MG TF - Track / (not so) Fast Road Project

[georgefreeman918]

So here it is, my 2003 Sunspot Yellow MG TF.

I acquired the car at the back end of 2015, and since then it has been permanently off the road and garaged. I purchased the car from my brother who was going to sell it to webuyanycar.com, and I couldn't let it go.

Previous to my brother owning the car, it was owned by my father , so ultimately it was only right that it stayed in the family.

2003 MG TF
Sunspot Yellow
32k miles
1.8 Petrol
135bhp
Trophy 16" wheels
TT Stainless Exhaust



The car wasn't great cosmetically, but mechanically it had had all the relevant work done, including the compulsory head gasket.

Somehow, both door handle mechanisms were snapped, so this was the first port of call. Unfortunately I couldn't find any in sunspot yellow so I purchased some blue ones and painted them - not a bad match for a first attempt.



The interior was also looking quite tired, and I didn't like all the grey plastic. Upon seeing an image of the later revised Le500 interior, I sprayed all interior panels gloss black to smarten it up - I just need to get a new steering wheel badge.





Plans are to track it, something I have never properly done. I have found MGOT (MG's on track) which are designated track days for MG's which seems to be a good starting point.

Plans are to currently improve:

- Suspension
- Brakes
- Increase stiffness
- Reduce weight

At the end of the day, its not going to be setting any lap times, but I am sure with a few focused modifications, can prove to be a fun, enjoyable track / weekend car.

Edited by georgefreeman918 on Saturday 21st October 21:49

[Hoofy]

If it's anything like my MGF with its half full hydragas, then it's going to be a lot of fun on track!

[300bhp/ton]

Hoofy said:

If it's anything like my MGF with its half full hydragas, then it's going to be a lot of fun on track!

No hydro gas on a TF.

[georgefreeman918]

Hoofy said:

If it's anything like my MGF with its half full hydragas, then it's going to be a lot of fun on track!

No hydrogen here unfortunately, traditional dampers and springs!

[georgefreeman918]

300bhp/ton said:

Hoofy said:

If it's anything like my MGF with its half full hydragas, then it's going to be a lot of fun on track!

No hydro gas on a TF.

Beat me to it!

[castex]

I like it.

[georgefreeman918]

This week saw me take delivery of my new suspension units.

I have opted for Spax shock absorbers with Eibach Springs, reducing ride height by round 20mm.

I knew it was going to be straight forward. 14 years of road grime and salt had worked it way onto all surfaces and crucially bolt heads. Most came off with a lot of swearing, but others required further attention. Finally all bolts were off and the old suspension units on the rears were removed.

DSC00675 by George Freeman, on Flickr

At some point in its history, the rear callipers had been painted red and some of the suspension arms had been painted in Hammerite. I wanted to give the car a layer of under body seal so opted to do it at this stage, whilst the shock absorbers were removed.

DSC00676 by George Freeman, on Flickr

Whilst waiting for the paint to dry (didn't take long with the help of Storm Brian) I dismantled the old suspension units and built up the new shock absorbers and springs. They are adjustable dampers, (through a number of clicks) so will be looking online for optimum settings - I have read 12 clicks front, 15 back, but obviously depends on preference and conditions of use.

Shiny new units.

DSC00679 by George Freeman, on Flickr

Fitted. If you notice in this picture, I had actually fitted them the incorrect way round (damper adjuster not facing outwards) so had to remove and refit correctly. Doh!

DSC00677 by George Freeman, on Flickr

That was all for today, I will start on the fronts next weekend.

On an additional note, I have purchased some 4 pot AP brakes and 280mm discs that were fitted to the 160 Trophy for the front - I will probably just upgrade the discs and pads at the rear, after painting them properly. I've also purchase a full set of Goodridge braided hoses.

[BlueHave]

Almost criminal if you had traded into wearegangsters for a few hundred

[georgefreeman918]

BlueHave said:

Almost criminal if you had traded into wearegangsters for a few hundred

Exactly! The rate at which these cars are being purchased and broken for parts is incredible. Im hoping one day it will be a classic as numbers drastically reduce - its got all the right ingredients.

British made, manual, naturally aspirated, same engine as an Elise.

[soxboy]

Following this with interest. My FiL has a 04 plate TF for which he was recently offered £150 from WBAC, given that it's a bit tatty I imagine their onsite valuation may end up at nil!

