Supercharging the XPAG

I read with great interest the recent article by Colin Hooper in TTT2 # 7 on his experience of installing a supercharger on his 52 MG TD. What captivated me about the article was not the supercharger system, but rather his opinion of it, as I am the guy who designed and built it.

Supercharging a MG T-Series today is nothing new; in fact when our cars were in current production there were over half a dozen different manufacturers that were making kits. The enthusiast driven aftermarket quickly saw the limits of the mighty XPAG and jumped on the opportunity to add some sorely missing “grunt” to Abingdon’s meagre effort. English companies such as Shorrock, Marshal-Nordec, Arnott and Wade made superchargers, as well as the Italians with SCoT and Itel-Meccancia.

Even we colonials got into the act with our American home-grown effort from Judson. Most MG T owners nowadays tremble at the thought of supercharging their cars as they all have heard the dark tales of destroyed engines, broken crankshafts and mushroom clouds of lost money. In these stories the teller usually has forgotten to mention that when the alleged engine failure occurred, he was p*s*ed out of his mind, running 7,000+ RPM and fitted it to a worn-out old lump with millions of miles flogged on it. The truth is a properly set up supercharged engine is every bit as reliable as a normally aspirated one, maybe even more so.

How? A supercharged engine is able to make more power at a lower RPM than an atmospheric induced one due to better intake charge distribution. Also the power impulses on the crank tend to be more equal in strength as the intake charge is under pressure.

How does it all work? In a perfect world (with our XPAGs being 100% efficient) when the intake valve of a XPAG engine opens, air and fuel fills the 312.5cc volume of each cylinder with the pressure of the atmosphere at around 14.7 psi. The net result of all this is around 50 horsepower produced at the crankshaft. Now if the pressure filling the cylinder were raised by 50%, you would now stuff 468cc’s. into the same volumes yielding a corresponding increase in power. So a supercharger adding an additional 7.5 psi pressure or “Boost” to the intake system, should now give you 75 horsepower.

The reality with our XPAGs is we really only see about a 40-45% increase due to the inherent inefficiencies of the engine. Still a 45% increase is wonderful improvement; remember that when you are pulling on to the motorway next time with your stock spec motor.

XPAG Dyno Results Graph

Note: All dyno measurements taken at the rear wheels.

Marshall-Nordec Supercharger
One of the more popular Marshall-Nordec superchargers as fitted to a TD. Photo: author unknown, but thank you!
Arnott Supercharger
An Arnott installed on a TC. Photo: author unknown, but thank you!

The superchargers originally offered for the XPAG engines fell into two basic categories: “Roots” pump type superchargers such as Marshall- Nordec, Wade and SCoT and concentric compressors, such as the Shorrock, Arnott and Judson. These two different type superchargers achieve the same result of pressurizing the intake system of the engine, but go about in two different manners. The Roots design is an air pump; it makes no pressure internally in the supercharger, but pumps the manifold with fuel and air faster than the engine can ordinarily consume it, creating pressure in the intake tract. The concentric superchargers trap a volume of air and then internally compress it before releasing it into the inlet tract. The German word for supercharger is “Kompressor” and Mercedes proudly emblazes the sides of their product with it, though in reality, they actually use a “Roots pump” type supercharger!

For years I have fooled with superchargers on MG T-Types; this initially involved rebuilding old units and in many cases, making new parts for them as well. The problem is that the original units that crop up for sale on Ebay and at the autojumble, are 50+ years old, expensive, often need rebuilding and lord help you if you need replacement parts!

After years of supercharging MGs, I became involved in supercharging current production vehicles as a vocation. I was supercharging new cars during the day and old ones (MGs) at night. It was bound to happen, and it eventually did; the two crossed and a new XPAG supercharger system was born. I was working for Moss Motors at the time developing Mazda and Honda superchargers for their Jackson Racing division. For the T-Series, I chose to use an older design “Magnacharger” M60 as it had the right flow characteristics and a vintage look and these units sold well until the manufacturer decided to discontinue the unit. I think Moss sold around 200 of these units over a 4 year period. During this same time I left Moss for greener pastures in the supercharger field, but not before I designed their MGB supercharger system as well.

Moss Supercharger
One of my ”Moss” systems installed on a TF 1500. Photo by author.

