Best engine for MG and Triumph Spitfire??? : MGB & GT Forum : The MG Experience

Best engine for MG and Triumph Spitfire??? #1
marygee1951 mary gee worcester ma, USA Sign in to contact	Topic Creator (OP) Jul 30, 2008 09:30 PM Joined 17 years ago 1 Posts

Hi folks -- My guy Jim asked me to post a question -- looking for an MG -- wants to know what year was the strongest and most dependable mechanical year ??? He thinks there was an issue with the 1500???

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help.

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Re: Best engine for MG and Triumph Spitfire??? #2
mac townsend Fairfield, CA, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB MkIII	Jul 30, 2008 10:44 PM Joined 20 years ago 24,294 Posts

MG what?

Midget? 1976. 1275 engine, no smog stuff.

B...1800 engine used throughout, generally pre 68 would be a bit stronger stock.

Spitfire? the Mark IV I think used the Mark 3 1300 engine, or a Mark 3 which is a little lighter I think. the earlier cars used 1200 engine. don't recall years.

1973 Pale Primrose Roadster. A nice 10-footer!
SUs, Datsun 5-speed

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Re: Best engine for MG and Triumph Spitfire??? #3
JoeReed Joe Reed Cordova, TN, USA Sign in to contact 1978 MG MGB "Kermit"	Jul 30, 2008 11:01 PM Top Contributor Joined 20 years ago 14,673 Posts

MG Midget had the 1275 A series engine from about 1966 through 1974 (earlier models had a smaller version of the A series), with the '72 - '74 models being high on the wish list due to the round rear wheel arches. Earlier flat dash midgets (through '67, I believe), are neat too and have their own charm. 1975-1978 had the Spitfire 1500 engine. They had some engine issues (fixable) and the advantage of a synchronized 1st gear - but are generally thought of as being unattractive due to the addition of rubber bumpers that didn't flow with the body lines as well as the MGB.

MGBs always had the 1800 B series. Midgets in the same condition can generally (but not always) be had cheaper, but some parts (especially body parts) can be more expensive. Many more MGBs were built, and many more are still on the road - so that makes for a larger parts market.

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Re: Best engine for MG and Triumph Spitfire??? #4
OldBloke Jim Legg Napa, CA, USA Sign in to contact 1970 Rover 3500 1970 Rover P6 "Napa NADA II" 1971 MG MGB GT	Jul 31, 2008 12:25 AM Top Contributor Joined 18 years ago 11,704 Posts

Being 6'1" I never fit comfortably in a spridget or a spitfire although I spent a lot of miles in friends cars. If you're gonna get in this madness you'll never go far wrong with a "B".

"Not all who wander are lost." -J.R.R. Tolkien

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Re: Best engine for MG and Triumph Spitfire??? #5
Jack Long Millsboro, DE, USA Sign in to contact 1955 MG TF 1500 "Harriet" 1974 MG MGB "Lucy"	Jul 31, 2008 07:48 AM Joined 20 years ago 5,019 Posts

As mentioned by others, the 1500cc Triumph engine that was put into the Midget and Spitfire from 1975-on is considerd to have a weak "bottom end" (main and rod bearings and especially thrust washers) that requires frequent inspection/replacement. It does feature a fully synchronized transmission but my own experience with that transmission is that it is awfully fragile as well.

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Re: Best engine for MG and Triumph Spitfire??? #6
PAMidget Thomas Reimel Philadelphia, USA Sign in to contact 1973 Triumph Spitfire MkIV 1974 MG Midget 1977 MG Midget 1500	Jul 31, 2008 08:07 AM Joined 18 years ago 2,133 Posts

Bit if a correction to the Spitfire info above:
The Spitfire (in American spec) was a 1500 (really 1493 IIRC) from 1973-on, not 1975-on. It's a funny thing, as even Moss, Victoria British, etc. often list '74 or even 1975 as the first "1500" year for Spits, while at the same time (correctly) listing early "1500" badges (and the like) as including the 1973 model! Part of the confusion, I think, is because the 1500 didn't become standard for all markets until 1975.

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Re: Best engine for MG and Triumph Spitfire??? #7
Speedracer Hap Waldrop Taylors, SC, USA Sign in to contact 1961 MG MGB "LL" Lady Lynn" 1967 MG MGB Racecar "The Biscuit"	Jul 31, 2008 08:52 AM Top Contributor Joined 20 years ago 46,859 Posts

mac townsend Wrote:

Quote: MG what?
Midget? 1976. 1275 engine, no smog stuff.
B...1800 engine used throughout, generally pre 68 would be a bit stronger stock.
Spitfire? the Mark IV I think used the Mark 3 1300 engine, or a Mark 3 which is a little lighter I think. the earlier cars used 1200 engine. don't recall years.

Yep 76 Midget was a 1500 Triumph motor, thye are decnt motor, but if you're in the market for a Midget find a 1275 car, far better engine with more perfofmance possibilties.

MGB twin SU carb cars performa the best, they stop making them, about 75 ( correct me guys if I'm wrong) but plenty of single carb MGBs have been converted to twin carbs which make great cars as well. The later single carb MGB are not dogs by no means, it's just with the single carb and few other emission changes that made it cut the HP about 25 horses.

Hap Waldrop
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Re: Best engine for MG and Triumph Spitfire??? #8
ggnagy Gregory Nagy Harpers Ferry, WV, USA Sign in to contact 1961 MG Midget "Ace" 1961 MG Midget "27" 1962 Austin-Healey Sprite 1971 MG MGB GT "Bumble" & more	Jul 31, 2008 12:41 PM Joined 19 years ago 426 Posts

Speedracer Wrote:

Quote: mac townsend Wrote:Quote:
MG what?
Midget? 1976. 1275 engine, no smog stuff.
B...1800 engine used throughout, generally pre 68 would be a bit stronger stock.
Spitfire? the Mark IV I think used the Mark 3 1300 engine, or a Mark 3 which is a little lighter I think. the earlier cars used 1200 engine. don't recall years.
Yep 76 Midget was a 1500 Triumph motor, thye are decnt motor, but if you're in the market for a Midget find a 1275 car, far better engine with more perfofmance possibilties.
MGB twin SU carb cars performa the best, they stop making them, about 75 ( correct me guys if I'm wrong) but plenty of single carb MGBs have been converted to twin carbs which make great cars as well. The later single carb MGB are not dogs by no means, it's just with the single carb and few other emission changes that made it cut the HP about 25 horses.

The twin SU intake manifold from the 1293 Spitfire will fit the 1500 Midget motor. The earlier manifold will probably be missing the the coolant line that runs through the manifold, but that can be plumbed around, iirc. Air flows much better when it does not need to make all those abrupt right turns. NOLA-MINI, if you are out there, have you got any pictures of the setup?

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