Improvement and modification recommendations

[Another Peter]

I was very interested to read Terry's post on his "improvement modifications".

It has made me wonder.

I don't necessarily mean a list as long as Terry's, but what might be the top five modifications the Forum would recommend that newbie Stag owners like myself ensure are done to their cars (might be for reliability, or comfort, or performance, or just bling)

Let the debate begin....

[dasadrew]

...

Let the debate begin....

Let the debate recommence

http://www.stag.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?2137-Modifications&highlight=modifications

[Another Peter]

Yeah, but that was three years ago...

[DJT]

Yeah, but that was three years ago...

Maybe, but the debate has been running for the past 30-odd years, only now it is online instead of in the magazine, at N&Ns, down the pub, at car shows, etc.....

Or you could adopt the stance of Mike Allen as per his article in the April magazine.

I appreciate where he is coming from, but have made a few minor modifications:

1. Header tank - increased capacity and level switch wired through a warning buzzer to alert me should I lose coolant.
2. 14" Kenlowe turbo fan activated by a thermostatic switch in the radiator as a back up to the VC. Only come on twice in 2 years.
3. 15" wheels - more choice of tyres available
4. Goodridge braided brake hoses all round - fit and forget
5. Poly bushes all round (except main subframe mounts)
6. Modern type fuel pump
7. Lumenition - other types of electronic ignition are available but all are an improvement of points.
8. 3.45 diff
9. Datsun driveshafts

Other than that it is purely cosmetic:
1. Oil pressure guage instead of clock.
2. Jaguar clock instead of ashtray
3. Astrali wooden steering wheel

[Giles]

I would say the ones that do not cost too much but are worth doing the most are - electronic ignition, Polybushes and header tank. This would be a good place to start, but that is just my opinion and I have done a bit more to mine.

[Peter Hills]

You lot are all impatient! Emrhys asked me to write about popular Stag modifications for the Stag Mag and I’ve sent him a 1700 word article, amended as he requested. It was ready for the June issue but he’s decided to keep it for later! If he doesn’t put it in the July issue, we’ll have to organise a forum petition for more modified Stag articles. However, I expect he’d like someone else to write them!


Peter Hills
Modified Stag Co-ord SOC

[peterrc]

For my Stag,
No 1 No
No2 yes
No3 no
No4 yes
No5 yes
No6 No
No7 Yes
No8 No
No9 No

I have moved the warning cluster to the central speaker housing, where you can see it, and fitted an electronic indicator relay with buzzer. For those of a certain age these are essential mod's.
Peter, Cupar

[dasadrew]

So when does a Stag stop being a Stag?

Is a "Stag" with a BMW Diff, a ZF Gearbox, Datsun halfshafts, a Rover engine, Rover Tomcat seats, Weber carburettor, Motolita steering wheel, Alleycat rims, HID headlights etc.,..... still a Stag?

[Stagdad]

So when does a Stag stop being a Stag?

Is a "Stag" with a BMW Diff, a ZF Gearbox, Datsun halfshafts, a Rover engine, Rover Tomcat seats, Weber carburettor, Motolita steering wheel, Alleycat rims, HID headlights etc.,..... still a Stag?

Yes but 4x4's are out

4x4 stag.jpg

[stagmuffin]

Yes but 4x4's are out

[ATTACH=CONFIG]10259[/ATTACH]

looking good steve you must be putting some hrs in!!!

[Stagdad]

looking good steve you must be putting some hrs in!!!

Even I think thats a mod too far Steve

[Ian Durrant]

My personal view, in order of how worthwhile within cost

1. Trailing Arm Poly Bushes - (reduce or eliminate that stag twitch)
2. Rear seat belts if yours doesn't have them
3. Electronic ignition - (just improves starting and makes distributor shaft and baseplate wear not an issue.)
4. Tubular exhaust manifolds (not so much more power as longer legs, it just seems so much less breathless above 5000rpm)
5. Header tank with a level switch (peace of mind)
6. Uprated radiator (not strictly necessary but a good idea if you are going to go on to point 7 and beyond)
7. Fast road cams and a dyno session (I was not going to do this as the one thing I didn't want was a lumpy stag engine, but having heard the racing stag on full race cams, which is surprisingly smooth, I don't think fast road cams will be lumpy at all) if you have the heads off at this point might as well gas flow them.
8. A Brake upgrade (I'd like vented discs but not at the price available so I'll probably just go with cross drilled discs and green stuff pads)
9. Oil Cooler - not at all essential but if you like to use your new horses not a bad idea.
10. EFI (I will be using strombergs as throttle bodies to keep it looking as stock as possible).

[Peter Hills]

My personal view, in order of how worthwhile within cost

1. Trailing Arm Poly Bushes - (reduce or eliminate that stag twitch)
2. Rear seat belts if yours doesn't have them
3. Electronic ignition - (just improves starting and makes distributor shaft and baseplate wear not an issue.)
4. Tubular exhaust manifolds (not so much more power as longer legs, it just seems so much less breathless above 5000rpm)
5. Header tank with a level switch (peace of mind)
6. Uprated radiator (not strictly necessary but a good idea if you are going to go on to point 7 and beyond)
7. Fast road cams and a dyno session (I was not going to do this as the one thing I didn't want was a lumpy stag engine, but having heard the racing stag on full race cams, which is surprisingly smooth, I don't think fast road cams will be lumpy at all) if you have the heads off at this point might as well gas flow them.
8. A Brake upgrade (I'd like vented discs but not at the price available so I'll probably just go with cross drilled discs and green stuff pads)
9. Oil Cooler - not at all essential but if you like to use your new horses not a bad idea.
10. EFI (I will be using strombergs as throttle bodies to keep it looking as stock as possible).

PM Sent re TBI - Peter Hills

[Ian Durrant]

Not had a PM Peter?

[Klaus Schlueter]

PM Sent re TBI - Peter Hills

Anything wrong with TBI Peter?

Klaus