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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Midget MX5 conversion

I am very interested in Mr Mccloud's conversion.

I do not understand how the adaptor plate was made however.

Do you know if any engine/gearbox holes are common?

Also, is it possible to buy drawings or a complete adaptor plate?

Thanks, Brian Reed
Brian Reed

Do you have a link to a website?
MX5 engine and gearbox or difficult to fit into a midget without extensive body mods.
Rob
MG Moneypit

Brian is referencing a thread from the archive that we have republished in a public site:

http://www.mg-cars.net/mg-midget-sprite-technical-bbs/midget-mx5-5-speed-conversion-2018111206424624933.htm
Mike Plumstead

I wondered why I missed this thread, then realised it coincided with my house move and problems with new broadband supplier.
The Ford Type 9 is much easier with well trodden ground.
Also, there was someone (maybe on MASC Facebook group) fitting a Suzuki Jimny gearbox (early gearboxes have 0.85:1 5th gear, later have 1:1 fifth gear) to A series engine. This gearbox is very much smaller than a Type 9 and should fit without any chassis mods. It would also need an adaptor plate, clutch arrangements sorted and propshaft mods (as would the MX5 gearbox) but would be much easier to fit.. As cheap as an MX5 gearbox is its a big beast compared to a standard A series GB.
Rob
MG Moneypit

Suzuki Jimny thread on MASC Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1451060651868727/permalink/2435110470130402
Rob
MG Moneypit

Does anyone know wether the MX5 box is a success?
a.o. arnold

The box that was the subject of the thread was fettled and worked, see the link Mike posted.
Nigel Atkins

I checked that one but seemed no real final conclusion in it
a.o. arnold

I think it would have turned out good but during the process my thoughts were/are that it would have been better skimming the flywheel back to take the MX5 clutch assembly complete and using the MX5 throwout bearing ,fork and slave cylinder just to keep it all matched and 'modern' --Also if the selector shaft had been left longer and protruding out through the shifter housing, that would have solved the jamming shifter issue

John posted the following late in the process--

"Been for a longer drive with my daughter driving today and she had no problems with gearchange at all and a fairly light clutch pedal, so that has to be success.The benifit of synchro into 1st is considerable, especially if you do not know how to double-declutch for a novice driver.

On the wider project I would probably advocate others using the Mazda clutch plate assembly on a machined flywheel, taking the weight penalty, possibly compensating with a bit of engine tuning. This would make clutch replacement straight forward and the larger clutch plate would probably never be worn out anyway. This would also be easily accomplished by a machine shop since it is 2 simple machining processes of lathing the flywheel flat and lightening where possible plus simple drilling and tapping 6 holes to take the cover plate. Less complicated than making a hybrid clutch plate as I did."
William Revit

This thread was discussed between 26/12/2020 and 31/12/2020

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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