Topic: Ideas for MG Midget project (Read 12605 times)

V8MoneyPit · « **on:** March 06, 2009, 17:14:16 »

Some of you may recall I have an MG Midget that I've owned since I was 17. It was raced with some success during the 80's and layed up in the early '90's and not used since.

We are now pondering what to do with it.......

One option is to use it as a development platform for engine management/injection system for the old A-series.

A more exciting option is to look for a totally different power plant/transmission. This is where you lot come in!

I have a Rover V8 sat there :twisted: but somehow it seems a bit 'old hat'. We've considered the Hayabusa, but there are a few of these already doing the rounds.

Any ideas for lightweight powerplants that might suit a small, light sportscar?

littlepow · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2009, 19:09:30 »

What about a VAG 20V Turbo, has decent power output, if you go for the Cupra R/ Audi TT version for the full 220Bhp and 6 speed box. But has been in several Audi's, Seat's, Skoda's and VW's. (Golf GTis seem to only get the lower power version - 150Bhp)

Can be found for around £600 - £800 in scrappies.

Fairly easy to get 300 Bhp out of them without any major mechanical problems or mods required.

The other engine to try would be a Honda Civic Vtec - but to get full power from them you have to drive it like a 15yr old TWOKer on a joyride. They are really reliable but do suffer from having the real power hidden in the top part of the rev range.

You may need to uprated your brakes though, as both engines rev very easily and can surprise you with how fast your going for there noise! Both will easily hit 140Mph and get to 60Mph in just over 6 secs in normal cars, but still give you about 40Mpg if driven with a little bit of restraint!

hairyasswelder · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2009, 19:15:15 »

The 2.0 injection from rover 820. Was a common conversion for TR7's in the 90's rather than tthe V8 or the Dolly sprint engines. Conversion kits were available for the TR so if you fit the g/box :-k :-k

Steve

Lord Shagg-Pyle · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2009, 20:49:25 »

V8? Pah!

You want one of these!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9vGiWDPa7I

:twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

biggerlandy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 06, 2009, 20:50:10 »

red top twin cam vauxhall engine we used them in the national hot rod racing team i was a mech in so much reliable power a chap called frank anderson built ours

carbore · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2009, 21:04:57 »

May not sound exciting but how about a Rover K series nicley tuned up. You may know that 160 is not that hard (iv got that in My Elise) but 190+ is not stupid if its not an every day car.

The good thing is that for Sprints and Hillclimbs you can still race in the A2 (Up to 1.8 Production) class. A chap in our series had a very sorted midget with a K series and its was very very fast, around class record fast in fact.

However if you live in Devon Cornwall, don't as I don't need the competition!!!!!!!!!!!!!

carbore · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2009, 21:18:21 »

Another popular one is the Toyaota lump, cant remember which one but the one in the recent Corolla. They use them in a few kits these days and they are strong, rev well and can be supercharged. Friend has one in a Stiker and its got stupid torque on it.

I still vote K series and sprint the thing.

JIMBOBLY · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2009, 21:41:11 »

why not go for a salvage honda s2000 engine and box,man they rev brilliant,they are very powerfull for a 2 litre,and they go well with throttle bodies,and i have seen them with bike carbs on them :D

Chris Putt · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2009, 22:17:49 »

Lump out of an impreza? Big power, Low weight, and Low C of G, plus they sound cool.

BMW M50 or M20, straight 6, fairly light, bombproof and good output as standard (192bhp)- Having said that there are people running the M42 318iS with a supercharger kit and making silly power.

Saab 9000 2.3 turbo, plenty of people going silly with them now, as well as the T5 engine out of the 850- they are dirt cheap too!!

s14 lump out of a silvia?- Loads of tuning potential and FI which is always going to be fun.

Red top turbo out of a Calibra 4x4?

If you decide you want a decent rover V8, I have one out of an SD1 sat in my shed with brand new piper cam in a box sat on top of it- dont want too much for it either!!

lee celtic · « **Reply #9 on:** March 06, 2009, 22:19:05 »

Nissan pulsar 2ltr 227 bhp standard tunable to 400bhp four wheel drive and a similar size to the midget... awsome :twisted: check out the black one... and they are getting on a bit so you can pick them up cheap....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poDOwSdwGxc&feature=related

Gav_T · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2009, 11:19:45 »

What about a 2.0 ford zetec engine with a type 9 5 speed box on it?

130bhp as standard, cheap as chips too.

