Budget UK conversion

On the heater front, it would be quite easy to put one into the current setup. I have enough space in the engine bay to mount a HV water heater, again the Outlander heater is commonly used. Then I can route it through the hoses from the cabin heater matrix that already come out into the engine bay. Alternatively I could replace the heater matrix with a HV PTC heater for direct heat, then route the HV cables in the same manner as the original hoses. But that is a bit more work
If I had some spare battery capacity for my current commute, or a smaller commute I would have definitely do the water heater option. As it is I generally just take the spare ICE car if the windscreen has frosted up and take that as the sign that it’s too cold for the MG that day. The rest of the time I use a coat and heated seats.

On a related note I am putting a PTC heater element from a VW ID3 into my Land Rover 110 heater box. Actually that part I have already done and tested, it can push out up to 10kW of heat! So the Land Rover will not be cold, nor will the windscreen take long to defrost. But the battery on that will be at least 50kWh.

Suspension wise I did get all the spheres refurbished during the original conversion process. However I am putting some extra weight over the front which is probably not ideal. One idea I have seen in the past is to replace the front spheres with that from the Rover Metro, same subframe but the spheres were designed for the weight of the engine. So they should be calibrated better for taking the weight and also be a straight swap.

As for F or TF for a future conversion, current UK rules make the F more favourable. As pre 2001 vehicles are eligible for 0 tax as you can change the engine size to 0cc. Anything newer (like my F by two months) is taxed on CO2 emissions which cannot be changed on a V5 logbook. I also personally prefer the look of the F headlights.
However there are some changes on the way regarding conversion regulations (not anytime soon but the cogs are moving) so this may change things.
 

EllisoJo wrote:

I do remember. It’s changed quite a bit since you last saw it. I think you might have seen the starting strip down of the 110 project back then as well.

It is good the hear that you have solutions in mind to tackle the lack of a heater.

I'm glad that you find the aesthetic of the MGF headlights  a positive as they have nothing else going for them, they are functionally speaking, bloody awful!
A birthday candle sitting in half a beer can with an old plastic bag as a lens would make a more effective headlight!
 

a Guest wrote:

That is a superb conversion and very well written up.
Would it have been possible to locate all the batteries where the fuel tank was in order to retain the use of the passenger seat ?
Did it just need a bog standard MOT or an additional engineers report ?

Here's a weird thing, not related the the post other than its very presence.  This post is attributed to me as a visitor.

Now, I have a vague interest in EV conversions to the MGF/TF but not so much as to offer any opinions.

I most certainly didn't write this post.  I know it was over a year ago but this is the first time I have seen it.  It doesn't particularly bother me so I see no reason to ask that it be deleted  (I can't delete it myself).

Can anyone explain what might be going on here?

This post is attributed to me & as with Bruce I was not the author. Although I have an interest in an EV conversion, I wouldn’t be moved to write a critique on the original author’s work.
There is, on eBay, an f complete with a Tesla motor already installed & with many other interesting updates, it is/was on at £800; I consider that a bargain, especially as it comes with the original engine & all the other original parts which have been removed.
Had I had more time I would have snapped it up, although there would have been resistance from my wife (hardly a great shock considering the number of pies I have my fingers in).
M

When I look at the post in question it has my name on it, this has happened before, who ever is looking at it will have their name on it.
There is a glitch in the software that is doing this, It had been cured but it's probably returned with the software upgrade.
I'll bring it to the attention of the senior admin.

I've brought it to their attention and I have no doubt it will be sorted in the fullness of time. Sorry for any confusion caused.

I did not write it either but attributed to me.
I have trouble remembering my own credentials, never mind accessing someone elses log in.

Is any Mod able to work it out?

It's a problem best tackled by Admin, us mere moderators would probably only make matters worse!

I have alerted Simon(psymon) to the return of this glitch. He's the only one who can ferret about in the bowels of the forum. The bug seems to be specific to that one post. 1st post, second page of this thread.

Thank you, moderators and Admins. Your work in keeping this forum in such top form is much appreciated

Thought I might put a bit of an update up since it's been a while!

The MGF is still going strong, recently hit 21,000 miles since the conversion. It's still my daily driver all year round. Given me no real trouble apart from the usual things you get from driving a 25 year old car.

Still no heater, although I have done 90% of the work to install a water heater from a modern electric MG. Just need to do the last bit of wiring into my canbus network and do a bit of coding. What I have been doing is preheating the car in the mornings with a fan heater on an extension cable, give it 20 minutes before I leave and the cabin is nice and toasty for the first couple of miles at least!

Picked up a hard top for it last year which does make it a little warmer in winter. Also got some individualising valves for the suspension so it's finally back to a level ride height. 

Here it is from last year, just after I picked up the hardtop.
 

What is the strange dildo thing hanging outta the fuel filler?