MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Speedo Recalibration

Seeking an opinion. I have priced having a conversion gearbox manufactured and installed in my TF speedo cable to correct the error created by installing a TC gearbox.

Interesting comment was made by the Aussie supplier, conversion boxes made to install directly behind the speedo received poor customer responses because they were noisy.

Would a better option be to just fit a GPS in the vehicle and use the speed display facility?

Graeme
G Evans

Graeme, another option is to have your speedometer recalibrated. Professionals can readily recalibrate the speedometer portion by fiddling with the magnet and can recalibrate the odometer system by choices of internal gears. The GPS approach has a safety issue that is related to wristwatches. You can just glance at a wristwatch with hands and immediately get an idea of whether, or not, you're late for your date. You have to locate and read the numbers on a digital watch to get that same information. A quick glance at a speedometer needle's position intuitively tells you all you need to know. The GPS will require you to locate the data and then read it. All this with your eyes off the road. Safety Fast. Bud
Bud Krueger

I had my speedo recalibrated on my TF 1500 with a 4.1 rear end.
Best way to do it since no extra drag on cable.
Don Harmer

G'day Graeme. Had a quote from Howard Instruments in Vic to recalibrate my chronometric TD speedo to show the correct speed following my diff conversion from 5.125 to 4.3. ($220 plus postage). I do understand the TF speedo is not chronometric but like Bud & Don I feel having an accurate speedo has to be the way to go. Suggest you give Rodger Howard a call. He will want to know the TPM. Cheers.
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

When I converted to a 5 speed I added a small gearbox to the joint between the tranny and the cable. Works fine and is not behind the dash so there is no noise issue. Later when I converted the rear end I had the box re-calibrated.

I also use a GPS. Mine has a screen where the speed is indicated very large and is the prominent feature of the window. Very easy to see. From where I sit a good portion of the speedo face is blocked by the steering wheel so I have to look at it and then move my head to see the speed. I like the GPS much better.

To each his own.

Mort
Mort 50 TD (Mobius)

Thanks for everyones comments. I have come to the conclusion because everything is in Kmh in Aus to take the GPS option with a " windscreen heads up" display facility.

The quotes I received to convert the speedo or fit a conversion gear box far exceed the cost of the GPS unit and I would still have to be conscious that the speedo is in mph.

Only issues, I will have to run a separate negative ground circuit to power the beast and GPS signals are fickle in some conditions.

Will post some images when jobs done.

Graeme
G Evans

Graeme,
I have a positive ground car and checked with Garmin before I installed it. I installed my power port under the dash and ran the positive terminal of the power adapter to my positive ground. It's been running fine for over two years.
Mort
Mort 50 TD (Mobius)

Graeme,
I was, of course referring to my GPS.
Mort
Mort 50 TD (Mobius)

I did the same thing for my Garmin, an old hand-me-down - insulated a standard cheap accessory receptacle with electrical tape, center tap to ground/car frame, side tap to negative source of power from the pattery. I set it for the big speedo display and it works like a charm.

Jud
J K Chapin

This thread was discussed between 21/02/2014 and 23/02/2014

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.