Rob Ficalora's 1976 MGB with Ford 5.0L V8 Engine
as published in BritishV8 Magazine, Volume XX Issue 2, December 2012
Owner: Rob Ficalora
BritishV8 UserID: rficalora
City: Cypress, Texas
Model: 1976 MGB
Engine: Ford 5.0L V8
Conversion performed by: owner
"How It Was Done"
| Engine: | Ford Racing 302cid V8 crate engine, part# M-6007-XB3.
345 rated horsepower. 9.0:1 static compression ratio.
Ford Racing hydraulic roller lifter camshaft, part# M-6250-B303.
(0.480" lift on intake/exhaust.
Duration at 0.050" is 224° on intake/exhaust.
Note: requires steel distributor drive gear.)
Ford Racing roller lifters, part# M-6250-E303.
Ford Racing GT40 aluminum cylinder heads, part# M-6049-X306.
(64cc combustion chambers.
178cc intake runners.
1.940" intake valves.
1.540" exhaust valves.)
Edelbrock Performer 289 intake manifold with Fel-Pro gasket part# MS93334.
Holley four barrel carburetor part# 4777S.
(650cfm.
Manual choke.
Mechanical secondaries.
Center-hung floats.
Dual metering blocks.
Dual accelerator pumps.)
Ford Duraspark style distributor, Cardone part# 30-2831
(as used on a 1985 Mustang with manual transmission.)
MSD Blaster SS ignition coil.
MSD Street Fire spark plug wires.
Motorcraft spark plugs, part# AGSF32C, gapped to 0.028".
MSD6AL capacitive discharge ignition system.
Vintage Air Front Runner pulley system.
Remotely mounted oil filter, behind driver side headlamp.
|
| Cooling: | FastCars aluminum crossflow radiator, 19" tall x 18.25" wide.
Short nose aluminum water pump.
Volvo S90 electric cooling fan with custom fabricated aluminum fan shroud and recirculation shields. |
| Exhaust: | Coyote four-into-one, through-the-fender headers.
Fel-Pro exhaust gaskets, part# 1415.
Dr Gas 2.25" oval primary exhaust pipe and H-pipe.
Spintech 7000 series mufflers.
(2.25"x9"x16"; 2.25" oval inlet on the side & 2.25" oval outlet on the same side.)
10" glass pack mufflers at exhaust tips. |
| Transmission: | Borg Warner T5 five speed from a 1994-95 (SN95) Ford Mustang.
(Input shaft and bellhousing are 1" longer than typical 5.0L Mustangs.
Gear ratios: 3.53:1, 1.93:1, 1.33:1, 1.00:1, 0.68:1, and 3.15:1 reverse.
1-1/16" 10-spline input shaft.
0.668" input shaft pilot diameter.
28-spline output shaft.
8-tooth speedometer drive gear.
ATF fluid.)
King Cobra clutch.
1994 Toyota 4Runner slave cylinder. |
| Rear End: | 1996 Nissan Skyline viscous limited slip differential (same R200S case as Nissan 240SX).
3.54:1 gears.
Uprated halfshafts from "The Driveshaft Shop" in Salisbury, North Carolina. |
| Front Suspension: | Fast Cars (Ted Lathrop) coilover front suspension.
Coilover shock absorbers.
Hypercoil springs. |
| Rear Suspension: | Custom Rod Works (Todd Budde) independent rear suspension.
54.25" hub-to-hub width at ride height.
QA1 single-adjustable coilover shock absorbers.
QA1 250#/inch, 10" free length coil springs.
1996 Chevy S10 4x4 ("front") hubs, Raybestos part# 713061.
Pete & Jakes HD Black urethane bushings. |
| Brakes: | (master) 1996 Mazda Protege, 15/16" bore master cylinder.
1987 Isuzu Trooper reservoir. JEGS proportioning valve. Wilwood 2# residual pressure valves. (front) Wilwood Dynalite 4-pot calipers. Wilwood 11.75" vented rotors. (rear) 1994 Camaro Z28 calipers (w/mechanical e-brakes). Corvette C4 rotors. |
| Wheels/Tires: | American Racing 427P wheels, with 5x4.75" lug pattern. (Front: 15x7 w/3.5" backspace. Rear: 15x8 w/4.5" backspace.)
Falken ZIEX ZE-912 (Front: 205/55/15. Rear: 225/50/15.) |
| Electrical: | EZ Wiring 21-circuit Mini.
