My KA24de powered 1979 MGB build

[sti xtc]

Thought I’d post some pictures of my project since we just got it running. The car is a 1979 MGB powered by a ka24de out of a 1996 240sx. Enjoy.

These were taken the day we picked her up. She had been sitting in a field with the top down for who knows how long. The body was in pretty good shape and had obviously been repainted. Not too much rust compared to some MGs sitting in fields.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_0963.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_0964.jpg

I bought the car from the dude wearing the hat in the background. His name was Bernie. Quite an interesting fellow. lol
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_0969.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_0971.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_0973-1.jpg

Then we began ripping her apart.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_0981.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_0986-1.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_0987-1.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_0984.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_0982.jpg

[sti xtc]

Ripped the carpet out and found some ugly rust.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1004.jpg

One of my favorite parts about the car. Tri wipers FTW
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_0998.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1032.jpg
Pulled out all the sound deadening, killed some rust, and did a quick rattle can job.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1073.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1020.jpg

Time for the motor to go.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1101.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1107.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1131.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1336.jpg

Then the wiring harness came out
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1344.jpg

[sti xtc]

Had to modify the front a little to swap out the ugly/heavy rubber bumpers for chrome bumpers. More on this latter.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1429.jpg

Won’t be needing a luggage rack.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1605.jpg

Picked up a used soft top, some chrome bumpers, valance, and some recessed grilles.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1426.jpg

Then I bought some Saab wheels in pretty sorry condition. The wheels are the right bolt pattern, but the offset doesn’t work very well in the rear. I could use some spacers, but I’ll probably sell these and buy a set Rota RBs.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1515.jpg

Then I bought this replica factory hardtop which was basically brand new.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1479-1.jpg


Then it was time to find a donor car. That’s when this beauty came into play. The car had rear ended a s10 pickup truck apparently. Car came with a lot of extra parts. A nice set of Tein Flex coilovers were installed. Car was an auto, but can with an extra 5 speed transmission.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1448.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1449.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1445.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1461-1.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1454.jpg

[sti xtc]

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1470.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1476.jpg

Stripped out and sold just about everything.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1624.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1625.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1627.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1633.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1643.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1644.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1642.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1645.jpg

[sti xtc]

Rattle canned
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1650.jpg

Had to notch the MG crossmember and then reinforce it.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1648.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1663.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1664.jpg

Also had to modify the KA oil pan. The big hump didn’t work well with the crossmember.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1667.jpg

Stock Nissan alternator didn’t fit well so I picked up an alternator out of a Geo Metro. Had to be modified along with the sohc alter bracket in order to switch to a single belt and delete the power steering pump and a/c compressor.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1674.jpg

Fabricated a motor mount bracket for the passenger side. For the passenger side I just
modified the Nissan motor mount bracket. Both use MG rubber motor mounts.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1661.jpg

Wiring is not cool.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1677.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1903.jpg


The headers didn’t fit so we had to flip them until we figure out a real exhaust setup.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1670.jpg

[sti xtc]

This is pretty much what she looked like now.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1909.jpg

Had to cut a hole in the hood because the motor was a bit tall. Picked up a hood from a Datsun roadster so I can steal the hood scoop.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/IMG_1923.jpg

Now a video of her firing up.
YouTube - Nissan powered MGB running (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojUU6Jz1O6E)

I didn’t take any pictures of the fuel setup, but we’re running a 10 gallon RCI fuel cell with new steel hard lines and an inline Walbro 255 fuel pump.

I’m at school right now and won’t be back until December so I won’t have any more updates until then.

[96Turbo]

sweet man. I've got a '64 Austin Healey at home that i'm planning on doing some kind of swap into. I was thinking more along the lines of a 4A-GE since it's smaller & my sprite has even less room under the hood than your MGB. But the Nissan fanboy in me wants to do a SR/CA/KA. Good work! I wanna see some driving footage!

[DALAZ_68]

i like this.. i do...gl and ill keep my eye on it

[g-via]

haha looks like you hit your buddy with some exhaust in the video

nice buildup man, looks like A LOT of work

[S14_Kouki]

3 windshield blades lol nice build tho deff something different.

[rican_nick]

hah looks like fun. Boost it :)

[Shadowhunter]

Wow, never though I'd see a piece of shit midget turned into something semi cool. Any reason you went with the MG platform? Keep up the good work!

