VVC Engine Swap
Discussion
Hello again, more advice needed from you more experienced owners. I apologise in advance for being a continual pest, but so far, had all my ownership questions answered via this forum - so seems daft not to keep asking!
I have been looking around for engines (to replace my 1.4K) and have seen a couple of reasonably priced VVC lumps. From about 110 bhp to about 145 seems like a sensible upgrade. Have had a look on old threads and so on to see whats involved and as I can make out, the VVC unit goes in relatively straight forwardly with the following mods:
1) About 10mm will have to be ground of the gearbox shaft
2) Specific engine mounts are needed as VVC a bit taller than a standard K
3) Will have to have a good look at the wiring (the one unit I have seen is a 1997 from a 200 coupe, so I am assuming it is EU2 which I think mine is - 1996 standard K)
4) The bottom plenum needs to be filed a little as is can foul the chassis cross-member
I was hoping I could put my sump onto a VVC to ensure reasonable ground clearance and use the foam baffle and housing plate from my existing set-up? Also, hoping to put my flywheel on as I understand the VVC unit is different (complete with clutch etc).
Anybody done this? Am I entering into a world of potential head-ache?
Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have been looking around for engines (to replace my 1.4K) and have seen a couple of reasonably priced VVC lumps. From about 110 bhp to about 145 seems like a sensible upgrade. Have had a look on old threads and so on to see whats involved and as I can make out, the VVC unit goes in relatively straight forwardly with the following mods:
1) About 10mm will have to be ground of the gearbox shaft
2) Specific engine mounts are needed as VVC a bit taller than a standard K
3) Will have to have a good look at the wiring (the one unit I have seen is a 1997 from a 200 coupe, so I am assuming it is EU2 which I think mine is - 1996 standard K)
4) The bottom plenum needs to be filed a little as is can foul the chassis cross-member
I was hoping I could put my sump onto a VVC to ensure reasonable ground clearance and use the foam baffle and housing plate from my existing set-up? Also, hoping to put my flywheel on as I understand the VVC unit is different (complete with clutch etc).
Anybody done this? Am I entering into a world of potential head-ache?
Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thinfourth,
Like the idea of a small screamer! The engine isn't rev-limited at the minute and I think I might sometimes rev it a little harder than I should (!), for instance yesterday when coming across a dual carriage way a getting a little wheelspin in the process
!! It sounds fantastic when screaming, but I am little concerned the wonderful noise is a pre-cursor to some major failure 
!!
This sort of "fettling" sounds a bit pricie though, and am on a bit of a budget. Unless I am missing something?
Like the idea of a small screamer! The engine isn't rev-limited at the minute and I think I might sometimes rev it a little harder than I should (!), for instance yesterday when coming across a dual carriage way a getting a little wheelspin in the process
!! It sounds fantastic when screaming, but I am little concerned the wonderful noise is a pre-cursor to some major failure !! This sort of "fettling" sounds a bit pricie though, and am on a bit of a budget. Unless I am missing something?
I put in the VVC from an MG TF 160 Trophy, so 160bhp. I'd definitely recommend it if you can find one. I've got a dry sump on mine as I was having oil pressure issues with my old engine (wet sump, no apollo). Plus I'm now doing more trackdays and might sprint it this year so it's a precaution.
Kept my old clutch, lightweight flywheel added. Had to grind down the gearbox input shaft (much sparky fun!).
Kept my old clutch, lightweight flywheel added. Had to grind down the gearbox input shaft (much sparky fun!).
Was thinking about an older VVC unit out of a 200vi or something, as I thought this might go better with the wiring on my car as will be about the same vintage? Less power though, but still 30 or so brake more than I've got at the minute and electric's really are not my forte. Mind you, saying that, the 160 Trophy engine gives almost and extra 20 bhp!
The VVC is hardly a "screamer" it's all about torque with one of those insofar as a K and torque may be talked about in the same sentence. You want to buy an R400 engine if you want power with scream (there may be a few ex race lumps still knocking around,call Hyperion and other race teams to see). Even better, sell you car as is and buy a Superlight R.
I'm not surprised you rev the 1400 more than you like too - it's a gutless engine, especially with a 5 speed.
Of course, if you do have a 1400 Supersport with 6 speed, then an engine swap to a decent lump is worth doing.
I'm not surprised you rev the 1400 more than you like too - it's a gutless engine, especially with a 5 speed.