Guard Dawg keyless ignition.
Optima red top battery.
140amp polished alternator (supplied by Vintage Air. Delco CS130 style.)
Battery disconnect switch.
Jump start studs. |
| Interior Mods: | Padded dashboard to MGB Mk1 (unpadded steel) dashboard conversion.
Autometer HotRod Designer Black gauges.
1990-1995 Mazda Miata seats.
Mr Mikes seat covers (simulated ostrich).
Custom trimmed door cards.
Vintage Air Gen-II Mini air conditioning evaporator unit.
Sanden SD7 air conditioning compressor.
Custom center console.
Double-DIN touch screen AM/FM/CD/DVD/GPS stereo system.
SPL FX4 amplifier.
Kenwood eXcelon 6" speakers (in front kick-panels).
2GO keyless entry system and door poppers.
Moss electric power windows. |
| Body Mods: | StreetRod HQ headlights with integral turn signals.
Rubber to chrome bumper conversion.
Removed front bumper over-riders.
Special Tuning style fiberglass air dam.
Chrome grille with stainless steel wire mesh insert.
Shaved front turn signals and side marker lights.
Shaved side trim.
Louvered hood.
Shaved cowl vent.
Chrysler Crossfire side view mirrors.
Shaved door handles.
Dodge Omni fender flares, with extra width added at the rear.
Hagan recessed/lidded fuel filler.
MGB Mk1 tail lamps.
Shaved back-up lights.
Frenched license plate.
Nerf bars installed in lieu of rear bumper.
Sebring style fiberglass rear valance.
Lizard Skin sound and heat insulating paint additive.
KoolMat heat insulation sheeting on floorboards.
EZCool insulation elsewhere.
Merlot Jewel Metallic paint (GM code# 79U / PPG code# WA517Q). |
| Fuel System: | Custom Rod Works (Todd Budde) aluminum fuel tank, mounted on centerline.
Walbro 255lph in-tank fuel pump with 3/8" feed & return.
Professional Products' Powerflow part# 10653 bypass fuel regulator. |
| General Advice: | 1. Welded axle halfshafts are not so good. 2. Do less at once. 3. Get it running & add/modify as you go. 4. Have had fun learning & doing. Note: the early stages of Rob's project were shown in detail here. |
Engine Installation
Ford Racing 302 V8 engine, part# M-6007-XB3. 9.0:1 static compression ratio.
Rated 345 horsepower.
1996 Mazda Protege 15/16" bore brake master cylinder. 1987 Isuzu Trooper fluid reservoir.
JEGS adjustable brake proportioning valve. Wilwood 2psi residual pressure valves.
Professional Products' Powerflow 10653 bypass fuel regulator drops EFI-ready
fuel pressure to suit the carburetor.
Holley 650 double pumper.
Edelbrock Performer 289 intake manifold.
Ford Duraspark distributor (Cardone 30-2831) as used on a 1985 Mustang with manual transmission.
MSD Blaster SS ignition coil. Sanden SD7 air conditioning compressor.
Volvo S90 electric cooling fan mounted to custom fabricated aluminum fan shroud.
(Similar fans are used on Volvo 850 and 960 models. Some Ford Taurus cars use a variant design.)
Bright silver ceramic coating protects the headers and helps keep heat inside.
140amp polished alternator (part of Vintage Air Front Runner system.)
Jump start studs, circuit protection, and relays - including a Volvo fan relay.
MSD6AL capacitive discharge ignition controller.
Holley part# 4777S is a 650cfm carburetor with manual choke.
It also features center-hung floats and dual metering blocks.
Bottom left: hoses for the re-located cabin heater haven't been hooked up yet.
Ford Racing GT40 aluminum cylinder head (part# M-6049-X306) with 178cc intake runners.
Ford Racing roller lifters, part# M-6250-E303.
FastCars aluminum crossflow radiator, 19" tall x 18.25" wide.
Coyote four-into-one, through-the-fender headers were originally created by Steve Carrick.
Steve sold this product line to Fast Cars before getting into the wire harness business.
Dr Gas 2.25" oval primary exhaust pipe and H-pipe. Spintech 7000 series mufflers.
Custom Rod Works lightweight, high capacity aluminum fuel tank.
Reference: Lightweight Aluminum EFI-Ready Fuel Tank for MGB.
