MG Midget Forum
Midget Subaru Engine Swap?
Posted by evanaka
Topic Creator (OP)
Jan 28, 2015 09:25 PM
Joined 9 years ago
6 Posts
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Hey I've been a forum watcher for a good long while, first time i've decided to chime in. I purchased a running 1979 Midget in pretty decent shape (not great by any means - minimal rust, seats and top are old and cracking) Anywho i picked it up for 800 bucks, and I am going to have to do a major- mild teardown to take it all back to bare metal, repair the small rust spots, clean engine bay and i was planning on rebuilding the engine. The thought occurred to me to just do an engine swap with something a little more peppy. Just wondering if there is anyone out there who has done something similar. i realize its not necessarily keeping with the originality of the car but I think it would be a fun project. Thanks in advance!
Jan 28, 2015 10:50 PM
Joined 16 years ago
1,400 Posts
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A boxer? Subaru is an overhead cam boxer, right? If so, consider an engine shaped like this: ==o== in an engine compartment made for a side-cam tiny engine shaped like this: |.
The easiest swap is a Datsun A series. It requires frame modifications. I have done this. The Fiat twin cam is also compact but I have only seen pictures of one swap. All other engine swaps require more fab and mods. But I can tell you that a boxer can not fit without suspension mods. A boxer would have the cams where the shocks currently reside.
1969 MG Midget with Datsun A15/5 speed
The easiest swap is a Datsun A series. It requires frame modifications. I have done this. The Fiat twin cam is also compact but I have only seen pictures of one swap. All other engine swaps require more fab and mods. But I can tell you that a boxer can not fit without suspension mods. A boxer would have the cams where the shocks currently reside.
1969 MG Midget with Datsun A15/5 speed
Topic Creator (OP)
Jan 28, 2015 11:23 PM
Joined 9 years ago
6 Posts
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jagnweiner
Scott Johnson
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Jan 29, 2015 03:07 AM
Joined 10 years ago
411 Posts
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Evan-
You might want to ask the question in the "MG Engine Swaps" forum. Could get more response and maybe someone's heard of one. I would agree with Tom, though, that there are better engines for transfer into a Midget than any type of boxer configuration.
Also, welcome aboard! This group contains a wealth of knowledge and most everyone is very friendly.
You might want to ask the question in the "MG Engine Swaps" forum. Could get more response and maybe someone's heard of one. I would agree with Tom, though, that there are better engines for transfer into a Midget than any type of boxer configuration.
Also, welcome aboard! This group contains a wealth of knowledge and most everyone is very friendly.
Jan 29, 2015 09:07 AM
Joined 13 years ago
5,849 Posts
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Might actually be simpler to to a locost 7 build with a subaru power plant. http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3316
Seth Jones
1971 MG Midget
www.SpridgetGuru.com
Seth Jones
1971 MG Midget
www.SpridgetGuru.com
idrivemyself
Kyle H
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Jan 29, 2015 09:39 AM
Joined 9 years ago
232 Posts
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As stated above, there's no way you're going to fit a flat 4 or 6 without extensive frame modifications, it's simply too wide of an engine to fit in the bay. Even with single cam heads. Most likely either engine would result in tube framing the entire front end. You might wind up having to redesign the steering and suspension as well. IMO the steering column and lever shocks are currently where the valve covers and timing cover would be. If your heart is set on the swap, grab a tape measure and take measurements, that should tell you how most of the story will go.
Jan 29, 2015 10:17 AM
Top Contributor
Joined 12 years ago
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Jan 29, 2015 10:24 AM
Joined 13 years ago
5,849 Posts
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In reply to # 2907654 by refisk
Seth,
What do you have against Volkswagens?
What do you have against Volkswagens?
In reply to # 2907650 by AmishIndy
why not just get a porsche 914 to drop your subaru engine in?
Nothing, its just a common swap I've found.
The subaru engine should also be a perfect drop in into a VW bug or Corvair.
Seth Jones
1971 MG Midget
www.SpridgetGuru.com
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-01-29 10:24 AM by AmishIndy.
