I wanna build something...

Good luck with your search and build!

I have a passion for building unique cars.  My latest one was inspired by the 1963 Cheetah race car.  I built a space frame (46 inches wide) For C4 Corvette suspension.  I created the body then had molds made.  I've been driving it for about 2 years.  It drives and handles great.  From posting the build on a few car forms I've sold a few "kits" for it.

I'm 6'2" 200lbs.  I built the car to be fit me.  It has plenty of room.  The seating position is low so your head isn't over the windshield.  Finished car is in the 1900lb range.  Full tilt front clip. The car is 12' 2" long and 72 inches wide at the hips. 

I'm just finishing up a "kit". I'm going to be posting it on Ebay and other sites soon.  It has a fully welded (unpainted) frame.  Mounted body (the body is in red gel coat with the seams taken care of.  It can be buffed out for a decent finish)  C4 suspension (wheels and used tires-to roll around), Radiator, Fuel tank, MGB windshield.  $11,999.00

The roll bar in the pictured is pieced together. It will come with a full width bar that is made from 1 piece of tubing.  

Love those Cheetahs. 

jmc14 said:

I'm just finishing up a "kit". I'm going to be posting it on Ebay and other sites soon.  It has a fully welded (unpainted) frame.  Mounted body (the body is in red gel coat with the seams taken care of.  It can be buffed out for a decent finish)  C4 suspension (wheels and used tires-to roll around), Radiator, Fuel tank, MGB windshield.  $11,999.00

Now that's a sexy machine! Definitely not in the market for that right now though. Some of the kit cars I'm looking at come in a similar price range, but I'm counting on having a few good years to save up before dropping the cash on them. Could I do that right now? Yes, but then I wouldn't have much left for an emergency fund or the other odds and ends to build it. That said if I do go the "kit" car route in the future I will keep this in mind and possibly see if you are still building them. I kinda think it would also need a little more than my little 2.8L V6, so maybe a completely different future build?

No love for a Pinto?  You can even do it with factory parts, because the Bobcat version was available with the 2.8.

Can't be that hard to find a Pinto.

Honestly the more I look at it the more I'm liking the MGB. They have a lot better aftermarket support than I would have expected and that's pretty important factor for me. Reason that I pass on a lot of older cars that I like (Capri included) is that I don't want to get into the whole deal of hunting down obsolete hard to find parts and having to do custom interior bits and pieces. You know the general obsolete parts issues that come with classic cars. Ironic considering the two vehicles I'm currently building, and this engine, fall squarely in that range. Looks like I could damn near build an MGB brand new from a catalog. Seats, carpet, trim, etc are all available as reproductions. Also has decent upgrade options for suspension and brakes. About the only other car that I like with this kind of support (that I'm aware of) is the 60s Mustangs, and these things are a lot more affordable. 

I'm seeing "parts cars" from several hundred up. Many are missing major suspension components or drivetrain, but I'm bringing the engine and was figuring on eventually replacing a lot of the suspension anyway. If I could find one mostly complete with decent bones I can get it road worthy with my engine fairly quickly and build from there, that'd be great. Biggest concern will be rot, I don't want to have to do any structural work. I'd also prefer minimal body work. Pulling small dents? Ok. Replacing a front fender or hood, guess I should call that a wing or bonnet? Ok. A little rust in a wheel arch? Maybe. Cutting out and replacing floor pans, core supports or rockers? More than I want to do. 

I guess I need to start hitting up car shows around my area (near Macon GA) to see one in person and beg them to let me sit in it to test fit. Test drive might be asking for too much. 

About 10 years ago a buddy of mine dragged a rusted out 55 Hillman Husky to my house.  The next day he dragged over a Ranger 4cyl engine and 5 speed.  The next day he brought over a Dana 44 from an old postal Jeep.  2 weeks later it all left here with new floors, engine, trans, and rear end installed.  He spent a couple of years getting the body sorted.  Installed S10 front hubs and brakes, redid the front suspension, had a custom driveshaft made up, and then bailed on the project.  I could have bought it from him for short money, but had too much going on at the time.  He sold it for short money and now I don't know where it is.  Would have been a very cool daily driver/shop truck.  Huskys are cool, underpriced, old British rides if you can find one.  Plenty of engine bay room to do a V6.  I had a couple of TVR 280is over the years.  That engine is very underwhelming, so pick something where performance isn't the goal.

Streetwiseguy said:

No love for a Pinto?  You can even do it with factory parts, because the Bobcat version was available with the 2.8.

Can't be that hard to find a Pinto.

Don't hate them, but don't love them and don't want one. 

There's two Ford cars that I would consider putting this engine into. A Capri or an early 60s Falcon. The former would be for me, the latter would be given to dad. As mentioned the Capri isn't too likely to happen. For the other well... He wants a 63 Falcon 2 door hardtop, been talking about it for years, had two Falcons when he was younger and both got totaled. Lets be honest, if we were to get our hands on a falcon, it would end up with a SBF regardless of how much he talks about building as a little 6 cylinder cruiser. 

