Rover V8 into Sprite/MG Midget

Post any info regarding parts for conversion and swaps.
and any posts regarding swaps help.

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Flying Phil
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Rover V8 into Sprite/MG Midget

Post by Flying Phil »

Hi all - new to this site but I have been running my Rover V8 powered Mk 1 (frogeye) Sprite since 1986. Drag raced it in the ""Rover Challenge" and used regularly on the street. If anybody wants info - happy to oblige.


Flying Phil

kiwicar
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Post by kiwicar »

lots of pictures please, I'v heard of many who have tried to do this and very few have succeded.
Best regards
Mike
poppet valves rule!

mgrv8
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Post by mgrv8 »

ive wanted to do this for ages.... would love to see pics and know how you did it........ thanks

kiwicar
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Post by kiwicar »

Many moons ago there was a '73/'74 round wheel arch midget with a jag v12 in it with, only 4" added to the wheelbase put in at the bulkhead before the wings (in that dreaded rusty door piller pannel) had a '928 transaxel and radiator in the boot so you could still get in the driver seat. Not sure what happend to it but is was some achievment to get it all in.
Best regards
Mike
poppet valves rule!

kev_the_mole
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Post by kev_the_mole »

Phil,

You found us at last! :D

Guys, let me introduce you to Phil, the doyen of UK Healey Drag Racing, he's been doing it longer than anyone else :shock:

Then

Image

Image

Now

Image


Phil, the trophy will be a couple of weeks.

Cheers,

Ian
Image


It's an engine Jim.....but not as we know it ;)

kiwicar
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Post by kiwicar »

Hi Phil
Welcome, so you are a mate of Ian's then. . . I think that may explain much. . . good hobby though sticking big V8's in pretty little cars and taking them drag racing. Now who else does that?
Best regards
Mike
poppet valves rule!

mx5v8
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Post by mx5v8 »

Up at Silverstone Classic there was a MG Midget running a Rover V8 with four wheel drive, most impressive.

ian.stewart
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Post by ian.stewart »

Welcome Phil, Strange how things go, I was talking about you with a mate the other week, wondering where all the challenge cars went, Steve Law certainly still has his escort, he was thinking about putting it back on the road.
THE SMOKING GNU
12.604 with an old boiler of a RV8 and no gas
WHY are there so many IANS on this site???????

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Post by DaveEFI »

mx5v8 wrote:Up at Silverstone Classic there was a MG Midget running a Rover V8 with four wheel drive, most impressive.
Just when does an MG Midget cease being an MG Midget? ;-)
Dave
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Flying Phil
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Post by Flying Phil »

Thanks all for the warm welcome - how do you post pictures on this forum? I have now found some of the Sprite build pics.
Flying Phil

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ChrisJC
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Post by ChrisJC »

mx5v8 wrote:Up at Silverstone Classic there was a MG Midget running a Rover V8 with four wheel drive, most impressive.
What transmission did that have in it?, surely not something from Land Rover?

Chris.
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ian.stewart
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Post by ian.stewart »

Come to think of it theres a M3 powered spridget over the hill from me,
THE SMOKING GNU
12.604 with an old boiler of a RV8 and no gas
WHY are there so many IANS on this site???????

mx5v8
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Post by mx5v8 »

ChrisJC wrote:
mx5v8 wrote:Up at Silverstone Classic there was a MG Midget running a Rover V8 with four wheel drive, most impressive.
What transmission did that have in it?, surely not something from Land Rover?

Chris.
I think it was from a Sierra 4x4

Flying Phil
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Post by Flying Phil »

As requested here are some pictures - hopefully! A slightly bent!! 1500 midget was purchased in April 1985 from a scrapyard. It was quickly stripped and parts sold - engine gearbox etc. The body panels were the removed and the floorpan straightened (A full 6 point rollcage would be added to make it a far stronger structure.)ImageImage[/img]
Flying Phil

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Post by Flying Phil »

Trial fitting of the Rover showed where problems would occur.
The top corners of the footwell were cut out, inverted and welded back in position. The transmission tunnel was cut out, widened and raised then rewelded in placeImage
The steering column was shortened, the front raised and fixed to the 1500 bumper support rail and an extra section with U/J added to bring the steering back to the rack(slightly rotated.)
Last edited by Flying Phil on Thu Dec 02, 2010 11:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
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