Mgf donor car: building an MG Allegro VVC!

[edk83]

Looked at polybushes, may swap up to them at a later date, only running standard power to start with, need to get it running first.

Steering rack back on and welded up today



Subframe in its final place, all welded up and rear stay added



Next job is mounts for the subframe

[diesel destroyer]

They ain't poly bushes..

They are complete new engine mounts.. Which don't fall apart.. Like the factory ones do

http://www.vibra-technics.co.uk/mg_rove ... _mount_kit

[edk83]

Nice

Too expensive for my project budget though, would get a whole donor car for that!

Just starting to strip my Rover 200vi - using the engine from this rather than the MGF I stripped due to the vvc mech not working

[edk83]

Allegro has a new house! Rover vi is getting stripped next weekend, just picked up a Honda Accord as my new daily. Vtec conversion anyone? Lol

[edk83]

Started on the rear subframe mounts, the frame needs lowering by about 5mm at the moment so they need redoing partly. The Allegro steering rack is bolted to the lower bulkhead but if I line up the mgf rack U clamp mounting holes with the Allegro rack it almost matches so bump steer from the geometry should be limited.

[Rob Bell]

Looks very promising

Did you sell those doors in the end Ed?

[edk83]

I did, no more mgf panels left now!

I offered up the mgf rad yesterday and it looks promising, just depends if it clears the exhaust manifold, they are nice and thin though.

I'm now breaking donor car number 2! The rover 200vi, although I don't think the parts have much of a market other than the leather seats. The engine looks very clean and runs great so that will be the one I use, HG has been changed on it. I drove it for 1500 miles and it was perfect, oil, water levels all stayed spot on, the engine from the mgf ran well other than the vvc, this is going to be used as a mock up for welding round.

My current problem to solve is getting the subframe in the right position. I have the rear centred and level, the height is governed by the Allegro steering rack - matching the mgf rack mounting holes in the subframe with the Allegro rack means it should be very close to correct and bump steer should be limited.

I'm not sure if anyone on here has an mgf of tf up on stands at the moment and can check the level front to back of the front wishbones? This would help me set the height of the front of my frame vs the rear.

[Rob Bell]

I am sure I can find a home for that unloved VVC engine when you have finished with it Ed - let me know.

Not sure what measurements you need for the front wish bones? Perhaps post a picture of what you need? I'll see what I can do.

[edk83]

A Saturday mornings work done

Basically I'm trying to find the right level of the subframe front to back. I have the car on stands and its level when I put a spirit level on the bottom of the door frame or sill.
So naturally when mounting the subframe I'm aiming for the wishbones to be level front to back of the car along the same line?

At the moment I have the position of the rear of the frame sorted, but I could move the front up or down a few cm each way which would tilt the engine forward or backwards slightly.

Maybe I need to put some shocks on the subframe and get those exactly vertical? Otherwise the wheel would actually move forwards or backwards very slightly as the suspension compresses.

[Rob Bell]

I'll need to double check, but the subframe axis is the same as the long axis of the car - as are the pivot points of the lower wishbone. Sounds as though you've got it about right?

[edk83]

Yeah I think it's about right, should be easy enough to run a straight line through

[Mykel]

I am sure I can find a home for that unloved VVC engine when you have finished with it Ed - let me know.

I think I can hear a screaming voice from a kitchen in North London going "where are you going to put THAT THING again??"

[Rob Bell]

I am sure I can find a home for that unloved VVC engine when you have finished with it Ed - let me know.

I think I can hear a screaming voice from a kitchen in North London going "where are you going to put THAT THING again??"

She'll never notice!

[edk83]

Lol, might be for sale when I'm done, it ran great accept the vvc mech doesnt work, might also keep it for spares

A bit more progress on the Allegro today, rear subframe mounts roughly made, but in the right place this time! Cut out the rear of the front panal for extra room, plated that off and whats left of the front of the chassis rails ready to accept brackets to bolt up the front of the subframe.

[Rob Bell]

That's interesting! I was expecting you to have used the original mounting brackets, but you've gone for a more direct mount using the mountings for the brackets and deleting these completely. It might make bolting in the subframe more tricky? Nice idea though!

[edk83]

I think there should be enough access just about, it's bolted in two places each side so doubling up on the standard mounts. I'm also going to make upper mounting brackets on the back of the suspension towers as I really thing these need to transfer some load to prevent the lower ones flexing. The front subframe brackets are fairly superfishal and will just tie everything together, tempted to make these adjustable vertically.

[Rob Bell]

Vertical adjustment would be an interesting way to adjust for ride height Ed!

[edk83]

This is only the front of the subframe so it wouldn't effect ride height much.

I'm going to be using TF rear shocks.

Are the any reasonably priced adjustable coil overs for the TF?

[Rob Bell]

Good question! I'd like to know that too, because I am keen to convert my track car to TF spec suspension, but will need to (a) get the ride height right and (b) set the corner weights.

I know that the MGF Centre do these with Gaz adjustables: http://www.mgfcentre.com/store/performa ... e-kit.html

I don't see a price, so I guess you'll need to drop them a line.

Or you could weld on your own adjustable platforms: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Front-Strut-C ... 3cbe5e63cd

No idea whether these fit - I need to do some measuring and some thinking!

[edk83]

Hmm wonder if those diy coilover towers would help build something like this for the rear.

Been doing a few bits today, well starting some jobs that are going to take an age to finish ha!

Managed to buy a metro gti front anti roll bar so mocking that up soon.

Also need some front braided brake lines, question is do I need long or short, assuming long? Just normal TF front ones should do seeing as the mounts for the flex hoses are still on the frame.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271294484944? ... EBIDX%3AIT