Hi guys.
As a couple of you may have noticed in a couple of recent posts that I'm now driving a Mk2 ZS180. Even over all the cars I've had, and the £1000's that have been spent over the years improving the handling, this is by far the best car I've ever driven. I know that may sound daft considering it's an MG, but the boffins at Longbridge really knew what they were doing when they made this car.
There is so much that MG changed about the chassis etc from the regular Rover 45/Civic MB. Also the little gismo they made for the inlet manifold by far make the 180bhp in standard form feel a lot fast with a standard 0-60 of 7 seconds and for a big car designed over 13 years ago, is pretty impressive for how little power it has.
But it's definitely one of those situations that you may turn your nose up at a Rover, but don't mock them til you've tried one and I have to agree with Tiff Needell when he said it was one of the best FWD cars he has ever driven.
So since owning the car, there hasn't been too much don't to the engine as yet other than cams, throttle body, custom made sealed ait filter and full custom exhaust system. Fitted a Dark Ice Design cltch kit to get rid of all the stupid rover plastic parts. It supports Xpower Springs which are only 10mm lower but a lot stiffer. Then the rest for the mo has just been a few cosmetic bits and bobs such as my own custom made mud flaps, a little carbon wrapping here and there and a shed load of polishing
. Restored the foggy headlights, repainted all the mesh grills. Also have refurbed the callipers which are now using Honda S2000 parts and supporting the nice Xpower green I do have my eye open for a full Alcantara interior as that is half leather and half suede but rare as chucks teeth.
But here he is in all his glory waiting for either a T16 engine, or going down the route of fitting a turbo charged 1.8 honda engine as they can take some really good numbers. But will see what turns up first ...
I've had the car nearly a year and for me not to end up doing shed loads to it must say something for how happy with the car I am. Handling is insanely good for standard, power isn't too bad however would be a lot better around the 230-250bhp area (currently at 201bhp) and I absolutely love the looks of it. But will most definitely keep you posted with further changes. The wheels are next on the cards and going to refurb them myself but not sure what colour as yet.
As a couple of you may have noticed in a couple of recent posts that I'm now driving a Mk2 ZS180. Even over all the cars I've had, and the £1000's that have been spent over the years improving the handling, this is by far the best car I've ever driven. I know that may sound daft considering it's an MG, but the boffins at Longbridge really knew what they were doing when they made this car.
There is so much that MG changed about the chassis etc from the regular Rover 45/Civic MB. Also the little gismo they made for the inlet manifold by far make the 180bhp in standard form feel a lot fast with a standard 0-60 of 7 seconds and for a big car designed over 13 years ago, is pretty impressive for how little power it has.
But it's definitely one of those situations that you may turn your nose up at a Rover, but don't mock them til you've tried one and I have to agree with Tiff Needell when he said it was one of the best FWD cars he has ever driven.
So since owning the car, there hasn't been too much don't to the engine as yet other than cams, throttle body, custom made sealed ait filter and full custom exhaust system. Fitted a Dark Ice Design cltch kit to get rid of all the stupid rover plastic parts. It supports Xpower Springs which are only 10mm lower but a lot stiffer. Then the rest for the mo has just been a few cosmetic bits and bobs such as my own custom made mud flaps, a little carbon wrapping here and there and a shed load of polishing
. Restored the foggy headlights, repainted all the mesh grills. Also have refurbed the callipers which are now using Honda S2000 parts and supporting the nice Xpower green I do have my eye open for a full Alcantara interior as that is half leather and half suede but rare as chucks teeth.But here he is in all his glory waiting for either a T16 engine, or going down the route of fitting a turbo charged 1.8 honda engine as they can take some really good numbers. But will see what turns up first
...
I've had the car nearly a year and for me not to end up doing shed loads to it must say something for how happy with the car I am. Handling is insanely good for standard, power isn't too bad however would be a lot better around the 230-250bhp area (currently at 201bhp) and I absolutely love the looks of it. But will most definitely keep you posted with further changes. The wheels are next on the cards and going to refurb them myself but not sure what colour as yet.
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