15 replies to this topic

[roofless]

A work colleague is buying an MG midget so he can join the corderoy and tank top brigade, but we were wondering whether the old 1380 coming out of my mini will swap straight into his midget?

many thanks for any advice.

[miniboo]

yes it is an a series but it is completly different as it is inline rather than transverse. crank etc etc

moved to technical aswell

[dklawson]

It's the same... only different.

As mentioned, being inline there are some significant differences between the blocks (and cranks). However, all the same running/tuning issues apply to the Midget. There are also quite a number of engine parts that can be swapped back and forth (heads, cams, etc.)

[Ethel]

The last midgets had a 1500 Triumph lump.

The newest A series you could fit would be from a Montego or Maestro but as you just have to bolt a gearbox to the end of the propshaft lots of other swaps are possible.

[roofless]

yes it is an a series but it is completly different as it is inline rather than transverse. crank etc etc

moved to technical aswell

thanks boo.

[roofless]

The last midgets had a 1500 Triumph lump.

The newest A series you could fit would be from a Montego or Maestro but as you just have to bolt a gearbox to the end of the propshaft lots of other swaps are possible.

montego? what engine was that ? was it a 1300?

[Ethel]

1275 A plus similar spec to the MG Metro

[Bungle]

if the engines being changed then why not phone front line and get a K series conversion

[Ethel]

Just read my Montego post, might be misleading...

It had an inline A plus crank but was transverse mounted with a VW gearbox.

Anything that can be mated to the midgets propshaft and will fit under the bonnet could be made to work.

[annodomini2]

Depends what year it is. As a rule of thumb:

Genuine Chrome bumper ones are A-Series.

Rubber bumper ones have a crappy 1500 triumph engine.

[roofless]

its definitely an original old pup - can a mini engine be swapped straight in is really the question I ought to have asked - do we need to change the crank? We are assuming to use the original clutch and gearbox but just want to breath new life into it with a 1380 bottom end I have spare from the cabriolet.

thanks

martin.

[roofless]

if the engines being changed then why not phone front line and get a K series conversion

I showed him these - hes a bit short of funds untill he sells his laverda, and also scared of anything too fast.

[miniboo]

yes you will need to change the crank but i think the block itself is different aswell

[Guess-Works.com]

Only minor differences, all the essential bits and bobs are the same and hence compatable...

If you're using a normally tranverse engine in a rwd application, then there will be some mods required like threading the oil pickup junction and drilling a couple of holes for mounting plates etc

But I suspect if you wanted to use a later model A+, then the montego and masetro blocks are probably the ones to look for.. ( and no they are not the same spec as an MG Metro ) they are failry tame and gutless...

[roofless]

thanks for all the info -invaluable !!

so i guess the easier route is to keep his long stroke 1098 bottom end, source a decent 12G295 head, big valve it and improve carbs and exhaust ?

do you think i could get 70-80 horsepower and reasonable torque from a 1098?? thats what he is aiming for. its currently producing 48.

thanks

martin.