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MG MGB Technical - Supercharging

I am able to purchase a cheap japanese supercharger and I was wondering if it is possible to fit one to my MGB. Has anyone else supercharged their 'B?
Standard compression ratio is 8.8:1 - Do I need to lower this? What output should I be looking for from the supercharger?
So many questions..............
I know it is possible and it would be an interesting excerecise. Any help would be appreciated
Maybe the famous Steve S. has some ideas
(Thanks for the article mate)
Rob Whiting

Hi Rob

What car did the supercharger come off?

Cheers

Ian f
Ian Fraser

Hi Ian,
The MG car club magazine has an ad:
Superchargers for 1.3, 1.6 and 2 litres - $500
and a phone no.
I assume them to be Japanese probably from a 4-agze Toyota engine for the 1.6. Dont know about the others.
I am yet to actually ring - I'm still in the research stage to see if its all worth while.
Regards,
Rob
Rob Whiting

Hi Rob
I was thinking along the same lines. I can get a Roots type blower from a Toyota MR2 for $NZ450 which is not too unreasonable. Any info from anyone that has gone the same way would be very usefull. Could you let me know what you find out please?

Thanks
Ian f

Ian Fraser

Rob-
I'm presuming that you mean a supercharger and not a turbocharger.
BMC once produced a diesel version of the B Series engine for use in the Austin Cambridge. It was not exactly a roaring success. Overheating, blown gaskets and seals, oil leaks, and short bearing life all plagued the engine until it was mercifully dropped from production. However, the oil pump that they used would be a good idea so that the extra power generated in the combustion chambers won't swiftly pound the bearings to death. This will only marginally prolong component life. The stronger connecting rods used in the diesel engine wouldn't be a bad idea either, although their higher reciprocating mass will rob more power and make for more vibration (These are the heavy-looking ones in the Moss Motors catalogue that have no reference number in the illustration, in case you ever wondered). However, they at least won't break under the stress. Of course, you'll need to live with the reality of oil leaks as the seals and gaskets were a headache with the diesel version. You'll also need to install a custom radiator to help get rid of the extra heat that comes with extra power, but the cooling passages inside the engine will be a limiting factor on power output. Expect much shorter piston, ring, and bore life and to perform oil changes quite often as blow-by will be a problem. Yes, you'll also need to drop the compression ratio as the higher pressure indide the combustion chamber raises the compression ratio. Expect to blow head gaskets on a nausiatingly frequent basis as the engine was never designed for this. In case you haven't caught on yet, as far as I'm concerned a supercharged B Series engine is a novel idea for racing on a drag strip, and totally impractical on a street machine. If you want more power than a B Series engine can provide, consider installing a Rover V8. At least the car will be streetable. It should also be faster.
Steve S.

Hi Steve

Its literally horses for courses.
Yes, if a high boost is used, and the car is driven in such a way that all the extra power is being used for a significant proportion of the time the tale of woes that you describe could be true. However a small boost to give an extra 20hp or so isnt going to to cause that much trouble on a rebuilt engine.

The power required to cruise at or near the legal limit is the same regardless of how the power is arrived at.

Ian f
Ian Fraser

Ian-
If you're after a mere 20HP then the extra complexity and maintenance of a supercherger is pointless. Such an increase in power output could easily be obtained by having profeesional headwork done by Peter Burgess. Simplicity is better than complexity.
Steve S.

Hi Steve
From a purely practical point of view, and if the object is to gain a bit more power, I agree that there is a proven simpler path, and this is the way I am heading on my daily driver.

From a hobby point of view, playing around with a supercharger on a project car seems like fun to me.

Cheers Ian f
Ian Fraser

Ian, Steve;

Gotta agree with Ian on the fun factor! What else you gonna do with your green fees when you give up golf for a more productive pursuit? It would be great to have both a conventional B as well as a "blown" one, but when space is NA, the supercharged version sure provides a lot of entertainment!

Dave
Dave Munroe

Dave,
Am I mistaken, or did you simply just bolt your kit on without any of the Comp. ratio changes or stronger rods etc?
I have just read an article for s/charging the Holden Commodore ( A family sedan here in Oz) and it truly is a simple bolt on job using a Toyota Lexus supercharger, done in an day.
Regards,
Rob Whiting
Rob Whiting

Dave, how many miles have you put on your car since installing the supercharger?

By the way, I go to your website occationally, just to drool.

Robert
Robert Rushing

Robert;
Altogether, about 5,000 miles now.

I still enjoy opening the bonnet and lookin'in!
(Getting hard on the throttle is a hoot too,...)

Dave
Dave Munroe

Hi Rob
Hans Pedersen has a site at www.hi-flow.com he does alsorts to mg's. super charging as well. photo's of his kits.
regards phil knight
philip knight

Superchargers on BMC engines have been around for years. Actually I had a friend who had a s/charged mini back in mid 70s. When we put the charger on we didn't know about compressions etc. Just found a locally made mounting kit and fitted it to the stock engine. Car ran great for several years till sold! Petersens put out a book on superchargers and turbos that might help. Yes the jap import superchargers apppear to be great value here in Australia and whilst burgess might give you a great head job, the cost of freight to UK from Australia would be mind blowing! Me, I have often thought of just fitting a Corolla supercharged 5 speed complete, like they did a few years ago in the USA with that replica MGA kitcar. In the end, I just decided what the heck, and am fitting a 5 litre Aussie P76 V8 into the MGA! It will always be the only V8 MGA on the roads on the East Coast of Australia when finished (laws now changed making any future similar approvals impossible) and as for why?..why not?
regards
mark
mark mathiesen

This thread was discussed between 12/12/2001 and 16/12/2001

MG MGB Technical index

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