SBF Swapped MG MGB Packs 347 Cubic Inches And Five Gears

Nick Adams September 28, 2026 4 min read 0

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The classic MG MGB has always been known for lightweight handling and a cheap and cheerful British sports car. This 1977 SBF swapped MG MGB takes that familiar formula in an entirely different direction, combining decades of craftsmanship with modern performance hardware to create a one-of-a-kind V8-powered open-top restomod.

Purchased by its current owner in 1984, the car underwent an extensive modification and restoration that stretched across multiple years before being completed in 2014. The finished product blends custom fabrication, upgraded suspension, modern braking, and a Ford small-block stroker V8 into a package that still retains the unmistakable silhouette of the original MGB. Now being offered on behalf of the owner on Bring A Trailer.

Classic British Looks With Custom Touches

Although it still wears recognizable MGB lines, nearly every exterior panel has been refined during the restoration.

Wheel arches sourced from a 1981 Plymouth Horizon were incorporated into the build, while both the front and rear valances were molded and smoothed for a cleaner appearance. A Frenched license plate recess was also grafted into the body before the SBF swapped MG was refinished in a Porsche shade of dark green metallic that resembles British Racing Green.

The exterior continues the custom theme with nerf-style bumpers some earlier MGs, dual side mirrors, quarter vent windows, bright trim, a flush-mounted fuel filler, dual downturn exhaust outlets, and a black convertible top. Dual roll hoops add both visual appeal and additional protection behind the cockpit.

Modern Chassis Components Underneath

The performance upgrades extend well beyond the engine bay in this SBF Swapped MG. The MGB rides on 17-inch E/T LT alloy wheels with silver centers and machined lips wrapped in older Bridgestone Potenza RE760 tires.

Rack-and-pinion steering replaces the original setup, while a fully independent suspension utilizes a Jaguar rear end paired with adjustable coilovers at all four corners.

Stopping power comes from Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes, with the rear brakes mounted inboard as part of the Jaguar independent rear suspension.

A Refined Interior With Vintage Character

Inside, the cabin maintains a classic appearance while incorporating several modern upgrades to the SBF swapped MG.

Black leather bucket seats anchor the interior, complemented by mahogany wood trim across the dashboard, center stack, and shift knob. Vintage Air climate control brings modern air conditioning to the compact roadster, while crank windows preserve some of the car’s original character.

Additional features include a retro-style stereo and dual roll hoops positioned behind the seats.

Ahead of the driver sits a banjo-style steering wheel fitted with a V8 horn button. The instrument panel uses Classic Instruments American Nickel Series gauges consisting of a 140-mph speedometer, an 8,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges monitoring coolant temperature, fuel level, oil pressure, and voltage.

The six-digit odometer currently displays 1,700 miles, which reportedly reflects the mileage accumulated since completion of the build.

Ford 347 Stroker V8 Provides The Grunt

Under the hood sits the centerpiece of the entire project: a Small-Block Ford 347 cubic-inch stroker V8 assembled by Wheeler Racing Engines of Zimmerman, Minnesota.

The engine is equipped with a Moroso air cleaner featuring an exposed filter element, an Edelbrock intake manifold, custom ceramic-coated headers, a custom exhaust system, MSD ignition, a March polished aluminum accessory drive system, an aluminum radiator, and an Aeromotive fuel pump and fuel filter.

Together, the combination transforms the lightweight British roadster into something dramatically different from its factory origins.

Tremec Five-Speed And Jag Rear End

The Power is this SBF swapped MG reaches the rear wheels through a Tremec T5 five-speed manual transmission connected to a Jaguar rear end carrying 3.73:1 gearing.

Additional attention to detail can be found in the trunk, where the fuse box has been relocated alongside an Odyssey AGM battery equipped with a cut-off switch. A fire extinguisher is also mounted in the rear compartment.

The result is a SBF swapped MG restomod that blends British styling, American V8 performance, and modern chassis technology into a build that reflects decades of planning and execution. Rather than simply swapping an engine into an MGB, this project reimagines nearly every aspect of the car while maintaining the timeless appeal that made the original roadster so popular.