MG TF Extreme Tuning

[Thefazr]

Hey forum

I am the proud owner of a TF and have had all the fun in the world with it. But the 1.6L engine on it isn't enough. There's this thought in my head about swapping the K-series for a Cosworth engine. Sounds crazy, but could it be done? I'd need a FWD transmission to fit the engine of course. Please share your thoughts on this one.

 

[Yugguy]

Turbo it? Stick the KV6 in?

Converting an MGTF to front wheel drive would, be, well, extremely silly. And weren't cosworths 4wd?

Howdo by the way.

 

[Thefazr]

tht's the whole point, the tf has its engine behind the driver, so the trans is FWD, powering the rear wheels. If I could put in the cossie engine it would still be RWD!

 

[stamford]

Welcome, have heard of KV6 versions and a Type R V-Tec conversion, a right screamer.

 

[T9 man]

Greetings and Welcome!

 

[Yugguy]

MG themselves did a V6 TF coupe concept car before they folded. It actually looked really nice, supposedly with around 220bhp from a fettled KV6 engine.

 

[stamford]

If only!

 

[turbonutter69]

Hello and Welcome to Torquecars.:bigsmile:
Hope you enjoy your time with us.

 

[obi_waynne]

May I as the site admin wish you a very warm welcome to TorqueCars. It is really nice to meet you and I hope you'll be spending some time with us over the months to come.
You'll find us one of the friendliest and most helpful car tuning forums around.

What plans do you have for your car? I'm sure we can give you lots of ideas and suggestions if you need any.

Do feel free to chip in on our other topics and discussions, we are all here to share our passion for cars. Being friendly and helpful is a forum rule here and I'm sure you'll fit in just fine.

 

[Yugguy]

If only!

I know, I think it looks really good. I wonder if there'll be a new MG coupe? There do seem to be hints of lots of new models in the pipeline.

 

[Loz]

If its already got a K series why not drop a 1.8 VVC in?

 

[Yugguy]

If its already got a K series why not drop a 1.8 VVC in?

Cos for the hassle of an engine swap you may as well stick something more powerful in. I suppose you could get one of the turboed 1.8s from a 75 and remap it up from 150bhp.

 

[stamford]

The trouble with this is why not buy the VVC version to start with? There's always a VHPD one from a Lotus, if you can find one. Whatever is looked at it will always be hard to get the right balance in such a car due to the configuration. Even a standard F/TF in the wet is crap, which my daughter found out a couple of months ago. Doesn't take much to upset it when grip is low, so with anything approaching 180 bhp and above it must be a handful in the wrong hands.

 

[CJJ]

If you are changing from a 1.6 to a VVC then you may as well look at other options as you will need new engine/gearbox/rev counter/ECU etc etc anyway.

There have been a few Type R conversions (a lot of them are rough and ready) and I have heard of a company that does an Audi 1.8T conversion too.

The KV6 has been done on one car that I have heard of, but at the expense of major work including losing the boot and part of the fuel tank area.

There have been a few 1.6 engines fitted with VVC heads which can give around 145bhp with other mods.

I think the major restrictions are size, weight (you could seriously upset the balance with more weight at the rear), and cooling as the engine is enclosed at the back rather than in the normal airflow of a front engined car.

I have upped mine to 175bhp and I am working on a 1.9L scholar block which I am supercharging, but it is taking a long long time due to finances at the moment.

Don't forget that you will need to uprate brakes etc. The AP brakes being the easiest and cheapest upgrade.

 

[old-git]

Turbo it? Stick the KV6 in?

Converting an MGTF to front wheel drive would, be, well, extremely silly. And weren't cosworths 4wd?

Howdo by the way.

Most Sapphire Cosworths and all 3 Door Sierra Cosworths are 2WD. Only the later Sapphires are 4WD.

The Cosworth Escorts are 4WD

 

[CJJ]

Here's some info on a few engines:

http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/engines/engine_options.htm

 

[CJJ]

Here's the Audi conversion I was looking for http://www.reyland.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=150

 

[Yugguy]

Cool!

 

[Loz]

I popped into to see the guys at Reyland last year (I drive past their workshop regularly) & he started telling me how, for £5000 he could put the 1.8T engine in my 100. Have to admit it was a tempting thought. They offer the same service for MG ZS's or pretty much anything with a PG1 gearbox. It's a handy solution if the KV6 dies.

 

[Yugguy]

The one trouble with the 1.8T is that although it's very robust, tunable engine, it's completely devoid of character.

 

[CJJ]

I think 300+bhp in a TF would have it's own character.

 

[BluntyR5GTT]

how much exactly do you have to spend ?

id go down a 1.8 conversion route same as i did with my zr.

forged pistons and rods
vvc head blanked off to accept solid cams
piper 285 cams
jenvey dth throttle bodies
aftermarket ecu

this lot should see you to 185-190bhp no probs and believe me in my zr that spec used to show up alot of supposed quick cars eg civic type r's were not a match at all