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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Maplin's Ignition Kit

Just thought you might find this interesting, I have just fitted a Maplin's, Vellman, Ignition amplifier kit, cost £9-99, time to build, about 20 mins then another hour fitting it in a box!
Fitted it in about another hour and the car runs a lot more smoothly, it will now tick over at around 800 rpm whereas previously it had to be at least 1000 rpm. Throttle response seems smoother, but I haven't yet had a chance to road test it as I have to take my better half out for a birthday meal.

I'll report back after I take the frogeye out for a run.
Graham P

I had thought of buying one these when I finally have restoration complete, I can't afford a points free system, so at maplins price it would do my midget. Points are supposed to last longer with this kit as it only switches a transistor.
Let me know how you get on?

Jim
Jim Redmond RWA Midget

http://www.vintageperformance.com/retrorockets/

Jim look at these, I dont call this expensive..
K Harris

Feck £49/€62 not bad at all!! Must inform the wife, and have her put it on my wish list. would fit a lot neater than the maplin kit, sorry graham.

Jim
Jim Redmond RWA Midget

No need to apologise, I'm saving up for a 123 dizzie! The kit is a stop gap just to improve the throttle response.
Graham P

Graham,

I used one of those Vellemen kit for 6-7 years IIRC and never had any problems with it. I mounted it above the gearbox tunnel below the dash to keep it away from engine bay heat but don't know if that was necessary but keeping electronics cooler keeps them less stressed. I found that once the point had bedded in the wear was negligable and hardly ever needed to be adjusted so I rate the kit as good value for money for a simple system.
David Billington

Took the frog out for a run this evening, it pulled quite happily from 2000 rpm in fifth! Nice throttle response in all gears and revved freely up to 6k in 2nd & 3rd, I didn't have a chance to try 4th and 5th, too much traffic and not enough time plus I don't need any more points either!

David,I agree, I think it's a great little kit, I've mounted mine behind the heater fan in a cast alloy box with the heatsink on top.


Graham P

Graham,

By the looks of it I used the same box and coated the PCB with lashings of PCB lacquer.
David Billington

Took the frog out for a decent run today, it's good! Will pull from 2k in any gear but not below that except in 1st which is understandable. Nice and tractable, so very pleased for a small cash investment and a little time.

On another note, some stupid b**gar reversed into the frog when it was parked up, smashed a headlight and an indicator, probably scraped the paint as well. I'll have to check that when the weather's a bit better.

At least he had the decency to not just drive off, the only trouble is with a fibreglass front I believe it can take several weeks for stress cracks to come through!
Graham P

This thread was discussed between 07/08/2008 and 09/08/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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