Starting point: dyno'd during BritishV8 2012, Rob's car pulled 255hp and 285ft-lbs.
With a bit of tuning and a few break-in miles, Rob can expect significant gains.
Front Suspension
Rob ordered a Fast Cars (Ted Lathrop designed/built) coilover front suspension. More information
about the suspension appears here: 2007 Fast Cars Tech Session.
Hypercoil springs.
Wilwood Dynalite 4-pot calipersand 11.75" vented rotors.
Rob specified 2" wider-than-stock track width and Ford V8-ready motor mounts.
Transmission crossmember. Note heat deflector between fuel lines and muffler area.
First trial installation of Rob's Ford 302 V8 on the motor mounts Fast Cars
installed on their front suspension crossmember.
Please support the sponsoring companies who make BritishV8 possible, including:
Rear Suspension
Custom Rod Works (Todd Budde) independent rear suspension with coilover shock absorbers.
(Note: Custom Rod Works aluminum fuel tank appears in background.)
QA1 single-adjustable shock absorbers. QA1 250#/10" springs.
Because wider is better, Rob specified 54.25 inches hub-to-hub width at ride height!
1996 Chevy S10 4x4 front hubs (Raybestos part# 713061) with Corvette C4 brake rotors
and 1994 Camaro Z28 calipers (not shown here) and cable-operated emergency brakes.
In-process photo: the Custom Rod Works rear suspension is designed to bolt-on at the old
leafspring mounts, but Rob shifted the assembly rearward by revising mounting points.
1996 Nissan Skyline viscous limited slip differential. 3.54:1 final drive ratio.
Revised rear suspension subframe with double-shear shock absorber mounts.
The revised mountings also place the shock absorbers at a more nearly vertical angle.
Battery shelf, sized to fit an Optima battery.
Uprated halfshafts from "The Driveshaft Shop" in Salisbury, North Carolina.
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Interior and Wiring
MGB MK1 steel dashboard, except in body-color instead of black wrinkle finish.
Instrument, switch and blower duct layout has been substantially altered. The
center console shown here is only temporary. Rob is working on a more sophisticated
design right now. Note also KoolMat insulation on floors & EZ Cool elsewhere.
Autometer HotRod Designer Black gauges: tachometer (0-7000rpm), clock, & speedometer.
Autometer HotRod Designer Black fuel level gauge.
Top row: Autometer HotRod Designer Black water temp, voltage, and oil pressure gauges.
Middle: Vintage Air climate system control panel.
Bottom: Double-DIN touch screen AM/FM/CD/DVD/GPS stereo system.
If you look close, you can see where Rob slit the steering column support so the
late-model collapsible column will fit the steel dash. The U-shaped piece below
was also slit & opened up about 1/4". He then bridged the gap with new metal.
Close-up on switch and gauge wiring, and modifications made to the MGB Mk1 dashboard.
Close-up on speedometer gauge wiring and modifications made for the fitment of gauges.
"Twisted pairs" on electronic sensor circuits help to reduce signal noise that might
otherwise be transferred from adjacently routed wires.
Early trial installation of the Vintage Air Gen-II Mini HVAC unit. It later became
apparent that and (a) the A/C evaporator and heater core part of the unit needed to
moved further forward, and (b) the blower fan needed to be seperated from the main
unit and instead be connected by a new fiberglass duct.
This shelf is one of the mods that facilitated pushing the evaporator/heater-core forward.
The penciled oval indicates a drain hole (planned) for air conditioner condensation.
Custom fiberglass duct (visible at left) between squirrel cage fan and AC evaporator.
Fiberglass defroster y-pipe.
Modified MGB windshield defroster ducts.
Recirc only: supply air is drawn from immediately above the fan motor.
Beginning installation of an EZ Wiring 21-circuit Mini wire harness.
Connecting the 2GO keyless entry system.
Initial layout of engine bay wiring.
KoolMat heat insulation applied to floorboards.
EZCool insulation applied to remaining cabin interior surfaces.
Battery disconnect switch.
1990-1995 Mazda Miata seats. Mr Mikes seat covers.
Re-upholstered MGB doors, with release levers, locks, and window winders (etc.) deleted.
Rob is still looking for just the right door pulls to finish the doors with.
(This is just a "before" picture of an MGB door for general reference.)
Body Modifications
First test-fitting of the Ford V8 after installation of the Fast Cars front suspension.
