROLATI | TRIUMPH TR4/TR4 | 33.525 | 33.283 | 33.822 +1 |
33.625 +1 |
Quarter Mile: (mph)
| OWNER | CAR/ENGINE | 1st run | 2nd run | 3rd run | 4th run | 5th run | 6th run | 7th run |
| DALE SPOONER | MGB/FORD 302 | 100 | 102 | 95 * | ||||
| BILL YOBI | MGB/OLDS 215 | 92 | 94 | 90 | 93 | |||
| GLEN TOWERY | MGB/??? | 93 | 94 | 89 | 91 | 92 | 91 | 94 |
| JIM STUART | MGBGT/ROVER 4.2 | 90 | 88 | 92 | ||||
| MIKEL MOOR | MGB/BUICK 300 | 90 | 90 | 91 | 88 | |||
| JIM ORR | ???/??? | 82 | 87 | |||||
| BERNIE POSEY | MGB/ROVER 3.9 | 87 | 84 | |||||
| KURT SCHLEY | MGB/OLDS 215 | 83 | 82 | |||||
| DAN MASTERS | TRIUMPH TR6/TR6 | 73 | 73 | |||||
| BARNEY GAYLORD | MGA/MGA | 66 | 65 | |||||
| CARL FLOYD | MGB/MGB | 65 | ||||||
| * Driven by Carl Floyd, who was being very careful with someone else's car! | ||||||||