[Devil Man]

damnit i cant see nothing your photobucket took a dump!!!! i want to see pics!!!!

[DrtyRat]

damnit i cant see nothing your photobucket took a dump!!!! i want to see pics!!!!

what he said!

[Ineedparts]

Wow, never though I'd see a piece of shit midget turned into something semi cool. Any reason you went with the MG platform? Keep up the good work!

You are an Idiot

Where the hell are the pics?!?!? We are currently attempting the same exact swap but into a 74 mgb gt chrome bumpers. I would love to see pics of the motor mounts.

[sti xtc]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.


sweet man. I've got a '64 Austin Healey at home that i'm planning on doing some kind of swap into. I was thinking more along the lines of a 4A-GE since it's smaller & my sprite has even less room under the hood than your MGB. But the Nissan fanboy in me wants to do a SR/CA/KA. Good work! I wanna see some driving footage!

Yeah, not a lot of room in those engine bays. A 4age swap would be sick. This website should give you some inspiration.

MG Sports Car Photo Gallery: V8/V6 upgraded Midget, MGA, MGB & MGC sports cars (http://www.britishv8.org/Photos-MG-Conversions.htm)

Wow, never though I'd see a piece of shit midget turned into something semi cool. Any reason you went with the MG platform? Keep up the good work!

It's actually an MGB, not a Midget ;)



Where the hell are the pics?!?!? We are currently attempting the same exact swap but into a 74 mgb gt chrome bumpers. I would love to see pics of the motor mounts.

Thanks! Damn it you photobucket. Exceeded bandwidth. Here is a link to my pb account till I can figure something else out.
Pictures by msteph1086 - Photobucket (http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee286/msteph1086/)

I have more pictures of the mounts I can PM you. You'll def have to send me some pictures of your swap.

[Shadowhunter]

You are an Idiot

Where the hell are the pics?!?!? We are currently attempting the same exact swap but into a 74 mgb gt chrome bumpers. I would love to see pics of the motor mounts.
STFU troll. I just want to know why he went with the platform he went with and what he was planning to do with it, if your ignorant ass has nothing productive to say then go find some some little boys to molest instead.

[ranger240]

STFU troll. I just want to know why he went with the platform he went with and what he was planning to do with it, if your ignorant ass has nothing productive to say then go find some some little boys to molest instead.
youre the ignorant one in this thread, please stay out of it as you have nothing to add.


to the op.. awesome work
This car is AWESOME.. have you driven any stock MGBs before taht can serve as a baseline in comparison? 'all that torque' (compared to stock) must be awesome.

seeing one less rubber bumper'ed mg makes my day

what drivetrain modifications did you do?? specifically the diff as i'd beT the stock one isnt up to the task

[SexPanda]

god damnit I hate photobucket so much...

[Ceepo]

myspace ftw to host pictures lol... cool swap man :D

[sti xtc]

youre the ignorant one in this thread, please stay out of it as you have nothing to add.


to the op.. awesome work
This car is AWESOME.. have you driven any stock MGBs before taht can serve as a baseline in comparison? 'all that torque' (compared to stock) must be awesome.

seeing one less rubber bumper'ed mg makes my day

what drivetrain modifications did you do?? specifically the diff as i'd beT the stock one isnt up to the task

Thanks! I haven't actually driven an mgb before. Probably need to do that. As far as the drivetrain goes, the gentlemen on the MG forums tell me that the stock diff can handle up to 200hp safely. A lot of them do v8 swaps and just stick with the stock diff. I still need to have a custom driveshaft made.

[!Zar!]

Nice car man. I have a `74 mgb (last year of chrome bumpers). I've been meaning to work on it, but I've been too lazy to buy two batteries and deal with the alternator. In all the years I never thought of swapping a ka into it.

[Bushido]

sweeet project. loving it, especially the color.

[duballstar37]

I have the doors from that s14. Good build man.

[dt-p88]

damn nice work man :bigok:

[ranger240]

Nice car man. I have a `74 mgb (last year of chrome bumpers). I've been meaning to work on it, but I've been too lazy to buy two batteries and deal with the alternator. In all the years I never thought of swapping a ka into it.

haha i love that answer to the question of how to going from a 6 to 12 volt system

[TPS240sxS13]

Thats looking very nice man. Cant wait to see the finished product