Notice how the frame rails have been slit and hammered for clearance to cylinder heads.
Cutting back the heater shelf wasn't really necessary, but Rob hypothesized that doing
so might help to channel airflow from the engine bay down into the transmission tunnel.
Cutting to make room for a forward-mounted radiator.
Trial installation of a FastCars aluminum crossflow radiator.
Building back up the structure around the newly relocated radiator.
This structure protects the radiator, serves as a jacking point, and also reinforces
the leading edge of the front valance.
Notice that the leading edge is curved to follow the profile of the valance.
Background: spacer blocks to make the anti-sway ends sit level.
Steering pass-through modification, viewed from engine compartment.
Steering pass-through modification, viewed from foot box.
Passenger side footbox modifications.
New/modified structure to support a fully hidden HVAC blower unit.
Narrow shelf over bellhousing will support electrical and fuel line routings.
When Rob took this photo, he thought modifications to the dashboard were nearly complete, but
he soon learned that big changes were required. Firstly, the air conditioning control panel sets
much too deep to fit immediately under the vent openings. Rob moved it down into the center
console and moved the gauges up: two under the vents and one between speedometer and tach.
Relocation of gauges necessitated changes to underlying structure (for wiring clearance.)
Custom door reinforcements to support Chrysler Crossfire side view mirrors.
The reinforcements match the curvature of the MGB doors.
Over the years, MG revised their doors to provide additional occupant protection.
These mirror reinforcements connect to later model internal door bracing.
This view shows how the door was re-assembled. Note also the Moss power window motor.
Modified rear shelf to suit revised battery and shock absorber installation details.
The bottom of Rob's MGB was sand blasted, and the top surfaces were chemically stripped.
Media blasting was done by Gambler Motorsports of Houston, Texas.
When Rob arrived to pick up his newly stripped bodyshell from Gambler Motorsports, he
found they were shooting epoxy primer on another hot-rod. He quickly negotiated to have
his car primed too. Everything was set-up, so they only charged him for materials!
Filling front bumper side seams and marker light holes.
Filling fender bead/seam along top of quarterpanels.
Filling fuel filler and back-up lamp holes.
Installing a Dodge Omni fender flare (on left/front). Rob reports that Omni flares
fit easier when mounted higher on the MGB, but he preferred to shift them lower
despite the additional work.
Installing a Dodge Omni fender flare (on MGB right/front).
Installing a Dodge Omni fender flare (on MGB left/rear). Note that it's spaced out
extra far to accommodate uncommonly wide rear suspension.
Installing a Dodge Omni fender flare (on MGB left/rear): welding complete.
Grinding the fender flare welds smooth.
Hood louvers were punched by Bill's Hot Rods of Spring, Texas.
Instructions to the body shop: "Remove bead and spot/fill weld."
"Keep these holes" for installation of convertible top hardware.
Sebring-style fiberglass rear valance. Note also that filler pieces have been
added under the tail lamps as is commonly done for a "chrome bumper conversion".
Starting from November 2011, Masters Paint and Upholstery did all finish bodywork including paint.
Glazed and primed.
Floorboards coated with Lizard Skin sound and heat control insulation.
The paint shop painted the engine compartment side of the frame sections
black, but Rob had them repainted body color.
Is it odd to have two-tone paint in the wheel wells? It was the paint shop's idea,
but it's grown on Rob. An occasional glimpse of red through the wheels looks nice.
Fresh paint! (This photo also shows that the cowl vent has been deleted.)
Exterior
Starting the project, back in February 2006.
First successful test drive: March 6th, 2011.
Merlot Jewel Metallic paint (GM code# 79U / PPG code# WA517Q).
Chrome grille with stainless steel wire mesh insert.
Special Tuning style fiberglass air dam.
Chrysler Crossfire side view mirrors.
American Racing 427P wheels, 5x4.75" lug pattern (15x7 front, 15x8 rear). Falken ZIEX ZE-912 tires.
This convertible top was special-ordered from www.acceleratedsupply.com with
rear quarter windows deleted. Rob found the company to be easy to work with.
Hagan recessed/lidded fuel filler is held shut by a magnetic catch.
Perma Cap fuel filler caps don't need to be removed. A spring-loaded trap door on top
accepts a fuel filler nozzle directly.
Stainless steel nerf bars will be installed in slots to either side of the recessed license plate.
Ready to leap into action!
