77 replies to this topic

[Tomm]

Hey,

Well the other day i was talking to my mum about wanting to get a 1275 engine out of a metro, thought nothing of it untill i got back from collage when she mentioned that she saw one for sale whilst driving around yesterday. So this morning she took me and showed me it as it was just up the road.

I did not get much of a good look but its a 1.4CD and they are after £195 ono for it. I have been reading up so here i have a few questions...

Is this car suitable as a donor car for a K-series donnor car? Is it called a K-series conversion at all? Reading up on 16vminiclub.com i have had a lot of my questions answered but i still have a few. Reading thier FAQ's it says that K-series subframes can modified to for a mini and then you will have the brakes and suspention allready fitted. I gather that the subframe towers are not long enough and the part that bolts into the floor panel of the mini is to short. In the garage i have a perfect mini front subframe, would i be able to fabricate this subframe with the k-series subframe to provide a suitable subframe for the engine?

So basicaly all in all what things should i be looking into?

Thanks, Tomm

[$way]

if you use the metro subframe you have to use metro suspension. it gives you a wider track and messes with the minis suspension geometry.

if i were you and if you have the time and skill, i'd modify the mini subframe to fit the k-series. you say the mini subframe you have is pefect, if so i'd sell it and buy a rubbish subframe for £10-£20 and use it to practise on. getting mounts in the right place etc.

i think watsonsrally sell subframe for the kseries that uses mini running gear now anyway - this would save you a lot of time and effort.

but 16vminiclub is the best place for info...

J

[Tomm]

thanks for that sway!

Yes watson do make a subframe so that you can use mini suspension brakes ect but id rather make my own and save myself some of the money that i dont have!

Will a engine from a 1.4cd be suitible to use?

[$way]

im not 100% what a 1.4'cd' is but if its a Kseries engine itll fit. like any other k series that has been used.

sway

[Retro_10s]

I dunno about a 1.4cd!!! You wanta the 1.4 metro GTA engine, twin cam and 16 valves!!! a much livelier engine, i don't think the std metro 1.4 is much cop, but.. it's stilla 1.4 so should be fairly shifty on the roads! I too am modifying a mini subframe for a 1.4 Kseries, butm i'm gonna be usingthe GTA engine, it's a nice flyer and good on road tax!!

PM 16Vmini

[overboost]

A metro 1.4 CD engine is a diesel engine, which I think was originally designed by Citroen/Peugeot. Its got a fair bit of torque and goes well, however its not going to be quick and if your going to all that work, get the 1.4 16v MPi K-Series engine - they are quick standard engines for their cc.

[$way]

god no you dont want a diesel, it'll be poop... you definately want a DOHC 16v jobbie.

J

[AlexM]

I think it would be better to follow your original plan and find a 1275 metro engine.

The K-series conversion will be a lot of hassle and would be far more worthwhile with a bigger engine to start with. As for a diesel engine, the complications of doing that would be even greater. If you have the time and really want to go for it then there isnt much of areason not too. I just thing it would be less time and money to get a 1275 metro while will almost drop straight in.

[$way]

would be far more worthwhile with a bigger engine to start with

But arent the Kseries 1.4 1.6 and 1.8 pretty much the same?

im sure ive got an old minimagazine with a kseries mini, massive minispares body kit, and im sur he said the only thing that was different was the head or the liners or something and he was planning to go up in size as insurance went down, seems like a plan and 'worthwhile' to me.

BUT DONT DO THE DIESEL!

J

[Jordie]

i heard on the vine that somewhere is providing a kit for fitting a k series for 650quids!

from specialist components only £650 bargin

Edited by Jordie, 01 December 2006 - 09:38 PM.

[$way]

i heard on the vine that somewhere is providing a kit for fitting a k series for 650quids!

who??? and where???? who told you???

i want answers boyo!!

J

[Jordie]

look at my EDITed post.

[$way]

ah SC yeah thats for the BMW motorcycle head conversion.

still pretty cheap though and aparently they make good power to 100+ reasonable easy

J

[Tomm]

Ah oo so that 1.4 cd is useless then desil is C**p, i have a 1.9 punto whats a desil and it really does suck.

So thats that car out of thw window for sure. So what engine should i be looking for? I think i will give the scrap yard a visit tommorow and there are hondreds of rovers there, This may sound stupid but what cars should i look in for what engines? Is there much differance between a 1.4 conversion and a 1.8 conversion? i take it that a 1.8 engine will be a lot more worth while?

If you can get the whole conversion kit for £650 then i am pretty chuffed for sure!!!

so i am after a 1.4 Doch 16v lump then?

There isnt much in the rover secition on 16v mini club

Edited by tomm, 01 December 2006 - 11:52 PM.

[Dog]

16v Mini shop is also making up a K series frame!!
www.16vminishop.com

Hes a decent chap, but he also sells "blank" frames, all you need to do is fit your own mounts...