Enhancing Your Midget Car: Performance Upgrades and Modifications

The MG Midget offers excellent potential for performance enhancement. With its lightweight body and simple mechanical design, even modest upgrades can yield significant improvements.

At Rimmer Bros, we have supplied quality MG Midget performance parts since 1982, with our team bringing over 1000 years of combined experience to help you make the right choices for your classic.

Understanding Your MG Midget Performance Potential

This guide is for MG Midget enthusiasts and performance tuning experts who want to unlock their vehicle's true potential while maintaining its classic character and reliability.

1. Engine Performance Upgrades

• Carburetion improvements: Your Midget's standard SU carburettors can be tuned for better performance. Replacing them with larger versions or adjusting the needles provides noticeable power gains.
• Cylinder head modifications: A ported and polished cylinder head significantly improves your Midget's breathing capabilities. This modification, when combined with larger valves and performance camshafts, allows your engine to draw in more air and fuel.
• Performance camshafts: Installing a performance camshaft alters valve timing and lift, creating more power and torque. For road use, we recommend a mild cam that maintains low-end torque while adding top-end power.

Engine modifications are the heart of MG Midget performance enhancement. A well-tuned engine performs better and preserves the car's sporting character.

2. Suspension and handling enhancements

• Upgraded shock absorbers: Modern adjustable shock absorbers paired with uprated springs transform your Midget's handling. These components reduce body roll and provide better control over rough surfaces.
• Anti-roll bar improvements: Fitting a thicker front anti-roll bar reduces body lean during cornering. Adding a rear anti-roll bar further improves handling balance and reduces understeer.
• Polyurethane bushes: Replacing rubber suspension bushes with polyurethane alternatives reduces flex in the suspension components. This creates more precise handling and improved road feel.

A well-balanced suspension setup is the reward for diligent MG Midget performance tuning in this area.

3. Gearbox and differential modifications

A close-ratio gearbox keeps the engine in its power band between shifts, making better use of available power. For those seeking maximum acceleration, a lower final drive ratio offers quicker acceleration at the expense of higher cruising revs.

• Close-ratio gearbox: Maintains engine performance throughout the rev range and ensures optimal power delivery during spirited driving.
• Final drive options: Choose between acceleration-focused lower ratios or highway-friendly higher ratios depending on your driving preferences.
• Limited slip differential: Improves traction under acceleration and provides better control in challenging conditions.

Drivetrain modifications complement engine upgrades and are essential for MG Midget performance enhancement enthusiasts.

4. Electronic ignition conversion

Converting from points to electronic ignition provides more consistent spark timing and improved reliability. This modification eliminates the need for regular adjustment and ensures optimal ignition timing under all conditions.

• Reliability improvement: Electronic systems require less maintenance and provide consistent performance over time.
• Better fuel economy: Precise timing control can improve fuel efficiency while increasing power output.
• Easy installation: Most electronic ignition kits are direct replacements for points-based systems.

Modern ignition systems are a worthwhile upgrade that enhances both performance and reliability.

5. Why choose Rimmer Bros for your upgrades

Our 105,000 square foot warehouse in Lincoln houses over 2 million parts across 52,000 part numbers. For MG models specifically, we stock an extensive range of performance components from OEM and quality aftermarket manufacturers.

• Expert knowledge: Our parts advisors have unmatched knowledge of MG Midget models and can guide you towards the most effective upgrades for your goals.
• Global shipping: With daily shipping to 195 countries worldwide, you can access our expertise regardless of location.
• Quality assurance: Our computerised stock control system ensures parts availability, while our efficient operation processes over 825,000 parts annually.

For MG Midget performance parts, quality components make all the difference between a successful upgrade and disappointment.

6. Getting started with your upgrades

When planning modifications, consider how you use your car. For weekend pleasure drives, focus on handling and braking improvements. For regular touring, a balance of performance and reliability works best.

• Assessment first: Ensure your Midget is mechanically sound before adding performance upgrades. This provides a solid foundation for improvements.
• Staged approach: Start with fundamentals and gradually add modifications to appreciate each improvement.
• Professional advice: Our team can discuss your plans and suggest the most effective upgrade path for your budget and goals.

Well-planned modifications are a critical aspect of successful MG Midget performance enhancement.

The reward of enhancement

Enhancing an MG Midget is more than just adding power; it's about creating a connection to the car's sporting heritage. Each modification brings the car closer to its full potential while maintaining the character that makes the Midget special.

For MG Midget performance enthusiasts, the process is deeply rewarding. Taking a standard car and transforming it into something truly special - improving acceleration, sharpening handling, or increasing reliability - creates a bond with the machine that's hard to replicate. With over four decades of experience serving classic car owners, we understand how to achieve meaningful performance gains while preserving what makes your MG Midget unique.