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MG MGF Technical - VVC Conversion

Hi

Does anyone know if you can convert an 1997MPI to a VVC?
How much does the VVC unit cost?
Will the engine have to come out of the car to fit the VVC unit?

Mike
Mike Bodger

This is a very easy conversion,and no the engine does not need to be taken out.














just buy a VVC if thats what you want.


Cheers Ivor.
I Mendum

yes you can, the head is the diffrence, you will need a VVC head, a VVC ECU & VVC engine loom(?). rest of the engine is standard (or at least compatabile). Of course you can get better performace by buying a VVC head with VVC bits stripped out and work done by Dave Andrews, and fitting it as an MPi head with aftermarket ECU.
Will Munns

Cant I just wack a vvc unit on the engine and change some of the ecu bits.
Are you sure thats not enough?
Is there really any difference between the mpi and vvc heads?

Cheers

Mike
Mike Bodger

>Is there really any difference between the mpi and vvc heads?
Yes the MPi and VVC heads ARE the diffrence.
Will Munns

Will,

I just want a quick bodge. More power as cheap as possible.
Ill have ago using the mpi head and see what happens.

Cheers

Mike
Mike Bodger

My answer is exactly the same as Will's - yes, it is entirely possible. It's a fairly straightforward head, ECU and loom swap. But the question is why?

If for performance then a DVA head conversion is a better way forward - 180 bhp is readily available without sacrificing low-end torque. Over 200 is available with more expense... so a question of how far to go and how much you want to spend.

However, if you are after VVC power - which *could* be more insurance friendly (although companies tend to get shirty over engine conversions), then proceed by all means, but be aware that as Ivor implies, it will probably be cheaper to buy a VVC powered car in the first place.
Rob Bell

It may be possible after 8 or 9 pints of Boddies,but if you have any parts left over after this conversion it may not run as smoothly as the cream of Manchester.

You might have to take it to yorkshire but make sure you have deep pockets.



cheers Ivor.
I Mendum

So how much do you think a DVA head conversion with 180bhp would cost.

Cheers


Mike
Mike Bodger

Prices are listed on http://www.dvapower.com./

Dave
Dave

Cheers,

Its about £3000 all in, but more than I wanted to spend.

:(
Mike Bodger

145bhp (VVC power)

Comprises

Pair Piper fast-road cams,
Emerald 32bit M3DK ECU with suitable map (ECU comes with manual software and cable)
Cam oil seals, cam lube and cam ladder sealant

Price £860
Fitting above kit to MGF - £325

Ok so a grand, add a good filter & exaust and you should have a 160 which is as much as MGR have.

How much did you expect to spend on ECU, loom and VVC head?
Will Munns

What is your budget Mike?

There is plenty that can be done on a smaller budget, although to get a 60 bhp increase in power will cost you some quite serious dosh.
Rob Bell

About a grand give or take 10 percent was / is my budget.
Mike Bodger

Do the 145Bhp version then, gives you VVC power and you can easily add to it later by sticking a good airfilter/exaust on.
Note this conversion will give you better power thru the rev range, not just at the very top end. Speak to DVA, he can sell you all the bits and labour (if required) even if you chose to just change the engine to a VVC (although you will note that the VVC conversions involve stripping the VVC mech out and just keeping the head). Whatever way you turn the insurance will not like you, an MPi with a VVC head might be to all extents and purposes a VVC, but the insurance will see it as a big modification and tax you as such.

Will
Will Munns

Opps. missed this off...

Of course, getting some driver training (a la 1st lotus) will not add to your premium and may well give a better 'performance' upgrade than changing the engine.
Consider Techspeed & spend the rest on cheap mods like a nice airfilter and a good exaust.
Will Munns

Mike

The VVC has taller gears than the mpi, so you should gette better acceleration as well.

Chris
Chris

I gather from Dave that DVA is quite happy for owners to perform some of the work themselves as a way of reducing costs, and getting more involved with their own car modifications.

Speak to DVA for more info on this.
Rob Bell

Hmm, best value is cam and a bit of gas flowing on the heads, in the lend it will cost you less than half a VVC conversion. Talk to your local rally sport boys, they usually have the name of someone who can do some good headwork for little money. The work I have had done on my cars has been superb.
In relation to gearbox differences with the VVC, it actually has Shorter gearing in the differential (larger numeric value) so the engine turns faster for a given roadspeed. This is one of the main reasons the VVC accelerates faster, engine power isn't all that different from the MPI version lower down the rev range.
Grant Vowles

Asked at the MGF Centre how much a VVC head would cost. The answer to that is about 250 quid... but none currently in stock.

Many thanks to Victoria for all the cups of tea and coffee! :o)
Rob Bell

Rob, Don't tell 'em about the VVC head until I've bought one... ;0)
tim woolcott

>>>The VVC has taller gears than the mpi, so you should gette better acceleration as well.

Er, actually the other way round. The gearing of the MPi means it's quicker off the blocks than the VVC. The VVC eventually wins out, however, because its torque doesn't fall off as much at high revs.

I suppose the way to show this would be to do a 0-60 in 2nd gear on a VVC and an MPi (Actually, can you *do* 60 in 2nd in an MPi - I seem to recall it's a bit red-liney in a VVC??).
David Bainbridge

LOL Tim! I going to start saving my pennies now! ;o)
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 28/02/2003 and 03/03/2003

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