If it wasn't for already having a Boxster I'd be taking it off his hands, I would like the idea of a project and this thread has given me some food for thought.

[georgefreeman918]

soxboy said:

Following this with interest. My FiL has a 04 plate TF for which he was recently offered £150 from WBAC, given that it's a bit tatty I imagine their onsite valuation may end up at nil!

If it wasn't for already having a Boxster I'd be taking it off his hands, I would like the idea of a project and this thread has given me some food for thought.

If you have space to store it, do it. I bought this for a few hundred quid a couple of years ago and have only just got round to starting to do some work on it.

I can’t believe any car is worth £150ish, let alone a mid engined ‘sports car’. It will end up scrapped if it goes to WBAC, don’t let another go to the grave!

[BlueHave]

georgefreeman918 said:

BlueHave said:

Almost criminal if you had traded into wearegangsters for a few hundred

Exactly! The rate at which these cars are being purchased and broken for parts is incredible. Im hoping one day it will be a classic as numbers drastically reduce - its got all the right ingredients.

British made, manual, naturally aspirated, same engine as an Elise.

Some people hear the term ' K series' and run a mile because they've heard all the stories about head gaskets etc. The truth is if you look after it and are fairly handy with a set of spanners it's not a big deal.

Most MGF owners now are mad about them so most examples are extremely well maintained and all the rusty lemons have gone to the scrappy in the sky.

[SloppyClock]

Ah gawd I wish I still owned my MG TF 115. BRG, cream and black alcantara interior, wood steering wheel/center console. TF's are under-rated cars, the only draw back imo is the driving position being a bit to high. But the sound from the k-series, even in 1.6 form, was lovely with a MK7 TT exhaust.

Going to be watching this thread with jealously, closely.

[georgefreeman918]

SloppyClock said:

Ah gawd I wish I still owned my MG TF 115. BRG, cream and black alcantara interior, wood steering wheel/center console. TF's are under-rated cars, the only draw back imo is the driving position being a bit to high. But the sound from the k-series, even in 1.6 form, was lovely with a MK7 TT exhaust.

Going to be watching this thread with jealously, closely.

Driving position is on the high side, I am 6"3 and my knees do sometimes hit the bottom of the steering wheel. I have been looking for suitable replacements (lower) or mounting the seat subframes a little lower.

TT exhaust sounds great - just got to remember to stuff the right hand tail pipe for MOT time.

[covmutley]

I'm guessing there is quite a bit of tuning potential on the engine?

[georgefreeman918]

covmutley said:

I'm guessing there is quite a bit of tuning potential on the engine?

Why do you guess? I think that reliability was a concern even in standard form. I am not planning any engine modifications apart from the already fitted TT exhaust, new panel filter and spark plugs.

[300bhp/ton]

georgefreeman918 said:

covmutley said:

I'm guessing there is quite a bit of tuning potential on the engine?

Why do you guess? I think that reliability was a concern even in standard form. I am not planning any engine modifications apart from the already fitted TT exhaust, new panel filter and spark plugs.

Head gasket hysteria was rife in the U.K. media because it was a British car. And they thought it cool to constantly publicly call them out. Despite the fact many other car makers have similar issues with engines.

The K-Series is a wonderful engine and highly tunable. Hence why Caterham and Lotus both used it as well as a loads of other small scale car makers.

[Ilovejapcrap]

I went past a garage recently and all it sold were these

[georgefreeman918]

Ilovejapcrap said:

I went past a garage recently and all it sold were these

Somewhere along the A1?

[georgefreeman918]

300bhp/ton said:

georgefreeman918 said:

covmutley said:

I'm guessing there is quite a bit of tuning potential on the engine?

Why do you guess? I think that reliability was a concern even in standard form. I am not planning any engine modifications apart from the already fitted TT exhaust, new panel filter and spark plugs.

Head gasket hysteria was rife in the U.K. media because it was a British car. And they thought it cool to constantly publicly call them out. Despite the fact many other car makers have similar issues with engines.

The K-Series is a wonderful engine and highly tunable. Hence why Caterham and Lotus both used it as well as a loads of other small scale car makers.

Very true, I hadn’t really thought much about h at other cars the engine was used in. Might have to start browsing and get some ideas.