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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Improving nicely

Chaps

After a brief interlude, further tweaking under the bonnet has improved matters that little bit further at the higer end of the rev range. It was seemingly running out of puff a little, but tightening up the fuel hose connection from the hard pipe (from the tank) to the flexi (to the carb) has improved matters - guess there was a small air leak? Superb drive last night racing around the foothills in the summer sun at 2200 hrs....Long nights up here in the Tundra.

I still think the fuel pump is er... tired. Admittedly not measured delivery as yet, but I assume the simple Facet cube low P. thing would be a suitable improvement over standard. For 20 odd quid, I think I will go ahead and replace anyways..

Next on the list will be to tweak the advance. I reckon I have it pretty close using the 123 adjustment setting, but I have also fiddled with it by rotating the body somewhat from static position to try and gain some advantage, and tested it by accelerating hard up the nearest hill - any other suggestions as to how to fine tune the advance welcome - except by taking it to a tuner.... Of course strobe would be correct, but I have no dynamic settings for the modded engine - so a bit of trial and error methinks.

Other matters - anyone know the % inaccuracy when using original speedo with the type 9 box. I reckon actual speed is about 25% over what the speedo reads at 30 mph - according to digital speed signs. Is the relationship linear by the by?

Wire wheels - the great debate in my head rages on. My Rostyles do look good, but I do like a bit of oldy worldy charm. Plenty of rusty old wires on Fleabay for around 100 notes - bead blast and paint? Anyone done that?

Finally, many thanks to all over the months for your help. Very much appreciated
Mark O

Hey Mark,

Tres jealous, it has been fantastic weather for blasting round royal deeside eh? :-D

Remember with wire wheels there is much more than the cost of the wheels. You will need to convert to splined hubs. Which I think is a bit of a faff, especially at the back as you need new half shafts etc.

I would be interested in a good set of rostyles if you do decided to convert to wire or new alloy wheels, as mine are a bit bashed and crudded up.

Cheers,
Malcolm
Malcolm Le Chevalier

Mark,

Speedo check against gps on phone. Most phones either have this included (nokia lumia, I phone, etc.) or it can be downloaded as a free app. Just remember data rates apply while using it so turn it off when finished.

I checked my new speedo against the GPS and the tacho but mine is a standard 1500 with original box and diff so tacho rpm is easy to calculate per mile per hour. (someone posted the rpm per mph on here as well).

The gps proved to be spot on. My speedo is also spot on unlike modern speedo's which accounts for me thinking everyone is going slow when I am in the midget.
Dave Squire (1500)

Malcolm - weather fantastic. Really gave it some over Tarland way/Queen's view and down South Deeside Road. Superb in the twisty bits, and even overtook a boy racer!

Yes - take the point about the hubs - which is partially why I am in two minds, but they do crop up on Fleabay now and then.

Then again, there are Minilites or similar.......

Dave - App looks good. Will try it. Thanks
Mark O

Mark,
yes 25% and linear (so 30 mph on speedo will be actually 40mph road speed)

you can drive on rev counter, allowing for a bit of variation of error on the rev counter

(excluding error, round figures) 4th gear at 2,000 revs is 33 mph and 2,000 revs in 5th is 40mph

4th - 16.5 mph per 1,000 revs

5th - 20 mph per 1,000 revs

Nigel Atkins

Ever tried this road Mark?

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=27950

Malcolm.
Malcolm Le Chevalier

Malcolm

Several times, but on motorbike only. Very bumpy in parts. Reckon a Midget would bottom out at enthusiastic speeds. The road to Pitlochry from that road is far better for Spridgetery action.
Mark O

Cool, I will bear that in mind as I am planning a scenic route down to the Loch Lomond area; I have a few days holiday planned there in July. I have also recently bought a new car which needs a good test run... a Panda 100HP!

Yeah, OK, Porsche drivers will laugh at its straight line performance, but it has enough power to be fun and, I guess like a Midget, it is huge fun at (generally) legal speeds!

Anyway... I have digressed...

Cheers,
Malcolm.
Malcolm Le Chevalier

Nice route going out to Ballater, then north and west on the A939 to Tomintoul and over to Grantown. I ve done it a few times by Midget and Sprite being on what was once a regular trip from Aberdeen over to Inverness.
Guy W

Guy

I can vouch for that one! Superb on a sunny day. Langdales did it for me when residing just outside the Lakes...
Mark O

This thread was discussed between 20/06/2013 and 21/06/2013

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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