Update by Tim Suddard to the
Austin-Healey Sprite project car
Sep 22, 2021
We have discussed plans for our Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite itself as well as its suspension. Now to talk about the drivetrain.
Our Sprite’s new engine will come from our 1973 MG Midget parts car. We built a strong bottom end yet a fairly low 9.5:1 compression ratio to work well with our Moss Motors supercharger kit.
We also have an exhaust header from The Winner’s Circle; along with their RC 40 muffler, the car should sound mean. Then we’ll build the rest of the exhaust from 1.75-inch tubing.
A few years ago at Carlisle, we found a rebuilt Datsun 1200 five-speed gearbox that’s a common Spridget swap. A Rivergate Restorations conversion kit includes everything else needed to make the swap happen. (Rivergate Restoration’s Will Perry recommended a Gustafson Machine high-torque starter, so we picked up one as well.)
[Fitting a five-speed transmission to your classic European sports car]
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