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MG MGF Technical - What modifications to start with.....?

Right then,
Had the F since January, now I'm feeling saucy,
want to spend some cash on a few modifications,
the shortlist so far is-

K&N air filter
splitter
performance exhaust
and something in the ICE department

But the question is, what? - which exhaust? which splitter? keep the existing head unit and get a c-d auto changer, and/or bin the standard rover head for something naughty?
Come on you hardcore F'ers, you've all been down this road, let's have your input, Scarlet, Mr Bell et al...
Joel

>K&N air filter

Yup, make this number one. Best power increase per £, plus improves the sound under acceleration no end. Also consider the ITG filter which is supposed to be better still than the K&N though is substancially more expensive.

>splitter

Don't have one (not sure about the looks of it for one), but people who do have them seem to agree they do make a difference over about 50mph.

>performance exhaust

Plenty to chose from and from what I gather it's more about what sound you are after as all tend to be fairly similar with regards to any power increases. I have a Phoenix system with the Slash cut tail pipes which is one of the quieter systems and has a nice low rumble and burble in de-acceleration. I've also found the exhaust has made the engine more responsive than I was expecting.

>and something in the ICE department

Can't help you here. :(

http://www.dotcomoff.demon.co.uk

Home of the F'ers Gallery, MG Dealer Guide and new MGF FAQ. :)
Paul Lathwell

Joel,

K&N + Heavy right foot = Big Grin :D

KH Splitter + MGF = Cool!

MGF + Daytona / Phoenix / <insert favourite exhaust system here> = Great stuff

K&N + KH + Daytona = Very big grin indeed :D - That's my setup.

The exhaust is about the only difficult bit to choose, as there are so many types around. The Daytona came out top in a test recently - results from that are on Rob's site http://www.mgf.4mg.com (I think)

ICE - No ICE expert, but the Kenwood MP3 player is quite cool :)

HTH

Bear in mind that the K&N / Exhaust might have insurance ramifications.


Steve.
Steve Childs

Actually any mod may/will have insurance ramifications. :(
Paul Lathwell

On the ice front.

Was your car new in Jan? Can only speak from experience of MK1 cars but some may be releveant to YR2000 cars.

Change the head unit. Aftermarket cd changers are not compatible with the MG head unit (in MK1 cars anyway). In any event a decent aftermarket head unit and cd changer will be as cheap as buying a cd changer from Rover.

Also change the door speakers - standard ones are pants.

Do you want to go as far as seperate amps, tweeters, subs??

Paul
P9 VLS

Paul

>>Actually any mod may/will have insurance ramifications. :( <<
Indeed. Talk to your insurer before you modify - you may need to change insurance company; eg my insurer will not allow the splitter, K&N etc is no problem though.
If the car is old, then you may want to look at compliance washers and/or polyurethane bushes.

Steve
Steve

I think that the best 'performance' upgrade is to get the tyres upgraded to something decent. Also increases safety and doesn't affect your insurance.

Consensus is that SO-2 or 3 all round are the 'best' choice.

N837 OGF
Hugh

Joel,
this is a sensible mods list.
Incidentally, I've done them on my car, and in this order !
* K&N air filter : 57i induction kit
* splitter : KH (gloss black)
* performance exhaust : SP supersports
* ICE :
- Pioneer head unit + 6 cd changer (that I've had from the start)
- replacement main speakers (Focal 165V with separate crossover filters and separate tweeters in the dash)
- soundproof the door body panels (with Dynamat)
- add speakers in T-bar (4" Jensen, 2-way)
- amp (Philips MosFET 4x80 W that powers currently only the main speakers)

- next step build a custom enclosure box for a subwoofer, to fit behind the passenger seat (will be fed by the remaining 160w). I already have drawn the plans, but still have to build it and choose a subwoofer.
BTW, does someone have any tip for choosing one ?
IMO, I'll have to stick to a 8" sub ; a 10" will be too bulky.
The main issue in the F is the mounting depth : the thinner the box is, the less intrusive it is (don't want to loose leg room).
The volume for the box has also to be reasonnable, but achieving 20-25 liters should be no problem.
I'll be using 8mm thick MDF panels and make stiffening ribs for the largest surfaces ... (because 8mm isn't very thick...)

Fabrice

PS : other worthwile mods :
lowering knuckles
"Slick" gear kit from Mike Satur or Techspeed
clear indicator lenses
brake pedal lowering kit (MS)
...
Welcome into the dark side :))
Fabrice

>>But the question is, what? - which exhaust? which splitter?<<

See http://www.mgf.4mg.com for product tests that go some way to answering all these questions Joel.

Which filter? K&N 57i or ITG filter box

Which exhaust? Depends on the noise you want but Mike Satur Daytona or Pheonix sports exhaust

Which splitter? I'd go for the KH Assemblies item- 70 quid. Does the job and is reasonably priced.
Rob Bell

Steve,

>>>>eg my insurer will not allow the splitter, K&N etc is no problem though

That seems a strange way round?!?
David Bainbridge

>>>>>>eg my insurer will not allow the splitter, K&N etc is no problem though

That seems a strange way round?!? <<

Yes, it does seem strange - no body mods at all are allowed. I would always ask b4 any mod. Generally, modifications severly restrict one's choice of insurance companies.

Steve
Steve

I have got the following mod's on mine now and I can recommend all of them.

K&N Filter & Induction Kit (From a Corsa)
Daytona Exhaust
CAT By-pass pipe (Will be putting CAT back on shortly)
17'' Alloys
Lowering knuckles
Clear indicators all round
Re-meshed front bumper and side intakes (Rear bumper will be meshed shortly)
Pioneer Headunit
12 Disc changer
Pioneer componants in the front & tweeters on dash.
Pioneer 6x9's in the T-bar

If you need some advise in the ICE department just let me know.

<<<<- next step build a custom enclosure box for a subwoofer, to fit behind the passenger seat >>>

I'd be interested to see some pictures of this, cant understand how it would fit without the passenger being pinned against the windscreen.

Al
Al

To reiterate what was said above...

K+N 57i is still the best performance mod for the F (£ vs gains), ITG enclosed system is supposed to be better (and should be given it's price!) but has yat to be independantly tested (as has the original ITG filter incedentally). SERIOUSLY consider Tom Randell's induction hose bracket with the K+N as this not only mounts the pipes more securely, but also positions them to achive maximum benefit from the ram air effect and they are also more out of the way, thus helping to prevent accidental damage.

MS Daytona, independantly tested to be the best all rounder. However, there are a number of "new kids on the block" including the Pheonix (with it's questionable power claims - shades of SP?) Other than these clams the Pheonix is a well built, good looking (to some), nice sounding system which should be considered alongside the MS Daytona, Miltek, TT Fxtreme & MGOC / Double S IMO

Don't like splitters as a rule, in my experience non-EPAS cars don't need them anyway. But if you really want one then, despite the Trophy's slightly better looks IMO, the best one is still the KH Fabrications splitter as it is substantially cheeper.

ICE is up to you. No end of choice available.

Have fun

SF
Scarlet Fever

Thanks for all your input guys, however you may want to look at my thread (general) ' My F has expired....' for some rather serious news on my F......
Joel

This thread was discussed between 08/08/2001 and 12/08/2001

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