MG Sports Cars

Put one of these in your Midget and let the fun begin ! They weigh just a tad over 200lb's !
This is a Ford Zetec fitted with two 45's and there are loads of low mileage engines for three or four hundred dollars . They are 140 hp and with two Webers can be tuned to 190 to 200 hp , 100 less lb's and three or four times the HP ! They fit with little work , take a T5 or T9 and will make a little Midget fly !


If you want to get a little creative you can order these , with or without the flairs !


And build something like this :


Or go completely wild !




Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/28/2010 05:24PM by B-Fast B-Strong.

This is not my idea it has been done, well in a sprite, same thing. MG Midgets are cheep and you can put together a quick little car and have a lot fun with it , get good gas mileage and I believe be able to get your money out of it if you grow tired of it !





Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/28/2010 03:21AM by B-Fast B-Strong.

My favorite is the new Duratec , they are in the new Rangers and Focus and they are all aluminum and weigh 203 lb's as opposed to the 240lb's of the Zetec . You will pay a little more for them right now 600.00 to 1,000.00 but they are almost 40lb's lighter. You can get the bell housing and stand alone stuff for them too and the exhaust and intake are reversed so the exhaust is easier to run out the passenger side of the car. Another advantage is their head is better and they make more power 300 to 400 Hp , holly cow !!!!! Talk about a tire boiling , fish tailing monster , this would have to be a hand full. Sounds like fun to me, drift car anyone !!!!




This engine with a T5 just a tad over 300 lb's , Trans and all ! Oh baby , come to Papa !!!



Edited 6 time(s). Last edit at 06/16/2010 11:48PM by B-Fast B-Strong.

Will, What company makes the flared Sprite fiberglass parts?

Jim,

Here you go my friend ! Scroll down and click on MK1 Bugeye fiberglass .

Will

[www.spridgetech.com]

I'm guessing that new duratec won't fit in my '64 B, will it. I'm shopping for a new motor as we speak!

Should be able to make it work, if it will fit in a Sprite! Tranny might be tight because of narrow tunnel.There have been a few GM Ecotech (Cobalt,Solstice/Ske,Colorado/Canyon) in B's. I thought you were leaning V6. Also check out the 4.5/4.9 Caddy thread on this forum.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/2010 07:24PM by mgb260.

I don't know WHAT to lean towards. I'm in full blown research mode right now. Lots of differing opinions out there! Here's what I know so far:

1. I want a new (crate) engine if possible
2. I want lots of torque and power
3. I want reliability
4. I want 5 speeds

Other than that, I'm clueless! I'll definitely check the caddy thread you are referring me to. any help offered is certainly appreciated!

Greg

Lots of options,Greg. The Caddy will swap directly wherever a 60 degree V6 can. Same bellhousing as the V6. Same weight because of aluminum block. Cheap junkyard engine prices(I paid $200), long blocks from rebuilders around $1500(comparable to V6 crate motor prices),200HP/275 Ft Lbs Torque stock. If I ever get the time, I am developing a kit like the V6 and 302 ones that are out there now.Motor mounts,tranny mount,headers,patch panels for firewall for chrome bumper models,instructions,etc.Plus carb,water pump and distributor conversions.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/2010 07:23PM by mgb260.

IMHO and from personal experience you'll have far more problems fitting any 90 degree V engine 6 or 8 into a Spridget than either a 60 degree V6 or an inline 4. The wider engines will require much more surgery to the footwells which is pretty limited in a Spridget to start with. Just take a look at the cutting required for this 302 and you'll understand why I'd advise a 60 degree V6 or a 4. [forum.britishv8.org]

Bill, I agree, for a Spridget. We were off topic a bit.Greg was talking about his MGB.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/16/2010 12:44PM by mgb260.

You can get a Duratec engine and a 5 speed transmission from a Ford Ranger 07 or later, that is a 2.3 L and has I think 154hp . Putting this package in a MGB would work great , you can tune these engines to 200hp easy and they weigh a lot less than the stock 4 banger and tranny ! Change pistons , rods and cams and get 300hp+ or turbo charge it and get over 600hp , yes that has been done ! That should get even the little bit heavier MGB going. If you are going with the turbo you will have to opt for a T5 heavy duty trans and Quads4Rods makes a bell housing to fit that to this great little engine.

Greg,
If you have to have new, I have seen new Zertec engines go for as low as 750.00 , they have been replaced by the Duratec and I think Ford had a lot of them left over , resellers must have got great prices on large lots of these, there was one on Ebay a little while back for 750.00 . Ford has them as new crate engines they are more money , but for a new engine CHEAP ! Heads don't breath as well as the Duratec and they weigh 40lb more but they are a great engine.
William

Think I've pretty much decided on:

HT 3.4L crate engine
[paceperformance.com]
$2,000.00
T5 Transmission
[www.jegs.com]
$1,300.00

Brand new...should be sufficient power. Any nay sayers?

Sounds like a winner Greg. I think you'll be more than pleased.

Greg,

Only thought, this is an all iron engine which is going to be pretty heavy, isn't there an alloy head version with a bettter cam with 200ish BHP. which shouldn't be much heavier than a 215 V8 and have more sporting characteristics.

Kevin.

Kevin, The 3.4 is a small 60 degree V6 and even though iron, probably weighs close to the 215. Plus the weight is back further without the 2 front cylinders. There was a discussion about using the newer 3500 aluminum heads on the 3.4 on the MGB Experience board. Greg could do that later on if he wanted.I think you end up with 11.5 compression though.Also he needs a bellhousing with GM V6 pattern on engine side and Ford pattern on trans side. Jeep 2.5 or 2.8 or newer Camaro or Firebird. Or if he has a GM bellhousing already, Bill Guzman GM to Ford Adapter plate.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/18/2010 11:21PM by mgb260.

Kevin, surprisingly both the iron head V6 and the 215 are both a bit lighter than the original B series engine, so there's no weight penalty with the swap.

Greg,
A lot of people are happy with that combo, you can get a kit and it is an easy build. You should get years of enjoyment !
William