Vega Rear End in MG Midget

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Vega Rear End in MG Midget

Postby Drgrumpus » Sat May 24, 2014 8:08 am

First, please don't blow me off as a crackpot. I've been racing MG Midgets with Vega/Monza wheels for 30 years. The cars share a 4 bolt 4 inch pattern. Most of my race rubber are on the 13 X 6 steel sport rims, but I also have a set of Cosworth alloys.
Here is my dilemma. I currently run a 150 hp Toyota 4AG in the car in hill climbs in Vermont. The standing starts and horrible bumps on the "paved" summit roads are testing the stock (welded) MG rear end. My aftermarket axles are twisted and the hubs are in bad shape.
Hopefully you have read this far. My thought is to put a Vega rear end in the car. It will be much stronger, and retain the wheel lug pattern. The vega has 9 inches wider track, so I could either narrow the Vega rear or run it as is with wheels sticking out 4.5 inches each side. So, I ask for some help/advice.
1. Does anyone have one of these units in New England or New York that I could look at and maybe buy? I think either the early units or later ones will be strong enough.
2. What ratios available? I currently run 4.55.
3. Is posi readily available? I hate welded diff, but hate wheel spin more.
:bang:

Feedback or advice welcome
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Re: Vega Rear End in MG Midget

Postby RamIt » Sat May 24, 2014 2:16 pm

Is the midget a leaf sprung car?
Look for a 7.5" rear from a 1975 up monza or vega. They have enough strength to put up with some abuse.
The 6.5" might work but parts are hard to come by and are substantially weaker.
Gears are available for the 7.5" from 2.73 to 4.56
Posi's in various forms from traditional to torsens are available for the 7.5"
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Re: Vega Rear End in MG Midget

Postby Drgrumpus » Sat May 24, 2014 3:42 pm

RamIt: I thank you. I will search for a 7.5 inch unit. My question is where to search? Shipping on an item like this is costly. Are there some members in the NE/NY area who might have one for sale? Also, where to find alternate ring/ pinion sets?

Mike

Ps: Yes, the Midget has rear leafs.
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Re: Vega Rear End in MG Midget

Postby Smiley » Sat May 24, 2014 4:07 pm

if you are going to narrow it you will need new axles anyway.
Cosworth Vegas were 7.5 with 3.73 or 4.11 posi
2WD S10's with a 4 cylinder engines had 7.5 rear ends some were 4.11 positractacs. S10's should be easier to find and they are leaf spring.
you might look into having your axle tubes welded into an early Ford 9 inch housing center to retain your suspension brackets and brakes but allowing you to use a 9" posi.
Postal Jeep (DJ) rear ends are narrower than Vega/Monzas/2wd S10s

bare 9 inch housings can be found on ebay in any width you want you can get the center section locally and add the brakes you want.
you can get aluminum center sections for the 9 inch to keep the weight down.
Last edited by Smiley on Sun May 25, 2014 11:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Vega Rear End in MG Midget

Postby hammerdown7 » Sat May 24, 2014 7:24 pm

Like Smiley said, the S10 4cyl rear axle, 4.10, should be fairly plentiful although the posi, if equipped, is usually the gov-lock design which is more for off roading than racing. Posi's are available from Eaton, you could also find a posi dif out of a Camaro/Firebird. Early S10's are 7.5, later models are 7 5/8. Either style fits the S10 axle housing. Vega/Monza axle housings are for coil springs. Most Vega's are 6.5, Monza's are 7.5 as are Cosworths. Most Monza's were automatics and R&P's typically are 2.56, also 2.29 or 3.08. I would think the S10 would be best but make sure it is out of a 2WD, same width as the Monza, 4WD units are four inches wider.

dadhad1 may have a Cosworth 7.5, send him a PM by clicking on his name in this thread, viewtopic.php?f=7&t=41326

Dick
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Re: Vega Rear End in MG Midget

Postby NVEGAR8D » Sat May 24, 2014 7:59 pm

Hi,
I think he is looking to retain the 4 on 4 lug pattern.
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Re: Vega Rear End in MG Midget

Postby hammerdown7 » Sat May 24, 2014 8:02 pm

If he gets an early 26 spline S10 axle he can use Monza axle shafts or he can re-drill the 5-lug to 4 on 4.

