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MG MG Y Type - YA performance

I have wondered why the YA saloon was so detuned with its single 1.25 carburettor and special low lift camshaft, well now I have fitted the engine to near TF specification and raise the gear ratio by fitting a 5 cog box I think I have the answer, it was far too fast for MG's other products the TC and TD. Now my YA will reach 4000revs [70mph] with ease and found it still accelerating at 4500revs in short for a 1250cc saloon it would for its time have been a little pocket rocket. No doubt the saloon was more slippery than the open cars with duffle coats and bobble hats slowing them down!
B Mellem

You are right of course. Also keep in mind that the Y was introduced when the TC was still in production. Compared to the TC with it's rigid beam front axle, the Y's road holding was much better. So on the twisty bits the Y had it's advantages, too.
Willem van der Veer

The Y Type is a great car in standard tune, but you are right Bryan - change the cam and even with a single carburettor it really comes alive! Maybe we are the lucky ones who know the secret of these great cars!! They have always been the unsung cars in the MG range!!
Paul Barrow

I agree - there is also very little performance difference up to 60MPH between a YT and a YA. Many a time on club runs, other MGB drivers have expressed surprise at just how spritely a Y-Type driven with vigour can perform on the open road.

My mate who is now in his early mid 80's, developed a bit of a reputation in the last few years for the speed he drove his YA on MG Car Club runs - surprised a few "fast" MGB drivers more than once with the speed and handling through corners and on the straights.

A Pre-War MG driver once accused me of having a supercharger fitted to the YT after a run up to Mt Hotham from Beechworth - he was amazed when I opened the bonnet to reveal just a 1250 XPAG. He went away to re-tune his blown 1100cc's.

Happy days !
A L SLATTERY

One can only imagine the dismay that the Y prototype team felt after perhaps touching 90mph on the Oxford bypass to put a stop to it, no doubt Kimber wanted to push the sales of the new TC. No thought of what the customer wanted, and again the YB was a lost opportunity to let the dog of the leash, so sales just dwindled. No man is an island and there are other manufacturers out there, I once suffered the humiliation of a 1200cc Lancia Aprilia just walk away from my YA The Y should have been aimed at the young aspiring middle class especially in the states, just the car with its limpet road holding for taking the kids up to the lodge in the Sierras. In short the Y could have been something of a legend instead of being seen as an old gentleman's touring car.
B Mellem

I too have left many people wondering just WHAT kind of a car I have as I over take and leave them in my vapor trail! Gotta love the Y Type in any form, it is a great car ... we know the secret!!

Paul
Paul Barrow

This thread was discussed between 12/01/2014 and 13/01/2014

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