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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Power/Torque Limit of 1500 gearbox

Hi all,

I'm in the process of restoring my 1500 and I'm planning on putting a 1.4 K series engine in. Having both of them sat side by side on the garage floor it occurred to me that I could perhaps use the 1500 gearbox on the K series engine with just an adaptor plate and custom clutch.

My question is what kind of torque/power can the 1500 gearbox take? Would it be ok with a mildly tuned 1.4K i.e. ~110-120bhp?

The input shaft seems to sit in exactly the right place and the only thing needed appears to be an adaptor plate.

If not I'll fork out for a Titan/FL bellhousing to go with the cheap type 9 I also have but this seemed like a neat solution as I can then avoid chopping the body for the gearbox mount, I won't need a new propshaft and the gearlever will stay where it is. I'm not too fussed about losing the 5th gear cruising ability as I intend to use it on country lanes, I've got a Jag for the motorways.

Cheers,

Will
W Turner

The Single Rail Triumph gearbox in the midget 1500 will easily cope with a 1.4 K.

There are a number of MGCC Midget Championship Class A cars racing on this box.
Deborah Evans

Thanks! I'll start looking at the adaptor plate this weekend as this could save me quite a lot on this build.

But what do you mean by Single Rail? Was there more than one type fitted to the 1500 midget?
W Turner

Lifted from elsewhere –
‘The term 'single-rail' refers to the fact that this type of gearbox had one selector rail’

AFAIK there was only one g/box for 1500 (and it was without O/D)
Nigel Atkins

Nigel is correct.

The Midget 1500 'box was the BL 'Small Car Gearbox', itself originally a Triumph design with a single selector rail. It is known as the Triumph Single Rail Gearbox so as to distinguish it from the earlier 3 Rail 'box (developed for the Herald/Vitesse series of vehicles).
Deborah Evans

That explains that then. Thanks.
W Turner

This thread was discussed between 26/06/2012 and 03/07/2012

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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