Discussion
I (well we) have just taken a 1.6K out of my car and put a 1.8VVC in.
It has been relatively easy although it is vitally important to make sure you have the correct engine mount brackets for the installation - the VVC plenum is taller than the standard K so the engine needs to be at a slightly different angle to fit under the bonnet.
Other "interesting" moments:
Gearbox input shaft on the 1.6 was too long for the 1.8 so had to grind about 8mm off the end of it.
The underside of the plenum fouled the removable chassis rail so had to be filed down slightly.
Electrickery - the loom is quite different (my 1.6 was EU2, VVC is EU3), we had a specialist sort this out for us (cheers Ronnie) so I don't know quite what needed doing, but the loom from a ZR was a good starting point.
We had a couple of other problems as my VVC is also dry-sumped and the dry sump pump mount fouled the steering column. However, we have managed it as a group of enthusiastic amateurs (all Caterham owners though).
It has been relatively easy although it is vitally important to make sure you have the correct engine mount brackets for the installation - the VVC plenum is taller than the standard K so the engine needs to be at a slightly different angle to fit under the bonnet.
Other "interesting" moments:
Gearbox input shaft on the 1.6 was too long for the 1.8 so had to grind about 8mm off the end of it.
The underside of the plenum fouled the removable chassis rail so had to be filed down slightly.
Electrickery - the loom is quite different (my 1.6 was EU2, VVC is EU3), we had a specialist sort this out for us (cheers Ronnie) so I don't know quite what needed doing, but the loom from a ZR was a good starting point.
We had a couple of other problems as my VVC is also dry-sumped and the dry sump pump mount fouled the steering column. However, we have managed it as a group of enthusiastic amateurs (all Caterham owners though).
Yes, the Rover sump is lower than the Caterham one, so you need a new one to have any ground clearance at all! Benny
For two reference sites/forums that might be able to help you with this problem perhaps www.performancemetro.com or www.metropower.co.uk might be able to help.
the 1.4 K series swap to a 1.6 or 1.8 happens a great deal in Metro gti's and perhaps they've faced the same probs as you have with the gearboxes.
I know you've probably read www.blatchat.com (techtalk) area to death but still might be worth joining the club so that you can post?
Hope this helps.
For two reference sites/forums that might be able to help you with this problem perhaps www.performancemetro.com or www.metropower.co.uk might be able to help.
the 1.4 K series swap to a 1.6 or 1.8 happens a great deal in Metro gti's and perhaps they've faced the same probs as you have with the gearboxes.
I know you've probably read www.blatchat.com (techtalk) area to death but still might be worth joining the club so that you can post?
Hope this helps.
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