mgf performance
Discussion
Well I know a "standard" VVC with a little work - new airbox, 6 bolt manifold (later version compared to the 4 bolt earlier), quiksilver titanium sports exhaust (lotus elise, few changes to make it fit), std road CAT, remapped ECU (superchips) - 183 BHP on a rolling road.
We reckon you can push nearly 200bhp with a little more fettling in the right places. Although it will be pushing the boundaries for standard internals.
We reckon you can push nearly 200bhp with a little more fettling in the right places. Although it will be pushing the boundaries for standard internals.
You won't get more than around 185bhp on the VVC mechanism, even with all the porting in the world, owing to its seriously limited inlet valve lift (9.5mm).
To get above 185 you would need to go to solid cams. To get to 200+ you'd also need to bin the plenum and go to individual throttle bodies because 'hairy' cams set up standing waves in the intake runners which interfere with the flow through the plenum (a bit like charge robbing on a siamesed port motor).
Or you could do what I do and run a healthy shot of nitrous
To get above 185 you would need to go to solid cams. To get to 200+ you'd also need to bin the plenum and go to individual throttle bodies because 'hairy' cams set up standing waves in the intake runners which interfere with the flow through the plenum (a bit like charge robbing on a siamesed port motor).
Or you could do what I do and run a healthy shot of nitrous
It more a case of how much are you looking to spend as to what gains are possible.
The major decision point is usually around 185-190BHP as this is about the limit of what can be achieved with bolt-on modifications, and point at which you need to think about upgrading engine internals. Its also the point at which costs start to increase significantly, hence a lot of owners stop when they reach it.
The major decision point is usually around 185-190BHP as this is about the limit of what can be achieved with bolt-on modifications, and point at which you need to think about upgrading engine internals. Its also the point at which costs start to increase significantly, hence a lot of owners stop when they reach it.
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
You won't get more than around 185bhp on the VVC mechanism, even with all the porting in the world, owing to its seriously limited inlet valve lift (9.5mm).
To get above 185 you would need to go to solid cams. To get to 200+ you'd also need to bin the plenum and go to individual throttle bodies because 'hairy' cams set up standing waves in the intake runners which interfere with the flow through the plenum (a bit like charge robbing on a siamesed port motor).
Or you could do what I do and run a healthy shot of nitrous
You can get it above 185 but you are looking in the wrong place if you are looking at working the head. Takes a bit more lateral thinking and you can get it without throttle bodies etc. To get above 185 you would need to go to solid cams. To get to 200+ you'd also need to bin the plenum and go to individual throttle bodies because 'hairy' cams set up standing waves in the intake runners which interfere with the flow through the plenum (a bit like charge robbing on a siamesed port motor).
Or you could do what I do and run a healthy shot of nitrous
shino said:
Could i not just whack a turbo onto it? I know you're thinking 'd*ck head' now, & i know its not just as simple as 'whacking a turbo onto it', but if its producing 145bhp now, won't it boost it by 40-50bhp anyway? After all the 220 turbo produced 200bhp didnt it?
I suspect that fitting it into the available space, plumbing it in, and dissipating the heat would be the big challenges!MG Mark
shino said:
I own a standard vvc mgf, although it has been lowered, & for all the hype about head gasket failure, & the 'girls car' tag, i love driving it.
But got me wondering, what kind of performance can you get out of the 1.8 vvc engine? & just what mods are needed to get a big bhp gain?
Mine was lowered, but it won't be long before you have that re-adjusted (UP)- speed bumps will put pay to that, as it rips off our exhaust silencer.But got me wondering, what kind of performance can you get out of the 1.8 vvc engine? & just what mods are needed to get a big bhp gain?
I did look at induction kits (see entry on p2) decided it wasn't worth it as the only one to buy was a Taipan system and then fit cool air trumpets, cos of all the damn heat the bay generates... personally, stick with standard as anything that adds to heat in there is a big nooooo.
Go for a nice performance exhaust system, then spend money on decent brake kit and suspension upgrades. That way you will feel a whole lot faster by sorting the handling... just a thought
If you want to go over 185hp you need to start with the pistons. The standard piston as fitted to the VVC are not designed to be held above 7200rpm its ok to take them there for a short time but high revs will cause the standard pistons to break the top ring land. The con rods and crank are good for about 7800rpm. The engine is very tuneable but needs to be done with care. We have run reliable 1.4s at 164hp and 1.8 at 228hp both engines running two seasons without any trouble. We run the LE500 in the MG Trophy and the engine had done one season in our ZR Trophy car before being fitted to the new car. The engine has now just been checked for next season and it is still showing less than 2% leakdown in fact 2 cylinders are less than 1%. The oil pressure is still as new.
Found the speed hump problem already. Have to think about which way i go when i go out in the car to avoid the blasted things. Used to have a kitcar(striker) & once got stuck on top of one, had all 4 wheels off the ground, grounded. Where d'ya stand on claiming damages against the local council for any damage to the underside of the car ??
shino said:
Found the speed hump problem already. Have to think about which way i go when i go out in the car to avoid the blasted things. Used to have a kitcar(striker) & once got stuck on top of one, had all 4 wheels off the ground, grounded. Where d'ya stand on claiming damages against the local council for any damage to the underside of the car ??
Ouch!! I am not sure on how the law stands on these things. Some places have like heavy duty rubber based square humps, where you can ride the car in the middle of the road (subject to it being clear) and that gives you better clearance for the underside. I have got loads of dents to my under tray, so know how you feel. 
shino said:
Found the speed hump problem already. Have to think about which way i go when i go out in the car to avoid the blasted things. Used to have a kitcar(striker) & once got stuck on top of one, had all 4 wheels off the ground, grounded. Where d'ya stand on claiming damages against the local council for any damage to the underside of the car ??
Council will probably just say you were going too fast...yes, I know. 
Road humps have to be the most stupid (and damaging) bits of road furniture ever invented, as they are obviously quite useless for the purpose intended.
Just leaving a road full of potholes would be cheaper and more effective IMO.
grahamw48 said:
Just leaving a road full of potholes would be cheaper and more effective IMO.
If you come down to Kent, we have speed humps, sh.it loads of potholes and that other ridiculous slowing system that causes you to weave in and out, buses have difficulting due to the restricted gaps, plus the parked cars and say goodbye to your offside. Great isn't it.Oh the joys of motoring. Live near macclesfield & have the 'cat n fiddle' run, s'posed to be one of the most dangerous roads in the uk, petrol head heaven as they say. Theres no speed humps or cameras (as yet). In the middle of no where up on the moors but its patrolled by her majesties best in planes, helicopters, unmarked bikes & cars. All the fun of motoring has been taken away.
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