6 replies to this topic

[speedster]

I should probably post this over on SELOC but I see we have some (ex)Lotus owners around.....

Anybody worked on the 1.8 Rover K series?
I am rebuilding my 2004 Freelander engine (popped it gasket) and adding some top end mods.
I'm trying to figure what cams to use with the configuration which is as follows:

• 56mm throttle body (from an exige)
• VVC manifold
• ITG intake system
• Basic head porting
• Free flow exhaust (CELL 200 CAT with a home made backbox)

I got a MLS gasket and a new set of head bolts too.
I think the Piper 270 Camshafts might be a good option but their 285 Camshaft Kit is making me drool.
I see Piper offer Hydraulic Tappet for use with their cams. Are these really needed? (Ain't a hydraulic tappet a flat tappet?)


Cheers,
Steve

Edited by speedster, 07 January 2008 - 10:30 PM.

[Arno]

• 56mm throttle body (from an exige)

S1 Exiges use separate throttlebodies, so I guess you mean the 52mm ali TB as used on the MGTF and the S2 111S Elise?

• VVC manifold

If you want to use this, make sure the head is port-matched to the manifold! The VVC manifold runners are much bigger than the plastic manifold and it will not match up well with the ports in a normal head. This gives a large 'step' between the intake and the head, killing your airflow.

In a lot of cases the plastic plenum actually gives better/smoother results. The VVC plenum helps out a little on the top end.

• ITG intake system
• Basic head porting
• Free flow exhaust (CELL 200 CAT with a home made backbox)

I got a MLS gasket and a new set of head bolts too.

Do you also have the (steel) shim that's used with the new MLS gasket?

Also measure the liner height from the block face. They MUST stand proud. If they are not (or even below the level) then the gasket WILL fail.

I think the Piper 270 Camshafts might be a good option but their 285 Camshaft Kit is making me drool.
I see Piper offer Hydraulic Tappet for use with their cams. Are these really needed? (Ain't a hydraulic tappet a flat tappet?)

270's (or 633's) are usually OK for a little more top end. 285H's are probaby too wild for a plenum setup and you'd need to rev the engine a lot more to get the extra 'oomph'.

Engine should already have hydraulic tappets. You can reuse them. When you go to 285's or wilder cams then you probably would need to go to solid ones.

In either case it would be a very good idea to get an Emerald ECU as well and get the car mapped by Dave Walker properly to use the cams and headwork.

Read Dave Andrew's very good K-series page for lots more background info on working on the K-series: http://members.aol.c...ews/kengine.htm

Bye, Arno.

[slindborg]

erm look at newman cams, a lot cheaper and better than piper. I ran a 1.6 K on Newmand "copies" of the lotus supersport cams and it was a very nice engine to map and ran sweet as a nut with significantly more grunt.

[speedster]

Cheers Arno for the details.

S1 Exiges use separate throttlebodies, so I guess you mean the 52mm ali TB as used on the MGTF and the S2 111S Elise?

Oops! Nope, it's a 56mm TB OK, was fitted to a S1 Elise (not exige as I typeoed above) . Bloke is racing the Elise, defaulted back to the standard 52mm item to be rule compliant so I took it off his hands.

If you want to use this, make sure the head is port-matched to the manifold! The VVC manifold runners are much bigger than the plastic manifold and it will not match up well with the ports in a normal head. This gives a large 'step' between the intake and the head, killing your airflow.

Yup, have my dremel out and ready to port match the head.

Do you also have the (steel) shim that's used with the new MLS gasket?
Also measure the liner height from the block face. They MUST stand proud. If they are not (or even below the level) then the gasket WILL fail.

Got the shim and steel dowels too. Find it hard to believe Rover used plastic dowels!!!! Hopefully none of the cylinder liners have dropped.

270's (or 633's) are usually OK for a little more top end. 285H's are probaby too wild for a plenum setup and you'd need to rev the engine a lot more to get the extra 'oomph'.
Engine should already have hydraulic tappets. You can reuse them. When you go to 285's or wilder cams then you probably would need to go to solid ones.
In either case it would be a very good idea to get an Emerald ECU as well and get the car mapped by Dave Walker properly to use the cams and headwork.
Read Dave Andrew's very good K-series page for lots more background info on working on the K-series: http://members.aol.c...ews/kengine.htm

That is an excellent link you supplied me with
As the freelander is a permanent 4x4 drive I would like to gain maximum midrange torque. I have a Emerald ECU for my supercharger project, I noticed it came with a floppy disk with a bunch of 1.8K maps from Dave Walker and Co. Will drop Emerald a line and see if they can do a deal for cams plus ECU.

erm look at newman cams, a lot cheaper and better than piper.
I ran a 1.6 K on Newmand "copies" of the lotus supersport cams and it was a very nice engine to map and ran sweet as a nut with significantly more grunt.

Can you remember the cam profile slindborg?

[robfenn]

Why bother with a freelander, why sacrifice torque on such a big car?

[Arno]

Do you also have the (steel) shim that's used with the new MLS gasket?
Also measure the liner height from the block face. They MUST stand proud. If they are not (or even below the level) then the gasket WILL fail.

Got the shim and steel dowels too. Find it hard to believe Rover used plastic dowels!!!! Hopefully none of the cylinder liners have dropped.

Shoot en email to Dave Andrews for the exact values about how much they should be proud of the deck. He's usually more than happy to help and give some hints/tips.

May also be able to help you select the best cams for your application. Some other cam profile may be better suited for your application in a 4x4.. Also may need some different cam timing, so get some verniers.

Probably not much use to fit an 8000rpm screamer cam in a 4x4, although you could go for Jenvey throttlebodies

That is an excellent link you supplied me with
As the freelander is a permanent 4x4 drive I would like to gain maximum midrange torque. I have a Emerald ECU for my supercharger project, I noticed it came with a floppy disk with a bunch of 1.8K maps from Dave Walker and Co. Will drop Emerald a line and see if they can do a deal for cams plus ECU.

Yup. The Emerald was originally built as a direct replacement for the Rover MEMS ECU used on the K-series, so you can normally just plug it right in place of the normal ECU with pre-2001 engines (unless LandRover used different wiring). There are zillions of maps available..

After 2001 (EU3 approved engine) you need to modify the wiring loom and change some sensors. Still not too major though.

Oh.. I'd also strongly recommend you also fit the LandRover PRT thermostat setup instead of the original thermostat (if not already fitted), as this removes a lot of the thermal shock issues in the engine and should make head gasket issues a thing of the past.

You'd need the LandRover Freelander kit PEL500150. (see http://wiki.seloc.or...ote_Thermostat)


Bye, Arno.

[speedster]

Why bother with a freelander, why sacrifice torque on such a big car?

I am looking to improve power and torque. Since I have to remove the cylinder head I might as well as do some additional work. Between 140-150 BHP with good torque should much improve the Freelander drive. Also it's good training for the cam work I need to do on my Speedster.

Oh.. I'd also strongly recommend you also fit the LandRover PRT thermostat setup instead of the original thermostat (if not already fitted), as this removes a lot of the thermal shock issues in the engine and should make head gasket issues a thing of the past.

You'd need the LandRover Freelander kit PEL500150. (see http://wiki.seloc.or...mote_Thermostat

Once again, thanks Arno!

I had my eye on a Lotus Exige VHPD Head and a set of Jenveys iTB's but they (as you probably you) are sought after items and went way beyond my budget.

-Steve