I did read somewhere that the internals of the black top ones (focus) could handle upwards of 300bhp when turbo charged :twisted:

Nice cars them midgets are, my dad had a few and i always thought they would be nice with a bit more poke.

One more thing to think about.... how about a a series turbo? Pricey but you know it fits!

Gavin.

V8MoneyPit · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2009, 11:34:42 »

The Subaru boxer had crossed my mind because of the low C of G. Does a Scooby have the gearbox with the engine or is it at the back?

Vauxhall and Ford units have been used in Midgets many times. I'm hoping to come up with something 'a bit different' :D

Honda S2000..... hmmm, interesting thought :-k

Littlepow.... brakes are not an issue since about the only part of the original car would be the basic shell!

Gav-T..... the last engine build in mine was 145bhp at the flywheel. Given the standard 1275cc was rated at an optimistic 65bhp, it made a difference :twisted:

Gav_T · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2009, 12:34:09 »

Take it that was at least a 1380 then? Or even bigger?

Have you still got that engine? Whip out the pistons put some low comp ones in and stick a nice small, modern turbo on it. Loads of power and no lag :twisted:

Gavin.

V8MoneyPit · « **Reply #13 on:** March 07, 2009, 12:53:00 »

Quote from: Gav_T on March 07, 2009, 12:34:09

Take it that was at least a 1380 then? Or even bigger?

Have you still got that engine? Whip out the pistons put some low comp ones in and stick a nice small, modern turbo on it. Loads of power and no lag :twisted:

Gavin.

1400. The class regs wouldn't allow stroking the crank. 300 duration cam. 11:1 CR. Big valve head. 45 DCOE. Etc.

Gav_T · « **Reply #14 on:** March 07, 2009, 13:06:47 »

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Metro-Turbo-A-Series-Engine-Gearbox_W0QQitemZ300297068182QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item300297068182&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1689%7C66%3A4%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

This with a 5 speed conversion?

Gavin.

V8MoneyPit · « **Reply #15 on:** March 07, 2009, 13:53:00 »

Quote from: Gav_T on March 07, 2009, 13:06:47

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Metro-Turbo-A-Series-Engine-Gearbox_W0QQitemZ300297068182QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item300297068182&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1689%7C66%3A4%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

This with a 5 speed conversion?

Gavin.

Metro and Mini engines are transverse and can't be used in-line easily. But, we were really looking for something a bit more interesting as a project. It may still go back to a bike engine (Hayabusa or R1), but I can't help thinking the novelty of driving around at 12000 rpm all the time will wear off!!

Bush Tucker Man · « **Reply #16 on:** March 07, 2009, 18:26:01 »

Quote from: carbore on March 06, 2009, 21:04:57

May not sound exciting but how about a Rover K series nicley tuned up. You may know that 160 is not that hard (iv got that in My Elise) but 190+ is not stupid if its not an every day car.

Simon, one of the 'school-run dads' has jsut got his Exige(??) back after that was re-engined with a Honda Civic Type R, but supercharged :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

He reckons it's good for 330BHP!

Wouldn't one of those fit in the Midget? :lol:

carbore · « **Reply #17 on:** March 07, 2009, 21:37:08 »

If I diddnt want to sprint mine in a sensible class (and not stuck a modded engine in and CR box next week) id definitley look at a Honda Conversion. Was the one mentioned above a hangar 111 job?

How about an Electric midget, loads of torque?

Jimbo · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2009, 08:55:05 »

What about a Rotary lump out of an RX8 ?

diggerdog36 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 08, 2009, 10:45:28 »

Quote from: Bush Tucker Man on March 07, 2009, 18:26:01

Simon, one of the 'school-run dads' has jsut got his Exige(??) back after that was re-engined with a Honda Civic Type R, but supercharged :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

He reckons it's good for 330BHP!

Wouldn't one of those fit in the Midget? :lol:

All Exiges have the Honda engine, the Exige S has the same engine but supercharged. It was available like this as standard. Has he not just had his fiddled with??
I borrow my mates all the time and its good for 0-60 in 4 seconds! Which is lightning quick for me when used to the Td5!

Bush Tucker Man · « **Reply #20 on:** March 08, 2009, 14:42:14 »

Quote from: diggerdog36 on March 08, 2009, 10:45:28

Quote from: Bush Tucker Man on March 07, 2009, 18:26:01
Simon, one of the 'school-run dads' has jsut got his Exige(??) back after that was re-engined with a Honda Civic Type R, but supercharged :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
He reckons it's good for 330BHP
All Exiges have the Honda engine, the Exige S has the same engine but supercharged. It was available like this as standard. Has he not just had his fiddled with??

