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Best K-series for a rwd application?

14469 Views 32 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  philfloyd, 
E
I'm hoping to drop a K into my MG Midget next summer, my old 1275cc is burning oil quicker than it drinks petrol! What should I be looking for in the purchase of an engine? I want the VVC unit for more power, but I'm told by others if i want to be making a lot of power I'm best going for normal 1.8 and then using throttle bodies and an emerald ecu but then we're getting expensive...

I know what I need to do to the car to make it ready for the engine but havent a clue how to prepare an engine for this conversion having never attempted anything like this :)

Its a 1973 chrome bumper model if anyone's interested, I've nabbed some 4pot calipers and big disks from a racing midget which stop it well, althought the suspension will need coverting to telescopic shocks all round.

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgoc&a=&p=emg/newdawn.html


Above is the dream MG Midget, V8 with AWD and looks so nice :) The guy who built is must love it.
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E
I've read bout the rotory midget, but as the K is more supported I chose to go down that route. I've got a pdf file on it if anyone's interested I could upload it to my site. I've also got a pdf magazine article on the k-series in a midget I could upload.

With the VVC thing, if you want big power AFAIK, you ditch the VVC mechs and go to solid cams. Piper do a conversion kit for it. Then you can use TBs teamed up with an aftermarket ECU to get nice power figures. One of the members of the midget BBS mentionel here earlier is running 210bhp in a midget and has been through 5 or 6 diffs and broke loads of driveshafts running that amount of power :D
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eddybrown said:
With the VVC thing, if you want big power AFAIK, you ditch the VVC mechs and go to solid cams. Piper do a conversion kit for it. Then you can use TBs teamed up with an aftermarket ECU to get nice power figures. One of the members of the midget BBS mentionel here earlier is running 210bhp in a midget and has been through 5 or 6 diffs and broke loads of driveshafts running that amount of power :D
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Yes def interested in fitting solid cams, can this be done with ease and are we talking big money for the kit. Im sure you have heard it before but the VVC stands for Very Very Complicated. Would solid cams make the engine less complicated?

With regard to standard 1.8i VVC you dont get the power until around 5000rpm, the 1.8i is a bit throatier at the lower end of the rev band
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Stu
No need to ditch the VVC mechs anymore.

Far more power can be generated with than without thanks to the likes of DTA and Emerald ECU's that can control the VVC mechs.

Very old hat to even consider ditching them these days.
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E
Didnt realise that! I knew an Emerald could control a VVC mech but just assumed it was wise to ditch it. Cheers for the info, I'll be keeping mine.
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E
If people want to follow the progress on VVC Midget I'll be keeping a blog at http://www.eddybrown.co.uk/mg/ Until around May it will just be collecting parts until I finish uni for the year...
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S
This is all very interesting. I like it when people get classic cars and put modern engines in. How about the 1.8K Turbo?
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E
The turbo was tempting and could be a possible swap once the K is already in place. I'm not sure on the clearances though although I know somebody in New Zealand will be attempting the conversion soon, after he got 3 brand new turbo engines when the dealers closed in NZ.
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E
Also if anyones interested there is an article about the 4 wheel drive V8 midget in this months (march) MG Enthusiast. A 6 page spead IIRC. Definately worth a read.
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Chris T
eddybrown said:
Also if anyones interested there is an article about the 4 wheel drive V8 midget in this months (march) MG Enthusiast. A 6 page spead IIRC. Definately worth a read.
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Had a good look at it last Sunday, looks even better in the metal then in the pictures.
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santa20 said:
This is all very interesting. I like it when people get classic cars and put modern engines in. How about the 1.8K Turbo?
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I am busy putting a K in my classic mini...

regards turbo.. there is a guy here who has converted a 1.4 K to turbo all home made and got on RR 196bhp!!!!!!!!!!
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E
Looks like a nice conversion, shame he's having a few probs with the turbos. I bet that thing pulls and pulls. Can you only fit a K into the clubmans? I take it its a tall order to fit into the standard mini?
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D
2
No it fits in a round nose! you have to mod exhaust manifold and move alternator..

My frame is made to fit a round nose.. i am using a clubby so i can have a full size rad as i am going to race the ass of it!

this is not mine.. but an example of on in STD length round nose


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i put a 1.8 vvc with type9 gear box I got a mgf car on ebay for 400 pounds the car puts a big smile on my face
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