1958 Judson Supercharged MGA 1500 Roadster
Vehicle Modifications (all easily reversible for the purist)
Gear reduction starter: eliminates “hot starts” and greatly
improves performance and reliability. The Hi-Torque starter is
equipped with five (5) full roller bearings while the typical Lucas
unit uses two (2) bushings to suspend the armature.
Generator to alternator conversion and conversion from six volt
positive ground to 12 volt negative ground electrical system:
allows power needed to run modern stereo equipment.
Stainless steel long center branch header: provides much better
overall performance and adds more torque in low to mid range.
Stereo: a new (April 2015) Kenwood KDC-BT362U CD-receiver,
Ipod/Iphone connection via USB/Android via Bluetooth, with remote
control. Absolutely no holes were cut to accommodate any of the
stereo components. Speakers (six total in the cockpit) are enclosed
in custom enclosures resting inside the door map pockets and
attached to the exterior of kick panels with screws. All are easily
removable without damaging any other original items (although once
you hear the stereo you would never consider removing the system!).
A small carpeted powered subwoofer box rests unattached in the
trunk. Dynamat professional sound dampening material was applied
beneath carpets and inside doors to reduce road noise and heat. The
combination makes for the greatest tunes ever heard in an MGA.
Electronic Ignition System - Mallory Hyfire Electronic ignition
system, Mallory Unilite electronic distributor and electronic coil:
no more Lucas ghosts in the electrical system, and this system will
throw a spark from Dixon to Davis! Quicker starts, smoother idle,
more power, greater reliability and overall performance are just a
few of the benefits.
Custom machined cylinder head (courtesy of Mike Singleton of Sports
Cars Limited): includes 190,000 psi tensile strength competition
head studs and filling of some of the voids in the stock head.
Solid State electronic fuel pump: smoother acceleration
Judson Supercharger and two-barrel Weber downdraft carburetor: a
truly wonderful addition to these cars, adding power, torque, and
an understated growl. This is a complete and all original Judson
package for the MGA including the custom valve cover with the
Marvel Mystery oil reservoir and automatic oiler. They do require
periodic checking of the integrated Marvel Mystery Oiler to ensure
that the reservoir is full, which is easily checked through the
sight glass incorporated into the right side of the custom Judson
valve cover. The oiler needs periodic adjustment to ensure that one
drop of oil is metered into the Supercharger to lubricate the
rotating vanes every 3-4 seconds. Some minor exhaust smoke is
created during starts due to pooled supercharger lubricant burning
off, especially noticeable if the engine has not been started for a
few days.
The boost gauge mounted on the dash to the left of the steering
wheel is not an original Judson gauge as these are impossible to
locate. A replica gauge is now available for approximately
$350.00.
Horn: in these days of Supermax SUVs a little MGA roadster is
easily overlooked (literally) on the road and the pathetic squeaky
original equipment horn is inaudible. I have replaced it with a
European-style police siren air horn that is VERY audible!
Sixty-spoke chrome wire wheels: no comparison with the 48-spoke
painted silver original equipment wheels that now hang in my
garage.
Chrome luggage rack with custom leather straps: with a spare, jack,
tool roll, and subwoofer in the trunk this accessory is pretty much
a necessity even for a long day trip. Doesn’t look bad either.
The convertible top is in like new condition. I have not driven
this vehicle with the top up since I bought it in 2005, and never
driven unless it is not raining. I have brand new sliding window
style side curtains in my garage, never used, that still have the
protective plastic film on them.
This is my fifth MGA, probably my last, and far and away my nicest
and most reliable. It is also the same factory color (Island Green)
as the first one I owned when I was 18……….hence the license
plate.
Following are the upgrades I have made to the car since I bought it
in October 2005.
• New Kenwood KDC-BT362U CD-receiver, Ipod/Iphone connection via
USB/Android via Bluetooth, with remote control
• New battery and cable, new wiper blades October 2012
• Rebuilt alternator June 2010
• Rebuilt master cylinder, brake/clutch master cylinder pushrod,
fork and clevis pin August 2009
• Billet fuel filter and electronic fuel pump January 2007
• Oil pressure relief valve and springs, dipstick boot, magnetic
oil drain plug, new oil pump and strainer July 2006
• New turn signal switch October 2006
• New wheel cylinders all around, new competition stainless steel
braided brake hoses November 2005
• Euro style emergency air horn, new horn push button September
2006
• 60 spoke chrome wire wheels and chrome luggage rack June 2006
• Rebuilt cylinder head, gasket set, heavy duty cylinder head
studs, radiator shroud, thermostat, water outlet and radiator hoses
April 2006
• New fender mirrors and gas cap February 2006
• New choke rod, front suspension bushing set, distance tube, seal
set, steering rack seal, new front and rear shock absorbers,
throttle cable, tie rod end pair, and rebuilt speedometer February
2006
