Emission control

if you take the emission control stuff off does it increase power?

I think the general consensus is it does help some. Logically, it makes sense. The engine doesn't have to turn the air pump and a little less wieght. Don't know exactly what the horsepower gain is.

did you take yours off?

Most was off when I got the car. I am eleminating the charcoal cannister and vapor tank in the trunk. If you do that you have to vent your gas cap.

ok cool. how much power did you think it increased? if it doesnt do much much of an increase i wont take it off cause i would like to keep the engine stock (by leaving all of the original parts there)/

I don't know what the power gain is, I dout it's much. I haven't driven this car with it on, so I can't give you a comparison.

I thought I felt an increase in power when I removed all my smog, probably not much though. The big change is when I got rid of the ZS carb and put a single SU HIF4 carb on.
IMPO I think stock is a little over rated when comes to smog and how much the engines changed due to regs.
Best of luck!

from what i've heard the vapor tank doesn't do anything to horsepower and actually does a decent job at containing vapors that harm the environment... i could be wrong, it's only what i've heard.

I think Sean is right on the vapor tank.

I did get better MPG after the changes, maybe 10%. I give the carb the credit.

ok. thanks for the info

There is no comment on horse power change, but this is what Lindsay Porter says in his 'Guide to Purchase & DIY Restoration MG Midget......' book, on page 257:

"The North American owner who wishes to 'de-tox' his or her car may gain the following advantages (although nothing can be guaranteed): mileage may be better; acceleration can improve; decelleration too, should be sharper (there will be generally more positive throttle response); there'll be no more 'popping' or red hot converters; the engine looks "cleaner"; the front spark plug will no longer be hidden from view."B)

so (in my opinion) i dont think its worth taking off. if your not getting a lot of extra power its not worth dealing with.

it seems to me that there are 7 advantages.there is no mention of recarbing or rejetting.yes once you go that route i dont think you can go back to stock with out some added work.i also think that there is a very small if no hp gain.there are also less parts to have to replace.check out a reman airpump from VB wow.check valve?hoses?the engine bay also looks cleaner.if its a daily driver i say keep it stock,stay green.a weekender with high priced parts,keep it clean.

ya this is my daily driver so I guess I will keep the emission control stuff in. and thanks for the advice

Logically, you will realize a gain in power but it probably won't be noticeable without further changes:

Better carb - HIF44 is pretty much a bolt-in conversion. Earlier model dual carbs even better but require manifolds (more $$).
Better exhaust - Lose the Cat at a minimum.
Better ignition - needs to match the intake/exhaust system... Jeff Schlemmer can help you there!

Keeping the charcoal cannister and PCV system cost you nothing and help keep vapors out of the air.

A properly tuned MG will emit very minor volumes of toxins.

If the stuff isn't working properly, why spend the $$ to replace it (price out some of the parts) unless your local DMV requires it?