5 WAYS TO MAKE IT BETTER
1 MAKE IT SHARPER
These cars drive nicely even in standard form, but there are numerous ways you can make them feel a bit sharper and tighter. Replacing the suspension bushes with polyurethane items is one route, while less than £400 will bag a set of adjustable gas dampers. The ‘Healey didn’t get anti-roll bars (GTS did); fitting a front one is straightforward though the rear one is a little more involved.
2 IMPROVE THE TRANSMISSION
The four-speed gearbox shared with Sunbeams was offered with overdrive as an option, so this is worth fitting to any cars where it wasn’t specified. It might take some searching to track down a suitable unit but installation isn’t too difficult and it will make a noticeable difference to higher-speed cruising refinement. It’ll boost economy a little bit, too.
3 IMPROVE ITS RUNNING
The distributor is located in a slightly awkward position, so the ostensibly simple job of renewing the points is often a much fiddlier job than it needs to be. The answer is to swap to an electronic ignition system that makes maintenance easier, not to mention improving reliability, efficiency and hot/ cold starting. There are various systems on the market, such as the programmable 123 Ignition distributor, for around £300.
4 ADD MORE OOMPH
The ‘Healey and GT don’t really lack for performance, but a bit more power and torque is always welcome and it can be achieved by upping engine capacity from 2.0 to 2.2 litres. It essentially involves using the crank, con rods and pistons from the larger Lotus unit and can result in upwards of 180bhp, which is a noticeable hike if you fancy more overtaking punch.
5 HELP IT TO BREATHE
If a replacement is on the cards then it’s worth investing in an improved exhaust system. Choosing something less restrictive helps the engine to breath better – always a good thing – and it needn’t be too loud unless you want an especially fruity note. And opting for stainless steel will vastly improve longevity, so while it’s more expensive in the short-term you’ll actually be saving money in the long run.