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September 27, 2003
Chris,
Welcome to the MG world.
I have a '75 Midget witht the 1500 Triumph drivetrain so I can shed some light on the subject.
The 1500 motor is strong and torquey. It gives reasonalbe performance even in the gutless, smog-choked years it was installed. For most uses of the car, the 1500 is great.
The 1275 is an MG engine and a pretty good one. It revs higher, snarls instead of rumbling and is very eager to accept upgrades and really become a screamer. For semi-serious and serious performance driving, autocross, road racing or balls out engine building, the 1275 is the nearly universal choice of MG enthusiasts. Hard as it may be to believe, some MG folks even joke about and look down on the 1500 engine.
Your prior owner was prejudiced and incorrect in saying the 1500 motor is junk. Both engines have quirks and flaws (they're British after all) and both will do a nice job of enjoying the little beast doing what it was designed to do. If performance driving is what you want to do with the car then the 1275 may be the way to go. There are some out there however who have built some pretty ballsy 1500 motors.
In sum, unless you're dying to race going through an engine swap like you're contemplating isn't worth it in my opinion.
BTW-Watch the list for I'm sure there are some other points of view out there.
Rob Coxworth
'75 Midget 1500 and damned proud of it!
robbiesg@... 25642
Posted on September 27, 2003 09:32 PM
Posted to category(s) Engine (external) | Engine (internal) | Exterior | Ignition System | International | Racing | Tuning
