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 MGA - MGA Running gear

Ive got a 58 MGA 1500 that threw a rod in the early seventies and then was parked. Im starting to get it ready for paint (motor out, dents removed, old paint stripped) with the original intention of building a vintage racer. Got to thinking that the mods necessary to motor and car would make it a difficult driver on the road so Im going to build a nice road car. Ive got a 3 main 1800 (tach drive) motor that I am going to build up to go into it backed by a 5 speed to make driving it to work easier.
This brings me to my first question, How many are running an 1800 in their A with a 5 speed? And out of those, what modifications were made to the trans tunnel? I was reading on some sites that if you use a ford type trans vs. the datsun, there are no mods (cutting, denting, etc...) required.
Next question is about the front suspension. Since this car was originally going to be a race car, I was going to upgrade it to B components. I think I am still going to, having easy access to all the required pieces locally. I have searched the archives, not easily searchable but attempt made, and found a few threads but nothing answering everything Im curious about. Im assuming that once you go with B components, you must also run B hubs.
Also, there was some arguing over which shock to use, MGB, MGA with spacers, MGB with MGA arms. Which is better? If im not mistaken you must run the negative camber arms when using MGA shocks and spacers. Correct? B shocks fit but you have to open the mount holes up and mount them backwards, which I think involves enlarging the openings in the inner fenders up. Is this right?
Im sure there are many running the stronger B parts so Im looking for some advice.
Thanks
jmhills

JM,

First thing in my opinion..
Don't stuff any original parts, just put them aside.
You can get fibreglass tunnels from the 5 speed people anyway and they will be lighter too.
http://www.hi-gearengineering.co.uk/mga.htm
Personally I still use MG gearboxes, just stronger one's.

On the suspension front my brothers race car runs MGB front suspension with Updated MGA shocks and 2* 10mm spacers at the top. about 2.5 degrees of negative also.
You will however have to shorten the steering rack arms about 10mm each if you use the MGB stub axel and steering arm/rod. This has negative effects oh bump steer and alike though.

Hope this helps.
<MARK>
Mark Hester

I have the five speed and it works great. It is the ford serria without any mods to the car. I still have the original trans. if I want to make it all original again. I am using a B 18v engine which makes this a great daily driver. My 2 pence worth.
JEFF BECKER

JM, I mounted the complete B upright and axle assembly to the original A lower arms and A shocks. I found that a common 1/2" bore shaft collar works fine on each side of the upper trunion for a spacer. I don't have it on the road yet so can't comment on bump steer, but things look like it will work well.
I also used a B rear axle which mounts directly to the A springs. I did have to use the B spring plates and u-bolts. The 3.9 ratio should work well with an 1800 and 5 speed.
Bill Young

Bill,
Try and do a rough wheel alignment with a piece of string. Around the back tyre and around the front tyre.

I found with my brothers MKII car the thread bottomed out in the ball joint and we has too much toe out.

Maybe some racks are shorter than others.

Cheers <MARK>
Mark Hester

I use uprated MGB shockers on my front. They fit perfectly well when the used with the original MGA shocker arms are transfered. If you want to use the existing fixing studs then the inner wing needs to be cut slightly to allow the higher shock to be dropped onto the studs. You can remove the studs and slide the shocker into place and then use bolts to fix them into position, this eliminates the need to cut the inner wings.
I also have negative camber at the front which gives the steering a very sensitive feel. This is achieved by fitting the readily available extended bottom arms.
All this with no problems at all, but I mounted an aftermarket front anti roll bar under the front extension. Works well but I had to be critical with the links to ensure clearence at full droop and full lock.
Bob (robert)

Mark, is your brother running MGB steering arms? So as I read it, in order to improve the steering situation he had to take roughly 10mm out of the MGB steering arms? Was there no adjustment left in the tie rod ends to bring the front of the tire in? Is he running B tie rod ends or the A ends? Thanks
JMHills

I have B suspension, to get the disc brakes, on a 58 A. The swap was done 15 years ago. A friend at a salvage yard let me unbolt the B crossmember and take it all. My memory says the B shock turned around to mount like the A worked by taking the shock arms off and grinding a flat on the shaft so that arms could then be mounted "backwards". I also might have swapped the B shocks left to right. Then using the B king pin and all brgs hubs etc. The lower arm are the same A or B unless you use a sway bar,then the front one has a hole with reinforcement for the link to mount to. Once mounted up you will find that to align the toe-in the rack ends will have to be shortened and the threads cut further. I belive that with the "donor B" parts added to the A parts I had all I needed. Any Upgrades to the B could be done to this hybrid. Memory fades with time but I still have the car and can take a look if needed.
Randy
R J Brown

just installed 3 main b engine, with datsun transmission.. cut support in tunnel that held the 1600 transmission. removed the passenger floorboard, as the tunnel had t be widened by approx. 3/4" to align the transmission porperly. . no other mods to tunnel.
cliff hughes

This thread was discussed between 27/07/2005 and 28/07/2005

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.