MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - needle for HIF44

I shall be fitting a HIF44/Titan/K&N to my 1275 after I have run the cam in. Engine spec as follows.
1275 with 60 thou overbore
Morspeed Phase 2 cam (a bit like an SW5 but more so..)
MG Metro head with 10:1 CR and a little light porting.
LCB exhaust with standard twin box (must get an RC40)

What would be a starting needle for this setup. I have looked in the archives and can only find reference to a BDL needle. Is this a good place to start?

Steve
Steve Church

I have a similar set-up: .040 overbore, Kent 266, 10:1 CR, LCB exhaust and Vizardized HIF 44. I started with the BDL but am much, much happier with the BDK. BDL ran out of gas at higher revs, with the BDK it pulls strong everywhere. And it doesn't soot up the plugs.
Mike MacQueen

Thanks Mike. I'll maybe order up both of them and start with the BDL.
Steve Church

Mine is +60, 276, 10.5:1,Titan, K&Ns, flowed HIF44 and maniflow. I am using a BDL which is OK, but not right. I think it is running weak, especially at higher rpm which rather fits with what Mike says. Maybe I should try a BDK as well.

Guy
Guy Weller

This is interesting- my needle is from what I can gather, a BDL - the results from it were good - not engine-damagingly weak, but not overly impressive either. I notice when pulling past 5200 it really starts to loose any grunt and feels starved of fuel. I presume that it really must need a different needle like the BDK as you guys say. It's due for a rolling road pretty soon so I'll make sure I get the needle fully sorted then.
Rich Amos (1330cc Blaze Red '72)

The tip of my BDL was gently fettled by Peter Burgess to give me that leetle bit of axtra top end.

Probably be a good starting point to go BDK, but another MG Metro option is BFY...
Bill

Off the wall with this ('cos I really ought to know) but does any one know a price for new needles for HIFs?

And will it be Burlen as the only supplier? (I'm fairly sure that will be the case, hope they will be at Stoneleigh!!)
Bill

A quick look on Burlen's website says 4.25 + VAT + delivery for a BDL. Unfortunately I won't be at Stoneleigh.
Steve Church

Thanks Steve, never thought (or had time, to be honest, I'm in here between frantic phone call sessions. Still waiting to get on with my water leak..) to check their website.
Bill

Steve,
Be sure to check that you are getting the throttle fully open, if you still have the standard throttle pedal set up, its likely not to give enough movement, without some tweeking.
I too am using a BDL, slightly tweeked by Peter Burgess.
Ian
Ian Webb '73 GAN5

Ian, I haven't installed on the car yet, but had intended tweeking the standard throttle pedal if possible (haven't looked yet) or possibly drilling another hole in the carb throttle linkage. Not been fully thought out yet.
Steve Church

Steve, have you tried the Winsu programme? Worked a treat on my old hif44. I think it is still a free programme, where you input your engine data - try googling winsu.
John Collinson

John, yes I do have WinSU but it doesn't give the full needle code. I keep meaning to pay the guy the 9.99 for a full working copy. I have used it to see what sort of power gains different configurations gave.
Steve Church

This thread was discussed between 07/02/2008 and 10/02/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.