MK2 Fiesta V8 conversion

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:37 pm

Just about to start one. Has anyone done this before?
I've got a complete power plant from my MGB to fit. 3500 Nitrous V8, TH350, and a V8 MGB axle to intall.
I hope to have it ready by August 2008. Has anyone done or know of one that has been done?
I already have a rolling MGB front end to fit, so thats the suspension and steering sorted (sort of). I've stripped an old MGB GT as the donor car.

ian.stewart · Post by **ian.stewart** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:00 pm

Yes, a company in Brum called Reyland built one in the mid 90s, originally a 3.9 on webbers, then a 4.6 on webbers, I know the car ran well and I saw it run 12s at Avon Park, another thing I know about the 3.9 bottom end was it is the same basic short block that is in my cortina that used to be in the fiesta. The car was featured in Car and Car Conversions and Fast Ford,
I had a mate who built a fiesta Mk1 popular with a Capri 2.8i fitted up front and a Anglia axle out back, It looked like a stocker, apart from the doctored PopularPlus, modified to read UnpopularPlus. We had more than a few giggles in that car.

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:48 pm

Mid mount it with a renault trans, bin the rear seats, 6x13 pepperpot alloys, black XR2 kit, mercury grey paint and red XR2 side stripe and Bob's yer uncle!

4x4x383 · Post by **4x4x383** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 7:57 pm

A Chap called Tim Samways built a Mk1 V8 in the 1980's

http://www.sportingandhistoriccarengine ... dexold.htm

It was mid mounted with a Renault transaxle. He stuck it on it's roof at a silly speed and wore way through the rollcage, although he doesn't mention that on his website!

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:39 pm

Guys
I'm liking the sound of this transaxle thing. What Renault would I get one from?
Cheers
Perry

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:42 pm

Renault 21. I think only the turbo had the really strong trans tho. The transaxle did appear in other renaults I believe too, but I am not sure what models.

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:46 pm

Just found this. Looks like a nice peice of kit too.

http://www.nfauto.co.uk/options.htm

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:47 pm

And they do a Rover adaptor as well..

Ian Anderson · Post by **Ian Anderson** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:19 pm

Renault box required is a UN1 found in the 21 25 Alpine and others

The 21 turbo is the one of choice as it has higher dif and 5th gearing for a V8 on the road (About3000 rpm at 80mph on 26.5 inch tyre diameter.

Loads of adaptors available for Rover to UN1 and GT40 crown is where to look.

Look out for the Renault slave it is huge diameter and you will need at least 3/4 inch master and then ensure you have 30 mm movement on the fork or you drag the clutch.

Use it in earnest and you can break the input shaft and splay the 2 rear shafts on 5th gear (only bearinged at 1 end) and srtip cogs

Or if you are feeling rich you can get a modified box with straight cut gears and 6 of hem inside the box - reverse moved to original 5th place plus a quaiffe lsd (in either standard or modified box)

Other things that are expensive are the adaptors from Renault to CV the normal Renault ones are not really man enough and the made upones are about £200 for the pair. (Without them the drive shafts don't seal too well and make a lot of gear oil on the garage floor!)

Ian

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:06 pm

I'm confused!!
I thought I had a MK2 Fiesta. But I'm told its a MK3?
Its the rounder shape and its a K reg?

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:09 pm

That's a mk3.

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:41 pm

Thanks mate
What a Numpty I am..
At least I know which roll cage to buy now.
Perry

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:47 pm

So....
now I know I have a MK3, I have looked at the transaxle option and I cant go that route as the engine would basically be sitting where the drivers seat should be. So I'm going back to plan A and fitting my spare TH350 to the engine and am going to use the spare MGB axle I have.
I may just weld up the diff to make it like a spool.
This will be a cheap option for a solid drive to the rear wheels at least. I've never welded a diff before, but it looks like it will be fairly simple. And MGB axles are easy to come by.
This is only going to be a non road legal fun car so I'm not bothered about hacking it about a bit.
Has anyone ever welded a diff up before? Any tips??

chodjinn · Post by **chodjinn** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:30 am

there was an article in some magazine recently about welding diffs but unfortunately I forgot! Try any of the 'Drifting' forums I'm sure there are plenty of people on there who have done it or had it done. Not the best mod for cornering though . . .

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 2:29 pm

"Not the best mod for cornering though"
True, but I'll only be going round corners in the pits. It wont be road legal.