It's in, and the hood closes

"jmalek" (jmalek)
05/25/2015 at 19:18 • Filed to: MGBMW, Swap, MGB, M50B25, M50

After some more massaging of the firewall and trans tunnel, the M50B25 sits in the chassis with the hood closed. Lots of work left to get her road worthy, but it’ll be worth it in the end.

DISCUSSION (15)

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > jmalek
05/25/2015 at 19:22

At this point I have only one real question. Minilites?

CB > jmalek
05/25/2015 at 19:42

You’re an inspiration to us all.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > jmalek
05/25/2015 at 19:57

I hope you are taking more pictures along the way.

I wish I had the skills to do something like this.

jmalek > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
05/25/2015 at 23:05

I was looking into them, but they are out of the budget right now. Its looking more along the lines of some steel circle track wheels so I can get it done and get seat time the quickest.

jmalek > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/25/2015 at 23:11

I really haven’t taken many pictures yet, mostly due to how unfinished the project is, but I will be taking more pictures though once the firewall gets closed back up. Also, what I’ve done/am doing doesn’t take any skill, it takes commitment and an a respect for mistakes. This is really the first major fabrication project that I have undergone, besides some rust repair on a 90’s Firebird.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > jmalek
05/26/2015 at 00:16

Well, either way I’d say you’ve got it.

So why go with a BMW engine?

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > jmalek
05/26/2015 at 06:14

Bloody hell you move fast :) looking good

jmalek > BaconSandwich is tasty.
05/26/2015 at 08:02

I think the biggest reasons are I like the way they sound and that it’s not a common swap. Also the parts availability and HP potentials with stock internals doesn’t hurt either.

jmalek > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
05/26/2015 at 08:17

Thansk! A good, solid weekend in the garage with friends and a few too many cutoff wheels made things a little smoother. Although, the paint in the engine bay took entirely too long to remove.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > jmalek
05/26/2015 at 09:40

Tell me about it with cutoff wheels. The steel I use to make structural things like gearbox and wishbone mounts is either 2.5mm or 3mm thick (can’t remember). It absolutely chews through cutting disks :S

I forgot to ask, what sort of power are you looking for?

jmalek > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
05/26/2015 at 10:29

This first iteration is just going to be the stock 189bhp M50 due to saving up for studying abroad. Once I have the means and time to go standalone it will be getting boost and my plan is 350-400bhp.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > jmalek
05/26/2015 at 11:17

Even with 189bhp the thing should fly if it’s sub 1000kg. Let alone if it’s got 350+bhp!

Very much looking forward to this project progressing :)

Any more thoughts about the rear suspension?

jmalek > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
05/26/2015 at 13:36

I’m hoping that with the stock M50 it is pretty close to the handling of my old Cobalt SS/TC, even though the power/weight ratio will be a bit lower.

The Jag IRS actually looks like a good option. From my searching, the whole unit weighs around 150kg, but I think it can be trimmed down through some engineering to around 90kg. Also unsprung weight is reduced by a minimum of 50kg, so that will help greatly with the weight transfer. Although, this will most likely have to come in my second round of suspension changes, as it will involve a bolt pattern change on the front knuckles.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > jmalek
05/27/2015 at 04:27

If you’re going to be racing on flat autocrosses and circuits you might find the live axle is perfectly capable, but I definitely like the idea of Jag IRS.

Ideally, you’d want one from an XJS as they’ve got wishbones that are easier to shorten to the right length (XJ40 ones have wishbones filled with foam for rust protection).

The ratios are a bit low, I think 2.88 on all US V12s, but if you can find a 6-cyl one that’ll be better. I’ve actually got a spare 3.54 centre if you need it.

I’ve been meaning to weigh individual bits of the IRS on my XJ40, but last time I had it out the job was such a pig I just wanted to get it done. I’ve got to take it out again to replace some bearings I couldn’t get out last time, so I’ll weigh individual bits like the wishbones and the mounting cage to get some idea of how much weight can be cut. I do know the powerlock diff I put in weighed 48.4kg without and oil in it though...

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > jmalek
06/05/2015 at 09:16

I missed this whole conversation. If you want to have some info on tweaking a Jag IRS, I’ve done it, so talk to me.