Even after I left Moss, my MG brethren continued to hound me for a new XPAG blower as Moss’s supply had now dried up. By this time I was working for a major OEM supercharger supplier and was supercharging tens of thousands of TRD Toyotas and new English vehicles as well; the current Lotus Elise SC and Exige. I built a handful of new systems for the T series using an Eaton based MP45 supercharger built by my current employer with parts based on the old Moss system. By happy coincidence, those parts ran out at the same time as the supply of the appropriate blower to fit them dried up. This forced me to start from the beginning for the third time with a clean sheet of paper. This new system was inspired by the vintage predecessors but uses modern technology to achieve a better result. I also added all the improvements I had learned from the earlier iterations. This Supercharger is designed to fit the XPAG and XPEG engines fitted to MG TB-TC-TD- TF sports cars from 1939-1955, providing a boost pressure of 6-10 psi depending on engine configuration. Higher boost levels are possible and this supercharger under racing conditions is capable of supporting an engine to over 150 bhp with the correct modifications as necessary.

MG TA Hill Climb
Jakob Vigselo at the Skilborg, Sweden hill climb in his 150+HP Mirage Garage supercharged XPAG engined TA. Note all four wheels are off the ground! Photo by Nils Millar

With my new system, I felt I needed it was time to give it a proper name other than “just another one of Terry’s blowers”. Years ago one of my MG mates, Craig Cody dubbed my home garage “Mirage Garage” as I was always working on MG projects there. Well the name stuck as I now had a product for a business that does not exist. (hence the Mirage aspect) The new Mirage Garage supercharger is the result of over thirty years of supercharger experience and development. It utilizes the latest Eaton 5th generation MP45 supercharger technology as used on the Lotus sports cars and In fact the internals of my blower are directly interchangeable with these cars. The standard kit will deliver 5-7 pounds of boost which is good for about a 45% increase in rear wheel horse power. The big boost kit that makes 8-10 psi is available too.

The supercharger unit is completely self contained with no need for external oil supply or drain lines, with the first recommended service at 100,000 miles, or in XPAG years, about the time your grandchildren will seek their pensions. The kit comes with everything necessary for installation except the carb. It uses a SU H4 (1-1/2”) carb with some minor mods explained in the installation instructions. The supercharger installation requires no cutting or drilling and is completely reversible.

In Colin’s article, he added an additional fuel pump, but unless you are going hard-core racing, your single, standard S.U. fuel pump will work just fine. Installation time is four to eight hours depending on the vehicle and your beer consumption. To date I have over 50 successful installations.

Mirage Garage Supercharger
The latest offering from Mirage Garage fitted on a TC. Photo by author.
Mirage Garage Supercharger
The “Mirage Garage” Supercharger kit. Photo by author.

Driving a stock MGT in modern traffic can be a harrowing experience. You have a limited amount of power and must struggle just to keep up and not get run over. So to answer the big question: “What is it like to drive a supercharged MGT?” Here is a real world example: In the course of my testing there is a hill in my home town that is quite long and steep with an eight percent grade. When climbing it in my absolutely stock ’53 TD, I found myself crawling up in 2nd gear while winding the engine at very high RPM just to try to stay up with traffic. Supercharging the same car, I can now blast up the hill quickly in 3rd with modest RPM. It is a good feeling to know you are able to run with modern traffic, and that you have reserve power to get you out of a tight spot. Distribution of my new Mirage Garage Supercharger kit is handled in the UK by Steve Baker at Steve Baker MGs steve ‘at’ stevebakermg.co.uk and in the USA by Tom Lange at MGT Repair and by myself tpeddicord ‘at’ rocketmail.com for the rest of the world and the USA.

Once you try a supercharged XPAG, you will never want to go back to a normally aspirated engine again. It is true what they say about power, it really does corrupt you!

Terry Peddicord

Ed’s Note: Thank you Terry for an interesting article with some great photos.

9 thoughts on “Supercharging the XPAG

  1. Colin Hooper says:

    I agree with Terry that a second fuel pump is probably not necessary using a 1 1/2 inch SU. I fitted the additional pump as Steve and I had planned to fit a 1 3/4 inch carb but we changed our minds after I had installed the second pump. I am planning (one day when I find time!)to fit a switch so I can run either pump or both togther if I wish. It means I should have a plumbed in spare pump!

    Fitting a supercharger is well worth the effort and I would be very reluctant to revert to a normally aspirated XPAG again.
    Colin

    • Steve Baker says:

      Good to see comments on the supercharger set up.Having raced and run both blown and unblown XPAG T cars for many years , I would also not revert back. Well I know you say that’s easy for you to say , but regardless of selling any superchargers the drive is so much better ,you can relax when driving, even be a little lazy on your gear changes.
      Those of you who wish to see Collins car on the rolling road, you can view the running car on U Tube,either via my web site or just go Steve Baker MG on U Tube. On all of these runs at Peter Burgesses rolling road the car never over heated,it just wanted to give more .

      Keep driving Steve Baker.

