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Rover V8 into Sprite/MG Midget
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 4:09 am
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.
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 5:31 am
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
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 7:05 am
by mgrv8
ive wanted to do this for ages.... would love to see pics and know how you did it........ thanks
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 8:13 am
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
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 8:38 am
by kev_the_mole
Phil,
You found us at last!
Guys, let me introduce you to Phil, the doyen of UK Healey Drag Racing, he's been doing it longer than anyone else
Then
Now
Phil, the trophy will be a couple of weeks.
Cheers,
Ian
Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 9:59 am
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
Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 7:40 am
by mx5v8
Up at Silverstone Classic there was a MG Midget running a Rover V8 with four wheel drive, most impressive.
Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 8:55 am
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.
Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 9:47 am
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?
Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 4:29 pm
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.
Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 4:32 pm
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.
Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 7:00 pm
by ian.stewart
Come to think of it theres a M3 powered spridget over the hill from me,
Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 9:11 am
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
Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 8:00 am
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.)
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Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 8:14 am
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 place
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.)