LocostUSA.com

Wonder if a small EcoBoost would fit.
The 1.5 3cyl in the Bronco Sport [and Escape i assume] makes a bit shy of 200hp
But probably no manual option.
Maybe the 2.3 from a Mustang. Pulls my 4000lb Explorer along nicely & gets mpg in the high 20s.

_________________
1975 MG Midget
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=24382
13B Powered Rotus Geauxkart
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=20899

If you overpower the MG you will also have to give up the wire wheels.
MG used the small hubs, nearly identical to the Midget.
For big power cars like a Jag or 289 Cobra the large hubs are required.
I had a Healey 3000 long ago and no money.
So most of the time it had three wire wheels and a steely on the right rear.

_________________
If I must be a one-man PC free zone, so be it!

That MGA looks great, Dean.

I'm always a sucker for the early British sports cars, myself.

Cheers,

_________________
Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5886

Congratulations on the new acquisition. I have had a couple of MGA's in the past, a tourer and a coupe, and absolutely love them from a style point of view. IMO, the MGA coupe is one of the most beautiful designs of the era. As much as I do love them, an MGA in its OEM form is very underpowered in today's traffic. It still handles nicely, just lacks acceleration. That is why I am putting a GM 3.4L in my current MGB project. I know it goes against most MG fans, if you put in an auto trans, it would eliminate the footwell crowding. I'm doing that in my MGB too. I will add that driving an MGA coupe in the summer is like being in a sauna. Consider A/C at the minimum.

I look forward to following your build on that MGA coupe.

_________________
Chuck.

“Any suspension will work if you don’t let it.” - Colin Chapman

Visit my ongoing MGB Rustoration log: over HERE

Or my Wankel powered Locost log : over HERE

And don't forget my Cushman Truckster resto Locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=17766

Have always loved the MGA Coupe. I have seen an MGA Coupe with the twin Cam motor at a show a number of years ago- it was a thing of beauty under the hood! But not a great upgrade considering how temperamental the motor is.

Somewhere else I remember seeing a 3.8 Jag stuck into an MGA. That was something to behold! There has been a Jag motor for sale on FB Marketplace here in the mid-west recently for $1,500. Add a T5 trans and- off to the races!



Over the holidays we were in Northern California with the kids and went thru the Blackhawk Car Museum. I kept staring at a black MkII and thinking, do I have another car in me after the Cobra and Locost are done?

The Ford 2.3 is a bit tall. I am sure you have looked at BritishV8's site for other conversions.

The one that catches my eye is the BMW M10 swap. Looks like it belongs there!

_________________
Thom

Jag XK engine temperamental ???
As compared to what?
I've had several and long for such reliability from pretty much anything else!

One bucket list item I may not get to do is putting an XK engine into a Chevy, just to watch the "Put a Chevy engine in your Jag to make it better" guys heads explode.

_________________
If I must be a one-man PC free zone, so be it!

I think he meant the MGA Twin Cam engine was temperamental rather than the Jag motor.

As an alternative motor, but keeping it similar capacity and twin cam, could the drivetrain from a Suzuki Vitara work?

Cheers,
David

That's tough choice. If you just want a modern repower, the miata is hard to beat for fit and adequate power with good access with a basic engine and easy resale.

For me, I'd look at a slant six and fit slide, cv, su, or dcoes on a diy intake and header (though the parts are available downunda).

The cologne 4.0l ohv and mazda 5spd from a mid-90s explorer or ranger is another v6-60 option if you fit a slide throttle/air cleaner assy to replace the upper intake plenum for a lower profile and run msqrt. Should replace the springs between the rockers with custom width spacers for better top end oiling. Comes with a roller camshaft so low zinc oils are less of an issue.

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

I'm going to struggle with motor/ tranny choice.. Part of me still thinks that 'too much' power is the answer, but the more mature part of me wants to give it 'enough' power, but no more (whatever that is).. I'm thinking I'd be happy if I end up in the neighborhood of 200 hp/ torque, which is way more than stock, but also not out of this world crazy..

I want normally aspirated, long legs (low-ish RPMs for highway cruising; 5 or 6 speed), and reliable.. I keep thinking a GM 3.4 fits the bill, but I still have some time to kick this around before I commit to a transplant source.

I also want to drive it as stock for a bit, just to be 100% certain that it even needs more- 'need' being very subjective of course

--ccrunner

_________________
Dean

1972 Honda N600 Restomod "ccrunner's N600 VFR800 repower"

1963 Volvo P1800 Restomod
http://locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=16309

1959 Berkeley SE492 Restomod...
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=19397

"ccrunner's 1960 MGA coupe Restomod" found on MGExp.com

What about a VW VR_ option?
VR6 might fit, if not too tall.

_________________
1975 MG Midget
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=24382
13B Powered Rotus Geauxkart
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=20899

The Toyota 20 valve motors are compact and supply lots of power in a small package. JPS Europa has one in his Locost and it really runs!

_________________
Thom

It's just an idea, but what if after driving it stock for a while you decide it doesn't need "too much" more power. How about turbocharging the stock I4 or replacing it with a later year BMC I4 that can take the added turbo power? Fabbing a turbo/intercooler setup sounds like it would be just your cup of tea.

Also, I saw some Internet photos of an older, supercharged MG that was pre-TC in vintage. It was so cool. How about supercharging instead? I couldn't find a photo of that car, but here is an article on supercharging some early MGs

It would save you a lot of time and money versus a V6 conversion, but might be too simple for you.

Cheers,

_________________
Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5886

Oooh, 4AG 20V Silvertop

I drove a 1st gen MR2 that had one in the back. Owner kept urging me to push it harder. The tach only went to 7 or 8k, and he said it was good for nearly 10k RPM

When I was in college, I was really hunting for a AE86 hatchback to put a 20v into.

Hmm, wonder if a 4AG will fit in a Midget....

_________________
1975 MG Midget
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=24382
13B Powered Rotus Geauxkart
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=20899

I would usually recommend the GM 3.4L (Camaro) engine because it is well supported in the conversion arena. It is the engine I am using in my MGB conversion. However, with your proven talents for modification, I don't think there is any real limitation on virtually any engine. I would say, go with what you know, or go with what you want to learn. Just be sure to keep the diagonal brace up front from the frame rails to the vertical scuttle section. This is where a lot of the frame stability comes from. That brace design might be tight for a 90 deg V-x engine.

_________________
Chuck.

“Any suspension will work if you don’t let it.” - Colin Chapman

Visit my ongoing MGB Rustoration log: over HERE

Or my Wankel powered Locost log : over HERE

And don't forget my Cushman Truckster resto Locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=17766

Many years ago I knew guy in San Jose CA who did several MGA-Buick 215 conversions.
This predates Rover engines.
His main business was rebuilding wire wheels.

_________________
If I must be a one-man PC free zone, so be it!