I' m not sure, I was just going on what he told me, as I don't see him very often - I'm usually on my way back home by the time he's arriving

Chris Putt · « **Reply #21 on:** March 08, 2009, 14:45:11 »

Elises and exiges have Toyota engines. Not honda.

Atoms on the other hand, have Honda engines.

Xtremeteam · « **Reply #22 on:** March 08, 2009, 15:35:35 »

Quote from: littlepow on March 06, 2009, 19:09:30

What about a VAG 20V Turbo, has decent power output, if you go for the Cupra R/ Audi TT version for the full 220Bhp and 6 speed box. But has been in several Audi's, Seat's, Skoda's and VW's. (Golf GTis seem to only get the lower power version - 150Bhp)

Can be found for around £600 - £800 in scrappies.

Fairly easy to get 300 Bhp out of them without any major mechanical problems or mods required.

The other engine to try would be a Honda Civic Vtec - but to get full power from them you have to drive it like a 15yr old TWOKer on a joyride. They are really reliable but do suffer from having the real power hidden in the top part of the rev range.

You may need to uprated your brakes though, as both engines rev very easily and can surprise you with how fast your going for there noise! Both will easily hit 140Mph and get to 60Mph in just over 6 secs in normal cars, but still give you about 40Mpg if driven with a little bit of restraint!

Vag 20v anyday of the week........
IHI VF34 turbo fmic & green 440cc injectors, bit of mapping & 300BHP+ with 280IBft of torque, have done 3/4 conversions at work & they are mad, currently looking for a 2000 ibiza so i can do it for the missus to have a scooby eater,

supercharged K20s (civic vtec 2.0L) will make 300bhp but not much more unless you start to open then up & change cams etc (serious cash)
Exiges have a toyota engine in them but they are an easy conversion to a K20

muddyoffroader · « **Reply #23 on:** March 09, 2009, 01:29:42 »

Quote from: biggerlandy on March 06, 2009, 20:50:10

red top twin cam vauxhall engine we used them in the national hot rod racing team i was a mech in so much reliable power a chap called frank anderson built ours

prob the best one to use in anything. iv dropped em in corsa'a, mk1 astras, mk1 and 2 escorts, one in the arse of a reliant robin :dance: :dance: :dance: and one in an sj410. 150bhp standard and easy to get a good 190bhp with a bit of $$$$. or theres the turbo version

oh and theyre dead easy to wire up

have a ganders at this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aw1kVhZVRE

Saffy · « **Reply #24 on:** March 09, 2009, 08:07:02 »

TD5 :D

V8MoneyPit · « **Reply #25 on:** March 09, 2009, 09:05:15 »

Quote from: Jimbo on March 08, 2009, 08:55:05

What about a Rotary lump out of an RX8 ?

Ah, now that's a bit out of the ordinary :D hmmmm..... :-k

stuntman · « **Reply #26 on:** March 09, 2009, 10:24:28 »

For a cheap tunable unit either a ford or the Volvo T5 or T4 unit.

I've built several complete kit cars for a local kit car company and we've used twin turbo zetecs, twin 'busa engine with and without turbos, but my favourite has to be the the lexus quad turbo we built for an american customer, be had to re-brace everything in the chassis.

And that will probably be your limiting factor, anything over 250bhp maybe too much for the standard shell.

V8MoneyPit · « **Reply #27 on:** March 09, 2009, 10:34:11 »

Quote from: stuntman on March 09, 2009, 10:24:28

And that will probably be your limiting factor, anything over 250bhp maybe too much for the standard shell.

The shell doesn't have to be standard. It's a grit blasted paper doily at the moment. The choice of power unit, transmission and running gear will determine how the shell is built.

Bush Tucker Man · « **Reply #28 on:** March 09, 2009, 10:52:27 »

Quote from: stuntman on March 09, 2009, 10:24:28

I've built several complete kit cars for a local kit car company and we've used twin turbo zetecs, twin 'busa engine with and without turbos

How about the output of the 'Z Cars' company, they do some cracking conversions

littlepow · « **Reply #29 on:** March 09, 2009, 20:48:42 »

What about something a bit different?

A lovely 27ltr V16 Roll Royce Meteor engine? Ok it's fitted to a Rover SD1, but it's road legal and bonkers!!

News:

AuthorTopic: Ideas for MG Midget project (Read 12605 times)

littlepow

littlepow