  2. Bob Robertson says:

    Looking for the oil sight guage (drip valve) for the Marshall Nordek sc on our ’51 TD. The car has been in our family since 1960 and we are trying to get it back on the road. Some time the sight guage was replaced with pet cock. Not good! Need to see the drip! Can any one help?

  3. edgard cornier says:

    do this blower fit an 1934 P A ?
    What is the mail address to get one ?
    I am in Paris _France ; Regards

  4. Yngve Strom says:

    Very interesting
    Tried a newly installed Eaton 45 on my TD 52 for the first time today. The motor is apart from this in a very good condition. However, just after 3 km the cylinder head gasket blow. The ratio is 1.3 – 1. Is that too much? Or would it be advisable to use two gaskets to reduce compression? Or was it just a mishap that should never have occurred? I am not after maximum power, just a reasonable improvement.

    Best regards
    Yngve

    • steve baker says:

      Hi Yugve,

      check your cylinder head thickness, should be as close to 76.5mm as possible. That would give you a compression ratio of 8 to 1.

      It is possible to run higher compression, but if the timing and mixture are not correct it does cause problems. On an M45 Eaton with an 1.5 SU Carb and boost pressure of 6lb your timing should be around 26/8 degrees max.

      Sounds like you have a thin cylinder head or the mixture is to lean or timing to far advanced. Start with the head, measure at the rear its easy to get a good measurement there.

      Steve Baker

  5. Yngve Strom says:

    Thanks a lot Steve.
    Will check all this soon. Afraid the timing was too advanced. Have now installed a 2.5 mm. copper gasket, but have not tested yet, of reasons given below. This gasket might not give maximum power, but as I am after only a moderate boost and keen on not reducing the lifetime of the engine, I think it will be ok.
    But what did you mean by 26/8?
    The reason for not having tested yet is that I have worked on an installation of a T9 5 speed gearbox. Someone asked for a low cost installation, which I took that as a challenge and welded a bell house and made most of the bits required myself. It was not as easy as it sounds, so before you try, give it a second thought and make sure you have access to a well equipped workshop.
    Total cost will be around EUR 400 incl. gearbox and clutch plate, (EUR 85) but excl. transmission cover and drive shaft. Work on these will commence after eastern. However, I am also in the process of converting another Getrag gearbox, for anyone who might be interested. It looks promising and will hopefully fit in between engine and cross member. I estimate the cost to be in the order of EUR 2 100, including drive shaft, transmission cover and this time also labor cost.
    Best regards
    Yngve

  6. ANDREW DE BERNES says:

    I REALLY NEED SOME EXPERT HELP. I HAVE FITTED A VOLUMEX BELT
    DRIVEN ON MY 1900CC MARENDAZ.
    IT IS UPSIDEDOWN ON THE RH SIDE OF THE ENGINE.THE DETAILS ARE/
    1/ COMP RATIO 6.66
    2/CHARGER RUNS 1.7 FASTER THAN CRANK
    3/HS6 CARB ON VOLUMEX INLET MANIFOLD
    4/ALUMINIUM TUBE IS 4.5CM ID AND THE PATH TO THE INLET MANIFOLD
    OVER THE TOP OF THE / SIDE VALVE/ HEAD IS 70CM FROM VOLUMEX EXIT

    THERE IS 4PSI SUCK ON THE COMPRESSOR AT IDLE WHICH BECOMES 5PSI
    BOOST AT ABOUT 2500RPM
    THE ENGINE IS STRANGLING AND THE FLEXIBLE PIPE IS DEFORMING
    SO MUCH THAT THE PLUGS ARE WETTING AT LOW REVS.
    IS THE/ 1/ INLET PIPE TOO BIG IN DIA? 2/ THE BOOST REVS NOT HIGHER
    ENOUGH?/ 3/IS THE TUBE LENGTH OF 70CM TOO MUCH?. AS FAR AS I CAN UNDERSTAND IF I INCREASE THE BOOST SPEED THE OPTIMAL 6PSI WILL BE EXCEEDED AT HIGH AT REVS.WHO CAN FINISH THE CAR BECAUSE I REALLY AM OUT OF MY DEPTH ALTHOUGH I BUILT THE WHOLE SYSTEM.ANY REPLY AND
    USEFULL INFORMATION WOULD BE FANTASTIC…THANKS IN ADVANCE/ I COULD BRING THE CAR TO THE UK (FROM FRANCE) IF NECESSARY. PICS OF THE INSTALLATION AVAILABLE

    • Brian Rainbow says:

      Andrew, contact Andrew Mullard at Hightone Restorations not far from Oxford, telephone 0044 1869 349003. He owns a Marendaz and works on lots of classics including supercharged cars. He should be able to help you.
      Regards, Brian Rainbow

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