Moss Motors, Ltd

Older post Just joined was reading them so I know what is going on.  In Dec1989/Jan 1990 of MG Enthusiast  Maintaining the breed with John Twist list some recommendations of engine modification for the 1500. If interested will post. This is the reason giving credit to the magazine.  

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75 MG Midget restored Original
77 MGB in progess complete rebuild 2.3 liter
turbo,c-4 auto, 7.5 limited slip rearend
89 Mustang wifes daily driver 2.3 turbo
learning on this car for MGB
74 MG Midget next after MGB

mg man 75 - please post!  Would love to read.

 I am glad to see others that have done similar mods to their 1500s.  I'm a bit of a purist, in that I love the sound of the English 4-bangers.  There are plenty of Japanese engine/trans combos that could be made to work without too much fabrication.  They'd be more reliable, cheaper to run, and would have decent power (over 100hp, any way).  That said, I would be somewhat embarrassed to open the hood at car shows... 

 I've rebuilt my 79/80 1500 with following:

•  .30 overbore w/9.1:1 compression (Lee's Machine in Colorado Springs, with Moss parts)
• APT cam (T54)
• three angle valve job (Lee's Machine)
• ported head, polished exhaust (self)
• twin Weber 40 DCOEs (30mm chokes) with Pierce manifold (eBay, Cannon)
• 40K Volt coil (local auto supply)
• rear oil gallery line to rockers (local auto supply)
• electric fan with thermostat control replacing clutch fan (local car supply)
• remote mounted oil filter and added cooler (local auto supply, with fabrication of oil adaptor done locally)
• header (from Moss)
• lightened flywheel (Lee's Machine)

I haven't thrown it in the car yet, but I hope to in the next couple months.  My guess is that it'll give me between 80 - 100hp, and a whole lot more zoom given the removal of fan/smog equipment, lighter flywheel, and ditching the brutally ugly and heavy stock bumpers.  That latter mod alone shaved over 100lbs from the car.  I fabricated some new bumpers from plate and round steel stock that will be able to accept a home-built quick-lift Lemans-style jacking system. 

The carbs just fit with 3/4" velocity stacks.  I have yet to fabricate the airbox and cold air induction system out of sheet metal and modified Japanese street tuner parts.  This shouldn't be too difficult, and I may even get a marginal HP bonus at higher speeds with the cooler air and ram effect.

 I think the 1500 is a very solid motor, but I didn't go too crazy on it because the long stroke compared to its bore makes it unable to rev like an A Series engine.  I built it with a useable 2000-6500 rpm range so it would still drive well on the street.  Removing rotating weight and boring it .30 over should allow it to spin more quickly, and also takes some of the torque twist off the crankshaft.

The body is being done now.  I am filling in the side marker lights, front and rear bumper mounting holes, and converting the rear quarter panels to pre '75 rounded versions.  The whole car is being lowered with heaver front springs, 3/4" sway bar, poly bushings, revalved front shocks with heavier 30w oil, and perhaps tube shocks in the rear.  

Instead of going for a new rear end or 5 speed, I put 13" minilites on with 185/70 Yokohama Avid T4s.  They just clear the wheel wells in front and rear (can't go full lock, but small price to pay).  I am hoping their 1" taller height will lower the rear ratio enough.  Otherwise, I'll be taking the stock tranny to the local junkyards until I find a reasonable Japanese 5sp that looks like it'll hook up without too much difficulty. 

Once it's all together, will take it for the road test and post results/pics.

If anyone's looking for stock parts - I have a ton in good shape.  pm me at thecoloradokings@comcast.net if you're interested.

The 1500 Midget engines are not worth messing with, they have weak cranks and thrust washer problems, you can solve some of the problems by having the block machined for a full rear thrust washer, you can also fit MGB rod bearings which are wider by alot, just need to file the tang out a bit but when your done  you have a ton of cash spent

 I would really suggest using a Toyota 4AGE like in the MR2 and the Corolla GTS, its got 140 HP and fits in the Midget really easy, no cutting, a friend is doing a Morris Minor with this engine and its going to be a great conversion

 

Do NOT use a Rotary...too much heat and noise...trust me we did one already !! fun for a few miles but hell after that !!

 

If you are just looking for a reliable engine the A series Datsun 210 engines are great, use the A15 engine , A12 head and cam , add a weber DGV carb and your car will run great !! I did this conversion 10 years ago and it was awesome, no cutting at all and I used the factory MG engine mounts

I have tons of experiance with conversions and can help you with questions and sources

 

I have some 1500 engine parts too if you go that route

 

 

I'm looking for more information on the 4A-GE conversion.  I have a 77 Midget and considering the swap.  There seems to be alot of variation the the 4A-GE along with transmissions.  I want the simplest setup (least amount of cuttting and custom work).  Do you have any pictues?

 I would really suggest using a Toyota 4AGE like in the MR2 and the Corolla GTS, its got 140 HP and fits in the Midget really easy, no cutting, a friend is doing a Morris Minor with this engine and its going to be a great conversion

i agree with this. try toyota in replacing the engine and try also toyota bumpers.. i will also suggest it.