Alan,
I think you're the only one on this list living on that continent!
This debate comes up now and then.
I think the majority of owners do minor practical "upgrades" for
driveability, reliability and comfort. This is mainly a matter of budget and
wants. There is always the 10% who demands total originality and the 5% who
will spend a fortune to chop, channel, flare and install a 454ci Chevy
engine. I think a better exhaust, K&N filters, pointless ignition, tube
shocks, etc...aren't butchering the car and maintain it's character just
fine. As others have said. It's YOUR CAR.
I don't think anyone will scream bloody murder at the improvements you
mention, although I'd question your wanting to add a brake servo, since that
would add a more complicated component and potential failure point, which
I'd avoid if I were in Zimbabwe! If your brakes are 'hard', they shouldn't
be. Maybe you should check/rebuild the original system with new pads
cylinders, etc. (although it may be they're just out of adjustment, or
something simple). These cars should stop on a dime without much effort at
all.
Dan
73B
Ft. Knox, KY
> I've owned a '71BGT for a few months and am enjoying the
> pleasures of owning what is here in Zimbabwe a very rare car.
> However I am now beginning to wonder about the effectiveness of
> some of the original parts fitted to the car. All MGs are based on
> mechanicals from very ordinary family saloons which were
> designed to provide reliable service at a low price. Performance
> considerations were not taken into account. Thus we have iron
> cylinder heads, lever arm dampers, leaf springs, drum brakes etc
> etc. It is interesting to speculate what these cars would be like if
> the enthusiasts in the design department had been able to utilize
> "ideal" components rather than "available" components.
>
> There is therefore a strong argument for replacing certain
> components with items intrinsically more suitable for the task than
> the original part. The problem with this is the originality question.
> Should MGs be kept as near as possible to the manufacturers
> specification or is deviation from standard permitted in the interest
> of improved performance and/or reliability?
>
> My own vehicle appears to be very close to the makers
> specification (European version), and I am consequently reluctant
> to meddle with it. But I am becoming increasingly impatient with
> the poor suspension control provided by the dampers, the very
> heavy pedal pressure required to stop the vehicle(no servo) and the
> pathetic push button windscreen washer. I would like to change all
> these things.
>
> How far is it permissible to go in terms of modifications before
> accusations of destroying the character of the car begin flying
> around? Is the criteria that any modification should be acceptable
> as long as it is reversible valid or can you argue that if the change
> makes the car perform better then it is permissible, regardless of
> reversability, bearing in mind that performance is what the car is
> supposed to be about?
>
> I look forward to reading the responses.
>
>
> Alan Morrison
>
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