Tuning a Rover 'k' series
Discussion
Yep - definitely the best site I've found - follow the link to http://members.aol.com/DVAPower/.
Preferably of course, replace with a Honda K20A
danny
Preferably of course, replace with a Honda K20A
danny
Err don't bother. I have a friend in the engine test/dyno section a Lotus. I am relaibly informed the the durability of these of dramatically reduced without even a slight increase in output.
This is from someone who tests & strips engines down on a daily basis. They struggle to complete 100k miles in standard trim (that means they are shagged at that point)
Basically the only reason Lotus used em is because they weighed nothing & were cheap.
Stick a Honda engine in it.
This is from someone who tests & strips engines down on a daily basis. They struggle to complete 100k miles in standard trim (that means they are shagged at that point)
Basically the only reason Lotus used em is because they weighed nothing & were cheap.
Stick a Honda engine in it.
littlegearl said:
a K-series is a Honda engine!
this months Retro Cars has a guide to tuning the K!
It's most definately not. They might have fitted them into the rover duffers that also were honda's, but Honda stuck their own 1.6's in & V6's on the larger ones.
I can assure they fail the 100k mile test nearly every time, in terms of engine wear & longevity. To give you some idea The Honda VTEC units are still to spec after 400k! & they produce almost twice the power output.
This may be true of the 1.8's, but I know of plenty 1.4's and 1.6 K series that have well over 100k on the original head gasket.
The Honda engine also weighs a fair bit more than the K series, an important point when you are fitting it into an ultra lightweight car as Ex-biker is (not to mention that fact that the chassis has been designed around the K series so fitting the Honda lump will be tricky).
The Honda engine also weighs a fair bit more than the K series, an important point when you are fitting it into an ultra lightweight car as Ex-biker is (not to mention that fact that the chassis has been designed around the K series so fitting the Honda lump will be tricky).
You can also get good power (100bhp per litre) from a well tuned K.
Look at the site I posted. There is a 1.7 K based engine putting out 240bhp. 160-180 from the 1.6/1.8 is no problem if it is done properly.
It isn't as reliable as the Honda, but then the Honda is heavier, more expensive, and they had/have a much bigger budget.
Sparks
Look at the site I posted. There is a 1.7 K based engine putting out 240bhp. 160-180 from the 1.6/1.8 is no problem if it is done properly.
It isn't as reliable as the Honda, but then the Honda is heavier, more expensive, and they had/have a much bigger budget.
Sparks
name said:
i'm sure the twin-cam 1.6 in the 216GTi et al is a Honda VTEC unit!?!
and they're quite a good engine, a standard 1.4 16v comes with 102bhp and thats back in 1990, most manufacturers are only just getting 100 or just over from 1.4s now!!!
The old boxy 216GTI twin cam had a honda engine, but the standard factory engine did not have vtec, it has been known for people to fit them after market as apparently its not a big job, relatively speaking.
the 1.4 16valve is the first instance of the K-series in which was designed entirely by rover and development on it started prior to honda's takeover around 1982/83. Post '95/96 not exactly sure when (about when the first of the bubble 200's came about), all cars were moved over to K-series or m-series variants. from 1.1 8valve to the 2.5 v6 depending on the car.
Mr2Mike said:
This may be true of the 1.8's, but I know of plenty 1.4's and 1.6 K series that have well over 100k on the original head gasket.
The Honda engine also weighs a fair bit more than the K series, an important point when you are fitting it into an ultra lightweight car as Ex-biker is (not to mention that fact that the chassis has been designed around the K series so fitting the Honda lump will be tricky).
Very true Mike. The gearbox of the Honda engine is on the wrong side for the chassis design.
'k' series engines (1.6 & above) started being used in '95. The 1.4 was used before this. The very last of the old 200/400 class used this engine, before they started building the 'bubble' car.
