V8 Roadster Conversion
 Bruce Cox (Glacier White 4327) from Norfolk has built a stunning V8 Roadster Conversion using much of the running gear from an earlier V8 Roadster which appeared in a V8 Newsletter back in 1999. (Aug 04)


Full chrome fluted grille is fitted to Bruce Cox's V8 Roadster. (Photo: Bruce Cox)

I built my present V8 Roadster back in 1999. The fuel injection system, inlet manifold and plenum chamber all required extensive machining to reduce the overall height by 19mm and even then it still needed an RV8 bonnet for clearance as the car still has a chrome bumper front cross member. Louvres were pressed each side of the bulge by RJ Marriott Engineering in Marham in Norfolk, allow the heat to escape and avoid fuel vaporisation when held up in slow moving traffic.


Engine bay with the injected V8 powerplant. (Bruce Cox)

The engine is a 3948 V8 powerplant built by Osseli Engineering with all the moving parts lightened and balanced. The cylinder heads have been ported and polished with larger, re-profiled valves and three angle valve seats. It has a Crane 214 camshaft and Crane followers, special push rods and rocker assembles. There is a high pressure, high capacity oil pump, and a remote oil filter, and a fan-assisted oil cooler. The injection system is a modified Vitesse fuel injection system with an adjustable ECU. The gearbox is an SD1 five speed unit. The car has been on the rolling roads at Osseli and Peter Burgess which indicate it is putting out 200BHP at the rear wheels and also that is has a great deal of torque. So this makes the car both drivable and fun! I use the V8 extensively for autotesting and run the Anglia Autotest Championship.

A modified wire wheel back axle is fitted with a 3.071:1 crown wheel and pinion together with the standard MGB leaf springs fitted with


V8 Register - MG Car Club
polyurethane bushes and an anti tramp bars and Koni telescopic shock absorbers. The front suspension has a fully adjustable Moss double wishbone coil over shock absorber front suspension set up with negative camber wishbone arms, and polyurethane suspension bushes throughout. A 22mm anti-roll bar is fitted which keeps the car smooth and level even at speed. The steering is direct and positive, although heavy at parking speeds.

The brakes have been upgraded and slow the car down in a rapid and controlled manner with Jaguar ventilated brake discs and four pot callipers with a Jaguar anti-locking system and a late MGB dual circuit pedal box assembly. I had to strip out the wiring loom from the Jaguar and then installed it in my V8 Roadster. Sensors and rotors had to be fitted to each hub to make it all work. Brake cooling ducts are fitted to a Sebring front valance which directs air at the front discs. The fly-off handbrake and a Quaiffe limited slip differential allow me to power steer the car with the right foot!


Upgraded suspension and braking system. (Photo: Bruce Cox)

The twin exhaust system uses two Peco MGB exhaust systems. The back boxes have to be removed as they are too wide. These are replaced with cherry bombs. Please note the under floor electrics and plumbing first need to be relocated in the transmission tunnel. An RV8 fuel tank is repositioned so that it is now on the centre line of the boot floor. The cut-outs in the rear valance and new hanging brackets are also installed. A balance pipe is located at the front end of the exhaust system to keep the tick over smooth. The result is a loud system which is just within the RAC MSA limits. Everyone who has heard the exhaust note seems to like it!

The wheels are centre lock Minilite replica 5.5x15s fitted with 195 60 VR 15 tyres. The wheel arches have been rounded in the style of the University Motors specification.

As an engineer, I am fortunate in having the necessary knowledge and skills, and access to lathes, mills and welding equipment to complete this V8 Roadster. It will continue developing the car.

Earlier in June, I took the V8 to an MG rally in the south west of France and it returned 32mpg despite only taking six hours to travel from St Malo to Arachon. The weather was scorching hot but the V8 ran faultlessly.