K-Series Recipe

[anonymous-user]

Take one low mileage 1.8VVC K-Series, sprinkle liberally with parts cannibalised from a K-Series 1.8 Turbo, add a dash of programmable engine management and the result is…? Any ideas?

Seriously though, what do you reckon? My thoughts are that the bigger valved head and variable timing from the VVC combined with a light pressure turbo and low compression pistons could be built to produce a reliable, road going 1.8 with similar power and torque to the 2.5KV6 (175bhp / 177lbft) without the extra weight.

Oh, and the other idea matched to this is to butcher the PG1 ‘box to use longer legged KV6 ratios as I want to go for a more refined cruiser than out and out race car.

Yay, nay, you must be bloody joking?

[twin40s]

Ok first problem, I don't think you'll be able to find a programable ECU that can drive the VVC gubbins. If you do, let me know, cos I'd like one for my VVC!

[Knowone]

Why when you can have this:

www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=15341&s=14

[anonymous-user]

twin40s said:

Ok first problem, I don't think you'll be able to find a programable ECU that can drive the VVC gubbins. If you do, let me know, cos I'd like one for my VVC!

QED use DTA ECUs on K-Series engines it seems. DTA have examples of their ECUs being used on K-Series motors and Honda V-TECHs so I would assume that they would be able to manage VVC. I'll drop them a line to find out.

knowone said:

Why when you can have this: www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=15341&s=14

That's one hell of an engine! But alas, I have a funny feeling that at £18,000 build cost, they'll be wanting a little more moula than I was planning on spending...

Plus, part of the attraction to doing this is to see if it can be done and to have something unique - I've yet to come across a turbo-charged Libra and the wastegate chatter and dump valve whoosh emanating from it could be quite amusing.

[B19GRR]

Hmmmm, I'd suggest sticking with a standard K engine and getting a decent ported head on it. You'll have no probs with ECUs then, Emerald come highly recommended, and you'll have the option for future upgrades without having to ditch the VVC mech anyway.

Cheers,
Rob

[ferg]

'K'-series turbo!!!!!!!!!!?

[grahambell]

ferg said:

'K'-series turbo!!!!!!!!!!?

It's been done. In fact BBR built a turbo Elise for McLaren designer Adrian Newey that produced 350bhp - not that there was much of the original engine left...

[ferg]

Sorry, I am aware of the aftermarket engines, I meant that I was unaware of a factory turbo.

[grahambell]

ferg said:

Sorry, I am aware of the aftermarket engines, I meant that I was unaware of a factory turbo.

Ah - probably because there isn't one. At least not to my knowledge.

[anonymous-user]

http://www1.mg-rover.com/rover_GB_en/static/node1556.html

Built to provide an alternative to the company car market to the V6s as it produces lower CO2 emmissions, hence lower company car tax.

[grahambell]

Well we live and learn. Are there many of them about though?

[Purple AK]

twin40s said:

Ok first problem, I don't think you'll be able to find a programable ECU that can drive the VVC gubbins. If you do, let me know, cos I'd like one for my VVC!

Worth a look if your handy with a soldering iron,
www.bgsoflex.com/megasquirt.html
Cheers Chris

[anonymous-user]

twin40s said:

Ok first problem, I don't think you'll be able to find a programable ECU that can drive the VVC gubbins. If you do, let me know, cos I'd like one for my VVC!

So far, my responses have been:

DTA said:

We do not control the VVC. The original ECU controls the VVC. Most performance modifications remove the hardware when they uprate the cams.

Emerald said:

We are working on the VVC control over the next few weeks. We hope to have something available mid-March but with development you never know exactly how long things will take. If you keep an eye on our web site: www.emeraldm3d.com we will publish details once the development is finished.

[twin40s]

Looks like things have changed a bit since i last looked into an aftermarket ECU. That was a good 9 months ago now though.

Anyway good luck with the Libra. A turbo sounds interesting, and is almost certainly unique!

[anonymous-user]

Thanks twin40s!

So far, no-one has pointed out any major flaws in the idea, just looked incredulous as to why I'd want to bother.

Now all I need to do is get confirmation of when my bonus is getting paid and place the order!

[chrisx666]

ferg said:

'K'-series turbo!!!!!!!!!!?

Come on Ferg! Get with the program..

[annodomini2]

name said:

Ah - probably because there isn't one. At least not to my knowledge.

Rover 75 1.8T its low blow to give more torque lower down for such a big car.

Ditch the K-Series and get something that won't break so easily.

[ferg]

chrisx666 said:

ferg said: 'K'-series turbo!!!!!!!!!!? Come on Ferg! Get with the program..

Shut up and build.

[Ex-Biker]

Not quite the power etc that you might be looking for Lexsport, but I am aware that Mark @ Marlin is looking to fit a mild turbo to the 1.6. The idea being to compare it's performance with the heavier Tomcat 2.0l turbo.