MG47484
Mike B
Lima/Aston, PA, USA
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1963 Chevrolet C10 "White Horse"
1965 Ford Mustang 1975 MG Midget MkIII "Young Marine’s Weekend Pass!" 1977 MG MGB "Mom's B" & more |
Jan 29, 2015 05:23 PM
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Mad Matt F
Matt F
Montreal, La Belle Province, Canada
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Jan 29, 2015 05:36 PM
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Ah, Skye's little see everything front page...
I don't have a Midget, I'm a BGT owner...
But I'm also a "sorta suby guy"...
There is an upright suby motor, but not likely what Evan was talking about! The old Justy motor is a 1.2l, I3, single overhead cam with 3 valve per cylinder (9 valves for the win!), with work I'm sure it could be made to fit, but not likely what our op is after.
I rally a Justy, and with 10.5:1 comp, a big cam, running triple mikuni carbs and a tube header... it might make 100 hp...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-01-29 05:39 PM by Mad Matt F.
I don't have a Midget, I'm a BGT owner...
But I'm also a "sorta suby guy"...
There is an upright suby motor, but not likely what Evan was talking about! The old Justy motor is a 1.2l, I3, single overhead cam with 3 valve per cylinder (9 valves for the win!), with work I'm sure it could be made to fit, but not likely what our op is after.
I rally a Justy, and with 10.5:1 comp, a big cam, running triple mikuni carbs and a tube header... it might make 100 hp...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-01-29 05:39 PM by Mad Matt F.
idrivemyself
Kyle H
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Jan 29, 2015 06:41 PM
Joined 9 years ago
232 Posts
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Jan 29, 2015 08:56 PM
Top Contributor
Joined 13 years ago
1,373 Posts
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I'm currently working on collecting parts for a Suzuki Samurai 5-speed swap for my '76. This transmission will mate with the Suzuki Samurai 1.3L and 1.5L, the Vitara 1.6L and even up to the 2.7L V6. There are also adapter plates available from several 4x4 specialists to mate the Suzuki transmission to any Volkswagen water cooled I-4 including the diesels as they all share the same bellhousing pattern. The VW VR6 can also be adapted with an additional plate for the bottom bellhousing bolts.
Anything is possible given time, money and creativity. There is more info available in the swaps forum and on www.Britishv8.com.
-David
Anything is possible given time, money and creativity. There is more info available in the swaps forum and on www.Britishv8.com.
-David
autocomman
mark w
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Jan 30, 2015 12:37 AM
Joined 13 years ago
2,176 Posts
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Thats what I was gonna say, i hope he means a justy 3 cylinder lol....
In reply to # 2907974 by Mad Matt F
Ah, Skye's little see everything front page...
I don't have a Midget, I'm a BGT owner...
But I'm also a "sorta suby guy"...
There is an upright suby motor, but not likely what Evan was talking about! The old Justy motor is a 1.2l, I3, single overhead cam with 3 valve per cylinder (9 valves for the win!), with work I'm sure it could be made to fit, but not likely what our op is after.
I rally a Justy, and with 10.5:1 comp, a big cam, running triple mikuni carbs and a tube header... it might make 100 hp...
I don't have a Midget, I'm a BGT owner...
But I'm also a "sorta suby guy"...
There is an upright suby motor, but not likely what Evan was talking about! The old Justy motor is a 1.2l, I3, single overhead cam with 3 valve per cylinder (9 valves for the win!), with work I'm sure it could be made to fit, but not likely what our op is after.
I rally a Justy, and with 10.5:1 comp, a big cam, running triple mikuni carbs and a tube header... it might make 100 hp...
Topic Creator (OP)
Jan 30, 2015 03:30 PM
Joined 9 years ago
6 Posts
|
That sounds like a fun car! there is actually a local Justy that popped up in the classifieds and i was keen on checking out - $400 for the whole car. Matt, you'll have to get in touch with me because i would love to see some shots of your justy and what it cost you to get it up to that HP
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