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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - 1275 vs 1500

I am a recent spridget enthusiast, though I was brought onto the scene by my boss, who's been driving them for decades.

My question is this: why not strip the 1500 and all it's emissions controls out of a rubber bumper and drop in my 1275? From there I could rip off the rubber bumpers, switch fenders, and have a much more modern 1275.

I'm not a fan of bumpers anyway, and this would save me the hassle of updating quite a bit: brakes, sway-bars, seats, convertible top, interior, and a considerable amount of bodywork.

My boss says this is a horrible idea and that the rubber bumpered midgets are inferior in handling.

I know the chassy on the 1500 is different, but is it really that much heavier?

Nate


1964 Midget
1275 rebuilt with racing cam
SU carbs
Electronic ignition
exhaust header
5-Speed Datsun 210 tranny
Tapered roller bearings
Polyurethane bushings
NM Merrill

Nate

many would agree the 1275 is a better engine than the 1500: shorter stroke, more revvy, more tunable, lighter, more robust. However, the 1500 is more torquey in std form, and unless you go above (say) 5K rpm, the 1500 will be the faster car. The 1500 also has all synchro box.

The 1500 has stronger chassis rails (additional rails at front and rear).

If you want a 1275, buy a 1275. This is easier than converting a 1500 (desireable as you may consider this to be).

If you want much more from a 1500, install a modern engine.

Easiest way to improvea 1500 is to run it without bumpers. BTW, the Aseries cars look better IMO without their chrome bumpers...

A
Anthony Cutler

Thanks for the input. I too am against using the bumpers from any style midget.

If I had the $ to build up an original 1275 I would, but they are rare and pricey out here. On the other hand, late 70s models in great condition are pretty cheap...
NM Merrill

Hi, Nate.

I've owned my 1500 since 1995, and have come to know it pretty well. The usual caveat when it comes to the 1500 is the weak bottom end, in particular the crankshaft thrust washers, where the front one can wear thin and drop out. It's also said that the main bearing shells are narrow, and wear excessively. Cooling (or lack of) also seems to be a popular topic, as well as the Zenith carburetor fitted to US models.

I've put over 21,000 miles on my Midget since purchase, and while I've had the usual issues with it over time, I really can't trace many of them to the 1500 engine specifically. It's up to about 85,000 miles now, shows good oil pressure, makes no unusual noises on startup, and runs really sweetly.

That said, I do want to do the smart thing and replace the thrust washers, probably the next time I change the oil. Preventative maintenance, you know...

And yeah, the bumpers are cumbersome and the additional ride height, coupled with the weight of those bumpers, don't do the handling any favors. But I fitted my car with a heavier ARB (aka anti-sway bar), and fitted uprated shocks and polyurethane suspension bushings all around. It's a positive hoot to drive. It's also pretty easy to lower the cars a bit, either with a lowering kit or shorter springs up front, and lowering blocks at the rear.

I'll admit that the earlier models are much purer in execution, and that the 1500s were compromises brought on by the US laws and meager development money, but all told, I've had a great time with my car over the years. When the time was right for us to buy a Midget (perhaps not my wife's opinion...) this is the one that was available, and it's been a great little machine.

Here's a pic of the wee beastie:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/safety_fast/2619448873/sizes/l/in/set-72157605873860590/

Cheers,

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Nate,

This is one of those areas that your not going to get a good consences on, the opinions will be as varied as the person giving it.

My personal opinion, If you buy a 1500, then keep it a 1500, by the time you rebuild a 1275, and rig it up to the car with a 5 speed tranny, your going to have some bucks involved that you could have purchased a real 1275....also wait to buy, right now everyone want an old convertable sports car, due to the weather, wait till the snow flies then you can buy one at a great price.

BUT....

If you get a 1500 to rip the heart out, instead of a 1275 engine I would a use differant engine / tranny set up, like the suzukie swift, or the toyota 4age, or something like darrens Vtec 2000...I think you will also gain more respect from the midget community doing something like that...Not that we dont want you around, after all its more fun to make fun of new people then the old lifers around here.


prop
Prop

what is more modern on the 1500 then on a late 1275?!
what are the advantages you want?

If you buy a rubber bumper keep it a rubber bumper!
The handeling diffrence is just in the ride height and the weight of the bumpers
So you can lower the car and lighten the bumpers (yeah lighten not remove!)


But you have a 64 midget
Why don't you want a 64 midget?
What is the reason for this quest?!
Onno Könemann

This thread was discussed on 28/05/2009

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.