MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

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 MGF Technical - K&N Fitted and loving it!

K&N Fitted and loving it!

Seem to be a reoccurring thread on this forum, but I thought I would share my experience after fitting the K&N 57i to my 2001 Trophy 160.

I would highly recommend fitting this air filter to anyone, it gives a fantastic, on demand performance growl and puts a huge smile on your face. I must admit I was a bit nervous about fitting the kit – normally gear knobs and lightbulbs are the height of my mechanical ability – but using the supplied instructions and those on the MGF Gallery web site, it turned out to be a relatively straight forward and simple task.

The hardest part for me was actually getting to the main engine bay as this was the first time I’d ever had go there…. Everything came off as it should, but I was worried that it wouldn’t go back again – but it did nicely.

The only panic I had was at the end – the engine wouldn’t start!! For some reason by battery had drained having both doors and boot open .. this has happened before – haven’t a clue why.

Thanks to those on the forum who recommended this kit and gave me the confidence to do it myself.

Time: ~2hrs (fitting time as well as chatting to the neighbours, and babysitting...)
Instructions: 9/10 (Supplied and MGF Gallery)
Skin Loss: 9/10 (Tiny cut on finger .. was my own fault)
Overall: 10/10 (Much better than the Japanese Blitz kit I had fitted to the 2002 Celica and half the price.)

Only problem is … now whats next!
N McNamara

If you come to MGF10, at Gaydon in October link here : http://fregister.proboards37.com/index.cgi?board=annoucements&action=display&thread=1117688695&page=1

You will find all mods known to man and beast, most will be available from the traders attending. To answer your question I would recommend an alloy 52mm throttle body, as you know where it is, you attached the K&N to it, you will like the response that gives, with 17% extra air flow.

There you can put faces to the names and have all your questions answered.

By the way, leave a first name, we're all a friendly bunch.

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

Thanks Adrian. This forum is defnatley much friendlier and much more useful than the celica and BMW forums I've been a member of before.

Unfortunately no trip to Gaydon for me, number #2 child (or #3 if you count the MGF) is due in October.

Cheers, Neal

(Hmmmm 52mm throttle body ... time for some sufing research)
N McNamara

Congratulations on the soon-to-be new arrival Neal!

If you need advice on how to spend you're hard earned cash, you've come to the right place! ROFLMAO

The usual pattern of bolt-on upgrades goes:
1. Air filter
2. Exhaust back box
3. 52mm throttle body (but your TF160 already has one of these)
4. Change the suspension dampers - Techspeed Bilsteins or adjustables from the likes of B&G and Mike Satur.
5. 4-2-1 exhaust manifold
6. Speak to the very nice Mr David Andrews and get your cylinder head ported and fit a slightly warmer exhaust cam to your VVC, and see close to 180bhp...

And then...

Okay, better stop there, but really, the pit is bottomless. ;o)
Rob Bell

Hmm, well Jaime will remember me saying about how I liked my orange indicators. Unfortunately that was rubbish, it must have been since I'm about to order the clear indicator kit!

The 52mm throttle body which Adrian mentioned a while back does sound tempting, but I need to stick to mods that aren't going to worry my insurance company too much! I think clear indicators are fairly harmless.

Emma
Emma Jackman


Thanks Rob ... looking forward to the new arrival!!

New exhaust & manifold would be very nice indeed. I went down the this route with my previous celica and spent nearly a grand on one of Mr. TRD's finest systems, enjoyed the results no end and was able to get most of that back when sold on eBay.

Is there a short-shift kit for the MGF? would be nice to have a shorter throw on the lever.

I would love to do the suspension ... but as you say the list is endless and with No.2 on their way I think I'll be saving up to buy another car so I can keep the MGF.

The most important, and first mod (of sorts) I did was the purchase of a 12x12 shed - contents of the garage moved and a nice warm home for MGF!
N McNamara

Neal,
Glad to see that Rob picked up on my ignorance that you have a a Trophy 160 therefore 52mm TB already.

Nice to see you have your priorities in order, I'm currently moving house so I can have a larger garage.

Short shift gear change, look here : http://www.mikesatur.co.uk/

or here :
https://emilion.ipl.co.uk/bg/index2.html?page=/cgi-bin/gen5&ffrunprog=bg&ffmode=securelogin&ffsn=bg.mgcars.org.uk&o=110574398731870

Hope this helps,

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

Try the Mike Satur slick shift this seems to be the recomended one, even fitting B&G's Bell Crank Assembly improved my transmission but the next time will go with my the first choice. After that go the exhaust, then the manifold and if you have any spare cash the Bilsteins. After all this then you can start to get serious !. Ha Ha Ha Ha
Andrew Regens

As Andrew says, there are three "Quick Shift" options available:

1. Mike Satur
2. Brown & Gammons/ Moss
3. Techspeed

I've got the latter, which I am very happy with. The only problem is that TS don't sell a kit, rather you pitch up and they do the work for you. Obviously not very practical for you, unless a visit to the Midlands is planned. The others are both available over mail order, and of the two, I'm with Andrew: go for the Mike Satur option. :o)
Rob Bell

Is there any other gain apart from the noise on a Trophy? I've often thought about fitting one on mine but have always been told there's no power gain due to the Trophy's improved filter.

Terry
Terry Curtis

Terry,
That's quite correct because the Trophy has already got the 52mm TB, there is a minimal power gain on that car with a K&N.

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

Really want to know what can be done ?
http://www.mgtf.be/MO_main.html
(the list isn't complete)

Erik

So, what would be the preferred mods to a new model tf160? the one with the new suspension, anti roll bars and glass rear screen? Im talking performance only, I love the look of the car already :)

Ian
soon to be just Herts again, moving back down south :)
Ian

Ian, what do you have to spend, and what are you looking for? :o) The Dark-side beckons I see! LOL

If you fancy a bit of noise, then perhaps a sports exhaust? But if you are after some serious performance, then it really boils down to the depth of your pockets. A 1.9 litre K-series with a ported big valve head, using Piper 1444 cams, multiple throttle bodies and suitable exhaust manifold should see you past 220bhp. It'll cost about 5k to build though!
Rob Bell

Ian,
I'd look into an exhaust system (4-2-1 manifold & back box) + an air induction system (enclosed cone filter).
Then some slight porting of the head + a hotter exhaust cam, then you should get 180 bhp :o)
Fabrice

Only 20bhp more? Has anyone ever fitted adjustable suspension, so I can have it softish for motorways, and nice and hard for summer A road blasts????????
Ian

Adjustable dampers are available from a number of sources Ian. I think that Mike Satur supplies Spax, and Brown and Gammons AVO.
Rob Bell

My F is fitted with AVO's but I left them on a firmish setting. This does make for a bouncy ride on rough country roads but great fun on the twisty bits!. On a TF I think it's the springs that need to be changed for an improvment in ride?.
Andrew Regens


Spent so much time researching i forgot to check back on the forum.

Terry - no noticable power gains, I did it purely for the sound.

I see Mike Satar has his SSK IV kit on special offer ... only problem is that is looks a bit tricky (for me anyway) to install.... and one give me a x/10 estimate for difficulty.

N McNamara

Fitting Bilsteins is said to have quite a dramatic effect upon ride quality Andrew, but yes, you're right - the X Power springs improve ride, as do the MY2005 suspension changes - it is the latter that Ian already has...

Not sure how the X Power springs compare to the new specification suspension. Wasn't Steve White considering doing this to his MY2005 TF?
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 12/09/2005 and 13/09/2005

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.