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948 vs 1275 - Looking for opinions and ideas

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I didn't build mine. It does have some nice mods however.
It is a 10-1 motor, GT7 Longman head, big valves, HIF6
SU Big Bore carb, Elgin hot street cam and some other goodies.
I suspect I'm a bit over 80hp. Premium fuel ONLY!
Very streetable.
It seems pretty reliable so far. A few laps at CMP around 7.5K plus rpms and it held together.
:jester:
 
I know that the 1275 will give me double the power. I'll need an engine, a new gearbox, eletric fuel pump, and then the disc front breaks.

The idea of keeping the car original is appealing to me more and more. I appreciate all the suggestions and ideas, thank you.

I'll plan on fixing this 948 and keeping this car as original as possible. And, if I don't like, I'll pull the lump and replace it!

Thanks again-

Mike
 
Nothing wrong with keeping it original -- as long as you get out there and drive it.
grin.gif


In the end, despite the changes I made (1275, disc brakes) I'm really a keep-it-original guy myself. I don't plan to own this car forever, so I'll have a few good years of speedy fun before moving on to try something else.

Enjoy that Bugeye!
 
Drew-

Thanks- I plan on enjoying it for a while and then letting the next guy have it.

And besides, my 64 MGB is very stock and nice and peppy- maybe it won't be as bad as folks are saying.

Thanks again-

Mike
 
Mike- I contacted you about my low mile 948. I like most on this list felt the "need for speed" so swapped in a 1275, ribcase, and 3.9 rear. Also disc's up front.
I realize I'm biased since I'm offering the engine but I'm not so sure I did'nt enjoy my 948 more. The 948 kept me off the freeway but back roads and a slower pace has its advantage's. Not to scare you off freeways but I felt out of place there.
KA.
 
nomad said:
. Not to scare you off freeways but I felt out of place there.
KA.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you need to be able to get out of trouble as quickly as you got into it.
 
Regarding the highways- I agree - these cars are out of place there nowadays. The bugeye I'm envisioning will not be doing 75 up hills on route 287 in Northern NJ.

I see mostly twisty county roads, on warm sunny days, with the wind at my back. :smile:

Mike
 
Oh I can run down hwy 75 along with traffic at 75 80 MPH to be honest I'm always finding myself stressed and glad when I hit the exit ramp. I wish Garmin GPS had a "road less traveled -relaxed" feature for LBC's. Interstates in DFW are just way to flipping crazy I think even with a 1275 I would still avoid them to Loud and theres something about a tractor tralier tire spinning at 80MPH with 40,000Lbs on top of it 6ft from my head.
"Country roads take me home"
 
Its not bad its just at the end of its ablity to cruise at those speeds.65 70 is fine. You would never pull it of any where accept Texas, North Dakota and a hand full of canadian Provences. Any kind of grade for to long and your in the way.
 
It all depends on the condition of your front end. 75 is about the top speed before the tach runs into the Orange/Red with standard gearing. If the front end is right and it's a smooth road no issues. With a worn road, pot holes, frost heaves, and asphalt with grooves worn from passing trucks 75 can cause puckering to certain parts of your anatomy and in some cases a need to change your shorts after a spirited ride. Spridgets are not meant for long high speed runs. And if the front suspension isn't right, hitting a tar strip at 25 can cause you to change lanes. Bugsy, my '68 was a scary ride when I first got him. After a whole lot of work, like on rails...
 
Being here in Northern NJ we have potholes on almost every road.

Are there suspension tuning tips anyone can offer? I'll search around the threads...

Mike
 
I've seen those pot holes. All you can do with those babies is drive around them or stop and drop a line and fish.
Really the fist thing is go thru your suspension replace whats worn rebulid the shocks and well keep driving around those potholes.
 
I just have to weigh in. Restoring my '62 Sprite MkII and made the decision to stay with the 948cc. motor. Why junk a perfectly good engine? Hap is porting the head for me, I invested in a Folchi/Judson supercharger for a little extra kick, and misc parts and goodies are coming from Anton/APT including a nitrided crank, APT studs/bolts and a new cam optimized for the SC. It wont be as fast as a 1275 with the same $ investment but it's what the car came with, I dont have to junk any big parts that were perfectly good anyway, and its fun to be just a little bit unusual using the 948cc with a period blower vs a 1275 with modern gear. I dont know what the HP difference between my motor and a 1275 set up will be, but I do think the car would be amazingly fun to drive with either set up. Just one opinion. My brother redid a beautiful Mini and swapped in a very hot street 1275cc motor so what may be more important that 'right or wrong' is 'what's most important to you.'
 
chrpark; sounds like a great set up to me. Where in Michigan are you? I want to see a Midget rally in Michigan this season.
 
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