K series lump in a Maestro

[aerosam99]

Hi guys and gals,

I've had 2 Maestro's in the past and they were both great cars, i'm looking into getting another one, but i want more than average power.

Is it possible to fit a rover k series 16v engine into a maestro? (I was thinking 1.8 or 2.0 with twin DCOE weber carbs). If so, how much modification is involved with the conversion?

Thanks in advance.

Sam

[Mat_C]

Why not buy a MG 2.0i/Turbo? I've never heard of a k series conversion though you can put an M/T series lump in.

[MGTurbo]

Hi guys and gals,

I've had 2 Maestro's in the past and they were both great cars, i'm looking into getting another one, but i want more than average power.

Is it possible to fit a rover k series 16v engine into a maestro? (I was thinking 1.8 or 2.0 with twin DCOE weber carbs). If so, how much modification is involved with the conversion?

Thanks in advance.

Sam

They didnt do a 2 litre K series.

1.8 K Series will fit if the Honda PG1 box is used, this can share the same engine mounts as the O series, then fabricate a driver's side mount. I've thought about this, using a VVC 160 engine, but its far more cost effective to T Series Turbo if you really have to.

Gareth

[aerosam99]

the MG turbo i as rare as rocking horse you know what, and the 2.0i is dogged by ECU problems. I may use a 2.0i as a starting point but the engine will be going i'm afraid. :D

I want a modern reliable powerplant, hence rover k series, and big carb power, hence twin sidedraught webers. :idea:

i read an article saying the maestro engine-to-chassis rail mount will fit with a little trimming to the 16v cam cover and the mount, but what's that gearbox? what car is it from?

anyway, i'm currently under a drving ban and need something to fill the time, and the garage.

Cheers

Sam

[MGTurbo]

the MG turbo i as rare as rocking horse you know what, and the 2.0i is dogged by ECU problems. I may use a 2.0i as a starting point but the engine will be going i'm afraid. :D

I want a modern reliable powerplant, hence rover k series, and big carb power, hence twin sidedraught webers. :idea:

i read an article saying the maestro engine-to-chassis rail mount will fit with a little trimming to the 16v cam cover and the mount, but what's that gearbox? what car is it from?

anyway, i'm currently under a drving ban and need something to fill the time, and the garage.

Cheers

Sam

I'm not aware with any ECU problems with the EFi, must be a myth being spread around.

They have never fitted the K series to the Maestro (the possible exception being a Rover development car) ,the article you must have read about trimming the cam cover applies to the T series and not the K. The gearbox is standard fit to the O/M/T Series.

The K series in it's bigger form has a reputation for being weak on the headgasket side, a normally aspirated or turbo'ed T series is likely to be more reliable if not modified, and much better suited to the Maestro because of its relaxed character.

Gareth

[D87 SMW]

A Rover K Series with carbs? Weren't they injected??? :confused:

[MGTurbo]

A Rover K Series with carbs? Weren't they injected??? :confused:

Not all, some used a Single S.U KIF carb.

Weber's and throttle bodies are freely available for fitting onto the K series on the aftermarket scene. Worth the expense? Not really.

Gareth

[aerosam99]

it's just a question of taste to be honest, i have some experience with weber DCOE's, and find that the performance and drivability (if correctly set up) that you can achieve is well worth it.

as you've probably already guessed, i'm not a fan of injection systems. too much to go wrong. I like to keep it simple.

[MGTurbo]

it's just a question of taste to be honest, i have some experience with weber DCOE's, and find that the performance and drivability (if correctly set up) that you can achieve is well worth it.

as you've probably already guessed, i'm not a fan of injection systems. too much to go wrong. I like to keep it simple.

Injection tends to be more reliable than carsb these days. I never had to touch my EFi in that department, but everyday i was playing with the turbo trying to get it right. Weber carbs are what killed the MG1600 and the reputation of the Maestro in general because of the starting problems, having to get the jets set up every 3k isnt exactly ideal. Lack of knowledge when it comes to Efi is what scares people, leave it alone and it wont cause problems.

Gareth

[MGTURBOM]

I think a nice K-Series conversion in a Maestro would work quite well, certainly a nice light power unit. Good tuning potential with the standard 1.8 lump.

[MG1600S]

K Series Maestro would be cool - nice light engine would improve the already good handling.
The factory used Maestro as a test platform for the K series.
PG1 gearbox is already fitted to K series so you would only have to invent the cambelt end engine mounting...
X-power racing sell 2 litre K series for about £8000 ready to fit.... :horror:

[MGTurbo]

K Series Maestro would be cool - nice light engine would improve the already good handling.
The factory used Maestro as a test platform for the K series.
PG1 gearbox is already fitted to K series so you would only have to invent the cambelt end engine mounting...
X-power racing sell 2 litre K series for about £8000 ready to fit.... :horror:


PG1 only fitted to some 1.6's, and to 1.8's.

I thought about this, but the power level from a highly tuned 1.8 would only just be approaching the the spec of a fairly unstressed T16.

Handling would be very good, would work well in a stripped out race car where the light engine would come into its own around corners.

Gareth

[MG1600S]

PG1 only fitted to some 1.6's, and to 1.8's.

Gareth

Any 1995 on K series can be made to fit the PG1 gearbox.... :)

[MGTurbo]

Any 1995 on K series can be made to fit the PG1 gearbox.... :)


Your post implied that ALL K series's came with a PG1 which they did not, that is what i was pointing out, wasnt a typical 'smart arse i'm better than you' thing :)

[SubCat001]

Have to ask what do you want from the car? VHPD 1.8k with TBs etc can make nearly 230bhp but it will cost you a fortune to do it! A mildly tuned 1.6 or 1.8 will only yield similar figs to a M16/T16.