The only Ford car that starts with a "P" that I'd like to have is my old 2nd gen Probe. For a $500 car it sure was fun. 4 cylinder 5 speed, and ragged to hell. I needed something more reliable for work and gave it up. Had the opportunity to get it back for $600 a few years ago, but hesitated too long. Probably would have been a fun $2000 challenge car. 

Just to clarify, this whole project has nothing to do with the $2000 challenge. I've just been skimming some of the threads over there recently and it looks fun. That said since it's so close (distance not time), might be be able to get a few buddies to pitch in for a challenge build in a few years. One of them is getting ready to open his own shop, once he's established it might be fun if he's not too busy and sick of it by then. 

No idea if your engine would work, but looks like a decent starting place. $7,950

Fairlady

Hi Josh, you NEED to get in touch with BritishandItalian CarParts on Book of Faces.  He is in Twin Cities, GA.  Between Swainsboro and Statesboro.  About 1 hour thirty five minutes kind of east - slightly south east - of you.  Less than 20 miles north of I16.

He parts out Italian and Brit cars.  I know he has Midgets, Spitfires, Fiats (124s) and MGBs. 

Also, get in touch with British Auto Owners Group of Middle Georgia on Book of Faces.  They are great folks.  They are kind of based in Warner Robins.   Worthless side bar - if you do go to their page, the blue 250 in the center of the picture of their home page is mine.  That is my wife and I.  We met up them on a road trip at Auchumpkee Creek covered Bridge.

There are kits for putting GM 60 degree V6 engine into MGB.    I've seen some of them at different meets and they usually sound great.

Lots of websites on doing that the GM V6.  Not as much using the Ford.

Check out British V8 How It Was Done Articles: Buick 215, MGB V6, and other engine swaps (britishv8.org)

Or go to the MG Experience.  I think Michael Cubbon had done the transplant.

Complete Ford V6 conversion package for sale : MG Engine Swaps Forum : MG Experience Forums : The MG Experience

tr8todd said:

About 10 years ago a buddy of mine dragged a rusted out 55 Hillman Husky to my house.

I had a couple of TVR 280is over the years.  That engine is very underwhelming, so pick something where performance isn't the goal.

No thanks, don't care for it. Sounds like your buddy got into the very stuff I want to avoid. 

I respectfully disagree with your assessment. Thing is there are different kinds of performance. This build isn't about high speed performance, though that may come at a later time. This is more about handling performance, and smiles per gallon. I get more smiles per gallon from a windy road and good handling that I do from top speed. I don't expect to be competitive at anything, just having fun and enjoying what I'm doing.

Don't know what to tell you. Then experiences y'all have had with the 2.8L don't sound anything like the experience I've had with mine. I've never driven a stock 2.8L engine and doubt I'll ever have the chance to. Itsarebuilt's experience was in a BII, which definitely had more weight and worse handling characteristics, probably had different gearing, and likely different transmission and tires. My dad had a 2.9L BII, same basic engine but very different driving experience from my Ranger with the 2.8L and his previous Pinto with one. I haven't heard good things about the Bosch Jetronic that was on those TVRs and other European 2.8Ls, but I don't know if that is the difference. Once again I'd be questioning the various differences in drivetrain that could affect it. Without personally experiencing both I don't think either of us can really say what we think about the other's engine. I don't have access to a TVR 280i or another running 2.8L for that matter, and mine isn't currently drivable.

CJ said:

No idea if your engine would work, but looks like a decent starting place. $7,950

Fairlady

I forgot that they built a Z that looks like that. No offense to Datsun owners, but I'd rather go with the MGB. 

If I were going to do a Fairlady, it would be a Z car and wouldn't be getting this engine. Probably something more along the lines off what MCM did with theirs. Would probably be a better build, but still not what I want right now. 

68TR250 said:

Hi Josh, you NEED to get in touch with BritishandItalian CarParts on Book of Faces.  He is in Twin Cities, GA.  Between Swainsboro and Statesboro.  About 1 hour thirty five minutes kind of east - slightly south east - of you.  Less than 20 miles north of I16.

He parts out Italian and Brit cars.  I know he has Midgets, Spitfires, Fiats (124s) and MGBs. 

Also, get in touch with British Auto Owners Group of Middle Georgia on Book of Faces.  They are great folks.  They are kind of based in Warner Robins.   Worthless side bar - if you do go to their page, the blue 250 in the center of the picture of their home page is mine.  That is my wife and I.  We met up them on a road trip at Auchumpkee Creek covered Bridge.

Thanks, that's some good info. Will definitely look them up and squirrel that away for future use.

I actually work in Warner Robins, so I'll checkout that group at least seen when they might be going to a show or something so I can check one out in person. 

68TR250 said:

There are kits for putting GM 60 degree V6 engine into MGB.    I've seen some of them at different meets and they usually sound great.

Lots of websites on doing that the GM V6.  Not as much using the Ford.

Check out British V8 How It Was Done Articles: Buick 215, MGB V6, and other engine swaps (britishv8.org)

Or go to the MG Experience.  I think Michael Cubbon had done the transplant.