Of course, if you do have a 1400 Supersport with 6 speed, then an engine swap to a decent lump is worth doing.
rmac said:
before mucking about with engines - I would be highly tempted to do the following:
1) 6 speed box
2) l/w flywheel
3) supersport your engine / plenty of 2nd hand kits around
4) run 13" wheels
Should be enough. If you still need more, you then have a good basis for an engine upgrade!
1) 6 speed box
2) l/w flywheel
3) supersport your engine / plenty of 2nd hand kits around
4) run 13" wheels
Should be enough. If you still need more, you then have a good basis for an engine upgrade!
Where would you get supersport kit then, I have a new 1400 K series bottom end in need of head & cams for my sprint car.
fergus - I am pretty sure his car will already have a 3.9 diff in it - this could be changed for a 4.1 but would still be in the position where it is fitted to a mismatched gearbox - would also be surprised if it could be done for sub £500 and there always seem to be 6 spd boxes about for about the grand mark - seems like a much more sensible modification.
would seriously recomend the flywheel at the same time too.
would seriously recomend the flywheel at the same time too.
Well, at long last I have bought a new engine, and its not a VVC. Having agreed to buy, am wondering though if I have gone down the right route?
Bought myself a 1.4 Supersport spec engine, built by Minister in 1995. Got different plenum, cams, ECU, solid followers, lightened flywheel and head slightly "cleaned up" (according to Minister). Engine originally built for a Caterham race series (its still got the seals on it), so slighlty different spec to road-going version (apparently), but never raced (10,000 road miles). According to the man from Minister, its 138bhp at 7600 which should be enough to shove along 540Kgs.
Also comes with a "long primary" exhaust, so I will have to be cutting a bigger hole in the side of the car as all 4 branches of the manifold exit the car and join up at the silencer. But this apparently gives "noticeably more" (?) torque.
Seemed to be VFM though
Bought myself a 1.4 Supersport spec engine, built by Minister in 1995. Got different plenum, cams, ECU, solid followers, lightened flywheel and head slightly "cleaned up" (according to Minister). Engine originally built for a Caterham race series (its still got the seals on it), so slighlty different spec to road-going version (apparently), but never raced (10,000 road miles). According to the man from Minister, its 138bhp at 7600 which should be enough to shove along 540Kgs.
Also comes with a "long primary" exhaust, so I will have to be cutting a bigger hole in the side of the car as all 4 branches of the manifold exit the car and join up at the silencer. But this apparently gives "noticeably more" (?) torque.
Seemed to be VFM though
mason, stci a 6 speed in there at the same time. Will be the same spec as an old one I had - frustrating with the standard 5 speed box - fantastic with 6.
lime - would prefer to sell whole kit together for £200. would sell cams by themselves for £150. They need removing from the head which shouldn;t be a major job. The head is knackered btw. valves mashed into it.
lime - would prefer to sell whole kit together for £200. would sell cams by themselves for £150. They need removing from the head which shouldn;t be a major job. The head is knackered btw. valves mashed into it.
Would love to, but am running low on the fund front.
I have never driven a 6 speed, but have never felt that the 5 speed was particularly lacking. Is it really that much of an improvement?
Will have a Caterham alloy sump, standard exhaust and old lump to sell so may raise a few quid that way to help future box purchase
I have never driven a 6 speed, but have never felt that the 5 speed was particularly lacking. Is it really that much of an improvement?
Will have a Caterham alloy sump, standard exhaust and old lump to sell so may raise a few quid that way to help future box purchase
def worth it - imho - the flywheel is worth 5-10bhp. The box is worth 20bhp. Completely different car altogether. There was some race series for 1400's 10+ yrs ago so loads of 1400 ex race cars about which mine was one of - had everything on it except flywheel & box which I changed & seriously, I couldn;t believe the difference. Was actually my missus's car & I had a standard superlight at the time - nothing between them at all on lap times.
sump should be worth £100 - unfortunately, standard exhausts aren;t worth much & dependant on the year of your car could be worth keeping for the cat at mot time. ebay is a good bet for them as are current racers in the grads etc.
A gearbox change from memory is pretty much an engine out job so would save on labour to do it all at once.
sump should be worth £100 - unfortunately, standard exhausts aren;t worth much & dependant on the year of your car could be worth keeping for the cat at mot time. ebay is a good bet for them as are current racers in the grads etc.
A gearbox change from memory is pretty much an engine out job so would save on labour to do it all at once.
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