IIRC there 120bhp and they were in the bubble 218, the 418, 45, ZR and poss the 25

 

Engine Size 1796 cc
Cylinders 4
0-60 mph 8.6 s
Power Output 115 bhp
Valves 16
Torque 160 Nm
Top Speed 119 mph

MPG 38

Insurance Group 11
Euro Emissions Standard III
CO2 Emissions 173 g/km
Road Tax Band H

From Parkers For a MK 1 ZR 120

Russ

 

Thanks alot guys (+repped).

 

Most common location to find that engine is the MG ZS120.

 

As said above really. They are common in the ZS and are quite a few in ZR form. Different places say different figures, i've always thought to myself that they have about 117bhp.

Great cars to drive though if you're thinking of putting it in your car (I'm sure I read you were looking at doing an engine swap), the engine feels meaty and powerful.

Just today I was driving to an appointment behind two guys driving at 40mph in a 60 zone and realized I was going to be late. I was in 4th gear going 40mph at just under 2.5k revs, put my foot down and effortlessly overtook them. In my old 200 (1.4 k) I would have had to mash my foot down to the floor to wait for the revs to build up a bit before having the power and speed to be able to overtake them.

What I'm trying to say is that although the figure of about 117bhp seems low for a 1.8, the torque really does make a big difference here. The engine is brilliant and feels and is a lot smoother and powerful than the initial figures would have you believe!

 

Yeah mate, i'm in two minds of getting a new car (ZR) or getting the lads at AA Autosport uprate my 1.1 to the non VVC 1.8. I don't have the money really for a full engine swap so we are just going to uprate the stock engine to a 1.8 lol.

 

www.parkers.co.uk facts and figures

 

My 120 feels so slow now

I did have a quick drive in my old 103ps R25 about 2 weeks ago and the difference between the two, particularly at low revs, is quite huge.

 

Yeah the difference is unbelievable. The 120 is just a nicer and easier car to drive, period.

As for the car feeling slow, that happens to everyone mate! When you first get a car (a more powerful one than before) the new power is fun and refreshing but you soon become accustomed to it and then the car feels 'slow' as you describe. Will happen to any car you get mate

For some reason we humans always want more than we have, we get bored very quickly!

 

The engine uprating will end up costing you the same if not more than an engine transplant Tom, maybe worth pricing up and engine swap.

 

Last time I asked the lads over at AA for a price on a T Series engine conversion they wanted just under 2K and that was with me supplying the engine! then I read Wallys thred on here were they uprated his 1.4 to a 1.8 and new HG for around £700 and that seemed very reasonable.

 

A T-Series is a LOT more work than a straight forward K-Series transplant.

 

Isnt the 1.1 an 8valve? Therefore it wont be a simple upgrade. New engine + box + ECU will be the cheapest (probably only) option mate.

 

a very cost effective option too for upgrading power!

 

He has the 1.1 16v, which they did make along with the more common 8v ones!

New engine + ecu + fobs + srs ecu! and maybe the gear box...

 

would be cheaper selling up and buying something with a bigger engine really less hassle

 

Not if he can get an engine, and fitted for less than a grand (assuming the engine is relatively low mileage...)

 

Yeah but then he will get nobbled come insurance time surely. Buy a quicker car would be my advice, pretty sure it would work out cheaper.

 

Its not cheaper to buy a new car lads I have done alot of research into it. It would be 4,500ish for the car I want then insurance would be 2K

alternativly if I did a conversion to the same power then pay 2K for insurance its alot cheaper.

 

Ermmmmm, It would not even cost £4,500 for a very end of the line ZR120.

So say you are looking for a 2003 ZR120 you would spend around £2.5k max on that minus whatever you get for yours, say £1k for example meaning the difference is £1.5k.

Very different to £4.5k and you are insuring a standard car.

 

As above! Have you actually got a quote for your car with the engine change declared? Rover 25 1.1 with 1.8 engine will not cost the same as a Rover 25 with 1.8 as standard...

 

Yes Adrian Flux want 1,800 and they wanted 2.2K for a stock ZR 120 from me.

 

I would'nt be getting a 120, i'd get a mk2 115 desiel if I was going to buy a new car and I have spent to much money on this car to sell it for nothing so I'll be keeping it or buying a new car completly and giving this one to my brother but we will see.

 

About 200bhp from a T series, and you can mod it go get a bit more but will cost. Can't expect too much out of it though, iirc Ashy had 230bhp out of it.

As for Tom, its a though one mate, and I deffinitely would put a lot of effort into the reaserch (I'm sure you have done). You could get a Mk1 ZR and swap over the bits, or a Rover 25 of some sort and swap over!

 

About 200bhp from a T series, and you can mod it go get a bit more but will cost. Can't expect too much out of it though, iirc Ashy had 230bhp out of it.

Pound for pound the T series will mod much much better. And expecting too much? Im doubling the power from mine... Tuning nasps ftl.

 

Just got the full way with the 1.8 and get the vvc its easier to get hold of you got a 200's/25's/zr's and mgf's you can get them out of.

Im sure jumping from a 1.1 >>> 1.8 vvc will be a big shock for you anyway what your little 1.1 produces the 1.8 will be doing at around 3000rpm lol before where the best power comes in, which ever way you go 1.8 or T Series hope it goes well for you i like all the hard work you put in so far with bits and pieces.


IIRC someone has done a 1.6 vvc conversion but im sure that is damn expensive.

 

I can't insure the VVC 1.8 mate my origional plan was to get that from a 25 gti. I'm still waiting for a quote back from AA Autosport first before anything gets done. Thanks for the advice!

Cheers
Tom