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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - 1.8 turbo zt

Has anyone modified one of these engines yet? Anyone upped the boost and lowered the compression. I have heard the pistons are uprated. Anyone know of any mods done ?


Mark
M R Reynolds

Up to around 200bhp will be OK on the standard engune and indeed some thought was being given to doiing this for some markets with the ZT160 1.8T I know of one company offering a remapping to achieve a claimed 195bhp and allowing for BS factor means that is probaly around the 180 to 185bhp mark. Still makes for an interesting car.

I very recently had a drive of a former MGF engineering dept ZR with a factory fit turbo spec engine fitted and which was undergoing durability testing when the company folded. On a rolling road local to the new owners it recorded over 170bhp at the wheels, circa 200 - 205 at the flywheel, but whilst stunningly quick, it didn't feel 200bhp quick, 180 maybe. This engine had done some miles and was a well driven hack with the engiune seemingly not having been worked on for a while. This all helps to indicate the engine is sound for modest upgrading.

Rog
Roger Parker

Roger, are the cylinder liners for the turbo still available?
Rob Bell

is remapping a reliable way to increase the power?
M R Reynolds

I have heard of several 1.8T engines blowing up due to over pressuring turbos but this was mainly due to the pipes not fitted properly to the pressure regulator valve. I talked to an engineer who used to work at Powertrain and he said although the K series could actually push out well over 200 bhp there would be alot of problems with reliability and the cylinder liners would have to be modified quite a bit to cope.
Martyn

Are you still in touch with him Martyn? Do you know what kind of modifications are required?

Interestingly, Scholar do a re-inforced block, using machined Renault Laguna liners (which also takes the capacity out to 1.9 litres, which is nice ;o))
Rob Bell

One of the saddest probelms that Dogged MGR was the K series. This motor althought very advanced for the early 90's had a major problem....it was NEVER meant to be more than 1400 cc!

Just about every K series Elise/MGF pilot i talked to has ad atlest one HGF. Powertrain simply shot themselves in the foot with this and piss poor design and build on the KV6.

Given the right investment and R+D they may of got somewhere, but as is with "British Leyland"..It was just too much effort........another reson WHY they came to an end.

China WILL have to put this right if they are to recover. I hear the Turbo K had a very high death rate and frankly i would not try to tune it for more bhp...........this is NOT a VAG engine or Jap engine...." She kenny take it Capt !"
Mega
Mega

Admittedly rubbish in the 800 range, but the KV6 is excellent since the 75 launch, few, if any HGF thanks to standard head bolts. 80k miles on mine and I know of others well up to the 150k plus mark with no hassles on the KV6. Revs willingly to 6.5k and beyond although admittedly for a 2.5 V6 it could do better than the 190bhp. Downside is weight compared to the K4, but much more stress free ownership with this.
Martin ZT

This thread was discussed between 03/04/2006 and 14/04/2006

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