Engine swap to 'K' series?

[lancsman]

Is anybody aware of a TR7 that has been converted to a Rover 'K' series engine?

Anybody contemplating such a move or is it just me?

lancsman

[PeterTR7V8]

All that effort & then to end up with a smaller motor that will probably blow its head gasket when it gets a bit too warm. What a glutton for punishment.

Sorry. Didn't they tell you it was International Rain on your Parade Day? [:p]



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[lancsman]

Ah yes, the old head gasket reputation.

Smaller engine maybe but talk to the racing boys who get anywhere between 160-200+ BHP from them and even in road trim a reliable 170 -180 BHP is easily achievable. (I already have this in a 'K' engined road car at the moment).

The head gasket problem is now well understood and is dealt with by most owners.

I didn't start this thread with a view to opening a head gasket debate just wondered if anyone had considered or carried out the swap.

Thanks.

Lancsman

[PeterTR7V8]

Sorry, I didn't understand the rules. [xx(]

These are the 1.8 variants:

All 1800 engines displace 1.8 L (1795 cc/109 in³). Six variations were created:
*DOHC K16 16-valve, MPI, 117 to 120 hp (86 to 88 kW)
*DOHC K16 16-valve, MPI, 136 hp (100 kW)
*DOHC K16 16-valve, MPI, VVC, 145 hp (107 kW)
*DOHC K16 16-valve, MPI, VVC, 160 hp (118 kW)
*DOHC K16 16-valve, MPI, turbocharged, 150 to 190 hp (110 to 118 kW)
*DOHC K16 VHPD - Very High Performance Derivative 16-valve, MPI, 177 hp (130 kW) or 192 hp (142 kW) (Lotus version) (Uses VVC unique cylinder head casting (similar to VVC casting), has big valves, but with fixed cam timing - No development input was requested from Rover)



The map: http://tinyurl.com/wedgemap . The blog: http://www.forum.triumphtr7.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8548

[Bobbieslandy]

hi lancsman

I know S&S preparations have fitted a rover 2.0 16v engine in a TR7, the one that came out of the 820 so i guess that proves that an upright 4 pot will fit. If the 820 lump has the same bellhousing pattern as the K series then it could be worth giving them a ring with a view to supplying the adaptor plate. i did look into this a few years back (before i knew about S&S prep) but could'nt find out how to mate it to the standard 5 speed box. I tried looking on "locost" and various kit car websites where i thought an LT77 / K series would be the norm but no joy so i went down the Sprint route. A couple of mates of mine run MGF's and they've both fitted a coolent level switch on the header tank to warn of impending doom. Admitedly since they've fitted a new head gasket (matter of course, not because the old one failed) and a few other new parts they've both had no trouble over the last 5-6 years or so. Lightweight, big power, sounds like a good move. Let me know how you get on. Just had a thought, as the upright 4 is obviously taller i've got a feeling you might have to make some alterations to the bulkhead so the engine sits back far enough to bolt on the gearbox.

Rob.

[lancsman]

So I'm not the only who's thought of it then!

'K' series fitment to an MGB and Midget is quite commonplace and I believe they use a Sierra 5 speed box. I can foresee problems mating a 'K' to a TR7 5 speed as you suggest but I still think it's worth looking into.

I might visit S&S in the near future so will raise the subject with them and see if they can throw any light onto the potential.

Lancsman

[Bobbieslandy]

could always transplant the whole MGF engine / box into the rear of the TR7, now that i would love to see!

[lancsman]

Complete MGF engine and box transplant eh? Hadn't thought of that!

[goes outside with tape measure in hand]

Lancsman

[Marko]

if fitting a newer engine why rover? BMW+gearbox?

[Bobbieslandy]

Because he wants to fit a rover engine! I wanted a ferrari engine in mine but all i had in the garage was a sprint lump and a few nuts and bolts[:D]

I must admit i have been looking on ebay for BMW and Merc V8s. Didn't even get as far as the tape measure though..........

Rob.

[Marko]

i thought that while going to all the trouble of fitting some "non bolt on " engine why not pick something more reliable

[Bobbieslandy]

IMHO the K series is actually a reliable and potentially very powerful lump, the trouble is it's not idiot proof, very similar to the sprint engine. Look after it and nail any probs as they crop up, fit the uprated multi layered head gasket and it's good as gold. Put it into a motor where the owner ignores the fact it needs to warm up thoroughly before booting it then they do fail. It's not unreliable, just misunderstood. I'm not sure BMW have anything similar with regards to power to weight do they? i'm only into their diesels! oh and the K-series don't half like to rev, a modern sprint engine.

[prlee]

Didn't I hear somewhere the BMW really bought Rover to get their hands on the engine technology? I believe Rover (Austin really) were into lean burn high power engine development.

Or am I making this up[;)]

K series do have a horrendous reputation on factory gaskets due to the accountant (just like the stag and TR7 engine) I dont know anyone who has owned a bigger engine K series from new who hasn't had a gasket fail.

But maybe the gasket mods have cured this.

Pete
81 DHC (nearing completion)
79 Spitfire (big hole found in floor)

[john 215]

Hi,

I was a Rover Master Technician, most of the head gasket problems were down to the fitment of plastic dowels between the head and block. Later engines had steel dowels which improved things greatley.
There is always the KV6 that once BMW rengineered was reasonable engine,cambelt at back of cylinder head were fun to change in front wheel drive cars so would be a pain in the a5r3 in rear wheel drive format!!
But IMHO V8 any day!

http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?enginekseriesf.htm

Cheers John

LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!
1979 3.5 FHC(STATUS PENDING!!)

1982 2.0 DHC NOW A 4.6,ON THE ROAD NOW KICKING AR5E !!!!

[Beans]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Bobbieslandy</i>

IMHO the K series is actually a reliable and potentially very powerful lump ... fit the uprated multi layered head gasket ... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
... from a Land Rover Freelander and add some steel dowels to replace the rubbish plastic ones Rover fitted first [;)]

edit; sorry John, see you beat me on the plastic dowels [:I]
<center>
<font color="blue"><i>1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, now restored and back on the road)
1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)</font id="blue">
<b>[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]<u><b><font size="2"><font color="red">My Weblog</font id="red"></font id="size2"></b></u>[/url]</b></i></center>