MGB Roadster MX5 1.8VVT Engine Swap Part 2 - Interior, Engine Bay Mod's & Hydraulic Handbrake!

The journey continues on my MGB MX5 Engine Conversion, There's less MX5 conversion specifics this week but some further ideas for removing weight and simplifying the overall design of the car.

I discuss lightweight ideas around the bonnet catch, heater box and dashboard. I'll also be showing you how I converted my MGB Smiths speedometer to take the MX5 speedometer and show the location which I fit the hydraulic handbrake

If you have any questions please do comment and I will try and reply in the comments or on the next video for you!

Thank you for watching and if you do enjoy the videos please do subscribe!

Thanks

Mike

Ending Music by Amy Lynn and the Honeymen

[brucecox]

Many years ago I saw an MX5-powered MGA twin-cam. The earlier MX5 gearbox is easier to move the gear lever further forward by 50mm. On my V8 MGB Roadsters I have disk brakes front and rear and I have two alloy rear brake calipers on each rear disk one for the foot brake and the second for the hydraulic fly-off handbrake which uses the original handbrake with a modified mechanism and a hydraulic M/S mounted on the floor beside the seat. I organised and ran the MG Car Club Anglia Autotest championship for ten years and won the Cali Cup and the BMC Trophy at Silverstone.

[MARS.AutoGroup]

This swap is rad. Stoked to see the final turnout of your build. We know a few people wanting to do this same conversion to a MGB GT

[francosolazzo]

Da far studiare alle scuole superiori per farcapirealle generazioni il valore di queste stupende parole

[RichardsModellingAdventures]

Awesome stuff Mike, great see you broke the 1k subs too 😀

[racingbrownsocks]

Having just spent a long time sorting out a P6B Smiths heater, I like your ideas. They’re big, bulky and poorly designed.

[nathankesler]

I am loving you videos. I’m getting great ideas that will become part of my 71 mgb gt. It’s a bit rough, and hasn’t been on the road for about 30 years. I’m looking forward to a engine swap and weight savings. Thanks for sharing you creative solutions

[mat_tamarin]

Once again, amazing work Mike 👍 Doing a great job explaining everything, even a simpleton like me can follow what you're doing 😁

[alanbell]

Can't wait to see this pull down our road at a ben and mel bbq. Been sending these videos to my lad il get a batch of biltong on if you take him for a spin 😂

[andyjennings]

Good work. That heater layout is so much simpler, I’ll be doing exactly this in my GT!

[keep_digging]

Interesting stuff focusing on the weight saving aspect, i wonder what the overall difference in power and handling will be

[stuwhite]

Lovely job. You are tempting me to convert mine to mx5 power!

[jparky]

I think you need to get a dimple die kit.
Especially if drilling holes into sheet steel parts. It'll help maintain panel strength.

[stevenhammer]

How much more difficult would it be to use the two lliter from the mx5 type 3? The reason I ask is that, 1, they would give a big boost in both HP and torque, and two at so.e not too distant polnt they will likely be more available therefore cheaper. Also, at least here in the US, the 2.5 liter Ford version is even cheaper with significantly more torque, if not power.

[batchmotors]

Lovely stuff. Assuming the blower motor is 12V, maybe a motor from a Scalextric car would work? Or a 12V Drill Motor?

[stu_sdc_media]

Absolutely appalled the new prop shaft is not a repurposed carbon shaft from a 350Z. Easy weight saving.

[jimvandervoom]

Are you using a mk1 NA mx5 transmission or are you retrofitting the speed sensor? I've been thinking about just retrofitting the whole Mx5 cluster into the dash.

[stephengent]

This isn't a race car, so a bit obsessive on the weight saving ones pas?

[jimsmith]

It can't be more flush. It's either flush or it's not.