New blog...

Check out my new blog - http://bangernomic.blogspot.com

The last hurrah.

Id like to think that selling up and calling an end to my involvement in this project is only temporary and that in years to come i will be able to work on another '72 RWA Midget and complete what i have started.

For now, time and funds have called an end to this chapter of my dream. Its all for sale.

The shell is on ebay: 1972 RWA Shell

engine and gearbox have already gone and all the other items and parts will hopefully follow suit.

If you are interested in any parts please let me know, we can come to an agreement on very reasonable prices!

Its the right decision for me at this time but ill be back.

Throttle body upgrade...

As a cheap and effective upgrade to the standard 1.8 VVC engine, replacing the 52mm plastic throttle body with the 56mm MGF Alloy body will give a noticable increase in the "feel" and livelyness of the engine. The increased volume equates to almost a 15% increase in air flow making a bigger bang!

A secondary advantage is that the plastic body has a tendancy stick a bit when it gets hot, which the alloy body doesnt do!

Its a like for like swap and can be had for very little! A worth while upgrade!

Triangle web and VIN Plate...

I need to takle some corrosion in the triangle gusset sections just behind the front susspension area. These web sections transfer loads from the susspesion to be absorbed into the rest of the body - so they have to be strong.

The original construction is thin steel formed in a structure. The triangulation gives it its strength.

Rather than pay circa £40 a side for the new panels, i plan to cut these out and replace with 50x25x2.5mm steel box section. I will re-create the triangulation and keep within the same boundries, but the end result should be much stronger, and more corrosion resistant.

Its common for racers to plate this section over for added strength. Plating alone would mean replacing the sections, and so incurring greater costs. It would also limit acces to the engine and other ancillaries.

The VIN plate is mounted on the right hand (facing the car) brace and so i have drilled out the rivets to remove the plate. It will need to be replace in the same location when the new structure goes in. I will also have a new plate stamped as the original is past its best - id like to keep it, possibly on the dash as a feature.

www.vintagsuk.com

Wheels...

I have set my mind on running 16" MGF 160 Trophy wheels. There are a couple of issues with this:

1. The PCD is different. Midget is 4"(101.6mm) MGF is 95.6mm
2. The centre bore of the hub is slightly larger than that of the wheels.
3. 16" Wheels are a lot larger than the std 13".



The PCD can be solved by either having an adapter plate made converting to 95.6mm or re-drilling the existing hubs to 95.6 PCD with larger holes. The new holes would have to be offset to fit and the rear brake drums and half shafts would also have to be drilled. Either way there is some cost and time involved.

I think i prefer the drilling method. Adapters can be weak.

The centre bore could be lathed down by 0.5mm or so, but thye are rough castings, so may not be accurate for each.
Ive knocked up a design for an adapter but it would be costly to make.