Thought it was about time I put a little something up about the 'TRO. I started life as a 1995 Metro K-series 1400mpi Gti in Flame Red with Silverstone Interior, but a couple of years (and owners) ago it was converted to 1800vvc on R65u gearbox by Reyland Motorsport.
This conversion can take two main routes, which I will list simply for your info:
R65u gearbox- this method reatains the metro's OE close ratio gearbox, but requires the flywheel and clutch from a rover 100 (although the slightly larger clutch can be sourced from a rover 216). The 1800cc engine can then be bolted straight on to the R65u gearbox, as the 1800 block is a bored out version of the 1400 (and therefore lighter too!) The whole unit can then be mounted by simply swapping the bottom half of the two metro engine mounts for the 1800 engine mounts. The ecu needs swapping for the relevant 1800cc engine (non vvc, vvc (mems 2, mems 3) or if you're lucky the VHPD lotus elise 190 engine). If you are starting with an MPI model metro then the standard fuel pump is fine.
PG1 gearbox - this method retains the Donor's 1800 OE gearbox, which comes in many forms. This includes the option of A close ratio Torsen ATB (Automatic Torque Biasing) LSD box, not unlike the quafe ATB, that came with the Rover 200 BRM.- For not a lot of money! However the metro has a clutch cable and most decent Pg1 box's are hydraulic, so you either have to convert the metro's clutch pedal to work a hydraulic push rod and reservoir (the same as a mini) or try and find the bits from a cable version PG1 and convert your gearbox to accept a cable. You also have to weld a bracket onto you metro's subframe to accept an extra sump mount or modify an MGF subframe to fit your metro. Which is easier than it sounds because an MGF subframe is a slightly altered Metro subframe in the first place. You will have two marry-up the engine mounts as you do with the r65u but you will also have to weld a cable bracket to the bottom half of your 1800 n/s engine mount. (if you go the cable route that is).
You will also need two gear linkage selector rods from a rover 200 to mate your metro linkage to the Pg1 box. The ecu will obviously need swapping as above with the r65 method.
They did a pretty comprehensive job of bringing the rest of the car up to scratch with spax adjustables with hydrolastic units pumped up to 350 psi with modified (shortened) arms to lower the ride height 35mm at the front and a 55mm at the back. This straightens out the standard metro r100 wonky stance (they always look like they are jacked up at the rear).
Since then it has had a bit of rust replacement - mainly a N/s floor pan. Also the OE air filter has been replaced by a silicone elbow and K&N Filter. The wheels are 14inch compomotives.
Edited by Alburglar, 11 January 2007 - 06:18 PM.
