MG TF into a RPS RPX

Part 2

Last month I related how I replaced the body panels on a 2002 MG TF X Power 160 with glassfibre replacements from RPS Ltd of Lowestoft to transform it into an RPS RPX. Having trailered the partcompleted car to MG K-series experts Mike and Martin at MJS Auto and Marine in Littlehampton, they phoned with the bad news a few days later.

I thought the engine sounded a bit ‘endy’ when I loaded it onto the trailer and Mike’s verdict confirmed my suspicions: the little ends were kaput, but he had a decent secondhand block in his stores.

A couple of days later, I got another phone call from Mike. Having built the bottom end up, he was turning his attention to the cylinderhead, only to notice it had been skimmed too many times to be of any use. VVC heads, particularly Trophy 160 ones, cost silly money, even on ebay and Gumtree. Luckily, Mike had a spare cylinderhead that he’d just fixed and sent off for a spot of porting and polishing.

MJS also fitted new underfloor stainless steel coolant pipes which fitted well with the aluminium radiator. On went EBC discs and Yellowstuff pads all-round, along with Automec brake pipes and brake fluid. I also upgraded to Protech dampers, specially adapted for the TF by a modification firm; being a fan of Nitron, I went for their turquoise springs (350lb fronts with 850lb rears).

I had been apprehensive about overly stiffening the springs over standard, but the Nitrons transformed the TF’S often jarring ride and it now does a decent impression of a Lotus Elise when cornering. Unfortunately, I forgot that the dampers and springs lowered the ride height by 1.5in, thus when reloading the MG onto the trailer, I fractured the front splitter. Another job for the paintshop.

Back on the road again

On the morning of its MOT, as I started the engine, the Brown & Gammon low coolant level kit began emitting a warning buzz. I suspected an airlock and went through the MG TF process of eliminating trapped air from the system. This seemed to sort it and the car duly flew through the MOT.

However, next time I started up, the buzzer went off again. This problem stumped MJS for weeks until, by chance, Mike noticed a minuscule pinprick in one of the internal coolant pipes that was causing problems when the system was pressurised. A call to Xpart and new pipes were

on their way. Fitting them is quite involved and requires half of the car’s interior to be removed, but it solved the problem instantly. Mike also adjusted the handbrake to stop the dash-light illuminating – another common MG TF issue. And he fitted a neat sump plug replacement called an EZ Oil Drain Valve, a clever ‘tap’ that means you don’t need to remove a sump plug ever again.

Finally, the car was taken to Kingswell Coachworks in East Sussex for respraying. I went for a Citroën colour called Karma Purple with a glittery enhancer – a Marmite colour, but it certainly sparkles in sunlight – plus a yellow painted pinstripe on the front splitter. Now I just have to inform DVLA of the colourchange and complete the re-registration process by filling out a V627/1 (built-up vehicle report) and I’m all set.

Next time I’ll discuss another recent bodykit conversion, turning an MGF into a Jakabi Abster.

This Brown & Gammons kit emits a buzz if the coolant level drops below a certain level.

The replacement Protech Shocks dampers. These have been re-valved specifically for the MG TF and greatly improve ride quality.

I went for Nitron springs, softening the front springs while going stiffer at the rear.

Our car is the second RPX to be completed. Here’s the original demonstrator at RPS Ltd in Lowestoft.

Finished at last and fully road-legal. The colour is a Citroën shade called Karma Purple. The colour has split opinion, but everyone seems to like the yellow stripe across the front splitter.

The EZ Oil Drain Valve replaces the sump plug and releases the oil at the turn of the tap.