I need more grunt from the ZR...

[Nic jones]

Right, I've had the ZR 120 bog standard since mid November and I've decided it needs more grunt to save me getting bored on the tedious daily commute and also to keep up better on trackdays/hoons!

Only criteria are that I don't want to make it (much!) louder as the missus will notice that I've done something to it

And I'm not fancying doing anything really daft like turbo/supercharging/engine transplants, as funds will not stretch that far, other than that any suggestions would be considered!

Would a decent sport cat make much difference with a standard exhaust?

[hearselover]

Change the throttle body to a 52mm one, fit a k&n or similar and change the exhaust and if you buy the right exhaust it wont really change the noise. Ive got an X Power (Janspeed) stainless one on my ZR 160 and its a deeper tone but when youre moving very little difference.

Edited by hearselover on Wednesday 3rd February 11:59

[MGJohn]

Another lower profile mod ( so that 'er indoors will not notice unless she really pushes that throttle pedal all the way down ... ) is to fit a VVC cylinder head to the 1.8 engine in your motor. It will involve rather more work than a throttle body upgrade though. You'll also need the ECU and electrics.

Complete VVC engines ( 140-160ps ) with ECU etc can be obtained for reasonable money ~ my son has recently bought two VVC complete motors ~ one ex-Lotus Elise the other ex MGF. Both fitted to cars now with pleasing resulys.

Or, if you must have more poke with less work, P/X the car for a tidy well kept MG ZR160 .... simples...
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