2003 MG TF - Track / Fast Road Project

And so it begins...

Recently purchased a 2003 MG TF from my brother, which was my dads before that. The car has been in storage for a short while circa (1.5 years) and driven very rarely. It has been regularly started once every couple of weeks.

In the last couple of years, a fair wad of money has been spent on fixing mechanical issues, so I'm hoping that the majority of them will no longer cause an issue - but this is an MG TF.

During my brothers ownership, the car has been neglected and unloved. Both door handles broke and were replaced with blue ones, as shown in the pictures below. This is first on my list to rectify.

The aim is to get it back to the clean and mechanically sound car that it once was. I will then be looking at modifications and weight reduction that will help for track use.

Spec:
MG TF 135
Sunspot Yellow
Anthracite Trophy wheels
TT stainless exhaust
43k miles

First job was a quick clean as the car was filthy and dusty.

After a quick clean I wanted to crack on with spraying the interior panels gloss black, rather than the hideous yellow they were.

Interior panels are currently hanging in the shed after spraying and hoping to get them refitted this coming weekend.

Next on the list;

Replace single 'ditch finder" tyre on rear
Spray exterior door handles
Service
Fit new disks and pads
Fit new badges all around
Thorough clean and polish throughout
Fit new soft top roof with glass window (supplied with sale). Current roof has mould on inside.

Will update when further progress is made.

Update 26/02/16

Most interior parts that are to be sprayed have been removed, primered and sprayed gloss black, including a few coats of laquer. Inspiration to do this came from the TF Le500.

The sprayed parts;

Next up will be to remove door cards, spray inserts and sort non working drivers side window.

Updare 03/05/16

Interior dash panels reassembled and re fitted after being sprayed gloss black. The results are better than expected and better than the previous ghastly yellow colour.

Door cards also removed with the view to spray the small door card insert gloss black. All window mechanisms and moving objects need a good clean and grease down here, as there is a horrific grating noise when lowering / raising the window.

Unfortunately thats it for now. More spraying to be completed and hoping to get the blue door handles sprayed back to body colour this week also.

Update 09/04/2016

All interior panels re fitted. All aligned correctly and clips / screws where missing have now been replaced. All electrics seems to be working too.

Have re fuelled and started the car, however engine management light is now showing. As it has been driven for a while I am hoping that its nothing major - perhaps just a sensor. The car ran a lot cleaner than expected whejn started.

Maxiscan OBD2 Ms300 purchased from ebay to try and find the issue.

Colour coded door handle surrounds and chrome door handles fitted.

And finally a good clean.

Upgraded 2 pot AP calipers, pads and 304mm discs purchased for the front including braided hoses all round. Also looking to purchase a rear bigger disc option - does anyone have any recommendations?

Update 23/04/2016

Although progress has been made the MG TF is in more pieces than it previously has been. As I plan on replacing brakes / suspension, I thought it would be wish to remove front and rear bumper, to allow better access to certain areas. I also wanted to clean and respray all vents.

How to day started.

After much swearing, and countless time wasted searching for the right tools, wheels were removed to allow better access. For a 13 year old car (especially an MG) the body is not in that bad condition. The bolts however, were rusted and in some cases very difficult to remove - although no angle grinder was required, which I am counting as a success!

Rear wheels off to inspect rear brakes and suspension.

Exhaust seems in good nick - expected from stainless steel.

Front bumper also removed.
Put back to bed.

Next Jobs;

- Clean wheel arches and all accessible areas of the body and chassis
- Fit Front AP brakes
- Purchase new 'big' brake rear conversion
- Purchase Braided hoses
- Source suspension (preferably Spax shocks) and lower by 20mm - 25mm
- Refurbish wheels in dark anthracite

like the colour :broon:

Looking good, is it trophy or sun spot?

:broon: :broon:

There is a big brake kit on EBay, see item no. 201563495037.

MGF MGTF Brake Discs, inc big brake upgrade 304 & 280mm Stock Clearance Bargain Completed

That kit is from the same chap that brings us the TT exhausts.