mgb wheel base = 2312mmI have a dream where I buy a birth year (79) and put in an MX5 engine, transmission and running gear - along with a sebring (copy) kit. Got a long way towards working out how a Ford 1.0 ecoboost could go in there too as I love that engine, but that's not exactly garage engineering. Would also be on Ronal Turbos because that would annoy a lot of people. It's on the list of "silly things Mark might do", which means it probably won't happen - but it' be a lot of fun.
Micra K12 1.6 is 110bhp from factory, minor amendment to 120 without any real work. very strong engine, timing chain and all.Rover K series is a common (and potent) swap. 1.8vvc is bonkers in a car that weighs 650kg.
Company down south somewhere also now doing a swap using the engine from a Nissan Micra. Probably not as powerful as the K but likely to be more reliable!
Send them back and do a loom conversion instead. (Or both, but be aware that LED bulbs aren't technically legal in your athletic of headlight). Loom conversion is a relay and direct power from the battery, although the underseat battery is still going to reduce how good it is.At the moment I'm thinking restoration to a daily driver. N/S sill needs doing. Bit of rust on the wheel arches. But she's fairly solid otherwise. Engine runs great and pulls nicely too even with 19st of fat old guy in it. I've ordered some LED lights though so I can actually see where I'm going at night