View Full Version : Another idea for a project... Opinions??
Robbo83
08-03-03, 05:57 PM
how does this sound: c.1955 MG MGA with a 2L turbo engine (SR20, 3SGTE, EJ20, 4G63...)?
The MGA weighs between 850 and 900kgs, so the conversion would be street legal in NSW, and those engines can produce some big HP.
Alternative idea was an Austin-Healey Sprite with a 1.8L turbo engine (CA18, 4G93, etc.). The Sprite is lighter still (<800kg) and the 1.8s can still make good power.
What do people think of those? I'm not sure I can afford either projects atm, so I'm really just spitballing here...
Cheers,
Robbo
Robbo83
08-03-03, 09:42 PM
Oh, and if it was your project, which engine would u choose?
- Robbo
dattoman1000
08-03-03, 09:52 PM
hmmmmm
old English car with no handling or brakes with 3-400 HP
Those engine bays are alittle crampt too.....would any of these actually fit ??
Nice idea.....but I'd suggest alittle more thought and some measuring
those engines would not fit into the MGA and they are also a twisty old barge with no brakes and limited handling (also a solid steering column which was popular in 50/60's which is why there is an 'impaled' section in the crash stats for motor car deaths for that period).
The midget is better choice and early sprite has flip front. Still a twisty thing but better suspension (not that good but better than the MGA). There has been a couple around with 13BT's...in fact was one for sale a couple of weeks ago in autoaction.
Would always be better to go for a clubman than these cars.
What I did see last weekend at Calder was a bolwell Ikari with a 16V VW golf engine. It was a rocketship (good driver too) that handled far far better than I thought it would and had faster lap times (by report...not on the day) at the lotus elise that is occasionall sprinted. You would need to contact the bolwell club to find one though. Ugly car to look at.
boosted
09-03-03, 06:42 PM
Originally posted by dattoman1000
old english car with no handling...
no handling??? the old man has a mark 1 sprite, beautiful handeling, drives like a go-kart with not far from standard suspension (uprated springs+shocks and a front swaybar)
Bowell Ikara: there were only about 20 built and I don't know how many are actually still alive.
As for old pommy cars...nice idea but the rust/dodgy electrics/ poor build quality/ poor dynamics and inflated prices will always haunt you.
Old British cars? Run away! Run away!!
Bolwell buit 41 (supposedly) and again supposedly 30+ survive, so what's the big deal? There are two of my car in Australia so 30+ seems like a large number. Much easier to mod a non production car such as the Bolwell.
what about Hillman imp with 1300cc motorcycle engine ala' ledgends etc. Is becoming popular in kit cars for mid engine and basic imp will cost from $200 (plus $3k for the wrecked bike)...not a sensible idea I know but neither is the MG!
Billzilla
10-03-03, 06:39 PM
Something I've wanted to try for a long time is along the lines of a stock looking Suzuki Swift GTi.
The only thing that would make it stand out is that it'd have two exhaust pipes out the back and it's sound a bit louder, and when taking off in a hurry all four wheels would spin.
Of course, sitting in the rear would be a complete extra engine & gearbox assembly. :D
Bowell club site talks about a production run of 20.
Nero what car do you have ???
Nero, I remember a long time ago (15 yrs) seeing an Imp at an Oran Park supersprint, it had a PP13B stuffed in the back, probably used a VW transaxle, went like hell. Admittedly it was a sports sedan & wasn't registered, but it would make a pretty entertaining road car if you could ever register something like that.
Robbo, you'd wreck the value of an MGA puting a jap engine in, howabout super/turboing a B series engine, would keep it kind of original, and as the others have said, you probably wouldn't want to put to much power into an MGA.
autospare galore have an imp out the back. seems reasonably rust free and as they are closing I'd expect a price of less that $100. The bike conversion would be nice if you'd like the 6sp sequential box and a 12,000rpm limit! With the wheelbase it would be entertaining...just a toy of course. I admired the reverse arrangements used on the bike conversions. The rear central disc being cogged and then a 1kW starter motor as reverse drive, very neat. No emissions hassles with such a 'vintage' car. The rotary idea is even more scary.
Spamgirl I own a Rochdale Olympic for my sins! The production number was from an employee of bolwell fibreglass who is a Bolwell club member...with such things who know what the truth is?
What's wrong with stepping back from the "Fullesik" option and putting a MX-5 motor into a Sprite?
Problem with all that old pommy shit is that you're better off with a stock MX-5. If you want to do the "original" type thing, then fine, but once you start modding, and later car is a million times more sensible...
If you want BIG hP, with light weight (I'm assuming this is a big motivating factor), then get an 808 or a 1600 or something. Still go like the clappers, still scare you stupid (and for good reason!), but a lot better than an Midget/Sprite and a LOT better than a bloody MGA.
CXTdreamer
31-03-03, 07:55 PM
Midget/Sprite with a rotor.... they fit and it works
Alternatively...
Spitfire 1500 or a Mk4, and fit a 2500PI engine or a Toyota 1JZ or 2JZ
Quick way to write a car off though
I miss the old "chuck a v8 in it mate" attitude that my father still has. Way back when was a youngin (25 years ago) he stumbled upon two MGB wrecks, and just happened to have a rebuilt 350chev on his workshop floor....
standard Diff housing, capri centre, 2spd powerglide, biggest tyres that would fit under the back, 12.6 down the quarter on his second time on a race track (mucho's wheelspinno's). I'll get arround to scanning pictures one day.
Chuck a v8 in one!
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