Chrysler/Dodge Neon powered Midget

[Mitsuru]

I found this on www.neons.org
Someone who thought the old car could be updated
a 1975 MG Midget
a 2.0L DOHC Neon engine in the car with a Jeep Liberty RWD 5sp transmission

http://forums.neons.org/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=369388

[TriumphDriver]

I found this on http://www.neons.org
Someone who thought the old car could be updated... botched?

Mixed feelings on this.
Yes I know, I'll get the whole tirade about how it's HIS car and he can do what he wants with it, but my feeling is that it's no longer a classic, but a modern that looks old. We're getting a lot of these bitsers at shows these days - in fact it seems to be all pervasive - and to me it's no longer a novelty, but an easy botch that spoils the ethos of the original car. Putting an electric motor in a steam engine means it's no longer a steam engine, if you get my angle.

[Martin Evans]

I wouldn't do it to mine. Longterm I think it would devalue the car and I don't see spares being available for Neons long term. Some may say that my overdrive gearbox makes my car non original (Much nicer to drive) but it fitted easily to the engine (I think MG should have done it themselves), just as the 1275 A Series, in my Morris Minor, fits to the same mountings as did the original 1098. My MG V8 has a non original but much stronger Rover SD1 gearbox but none of the mods I mentioned really concern the insurance companies and none require the cars to carry Q plates. On top of that, I rather like pushrods and rockers . I think if I wanted one of these modernish DOHC mutli valve, ECU controlled engines, I'd buy a Caterham or Westfield (Perhaps an Elise for a bit more civilisation).

[Luxobarge]

As above.

If I wanted a small light 2-seater with a high revving DOHC injection engine, I'd buy an Elise.

But I don't - I actually like the old-fashioned sounds and characteristics of the A series - that's why I drve an old fasioned car.

Hey ho....

[1275midget]

Each to his own, I don't want a messy long drawn out argument with anyone's opinions, as I respect them, but I'll provide my take on it

I built my K-series Midget to see if I could, and because I could. 50% of the fun is building it, 50% is having something with classic pedigree that will embarrass 80% of stuff on the road. It's easily better than it was, but it really wasn't easy nor a botch. In My opinion, it's a million times more fun than just another Elise. I feel that it's the car MG should have built. Every time I drive it not only do I get that midget thrill, but have the great feeling of driving something that I have built myself.

Perhaps a view from the other side?

[Mitsuru]

I'll say some thing but it's not what your going to be expecting.
Yes some cars could do with updating,
or done the they way they should have been done in the first place.

BUT there are a few types who don't think along those lines.

One type thinks I want something that I don't have to pay the tax man more money and tell the classic car owners what for! and get an even bigger one over on the government!
(I hate them the most)

The wannabe, who doesn't know what he's doing or have money or basic experience (of even an oil change) it's all on the surface, all show and no go!

The one who trys to be different (this is the category where I fall into) putting an engine into a car it was never intended, or for that matter might not even fit (heaven help me if the measurements are wrong) yes this person is different or the biggest stubborn sob going against everybody who gives them advise because the advise that is only given is to be the same as everybody else or F**OFF!

Then there is the SOB who force advise to the person described above because they think they know better even if the advise they give was never asked for. BUT that SOB has never tried anything different and will never adapt to change or listen to new ideas.

Yes there has been a few more retro fitted classic and old cars,
BUT consider what is available from the manufactures these days most look the same drive the same, and it's an option for them modern car reliability with good old fashioned good looks!

We are all supposed to be all different.
I think I may have rambled and ranted a bit too much here!
Think not what person may do to a car is sacrilege if it is different,
but an experiment of what can or can't be done with parts from
different vehicles, which could in turn give you an idea how to change or adapt a part to solve a problem on your own vehicle!

In regards to the fact they are using a Neon, well a neon over there so as common as an escort was over here.
(neons stopped being produced in 2005 to be replaced by the dodge caliber)

[TriumphDriver]

Yes some cars could do with updating,
or done the they way they should have been done in the first place.


The one who trys to be different (this is the category where I fall into) putting an engine into a car it was never intended, or for that matter might not even fit (heaven help me if the measurements are wrong) yes this person is different or the biggest stubborn sob going against everybody who gives them advise because the advise that is only given is to be the same as everybody else or F**OFF!

Errr.... no. Put whatever modern engine into your car that you desire. It may be a project, it may be a monumental feat of engineering, it may be a disaster. Just don't expect me to call it a classic any more. I'm with Luxobarge, the smell and sound of the original is what draws me, and the challenge of maintaining the usually rare original mechanics. If you're going to say that this is the car the MG should have been, you may as well say the Mazda MX5 is the car it should have been, as it's safer, faster and smoother. But that's missing the entire point of classics.

[1275midget]

My midget is faster, more economical, more reliable, handles better and is generally a better car than it was before. The only way to can tell it's K-powered is the gearstick comes out of a different place. The essence of the car I feel is retained, it's still unmistakably a Midget to drive.

the only place where it won't match up to a standard midget is in originality. It's cheaper and faster than an MX-5, and it really feels like my car, rather than a car that is mine. It needs just as much attention as the old one, at least, I give it as much attention.

In the case of the Midget, I can see why you would want to keep it standard, they're nice cars, but I found mine to be lacking in real-word performance & handling when puching on. I didn't just jump straight into the K-series conversion, I spent 3 years breathing on and tweaking the A series. This broke 2 gearboxes. The cheapest (and arguably most reliable) route to more power and a reliable gearbox (which I wanted) was the K. My car gets used all the time, and does it's job better than ever now.

Yes I'm young, so speed and excitement is high on the agenda. There are becoming less young people interested in cars this old, mine will survive for a long time. I also want something different, something people point at and say WOW what's that.

I'd hope I was in the same category as Mitsuru.

There is another category: the people who have modern engined/geaarbox'd classics who shove that down peoples throats - every time someone says "my gearbox is tired" they shout "Get a 5 speed" etc. I try hard not to be in this category.

[TriumphDriver]

There is another category: the people who have modern engined/geaarbox'd classics who shove that down peoples throats - every time someone says "my gearbox is tired" they shout "Get a 5 speed" etc. I try hard not to be in this category.

Lol you've been on the Triumph forums then! I always picture one of those talking Action Men with only two phrases... pull the string and you get: "Fit a type 9! fit a type 9! fit a type 9!" or occasionally: "Subaru diff! Subaru diff!"

[Mitsuru]

There is another category: the people who have modern engined/geaarbox'd classics who shove that down peoples throats - every time someone says "my gearbox is tired" they shout "Get a 5 speed" etc. I try hard not to be in this category.

Lol you've been on the Triumph forums then! I always picture one of those talking Action Men with only two phrases... pull the string and you get: "Fit a type 9! fit a type 9! fit a type 9!" or occasionally: "Subaru diff! Subaru diff!"

On this I do agree!!
All I get thrown at me is! fit a 5speed manual rip that auto-box out!
I'm not just talking about the current car but previous,
and it's not from just the modders but those who don't know a particular vehicle.