Dick
Last edited by hammerdown7 on Sat May 24, 2014 8:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Vega Rear End in MG Midget

Postby NVEGAR8D » Sat May 24, 2014 8:05 pm

Hi,
Thanks , i didn't know they were interchangeable that way. Should have figured as much. After rereading i see the re-drilling part.
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Re: Vega Rear End in MG Midget

Postby chevyart » Sat May 24, 2014 8:25 pm

i dont know your location. here in dutchess coun ty NY, i hear there is as 75 cosworth in the junkyard, put there fairly recently. want me to check? art
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Re: Vega Rear End in MG Midget

Postby 283vega » Sun May 25, 2014 6:46 pm

Message JD race on this site and he can supply you with all you need.
283 vega
70 corvette


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Re: Vega Rear End in MG Midget

Postby Smiley » Sun May 25, 2014 10:54 pm

what is the actual width of the rear end in your car now ?
Postal Jeeps have leaf springs, some had 4 lug axles and posi, they are 49" to 50" wide
some were Dana 44 housings so lots of high numerical gear ratios should be available.

S10 2wd axles are 54.5" and leaf spring and some years will accept 4 lug Monza axle shafts ( the opposite of what H-body guys do cause we want 5 lugs and some need the torque arm) you might find someone here who did the 5 lug swap and has the 4 lug axles laying around.


I heard Greyhound will ship axles cheap.

Monzaz has an 50" wide 8.5 for sale http://forums.h-body.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=41351
probably more than you need, you could get a 7.5 4 lug cheaper

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Re: Vega Rear End in MG Midget

Postby Drgrumpus » Mon May 26, 2014 7:52 am

Thanks to all for their help. To answer a few questions: first, the track for the MG Midget is listed as 44.8 inches. That is with skinny stock tires. I don't have the car here right now, but guess the track is up to 50 plus with spacers and slicks. The axle is about 50 inches drum face to drum face.

I looked for a member " jdrace". No luck. Any other clues for him?

The MG diff has a 6.5 inch ring gear od. I assume that is how you determine the " size" . Maybe it is strong enough as is. Except for suspect British meatalurgy.

My current thinking is to go with the 7.5 posi 4.56 gears 4 on 4, stock width. It'll be a "wide track".

Mike
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Re: Vega Rear End in MG Midget

Postby hammerdown7 » Mon May 26, 2014 8:34 am

Contact for Jim, sales@jdrace.com

He goes by monzaz here.

Does your MG have leaf springs?
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Re: Vega Rear End in MG Midget

Postby Drgrumpus » Wed Jun 25, 2014 6:25 pm

Thanks for the help and advice. I just bought a mangy Monza 7.5 inch 4bolt axle. Lots of rust and suspect internals. Next step is to open it up and see what I've got. If the "guts" are useable, I will want to install 4.22 or 4.56 gears. Also need to find someone local(New England) to narrow it.

If the guts are ng, what internals should I look for?
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Re: Vega Rear End in MG Midget

Postby megavega » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:20 pm

Just to point out a problem coming,you do realize you cant shorten the monza axles right? The stock axles are tapered and cant be shortened and resplined. That means youll be buying aftermarket axles at $250-300 for a pair.

Also,If it doesnt have a posi your gonna need one of those($200 used on ebay,$400 new)) and also a 4.56 ring and pinion set and bearing kit($250-$300. Your gonna have over $750-800 in this rear end just off the top of my head and thats no labor cost.

you might be better off to look art other rear axle set ups as an alternative, its pretty easy to just redrill a bolt pattern, far less expensive.

maybe check on that jeep rear end mentioned.
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