30 replies to this topic

[beardylondon]

I have an A+ engine, originally out of a Metro Turbo that I had in my car many years ago, which I wish to get rebuilt into a fast road spec, but WITHOUT the turbo, it’s long gone anyway. Planning on 1293 bore, upgraded cam, new valve seats, refurb gearbox etc.

 

I spoke to Bromsgrove Engine Services who have a good reputation it seems and they quoted me £2200 all in.

 

The engine will be going in my not that original Mark 1, it was an 850 out of the factory, so not worried about originality, just want a solid reliable engine that will last.  Even tough I’ve had the car 20 years, I’ve only ever put in donor engines, never had anything rebuilt.  Just wondered peoples opinions on spec and cost etc, and is Metro Turbo block a good base, Bromsgrove said the head isn’t great, as lower compression, but didn't seem too fazed with making it work.

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited by beardylondon, 04 September 2017 - 02:53 PM.

[nicklouse]

sounds very cheap to me.

[grizzler73]

Get a detailed breakdown of the spec they are proposing, that way you can get some alternative quotes. I agree with Nick, if they are offering a high spec Road engine and rebuilt box that is very cheap. The box alone could cost nearly that!

[RooBoonix]

I rebuilt mine myself and spent over £1500 on parts and machine work, that's without a new cam or valve seats. Does sound cheap so as grizzler said, get a breakdown of what they're offering to do.. to save any headaches in the future.

[Cooperman]

That sounds far to cheap for a thorough build.

[racingbob]

Fast road head will cost you £700

[Allrounder]

Would be more than a few days work, say 20 hours at £40 and there is £800. £2200 minus the vat is just over £1800, doesn't leave much for machine work, pistons,bearings, cam gear and gasket etc.

[beardylondon]

Thanks for all the replies, I am definitely going to get a detailed breakdown, don't worry about that.  I doubt it will be fast road head, just tidying and new seats in my current one I presume.  I'm not sure they are VAT registered, as he said it wasn't plus VAT. Anyway I will keep you all posted!

 

What I would like to know is what to ask for, whats a good cam for instance?

[grizzler73]

That depends on what they are going to do to the head, if they are doing nothing to improve the head then the standard Metro turbo cam will be best. No point in putting in a different profile cam if the head won't breath any better.

[mini13]

I would look at flogging the turbo engine and buying a built kit, the pistons are fairly desirable as are the cranks as they are hardend (check the casting number is CAM6851)  and heads due to the sodium ex valves.

 

its actually the pistons that make the metro turbo low compression so they are feeding you duff info there, all 1275  head chambers are 21.4cc or there abouts

[dyshipfakta]

I would look at flogging the turbo engine and buying a built kit, the pistons are fairly desirable as are the cranks as they are hardend (check the casting number is CAM6851)  and heads due to the sodium ex valves.
 
its actually the pistons that make the metro turbo low compression so they are feeding you duff info there, all 1275  head chambers are 21.4cc or there abouts

Must admit this was my thought

[Cooperman]

Thinking about it some more, that price is far too cheap. The machining alone would be at least £900 if hardened valve seats are to be fitted and the head gas-flowed (you did say 'Fast Road' = not quite so slow road!).

The gearbox if done thoroughly would be over £600.

Then there are the parts which would be at least another £750 for pistons, bearings, oil pump, water pump, oil pump, cam & followers, valve guides, valves, gaskets, clutch, clutch bearing, transfer gear bearings, primary gear bearings, plus all the little bits one tends to forget need to be added.  .

That leaves nothing for the trial build and strip down for final machining, the setting of the cam timing using offset-keys, the head assembly inc, valve grinding, fitting engine onto gearbox, fitting clutch and setting everything up ready for installation.

The labour for all that done properly would be at least 30 hours at a minimum of £40 per hour (and that's cheap!), which is another £1200. 

[Jukesr]

This forum cracks me up sometimes..

 

this guy has asked for advice and everybody is talking about how cheep it is !!!!

 

Bromsgrove Engine Services did all the machine work and Spec on my fast Road 1330.. but I built the engine and Gear Box myself

 

and I have got to say there work was second to none but at a good price.. Greg and Keith really know the A series and give good advice for longevity..

 

My engine is currently Pulling 98BHP at the wheels, the Tuning was Done By Malc Fitzpatrick over the road a TPP performance another guy in Bromsgrove that has been building and tuning A series engine since he was a kid..

 

the Turbo Block is perfect for what you want but change the pistons (Smaller dish).. get the Head flowing better , Stick with a 266 Cam use 1.5 Roller rockers, and get everything balanced.

 

Rick  

[grizzler73]

To be fair, nobody said it was a bad thing! But the comments still stand, find out what you are getting for your money.

[Jukesr]

To be fair, nobody said it was a bad thing! But the comments still stand, find out what you are getting for your money.

What a rebuilt gear box for 2,200.00 as you stated... Ye right .. 300 to 400 for rebuild parts, so are you saying 1,700.00 labour !!?!!

Stop giving dooms day infomation..

I agree he needs to get a brake down of what he will be getting.. But to say things won't be built thorough because of price is wrong..
And you live in London so everything is shockingly over priced anyway..

I know the work Bromsgrove engin services did to my engine was spot on and at a good price..