I can't change the engine really anyway now. I've got a 1.6 (from the donor). These are around 110bhp as standard. In a car weighing around 550kg, that should be pretty quick.
I don't want to do loads to the engine, but as I thought of doing the head gasket and cam belt before I fit it to the car, I just wondered what could be done.
I've been thinking of a power boost valve, K&N type filter, splitfire plugs and posssibly a chip for starters. Any idea of what power increase there could be? Looking at manufacturers data, they are reckoning about 10-15bhp.
First tuning stage seems to be cams. Am I right? Can I get them for less than £400?
I suppose in truth I'm looking for about 130bhp
Ex-Biker,
Have you read Dave Andrews page?
If you are taking the head off anyway, you can have a look at 'cleaning up' the ports, removing any sharp edges and polishing. This will be a very cheap upgrade, and if the exhaust is good, with your K&N, it should rev a bit more, and produce some more power.
It will probably be worth getting it fully mapped on a RR too.
Sparks
Have you read Dave Andrews page?
If you are taking the head off anyway, you can have a look at 'cleaning up' the ports, removing any sharp edges and polishing. This will be a very cheap upgrade, and if the exhaust is good, with your K&N, it should rev a bit more, and produce some more power.
It will probably be worth getting it fully mapped on a RR too.
Sparks
Sorry I have realised my posting could come across as rather abrubt! No offence intended. Things like powerboost valves and splitfire plugs are a bit too much marketing hype for my liking.
A K-Series tuning specialist would be best for your needs. There are loads that advertise in the 7 owners club magazine low flying and elsewhere. You can do small things such as correct dodgy cam timing, fit a better air filter etc. Then when funds allow you can do more serious works such as cleaning up the ports and getting a new ECU. Chipping is not really worthwhile as you are best off getting a better quality ECU that can be reprogrammed as you enigne gets more powerful.
BTW the most powerful K-Series 1.6 I know of is putting out over 210 bhp!
A K-Series tuning specialist would be best for your needs. There are loads that advertise in the 7 owners club magazine low flying and elsewhere. You can do small things such as correct dodgy cam timing, fit a better air filter etc. Then when funds allow you can do more serious works such as cleaning up the ports and getting a new ECU. Chipping is not really worthwhile as you are best off getting a better quality ECU that can be reprogrammed as you enigne gets more powerful.
BTW the most powerful K-Series 1.6 I know of is putting out over 210 bhp!
dino ferrana
No offence taken
I agree with what you (and others) are saying about 'proper' tuning, but I don't have a Grand (or more) to spare at the moment. I did see this site - www.ptp-ltd.co.uk/ - and the sport head mod kit would be a serious consideration if I had the money.
I'm looking for the best budget improvements. I know there is also a lot of s**t out there too. eg - tune up chips sold on ebay for £15.
Can't even decide whether to do the head and cam belt now or fit the thing, run it a bit and when I've got the money for some head work, do the gasket etc then.
No offence taken
I agree with what you (and others) are saying about 'proper' tuning, but I don't have a Grand (or more) to spare at the moment. I did see this site - www.ptp-ltd.co.uk/ - and the sport head mod kit would be a serious consideration if I had the money.
I'm looking for the best budget improvements. I know there is also a lot of s**t out there too. eg - tune up chips sold on ebay for £15.
Can't even decide whether to do the head and cam belt now or fit the thing, run it a bit and when I've got the money for some head work, do the gasket etc then.
Ex-Biker said:
I know there is also a lot of s**t out there too. eg - tune up chips sold on ebay for £15.
Out of interest, do you know what those "chips" actually are? A resistor, nothing more, and costing way under a penny in quantity. Even a one off from Maplin would be about 5p. The theory is that you wire in series with your air temperature sensor to fool the ECU into thinking the air temperature is lower, giving a richer mixture and perhap slightly more advance on the spark. The power claims (15bhp ISTR?) made for this mod could only be the result of a pathological liar or at least a vivid imagination.
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