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MG MGF Technical - Which Mods???

Hi guys

Now considering some mods to my beloved motor! (97 VVC)

Not sure what to go for first, so thought I'd throw it open to you lot :-)

1. Engine first or suspension first?
2. If the engine then K&N or Datyona (or similar) first?
3. Or if the suspension, Lowering kit or poly bushes first?

Or something completely different?

Thanks
Mark Catterall

IMHO, the most significant change you can make is the suspension. Lowered yes, but add stiffer dampers. You can't do better than go to Tech-Speed and take unique-spec Bilsteins as part of their suspension package. For that final suspension/ride height stability also take their 'nipple job' - independent hydragas for each corner. The result is a car that I guarantee will feel like a new beast - cornering on rails.

Dave
(1998 VVC)
Dave

Yep agree about suspension iv'e had lowering knuckles fitted to mine along with spax adjustable shocks and also had mike satur's suspension strengthening plates welded in engine bay recommended when fitting spax type shocks,took her around silverstone track at mg show last week gave her some wellie and as dave says above like cornering on rails.car also looks better with arches top of tyres,when done and can afford go for s/steel perfomance exhaust and k&n then really on your way, good luck Dave.
david morris

1. Polybushes.shocks/lowering/alignment.
2.Better brakes.
3.wheels/tyres
4.Power mods.
IMO.Mike.
mike

1, Suspension mods first. Techspeed are generally regarded as the best taking ride comfort into consideration as well as handling. Their shocks are softer than most but are progressive, whereas other brands tend to be a bit harsher. Either way if you are going down the shocks route speak to Mike Satur first and get hold of his mounting plates (he can also do a first rate job on lowering the car as well). Peace of mind. Poly bushes are also highly recommended, no point in lowering the car to gain handling benefits if they are lost to some degree by movement in the suspension geometry. Again, speak to Mike S. Lastly, 16" rims with 215 tyres are up to the job handling wise, IMO standard 15" Goodyear NCT3 tyres should be changed even if you are not planning on doing any mods!

2, This is a case of "do as i say, not as i do" Brakes should be uprated before any power mods. If you are only going down the 'bolt on' engine mods route then EBC Greenstuff pads all round and maybe thier Turbo Grooved discs are up to the job. Anything else engine wise and you should think about Mintex pads, braided hoses, master cylinder brace, or even (as i am about to do) 4 pot calipers.

3, Engine mods - definitely do the air filter first. This will provide the most performance gains. K+N 57i was "The Daddy", but now you should be thinking more along the lines of the Piper Viper or if you can run to it financially the ITG Maxogen. Exhausts do not give massive power gains, but they make the sound superb from the outside (air filters only really sound good on the inside of the car). They are also (generally) stainless steel and therefore will last longer than the standard 'peashooter' - most are guaranteed for life. Lastly they look superb too. Of the main ones, Mike's Daytona was the best performing system in our exhaust tests for MG World magazine, the SP/Miltek Supersports was a close second. Also consider the Pheonix as it appears to be a very well made system, although be sceptical about any power claims, the SP was claimed to produce similar power gains which were un-reproducable (by a big margin) during the tests, indeed none of the systems we tested came close to the +13bhp the SP was claimed to produce. Although the Pheonix was not included in our test group (it wasn't available then), they are claiming a similar power output to the SP and thus i am still a sceptic. Don't be put off though, it is still very well made, sounds nice and visually is quite striking.

SF
Scarlet Fever

This thread was discussed between 31/07/2002 and 02/08/2002

MG MGF Technical index

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