Mods and Consequences

Clubs reckon that these modern classic roadsters are almost exclusively for hobby use nowadays – here’s how to have the most fun in yours

MG TF

’The K-series engine is easy to tune, but also easy to get wrong…’

The MGF was just what the market needed when it arrived in 1995 – a brilliantly fun and affordable two-seater rag-top that was utterly usable, looked neat and didn’t cost much to run. The ’F was lauded in car magazines everywhere, so the stakes were high when it morphed into the coil-sprung TF in 2002.

As before there was a 1.8-litre K-series engine in standard or VVC forms, the latter with variable valve timing; the TF135 and TF160 respectively. For those in no great hurry, there was a TF120 with a 1.6-litre powerplant.

The K-series engine is easy to tune but also easy to get wrong, resulting in plenty of extra top-end power but not enough low-down torque.

The factory-fit 4-2-1 exhaust manifold isn’t especially efficient; swapping it for a decent aftermarket item will improve mid-range torque and throttle response if done in conjunction with a good-quality air filter; a VVC manifold is different from a non-VVC item.

It’s possible to realise 220bhp with a ported cylinder head, upgraded camshaft, a decent exhaust and manifold plus a remap, but you’ll also need cylinder head porting, a rebuilt, strengthened bottom end capable of running to 8000rpm and throttle bodies to replace the single throttle body and plenum. Budget £6-8k for such a project – see dvapower. co.uk for more.

If you’re a power junkie you can fit a Honda 2.0-litre VTEC engine, complete with a supercharger, good for 350bhp. You’ll need to uprate the brakes and suspension, which pushes costs up, but if you want something seriously fast talk to Maidstone Sports Cars (tinyurl.com/y7vjujlc). Or you could fit a turbocharged 1.8 K-series, as fitted in the Rover 75 and MG ZT; this will give an easy and reliable 200bhp with simple re- mapping. Alternatively you could install a KV6 engine, which will mate to the standard PG1 gearbox, keeping things relatively simple – although some modification to the bulkhead will be required for clearance.

If you’re aiming to drive on track (there’s a very active MG track day community; see mgs-on-track.com), you might find that the brakes fade, though they’re fine in normal use.

You can fit a big brake kit for £700 for the discs, calipers and pads but you might have to fit bigger wheels to clear the calipers. The best place to start is with the standard braking system, and upgrade the pads to Mintex or EBC. With the standard wheels you can fit 280mm discs front and rear; fit the AP Racing set-up and you may well have to fit bigger wheels to clear the calipers.