1980model MGB — Toyota 4A-G Engine Conversion / Officially Certified and Registered Vehicle

The moment the key turns and the fuel-injected Toyota 4A-G engine comes alive, the air fills with a silky, finely grained mechanical sound.
A few crisp blips of the throttle, and from the familiar tailpipe emerges a tone unmistakably different from any stock MGB — a mid-range–boosted, razor-sharp exhaust note, like that of a well-tuned performance car.

As someone who has long cherished classic MGBs, I found this sound shockingly foreign to the image engraved in my memory.
In that instant, I understood completely: this is what defines an MGB reborn with the soul of Toyota’s high-revving 4A-G from the AE86 — a car that unites two nations’ engineering philosophies into one enthralling experience.

The Visionary Behind the Machine

The owner of this MGB is, quite simply, a lifelong enthusiast, a man deeply rooted in Japan’s automotive culture through his family’s long-established business.
His approach to cars goes far beyond the bounds of hobby — he conceives machines that never existed, builds them with his own vision, and goes as far as obtaining full public registration for them.
His creative energy and capacity for execution have earned him quiet renown in certain circles of Japan’s classic-car community.

His garage is a wonderland — filled with ongoing projects and relics of past achievements, a place that feels like a sanctuary for those who truly love automobiles.
It was here, over the course of four years, that he poured his heart and soul into creating this 1980 MGB — reborn with the Toyota AE86 4A-G engine and five-speed manual gearbox — the embodiment of a “British lightweight reborn for driving joy.”

The Birth of the Project

He acquired the base car — a 1980 MGB — about four years ago.
By then, the original urethane bumpers had already been replaced with chrome ones, and the car, originally red, had been fully repainted in a striking mustard yellow.

“It was the lightness of the MGB that appealed to me,” he recalls.
“The car itself wasn’t bad — but the engine was done for, nearly undrivable.
I knew it would be a big project, but I’d already decided: I’d rebuild it into the most enjoyable MGB possible.”

The heart he chose was none other than Toyota’s revered 4A-G 1.6-liter DOHC engine.
By chance, he came across a non-running AE86 donor car, purchased it, and began a full engine overhaul from the ground up.
Using the AE86’s 5-speed transmission, he rebuilt the injection system, restored the canister and blow-by recirculation systems to meet emissions requirements, and finally obtained official conversion approval (公認車検) at the Gunma Land Transport Bureau.
It was a massive effort, but the result was a legally road-registered MGB conversion, one of the very few of its kind.

Engineering the Dream

The entire process spanned over two years, with significant financial investment — but more than money, it demanded unwavering passion.
Many times he nearly gave up, but the vision of completion always pulled him forward.

The compact 4A-G now sits perfectly in a front-mid position, the driveline custom-fabricated for ideal power delivery, and the transmission placement engineered so precisely that the gearshift feels just as natural as the original.

The dashboard now houses the AE86 instrument cluster, fully functional with working indicators.
(The odometer, previously non-functional, was left as is — mileage unknown.)

“But it’s not the mileage that tells this car’s story,” he says with a grin.
“It’s the experience itself.”

Suspension and Dynamics

Determined to keep the MGB’s classic driving character, the owner retained the original lever-arm dampers and leaf-spring rear suspension.
To refine the stance, he fitted short front springs and lowering blocks at the rear — a setup that achieves the perfect balance of poise and proportion.
The pairing of the lively 4A-G and the tighter gear ratios works beautifully with this chassis, giving the car a surprisingly composed, supple behavior.

The convertible top, usually stored away as the owner prefers open-air motoring, remains in excellent condition.
The upgraded exhaust sings with enthusiasm, while vintage 14-inch Advan dish wheels complete the period-correct aesthetic.
Though the stock heater box was removed during the swap, a modern electric heater was installed — yet the familiar “MGB warmth” from the engine bay still keeps one’s feet cozy on crisp winter mornings.

“Driving early in the morning with the top down through the local mountain roads — that’s the best moment of all,” he says.

The Drive — Where Classic and JDM Meet

From a modest 80 horsepower, the old B-series engine’s output has now soared to a factory-rated 128 horsepower with the 4A-G.
At just 900 kg (measured at inspection), this MGB’s pastoral lethargy has vanished — replaced by a thrilling agility.
Through the legendary mountain passes of Haruna, Myogi, and Akagi, it dances lightly yet powerfully — the perfect union of classic grace and JDM sharpness, a drive where, as the owner puts it,

“Lightness dances, and the soul sings.”

A Dream That Never Ends

In a corner of his garage, a freshly imported Sebring-style bumper-delete kit from the UK sits unpainted, waiting in a container — a glimpse of the project’s next chapter, to be entrusted to the car’s future owner.

And as our interview drew to a close, the owner shared a final reflection:

“When you combine the MGB’s lightness with the 4A-G’s revving nature, it’s like entering another world.
The 128 horsepower feels perfectly matched — it completely transformed the car.
There’s still room for further refinement, bodywork, maybe the Sebring conversion… but I hope the next owner will continue the dream.”

This 1980 MGB 4A-G conversion is not merely a machine —
it is a manifestation of vision, endurance, and artistry.
A roadster reborn, where British soul meets Japanese precision, and the road ahead hums like a well-tuned melody.