Engine Swaps - Difficult?
Discussion
As per the title really, I am looking at getting a classic, an MG Midget harking back to one we had when I was a kid, and swapping in a more powerful engine.
I know one end of a spanner from another but this will be a first for me. Was thinking about a Vauxhall XE or Duratec swap but not sure if running on carbs would be easier than injection?
I have seen that I may need bellhousing adaptors for the gearbox dependant on type, probably a ford sierra or similar, and was thinking that I’d probably need a bespoke driveshaft but hopefully the standard rear end would be ok.
Presumably the fuel pump would need to be upgraded at the same time as well as brakes etc.
Really trying to get an idea of difficulty and additional parts that may be needed.
I have mates who can help out with anything I can’t do like welding, repainting etc so I’m not worried about anything being beyond me. Any help greatly appreciated!
I know one end of a spanner from another but this will be a first for me. Was thinking about a Vauxhall XE or Duratec swap but not sure if running on carbs would be easier than injection?
I have seen that I may need bellhousing adaptors for the gearbox dependant on type, probably a ford sierra or similar, and was thinking that I’d probably need a bespoke driveshaft but hopefully the standard rear end would be ok.
Presumably the fuel pump would need to be upgraded at the same time as well as brakes etc.
Really trying to get an idea of difficulty and additional parts that may be needed.
I have mates who can help out with anything I can’t do like welding, repainting etc so I’m not worried about anything being beyond me. Any help greatly appreciated!
It depends on the engine and car you're doing the swapping with, of course, but fitting the suggested units into a Midget is certainly not a straightforward swap.
As you suggest, the Midget axle breaks halfshafts even with a tuned A-series engine, so an XE or Duratec will eat them for breakfast. Brakes and handling will certainly need upgrading, too, unless you have a deathwish. With that sort of power, the standard quarter-elliptic or semi-elliptic springs will tramp like a b
d, so you'll need to think about better axle location.
Suggest you speak to Frontline, if you've not already done so: they will be able to supply most of the parts you need as they have a well-established K-series conversion that does much the same job (have you considered the K-series? Apart from it being a well developed package, its rather lighter than the XE and Duratec, so inherently better balanced in a Midget).
As you suggest, the Midget axle breaks halfshafts even with a tuned A-series engine, so an XE or Duratec will eat them for breakfast. Brakes and handling will certainly need upgrading, too, unless you have a deathwish. With that sort of power, the standard quarter-elliptic or semi-elliptic springs will tramp like a b
d, so you'll need to think about better axle location.Suggest you speak to Frontline, if you've not already done so: they will be able to supply most of the parts you need as they have a well-established K-series conversion that does much the same job (have you considered the K-series? Apart from it being a well developed package, its rather lighter than the XE and Duratec, so inherently better balanced in a Midget).
As well as the suspension/axle strength concerns you must also be very confident about the chassis strength. You have no idea how badly the chassis has rusted inside.
An optin is the Frogeye kit from Tifosi. A GF body you fit to a stripped Midget/Sprite chassis. For your plans the best bit is that new chassis are available and can be ordered with suspension conversions already catered for.
Steve
An optin is the Frogeye kit from Tifosi. A GF body you fit to a stripped Midget/Sprite chassis. For your plans the best bit is that new chassis are available and can be ordered with suspension conversions already catered for.
Steve
Skyedriver said:
Remember an MG Midget conversion back in the 70's (Hot Car magazine remember that) called an Atlantic (I think) had a a Crossflow fitted
More recent Midget conversions use a toyota gearbox but agree you'll need to beef up the rear axle
Atlantis, I had one back in teh 1980's, until girlfriend stuck it in a ditch, great funMore recent Midget conversions use a toyota gearbox but agree you'll need to beef up the rear axle
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