The Rover V8 architecture has remained in production in various forms for several decades, and the long parts-availability tail has produced a substantial range of upgrades for owners seeking improved performance, durability or reliability over the original 1973 factory specification. The upgrade routes for the MGB GT V8 fall into three broad categories: capacity-increase engines using later-pattern Rover blocks, performance components for the existing engine, and improvements to oil cooling and lubrication for hard-driven applications.
Capacity Upgrades
The factory MGB GT V8 displaces 3528cc. Later Rover V8 variants were produced in 3.9, 4.0 and 4.6 litre capacities by enlarging the bore and (in the 4.6) the stroke. Conversion engines built around these later blocks fit within the MGB engine bay using V8-specific mountings and ancillaries, and provide significant power and torque increases over the standard 3528cc. Selecting the appropriate capacity depends on the intended use of the car and the rest of the drivetrain specification, see the MGB V8 Performance Engines sub-section for details.
Performance Engine Components
Individual upgrade components for the standard 3528cc engine include performance cylinder heads, uprated camshafts, valvetrain components and ignition upgrades. Many of these can be fitted within an otherwise-original engine to give incremental performance gains without the cost or commitment of a full capacity-increase engine. The Performance Engine Components sub-section covers these items.
Performance Oil Cooling
Hard-driven cars benefit from upgraded oil cooling. Higher-capacity oil coolers, stainless braided oil hoses and oil temperature gauges are available in the Performance Oil Cooling sub-section, alongside the standard factory items in the Oil Cooler and Hoses sub-section.
Sub-Sections
MGB V8 Performance Engines covers complete capacity-increase engines (4.0 and 4.6 litre). Performance Oil Cooling covers higher-capacity coolers and braided hose kits. Performance Engine Components covers cylinder heads, camshafts and other individual engine upgrades.
MGOC Spares
MGOC Spares supplies engine upgrades for the MGB GT V8, see individual sub-sections for details.