Kit Car (rover engine)

mcd840 · 8th December 2016, 20:45

Hi, a work colleagues husband is building himself a kit car and has asked me if I could find out a couple of things about the engine he is intending to use in it. He is using a 1.8 16v k series engine that he removed from his mgf a couple of years ago. He has had the engine re-built. Due to the framework design of the the kit car he is unable to use the original gearbox that goes with the engine so he has asked me if I could find out what other gearboxes would work fine with this engine so he could start investigating these gearboxes and take it from there. He also asked which low pressure turbo would be best for this engine. I have only experienced a diesel 75 so dont have a clue about any of the above so thought I would ask you guys.

Thanks for any info anyone can give!

rrobson · 8th December 2016, 21:19

Don't think there are any documented bolt on conversions unfortunately. There's been talk of a mini 6 speed bolting on but I don't know if this was ever confirmed.
However, with the aid of an adaptor plate any gearbox could be made to fit, he'd just need to find a gearbox that uses a clutch plate of similar sizing to the k so he could still use the flywheel and clutch cover.
Otherwise it's bespoke clutch plate and cover but he'll still need an adaption plate regardless

steve-45 · 8th December 2016, 22:14

I remember someone used to do an adapter plate to fit the 5 speed Sierra box for rear wheel drive kitcars.

I did consider a K series when building my Ginetta but ended up going for a pinto lump instead.

marinabrian · 8th December 2016, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve-45

I remember someone used to do an adapter plate to fit the 5 speed Sierra box for rear wheel drive kitcars.

I did consider a K series when building my Ginetta but ended up going for a pinto lump instead.

Yes, there was a bell housing to fit the type 9 Ford box, to convert it for use with the K series......and here it is LINK

Something I considered for a five speed conversion for one of the Marina's, however I ended up with a brand new in the packing crate LT77 Sherpa 5 Speed box, so went down that route instead

Brian

RoverRyan · 9th December 2016, 16:42

Lotus used K Series engines and I think Caterham did as well, look into them. Caterham would probably be the favorite.

p2roverman · 9th December 2016, 20:26

Bit of an off the wall question but as the K series seemed to be quite popular for kit cars / specials, had anyone considered using a KV6 engine instead? Just a wild thought thrown in for comment.

Mike Noc · 10th December 2016, 15:33

Our Facelift 25 has a factory fitted Ford gearbox.

marinabrian · 10th December 2016, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Noc

Our Facelift 25 has a factory fitted Ford gearbox.

Yes, the gruesome IB5 box, one of the worst moves Rover made was ditching the R65U box on the smaller K series engined cars.

Wooly, and not what you expect from a Ford gearbox, the ones in the 75 are ok though

Brian

minimutly · 11th December 2016, 22:52

The ones in the 75 are a getrag box, aren't they?

marinabrian · 11th December 2016, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by minimutly

The ones in the 75 are a getrag box, aren't they?

They certainly are

LINK

Brian

8th December 2016, 20:45	#1
mcd840 Gets stuck in Nissan NV300 Tekna 170 auto Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: alloa Posts: 667 Thanks: 22 Thanked 69 Times in 61 Posts	Kit Car (rover engine) Hi, a work colleagues husband is building himself a kit car and has asked me if I could find out a couple of things about the engine he is intending to use in it. He is using a 1.8 16v k series engine that he removed from his mgf a couple of years ago. He has had the engine re-built. Due to the framework design of the the kit car he is unable to use the original gearbox that goes with the engine so he has asked me if I could find out what other gearboxes would work fine with this engine so he could start investigating these gearboxes and take it from there. He also asked which low pressure turbo would be best for this engine. I have only experienced a diesel 75 so dont have a clue about any of the above so thought I would ask you guys. Thanks for any info anyone can give!

8th December 2016, 21:19	#2
rrobson I really should get out more....... 75 tourer cdti, MG ZS 180, nissan terrano & 1.8t rover 25 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pontefract Posts: 2,643 Thanks: 17 Thanked 295 Times in 218 Posts	Don't think there are any documented bolt on conversions unfortunately. There's been talk of a mini 6 speed bolting on but I don't know if this was ever confirmed. However, with the aid of an adaptor plate any gearbox could be made to fit, he'd just need to find a gearbox that uses a clutch plate of similar sizing to the k so he could still use the flywheel and clutch cover. Otherwise it's bespoke clutch plate and cover but he'll still need an adaption plate regardless __________________ How to view a car - everything you need to help you inspect a used car VIS motor tester avalible to local members Injector removal tool and auto gearbox pressure tester now available

9th December 2016, 16:42	#5
RoverRyan Avid contributor Rover 75 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Alfreton Posts: 201 Thanks: 21 Thanked 47 Times in 36 Posts	Lotus used K Series engines and I think Caterham did as well, look into them. Caterham would probably be the favorite. __________________ *Ryan Walker* *My Car...* was the 97,610th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 was the 2,001st 75 1.8 T Connoisseur to be made out of 2,392 was the 10,746th 75 in Starlight Silver (code: MBB) to be made out of 14,280 Starlight Silver 75s

8th December 2016, 22:14	#3
steve-45 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon CDTi Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Belvedere Posts: 4,076 Thanks: 108 Thanked 1,089 Times in 774 Posts	I remember someone used to do an adapter plate to fit the 5 speed Sierra box for rear wheel drive kitcars. I did consider a K series when building my Ginetta but ended up going for a pinto lump instead.

9th December 2016, 20:26	#6
p2roverman Gets stuck in Rover 75 Connie Tourer & Connie SE Saloon & Club SE Tourer Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Leeds Posts: 974 Thanks: 199 Thanked 71 Times in 59 Posts	Bit of an off the wall question but as the K series seemed to be quite popular for kit cars / specials, had anyone considered using a KV6 engine instead? Just a wild thought thrown in for comment.

10th December 2016, 15:33	#7
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,547 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	Our Facelift 25 has a factory fitted Ford gearbox.

11th December 2016, 22:52	#9
minimutly Posted a thing or two mg zt Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: cardigan Posts: 1,087 Thanks: 28 Thanked 187 Times in 158 Posts	The ones in the 75 are a getrag box, aren't they?