Complete Ford V6 conversion package for sale : MG Engine Swaps Forum : MG Experience Forums : The MG Experience

More good info there, actually looked through that page again last night. 3 people with a 2.8L in a MGB. Two of them used parts or kits no longer available, and the third doesn't have a working page. One references a V6MGB kit which I can't find anywhere. The other references a John' Cars conversion kit, but nothing MGB listed on that site now. 

Come across Cubbon when searching recently too. Sounds like that MGB was probably bought already swapped, and he swapped it out for the 3.4L using the kit mentioned below.

Did send an email to Bill Guzman who is owner/operator of Classic Conversions Engineering which builds swap kits for GM 3.4  swap kits and various suspension and other upgrades for the MGB. Kind of drooling over some of the stuff there. Anyway, he used to have a Ford 2.8L in his MGB before he got into the GM V6 game. Don't know if he'll share any information about (or maybe make parts for?) the 2.8L swap, but it didn't cost anything to ask. 

Glad to hear you seem to have  found a direction to go. Be sure to make a thread so we can follow the progress!

In reply to itsarebuild :

It kinda seems that way doesn't it. I posted a message on the FB group that 68TR250 posted asking if they planned to attend any local car shown in the near future, that I'd like to check out their cars as examples/inspiration for a future build. Hope that wasn't inappropriate.

In reply to Josh :

I would also like to hear more about the mods you did to your motor... and Trans?... I am using a 4.0 v6 in the fiata and if your mods translate well to the 4.0 I would love to see if something you did would help my packaging issues.

itsarebuild said:

In reply to Josh :

I would also like to hear more about the mods you did to your motor... and Trans?... I am using a 4.0 v6 in the fiata and if your mods translate well to the 4.0 I would love to see if something you did would help my packaging issues.

OHV or SOHC? If the latter, the extra width of the OHC is going to make fitment in anything small difficult at best.

Not sure anything done to my engine would help with packaging on your setup either way. Not even 100% on what you are referring to by fiata, guessing the later Fiat. I'm stuck on the idea of installing a 4.0 in one of those, seems like a move in the wrong direction.

What I remember from building the 2.8L. Minimal overbore to clean up cylinders. Port and polish on heads and Offenhauser 4bbl intake. Factory computer controlled carb and smog contraption was yanked in favor of a  Holley 390 cfm vacuum secondary carb. Ignition controlled by a Mustang or Pinto vacuum advance distributor and Duraspark II ignition system. Long tube headers and 2.25" dual exhaust to rear bed corners. Transmission was a worn out stock Toyo Kogo 5 speed, can't remember the gear ratio. 

EDIT: Forgot to mention adding the comp cam during rebuild, but I don't remember the pn off top of my head. Seems like I ordered the wrong one by accident and decided to run it, but I don't recall which one I meant to order.

I may have replaced the rocker shaft springs with solid spacers. I was thinking about it, but don't remember if I ever managed to get a set. I know I put them in a 4.0L OVH engine and it seemed to made a difference, but no numbers to prove anything. If I didn't I'll be doing to the 2.8 before install and in my F-100's FE when the time comes for a rebuild.

Contrary to what I read at the time of installation (pre engine rebuild), it actually ran better on a previous mechanical secondary "double pumper" version of the Holley. As a young driver I couldn't figure out how to keep my foot out of the secondaries, and wanted better gas mileage. Maybe it was just that I never got the tuning right on the new carb. Still got that older carb sitting on shelf waiting for a rebuild. 

Biggest changes I intend to make putting the engine into it's new home are a T5, different headers (likely custom), and probably a different air cleaner for clearance. Other than that I'll have to make it fit. Only thing there I think would apply to your 4.0L is the headers.

In reply to Josh :

Yeah they meet for breakfast about once a month at a Steak and Shake near there.

Apparently its the IHOP now, next one is next Saturday. Due to work schedule it may be a month or two before I can go. 

In reply to Josh :

My bad on the S&S vs IHOP.  Great guys to get know.

I also prefer the GM V6 to the Ford.  My article on how to do this in an MG is here - http://www.britishv8.org/MG/BillSpohn.htm

It might give you some ideas (3.4 GM into MGA)

I understand why y'all use the GM V6, it makes sense for you. Not what I'm going to do at this time, or probably ever. 

I'm starting out with the 2.8L and am going to use it for a long while or until it dies spectacularly, which ever comes first. I'm a Ford guy so when the time comes it'll probably be replaced with a push rod 2.3 turbo (t-bird/mustang) or a SBF. I'd prefer a 2.3T built for RPM I think. Wouldn't mind the Ecoboost 4 if it would fit, but sounds like might be too tall as an OHC. Ecoboost 6 maybe? That's something to worry about later.

In reply to Josh :

The turbo T-bird/Mustang/XR4Ti engine is OHC, not pushrod.  Zero relation to the pushrod 2.3 from the Tempo.

It's taller than the Ecoboost four and the Ecoboost six is taller than it...

I know this one isn't near you, but things like this do pop up randomly around the country from time to time... Keep an eye out.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/pts/d/santa-rosa-locost-project-lotus-based/7439715043.html

A couple place to watch:

http://locostusa.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=40

https://usa7s.net/ips/forum/26-cars-for-sale/