4 replies to this topic

[cian]

Does anyone know who made the later mpi engine cast the block etc chances are they are still about would be cool if anyone had any early diagrams or developement notes

[mab01uk]

I think Rover engineers were also helped in the development of the MPi A-Series engine by 'Ricardo Automotive Consulting Engineers'.

These pdf files on the MPI Development from Vehicle Engineering & Design magazine November 1996 and The Engineer magazine October 1996 may help:-

http://www.theminifo...elopment-story/

Edited by mab01uk, 23 September 2014 - 08:06 AM.

[mab01uk]

Interesting to read Mike Theaker's (BMW/Rover Engine Development Engineer) account of the Mini MPI development story and how it was BMW's will and John Cooper's insistence that finally got the MPI into production in 1996, extending the Mini's life by 4 more years. Mike Theaker also later worked on powertrain development for the New MINI (R50).

Mike Theaker on the Development of the Twin Point Injection system for the Mini.
Link to PDF below:-
http://www.turbomini...ts/493117-1.pdf

 

(September 2000 Miniworld)

Edited by mab01uk, 23 September 2014 - 07:55 AM.

[Dan]

Rover Powertrain made them, and all machinery, equipment, tooling and patterns involved went to China in containers when the company was bought by Nanjing Automotive. By now it has probably all been scraped.

[mab01uk]

Nanjing starts moving MG Rover equipment to China
By James Mackintosh,Motor Industry Editor
Published: September 16 2005

Convoys of lorries loaded with equipment once used to build MG Rover cars left the failed British carmaker's Birmingham factory bound for China yesterday as the company's new owner began breaking up the business.

Nanjing Automobile began shipping machinery to its eastern China headquarters, where it plans to build Rover cars.

The company has promised to keep some production in the UK but the removal of equipment before any final agreement on British manufacturing led to concerns among trade unions yesterday, just a day after they met Nanjing officials.

"It is worrying," said the Transport and General Workers' Union. "But the main production lines are not being moved."

According to people at the factory, much of the equipment being removed is for engine production and comes from the former Powertrain division, which Nanjing had previously said would be shipped to China. In principle, cars could be assembled in Birmingham using engines imported from China. It remains unclear how much of the equipment comes from Rover's vehicle production lines.

Union officials said the equipment being removed was "low grade" and they still believed car output could restart next year.

Nanjing brought in its own engineers from China to dismantle the plant. The removal follows the final payment two weeks ago by Nanjing as part of its £53m purchase of Rover's assets from the administrators.

Talks are under way between Arup, Nanjing's engineering adviser, and GB Sports Car about efforts to restart production of some cars on part of the sprawling Longbridge plant.

Find this article at:
http://news.ft.com/c....cl=,s01=1.html