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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - frontline conversion

Hi after having had my midget rebuilt about a year ago i intend to have the front suspension uprated with the Frontline kit. As i have never driven a midget with it fitted does it really make a difference for normal road use? Also the type9 gearbox conversion is next but do i stick with the original diff or change that as well while im at it? Any replies gratefully received.
c p Page

I've used the FL front susp kit for over 10 years. I would not go back to the original setup.

What's 'normal road use'? I have enjoyed competing in MGCC Speed Championship, as well as brisk driving on HM highways. I like the consistency, control and predictability of the car with this conversion.

If you're starting off with susp mods, I would first try an 11/16 a/r bar. For improvement per £, this is the best value you can get. The increase in stability on straights and corners is a joy.

The FL kit takes this one step further.

I use original diff with the T9 box.

A
Anthony Cutler

I put the frontline kit on my Frogeye last summer, and I still haven't decided whether I prefer it.

Before, I would have described the front ride and handling as 'lively', and I think I liked it. Now the front ride and handling are solid and dead.

I think it is more precise, but I'm not convinced. My MkII is old-style, without even an ARB, and I drive the two more or less alternately on the twisty roads around here. I could do without the front body roll on the MkII, but I think I prefer the 'feel'.

Two last things to say :- (i) I don't REALLY push my Sprites, and (ii) since setting the damper adjustment knobs to the middle setting on day one, I haven't experimented yet.
Nick

Anthony

I think I read that if you install a larger front bar, you may have to reinforce the mounting points?

I've browsed so many sights now, that I don't remember where I saw it.

Does that sound right to you?

Dave
Dave Rhine ('78 1500)

Dave

The problem is not so much the mounts as the spot welds on the chassis rails. Even with a standard bar, these welds can tear off. I had this and so I got the chassis rails seam welded along to 3-4 inches alongside the mounts. No problems sice even with a heavier anti-roll bar.

Chris H (1970 Midget 1275)

Yes, now I remember.

Thanks
Dave Rhine ('78 1500)

Sounds like the start of a long slippery slope, FL front suspension, T9 gearbox,then your need more power, then better brakes, then better rear suspension, then more power, then better brakes again, then better suspension again, then more power... oh thats my car :-)
I would fit the FL front suspension with a bigger ARB, beef the ARB mounts up as it can make mid corner handling interesting when they rip off of the chassis. Leave the gearbox until your 4 speed dies, but keep an eye out for a T9 on ebay in the meantime.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

Ditto the above RE: reinforcing the ARB mounting points. Been there with my 3/4" bar, and they pulled right out. Technically, the spot welds failed on the chassis rails (right on, Chris), and allowed the lower rail skins to flex up and down under load until the mounts ripped out. A friend was kind enough to supply his welding skills and equipment, and we replaced those sections with 1/8" stock - welded the mounts to these heavier patches, and then seam-welded the patches around three sides to affix them to the rails. (We couldn't get to the back edge of each due to the front wishbone mounts being in the way.)So far, they're still solid.

Hope this helps,

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

the FL kit is the most cost effective way of getting a solid front end with adjustable shocks.
the ARB is the most economic upgrade to your front suspention but does not solve the crappy shocks.

Nick if yours feals dead than check you wheel alignment!
i have them set to zero ( no toe in or out) and it is realy nice and responsive.

As for the 5 speed forget it!
get a long diff and enjoy a good ribcase!
that 5 speed will never be as smooth through the gears.
And the gear stick can not be put in the proper position!
Onno Könemann

speaking of type 9 5 speed, i got my new moss cat. in the mail yesterday...$3,800 for a complete conversion kit...WOW!!! and No its not a new box but a rebuilt one, for that price you can get a susukie swift car, and switch out the entire drive train and still have money left over to buy a burger and fries

Brad you are correct,

Once you start down that road there is NO place to stop, the mods just keep going and going.

