22 replies to this topic

[Furyblade_Lee]

The 160VVC engines were getting a bit thin on the ground even a few years back, well good ones were anyway. I used a 143VVC, the more common one, but added a 52mm aluminium throttle body, proper ducted cold air inlet and removed the cat. The exhaust was a special one made for GTMs. That made 172 BHP on reliable rollers on a shoot out day. We had a 1.4 metro Gti k-series version make 98bhp after a tune.

[Liam Mini 35]

Have you not had a look at the z cars conversions? Yes they go in the back of the car but you can have a bike engine or a vtec/volvo engine. Check them out.

[Wil_h]

Z-car conversions are not really suitable for a daily drive IMO. They're too tricky to drive and want to go round in circles. Plus they cost a LOT more than an angine change at the front.

[Wil_h]

I commute about 20 mile each way every day in a 998 turbo. It has 13" wheels and a 2.9 diff, so 70mph is 3500rpm, it has enough power to get to 60 in 8 seconds and will crack 100 no problems. My car is injected, so starts on the button every time and has not let me down ever.

sorry to hijack , but what spec are you running on the 998 Wil_h engine wise?

Nothing special really, standard internals with a 295 head and dished pistons (8.6:1 CR) and IHI RhF4 turbo and SC single TB injection. I generally pootle around at 5psi, then flick a switch for 12psi when I need some extra speed (overtaking etc). Gearbox is standard (not even re-built) with a X-pin diff and 2.9 diff.

[oli8925]

The 160VVC engines were getting a bit thin on the ground even a few years back, well good ones were anyway. I used a 143VVC, the more common one, but added a 52mm aluminium throttle body, proper ducted cold air inlet and removed the cat. The exhaust was a special one made for GTMs. That made 172 BHP on reliable rollers on a shoot out day. We had a 1.4 metro Gti k-series version make 98bhp after a tune.

Granted, but you can still buy all you need engine wise for about £400, or buy a ropey/written off MGTF for under £1k, break it and probably break even or find some profit. The work you did to the 143 would cost more than the extra for finding a 160, although that's still an impressive output.

[F1L8EY]

I just really want the engine in the front ifi can help it. i'd like a pickup, with a bit more kick and drivability.

im thinking more along the lines now of a 1600 non turbo vtec, flip standard length front end with a hard top over the tail.

looks like a mini pickup... goes like greased up weasle sh*t!!!

i just thought the bike engine route would be easier to get in and would give me a 6 speed box thus better for the longer parts of the jorneys??

[Furyblade_Lee]

Bike engines are very low geared, mine is basically 1,000 rpm per 11mph. Cruising in 6th at 80mph is 7,000rpm....

[F1L8EY]

cruising in my mini mayfair i had standard 1000cc was 80mph down a steep hill, max revs, with the wind behind, shaking like a ******* dog!!

are there kits available for the vauxhal engines then the same as the vtec's... the vtecs seem to be everywhere!!