Replacing my 1.6K with a 1.8
Discussion
Thought I'd put this in here as it gets more activity that the Rover sub forum. Basically, I destroyed my 1.6 K series as fitted to my Rover Cabriolet over the summer (overlooked a split in the top radiator hose, boiled it dry because the temperature gauge was broken 
) My own fault of course! Now it is completely wrecked, almost no compression, (maybe I'm exagerrating but it's clearly badly damaged) as it's a high mileage example I think it makes more sense to replace it with a lower mileage engine rather than attempt a rebuild.
So, my question is, as mine is a very early (1995) 1.6 K, (with the later 200 'bubble shape' interior) what are the potential ECU/MEMS problems I could come across if I were to source a 1.8 or 1.8 VVC engine for this car? They seem to be much more plentiful than the 1.6, and there's no way I'm downsizing to a 1.4!
Thanks in advance.
) My own fault of course! Now it is completely wrecked, almost no compression, (maybe I'm exagerrating but it's clearly badly damaged) as it's a high mileage example I think it makes more sense to replace it with a lower mileage engine rather than attempt a rebuild. So, my question is, as mine is a very early (1995) 1.6 K, (with the later 200 'bubble shape' interior) what are the potential ECU/MEMS problems I could come across if I were to source a 1.8 or 1.8 VVC engine for this car? They seem to be much more plentiful than the 1.6, and there's no way I'm downsizing to a 1.4!
Thanks in advance.
dont bother with the early vvc(146bhp) you need the zr 160. or go all the way and put a 1.8turbo from a zt fairly simple to and it will give you lots of power. if thats the sort of thing your after as your going from a 1.6 to a 1.8vvc.
a good choice too is the coupe 220 turbo due to the weight. as i have a zs with the 620ti lump. alot more weight.
a good choice too is the coupe 220 turbo due to the weight. as i have a zs with the 620ti lump. alot more weight.
Best advice is to find another 1.6k engine, or replace the car. Using 1.8 engine will mean the fueling is slightly out, insurance will change (you must tell them), dvla need need engine number. 1.8vvc needs new ecu and wiring loom. Insurance will be significantly more than just buying a 1.8VVC engined original.
Much more advice can be found here: forums.mg-rover.org
OneJag
Much more advice can be found here: forums.mg-rover.org
OneJag
Thanks OneJag, when you say the fueling will be out, is that because of the ECU or different injectors being needed on the 1.8 (non-vvc)? And of course if I were to make the swap it would all be above board and declared to the DVLA, I'm not one of those 'still a 1.1 on the logbook so cheap tax and insurance' scammers 
Not worth the risk.
Not worth the risk. Hi,
The fuelling will be out, but not hugely. Basically it will be assuming its filling 1.6L rather than 1.8L. I think the injectors are the same 1.6/1.8. Early cars cannot really be remapped either. As said, forums.mg-rover.org will have more precise info ( i think somebody has done the swap before somewhere), but hope this helps a bit.
re: Insurance+DVLA, yep definitely the right thing to do
Cheers,
Andrew
The fuelling will be out, but not hugely. Basically it will be assuming its filling 1.6L rather than 1.8L. I think the injectors are the same 1.6/1.8. Early cars cannot really be remapped either. As said, forums.mg-rover.org will have more precise info ( i think somebody has done the swap before somewhere), but hope this helps a bit.
re: Insurance+DVLA, yep definitely the right thing to do
Cheers,
Andrew
Ahh haha now you've put it like that it makes perfect sense! Don't know why I didn't think of it that way, yeah I read on the mg.rover forum (I think) that the ECU's don't really become mappable until Mems 3, or something like that. Thanks again, I will have a look there and see what I can dig up Would be a shame to lose the car, but as I said it was my fault, kicking myself for not noticing a tiny split in the hose. Ah well. Got my moneys worth from my AA cover at least!
Would be a shame to lose the car, but as I said it was my fault, kicking myself for not noticing a tiny split in the hose. Ah well. Got my moneys worth from my AA cover at least!Although not perfect the 1.6 map will cope in a 1.8 as all K's run rich at full load anyway to keep the back of the valves cool. you could always get a 1.8 ecu and plip from a car,
Your bigger problem would be the 1.8's run a different gearbox and so therefore driveshafts Flywheel, clutch, engine mounts, starter motor and position, Clutch cable, gear linkage etc.
You could run your 1.6 gearbox but to be honest they arent really man enough for the 1.6 so you would be changing clutches and gearboxes all of the time.
If you really want to keep your ragtop and want to go the 1.8 route your best bet would be to find a crash damaged 1.8VVC tomcat Coupe or 200 Vi and buy it then you would have everything you need to transfer over, I bet you could pick one up for £300 or so, You'd would probably want to spend a little bit of money to give the engine and bit of a refresh, headgasket, belts, water pump etc and away you go
Your bigger problem would be the 1.8's run a different gearbox and so therefore driveshafts Flywheel, clutch, engine mounts, starter motor and position, Clutch cable, gear linkage etc.
You could run your 1.6 gearbox but to be honest they arent really man enough for the 1.6 so you would be changing clutches and gearboxes all of the time.
If you really want to keep your ragtop and want to go the 1.8 route your best bet would be to find a crash damaged 1.8VVC tomcat Coupe or 200 Vi and buy it then you would have everything you need to transfer over, I bet you could pick one up for £300 or so, You'd would probably want to spend a little bit of money to give the engine and bit of a refresh, headgasket, belts, water pump etc and away you go
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