I really like my 5 speed over the old ribby but its a datsun...Id certianly ask around and see if you can take someone that has a 5 speed for a spin, Onno (A great guy) is one of those concourse purist...LOL

Prop
Prop

Onno, yes you can.
Plus you gain two more gears, a useable 1st & a 5th. Ribcase boxes are made of chocolate, i've destroyed 6 of them where as the T9 is still going well with the bigger Ford clutch, oh & the T9 doesn't howl like a banchee either.
Perhaps you need a bit more grunt in the engine department?
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

Brad
i still have not seen a type 9 that fits the gearstick in the old metal cover with just the normal rubber thingy to seal it off!

A 1380 (in a mk II so purist?!) gives all the power i need and a good ribcase will take it.

sure if you go the blown (sc or tubo) route you might need it or if you throw in a K-series.

but with an A-series a ribcase is my preference.

i have driven several 5 speeds (ranging from k's to turbo's) and i just do not like the shifting.
Onno Könemann

A TVR gearstick does the job for me, puts it back to where the 4 speeder was.


Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

Great that it works for you
But it looks like sh*t and does not fit under the std cover/gaiter.
Onno Könemann

Onno,
One can shorten the tail housing on the T9 box - in which case the gearlever comes out in pretty well the same point as the ribcase one and uses the standard cover/gaiter.

Guy
Guy Weller

You sound tetchy today Onno, whats the matter is your local cafe shut on a Sunday? Go make yourself a pancake instead.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

Just been told by the wife that the gearstick does look sh*t & to stop picking fights. I'll be in the coffee shop if anyone wants me.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

Guy i have not seen one with just the painted metal cover and rubber gaiter.
i have seen shortend remote that come close.

Brad it might have been the pub that had been open to late last night ;)

i just realy like the look of an original mkII (or anny toggle typ switch one) interior.
And personaly can not see my self changing it to ad a 5th gear witch is imho te only advantage of the T9.
the speed limits in holland are so that you get around perfectly with a 4speed and long diff
Onno Könemann

Onno,
My year car doesn't have the painted metal cover, just the rubber cover and leather gaiter. But the gear lever is in the right place, although on mine it is very short - I keep meaning to weld an extension on it to bring it up to the nprmal length.

But I do have those nice toggle switches. They don't only look good, but have a very nice satisfying click as they are used. Apparently Honda spent a fortune and years of research to get the "feel" of their switches right!
Guy Weller

Onno,
who needs a pub to have a fight, thats an English thing.
Really the 1st gear is the major bonus of the T9, unless your doing silly speeds, i'm in 4th most of the time on A-roads. Saying tha, i have wound the speedo all the way around to the bump stop in 5th, nice big hill on the motorway. I've a 140mph one to send for recal now.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

Personally brad

I like the shifter handle,

I got to tell ya, having a 5 th gear for driving down the interstate is a HUGE Plus, At 70 miles per hour, the RPMs come in around 4300 IIRC, but with the 5th gear is like 3700 RPM IIRC, So not only does it keep up better with the large 18 wheel trucks, it runs quiter and the gas milage saved is a good extra 12 miles to the gallon for interstate driving at speeds of 70-80 MPH.

plus the datsun, and I guess the type 9, are so well engineered, install it change the fluids at the correct times and forget it, It never wears out, while the ribby needs rebuilt every 30-40 thousand miles according to the posting we see here

I think the 5 speed is like a hi torque starter, your ither going to like it and wont wont to live without it, or you will fight and hate it all the way.

Prop
Prop

Prop, this must be the first time ever i've gotta say you've got taste.

cheers
Brad
ps
your wheels are still gross :-)
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

LOL. Brad

yeah But I have to have them to handle all that power my engine is going to put out.

Well...Im off to the shop to fire the engine...the temp finally got to 40 degree F.

wish me luck.

Prop
Prop

It's nearly an hour now, Prop.

How far away is the shop?

Unless you meant the knocking shop?

But even then, an hour would be a long time.
Nick

This thread was discussed between 27/02/2010 and 28/02/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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