Rover 75 1.8t (Turbo) in an MGF?

[Robert060379]

The head gasket has gone on my M-Geoff (just in time to be layed up all Summer, suprise-suprise) rather than pillock about and fit a new one (again! FFS!!!) I'm looking for a more powerful alternative. So has anyone fitted the 1.8 Turbo engine out of a Rover 75 into the MG platform?

I know the Tomcat is too big and a cumbersome, the 827 V6 would sit pretty but drink like a student on Penny a Pint night. Other Honda engines are too expensive (Rover 827 Honda Legend?) thanks to Chavs and the Kit car boys. Most of the 75's are owned by the comfy slipper brigade and the engines have never broken a sweat (unless towing a caravan) so that would make an ideal donour.

Also I'd like to junk the "Hydrogas" and fit some coilovers. Does anyone do the conversion or will I have to get my welder out again?

[MGSteve]

Not heard of anyone fitting the 1.8T unit into an F yet, possibly due to more then a few problems it would create. Main one would probably be heat dissipation as the mid engine layout of the F means there is less airflow through the engine bay then with a front engine car, like the 75. If the turbo were in its standard location, it would place it quite close to the bulkhead, on the other side of which is the F's plastic fuel tank.

You would also need a solution for running intercooler pipe work to the front of the car, the simplest solution would be under the car, but it could leave it prone to damage.

I have also seen KV6 conversions, though due to the engines size a custom smaller fuel tank is needed to gain clearance for the front bank of cylinders.

Ditching the hydragas is possible. The main requiremnt is to strengthen the mounts so they can take the increased forces from the spring/damper units.
One solution is to use the suspension from the latter TF, which has springs and dampers fitted (along with an improved rear suspension design) though this would involve replacing subframes too.
I do know of others who have used off-the-shelf spring/damper units for the conversion, but this still required strenthening of mouning points.

I would have a read of the MG BBS and www.mg-rover.org for a bit more info on both subjects.

[T66ORA]

For the same sort of budget you could always buy a cheap TF160? With a couple of minor mods, and a decent re-map, you would be knocking on the door of 175bhp, i know of a few 160 owners getting decent power increases this way.

[Robert060379]

I was going to put an Aluminium fuel cell in the front of the car allowing the front engine bulkhead to be moved forward clear of the turbo and manifold. A front mounted intercooler would cause so much turbo lag you'd be able to make a cup of tea between gear changes (unless you compesate for that with higher boost pressure). I was thinking or a top mounted intercooler (WRX style) in place of the engine cover with a vented hard top providing cold air flow. The hot air will then be channeled through ducts in the rear engine bulkhead and out via holes cut into the tailgate. With an intercooler in place of an engine cover noise would need to be reduced possibly by making a partition from the hard top ceiling to the front engine bulkhead.

The standard 75 1.8t only makes a lazy 150bhp, with more boost (T28), bigger (Tomcat?) throtle body, injectors and a remap 200bhp should be well within reach and keep the car drivable as well as reliable.

[DKL]

T66ORA said:

For the same sort of budget you could always buy a cheap TF160? With a couple of minor mods, and a decent re-map, you would be knocking on the door of 175bhp, i know of a few 160 owners getting decent power increases this way.

Could you point me towards some details of this it sounds just what I am looking for.
Thanks

[Robert060379]

The man you need to talk to is Charlie at Emmerald ECU's. Before you get your wallet out just getting a proper rolling road set up will be well worth while.

[T66ORA]

DKL said:

T66ORA said:

For the same sort of budget you could always buy a cheap TF160? With a couple of minor mods, and a decent re-map, you would be knocking on the door of 175bhp, i know of a few 160 owners getting decent power increases this way.

Could you point me towards some details of this it sounds just what I am looking for.
Thanks

Here we go mate, sign up to this site and use the search facility to find a few more owners who get that sort of power, in the mean time read this thread.
http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=236230...

Basicly the guy from that particular tuning company has madeup a map for the TF160 or Trophy to get that sort of power. Other companies/maps only appear to be able to extract 5/8bhp, lots of happy customers getting 174/176 bhp.
Not sure what power a Emerald ecu gives?

[Robert060379]

My mate runs a M-Geoff (non-VVC) on the hillclimb circuit. With an Emerald ecu, four throtle body conversion and four into two exhaust system resulting in 198bhp at the wheels. I like the car a lot but the conversion cost as much as the car. Looking at other alternatives as well as the 1.8t. The major limiting factors are the bell housing patern and the amount of room.

[Robert060379]

Thank you to the person (who shall remain nameless to protect him from the shame of it) who suggested I buy his 218 Turbo Diesel engine for my MG F. You can keep the Peanut Oil burning Narrow Boat motor and put it in another rear end.
My ex has a TDi Aldi (deliberate misspelling) A4 Convertable (company car) and she can't drive it with the hood down because of the smell.

[DKL]

T66ORA said:

DKL said:

T66ORA said:

For the same sort of budget you could always buy a cheap TF160? With a couple of minor mods, and a decent re-map, you would be knocking on the door of 175bhp, i know of a few 160 owners getting decent power increases this way.

Could you point me towards some details of this it sounds just what I am looking for.
Thanks

Here we go mate, sign up to this site and use the search facility to find a few more owners who get that sort of power, in the mean time read this thread.
http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=236230...

Basicly the guy from that particular tuning company has madeup a map for the TF160 or Trophy to get that sort of power. Other companies/maps only appear to be able to extract 5/8bhp, lots of happy customers getting 174/176 bhp.
Not sure what power a Emerald ecu gives?

Cheers chap - I'll have a look.