Alan Tong from Enfield MG Owners Club posted a list a while ago about
Midget handling. Let's see how my 1275cc, 5 speed, mildly uprated, Mk IV,
RWA Midget gets on:
> 1. Uprate the anti roll bar.
Done. Really improved matters - must get round to the polywhatisname bushes!
> 2. Get rid on the spacer plates on the rear spring front plate (1500 only)
Got a 1275.
> 3. Uprate the front springs. For chrome bumper, dont lower but uprate to
> 350lbs. For Rubber bumper uprate to 350lbs and also drop by 1 inch (1 1/4 if
> you have low profile tires).
Done. But had Moss springs (I think) were "slightly lower" which seemed quite
a lot. Did help, plus made the car look more purposeful!
> 4. Change your tires for 165/70R13 profile. It is possible to fit 175/70,
> check clearance at the back. Some wire wheel conversion kits reduce rear
> clearance.
Done. Got a set of 165/70R13 Goodyear Aquatread. Don't bother with these tyres
they don't seem to help in the damp condition I often encounter, probably
better in very, very wet conditions but there's no fun to be had in a midget
so I don't bother going out.
> 5. Uprate the front dampers by about 30%
I am not sure whether or not I got round to this. I think I ordered replacement
valves but I don't remember fitting them. (I can be forgetful at times.)
> 6. Replace the rear spring shackle bushes with polyurathane or even nylatron
> bushes to reduce the sideways movement of the springs.
I must get round to this one as well. My car is better than it used to be, but
still suffers from sideways movement when I hit potholes, espially going
around corners at speed.
> 7. Lower the rear springs by 1 inch, but DO NOT uprate them as this will
> reduce travel and cause the rear wheels to lift off the ground.
I don't want to attempt this as my exhaust hangs so low I scrape it already!
/------------------------------------------------------------------------\
| | |
| Beep, beep, /| | E-Mail: nvenn@hoskyns.co.uk |
| /| o | |
| Neil (8^)=) | | Paper Mail: Neil Venn, |
| " | o | Technical Consultant, |
| "Safety Fast!" \_| | Hoskyns, |
| " | City House, |
| * | 190 City Road, |
| * | London, WC1V 2QH, |
| * | England. |
| * | |
| * | |
| * * | |
\------------------------------------------------------------------------/
|