MG Midget

[caffeine]

Since the budget for this year is pretty much spent on the car, the only thing we're likely to try is the 3.50:1 gears, because they're already in hand. This is more a race car than a street car but it's likely to spend as much time at the autoX track as at the drag strip.

Honestly I really like the gear spacing of the V8 T5 and the 0.63 5th is still totally useable. In fact you could probably cruse around town in 5th gear if you wanted to.

The other downside of using a wide ratio T5 is that a new clutch disc would have to be purchased. (14 spline vs. 26 spline).

Regardless, we're going to make its first event on the 25th which is 1/16th mile drag racing. We'll get to try out the slicks, dial in the 2-step for launching, and find out if the 4.11s are too steep to grip 1st gear.

[BMC]

Nice build!

Since this already has an S10 tailshaft, you could swap it out for a complete S10 T5 with wide ratio and a 3.0 rear end gear ratio. Your 1st gear would be about the same and this car is VERY light, even compared to the MGBs I build. Close ratio gear sets such as the Camaro V8 T5 are for heavy cars or engines with a very limited power band. This is neither of those! Another great feature of the w-i-d-e ratio T5 is the 5th gear is a closer ratio. It is better in most cases to have a wide ratio bottom end and a close ratio top end unless the car is built for drag racing and 5th gear is ONLY to drive the car home and not for daily street use.

There is a list of T5 gearboxes on the britishv8.org as well as other Midget builds in the forums there.

-BMC.

[young gun]

So awesome. Sounds so wonderful

[Purple pit]

Not sure if you saved the car, but it sounds like you gave it another chance.

[ForcedFirebird]

I bet the torque curve is more pleasing

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No comparison. I have several friends who run charged and N/A Miatas on the road courses.

[caffeine]

MG Midget

He says there's no comparison power wise. It blows the 4 banger away. He used to be able to use full throttle without constantly burning rubber

[pocket-rocket]

I bet the torque curve is more pleasing

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[1QUICKHATCH]

What is the power difference like over the turbo 4cyl? And is he happy with it now? Looks like it would be a fun car!

[caffeine]

The owner is a friend's old boss. This project started because the owner had just blown up his second 1.8 turbo Miata engine, after blowing up a Mazda 2.2 turbo engine previously. He's only driven the car at 4 events in 10 years.

He was pretty much ready to scrap the car despite all the money spent and I said, Hey why don't we put in a reliable V6 that's super cheap, common, and relatively new?? I also mentioned how I was pretty sure people put them in MGs all the time...

After about two months of contemplating he finally decided to go ahead with the project . I wasn't aware at the time how different the Midget is from a regular MGB.

As a result of the previous swaps, the Ford 8" was already built with a custom 4-link setup, 4.11s installed, trans tunnel was already cut, and custom dash was already made.

We didn't really need to modify anything further to fit the engine. Frame didn't need any cutting and the hood already had a big hood scoop on it which was made to clear the 2.2 engine.

[Purple pit]

Wow.... You guys seem to have some nice things just waiting to go on. Must be how this project started!

[carbon]

As it sits now...

Midget T5 4.11FDR

[caffeine]

We have some 15" slicks it's just a matter of finding some 15" wheels with te right offset. Might be buying some today though

[Purple pit]

Well I guess what's on hand is worth a try. Got to agree with 3400 Mod though.
Got to be damn hard to find street slicks in the size needed. May need some wheelie bars (lol)

[3400-95-Modified]

Yes it WOULD make 1st gear usable again... somewhat... LOL

[caffeine]

The owner already has a set of 3.5s so if we change gears it will get 3.5s. 4.11s to 3.5s WOULD be a pretty big difference IMO