freelander engine swap.

Is it possible to fit a mgf 1.8 vvc engine as a replacement in a 98 freelander k series petrol?

Think the basic blocks are the same but there will be a lot of other differences between the 2 engines

Yes!

Different ECU and wiring loom, few extra sensors as well.

Although why you would want all that power at 5000 - 7500rpm

Wny not revamp the existing engine?

Thanks for your reply, do you have any suggestions for a revamp?
I read that these engines are used a lot in kit cars in various forms, i would be happy with just an extra 20bhp if this is poss. Budget upto around £1,500.
many thanks.

dont bother - go for a rover 220Turbo lump - reliable, mates to Hippoo gearbox and gives ya 200+ BHP

The Mad Hat Man said:

dont bother - go for a rover 220Turbo lump - reliable, mates to Hippoo gearbox and gives ya 200+ BHP

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I thought G13 said the bell housing is slightly different.???

Are the engine mounting points spot on, or is there major fabrication?

the mounting points on the sump for the IRD bracket are a must.

Northern Irelander said:

I thought G13 said the bell housing is slightly different.???

Are the engine mounting points spot on, or is there major fabrication?

the mounting points on the sump for the IRD bracket are a must.

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The bell housing is slightly different - namely the mounting bolt holes to engine. I have a new T series bell housing in my garage if anyone is considering this swap.

I would guess that the engine mounts would be different, however Rover fitted this and the K series into their MK2 200's - perhaps by substitution of mounts it may be possible??

Regards,

Steve

jeff said:

Thanks for your reply, do you have any suggestions for a revamp?
I read that these engines are used a lot in kit cars in various forms, i would be happy with just an extra 20bhp if this is poss. Budget upto around £1,500.
many thanks.

Click to expand...

Lotus use the K series in thier vehicles (now superceeded by Toyota engines) - I'm guessing that they tweak them. K Series Engines And Parts

20BHP - well you could free 5 horses with a K&N air filter (£60) and perhaps 5 more with a sporty stainless exhaust (£300). Other than that its a case of head off and port and polish.

Or

fit the K series 1.8 turbo as fitted to R75 later models - if you can find a rear ended accident damaged car then shouldn't be too difficult.

Is there a 2.0 K series?? (turbo??) Heard about it, but dont know much info. (perhaps it was in the design stages??) K 2000 comes to mind...

Regards,

Steve

i thought it was gearbox input shaft that was diff - but nevver confirmed.

dont like to friten ya - but guess wot the 1.8 turbo suffers from?

The Mad Hat Man said:

i thought it was gearbox input shaft that was diff - but nevver confirmed.

dont like to friten ya - but guess wot the 1.8 turbo suffers from?

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Gearbox input shaft is identical to R220. I tried to fit a S4EM (freelander petrol) gearbox to my 220 after my diff bearings collapsed. I wanted to use the different ratios and also the stronger needle roller bearings.

In the end I stripped both boxes, used the freelander gear clusters (as 5th gear lower) and fitted the Rover diff into original 220 casing.

There is definately a difference in the bellhousing castings - i compared the two together and the holes are in different places.

Also the freelander diff has a larger splined recess on the O/S to take the IRD shaft - this rules out fitting the Rover diff to a freelander and vice versa. MHM - I know your aware of this part, but for info purposes.

Regards,

Steve

The Mad Hat Man said:

dont like to friten ya - but guess wot the 1.8 turbo suffers from?

Click to expand...

With the modified gasket / oil rail / steel dowels??

I might live to regret it, but I'm a big fan of the improvements - certainly solved my engine's issues and doing ok 17,000 on. Guess I should report back when 50,000 covered!!

my son-in-law bought a 53 plate rover75 with 1.8 turbo - 1 week later - pop, hgf fixed under warranty and car swapped fur summat else

this has a bit more info....

I also belive the cozzy 2.8 V6 has the same block as the hippoo KV6 - interesting?

The 1.8T is a great piece of kit, only you'll pay £5k for a new one, not to mention you'll need full diagnostic backup.

The 1.8VVC 160bhp with minor tweaks is just as quick to 60mph

only 0.5 sec difference on the standard 1.8T and VVC160

Read the thread about the gearbox - Those codes were all boxes fitted to 220 and 420 models. K4BS or K6BS was in my 220. Its worrying to read that he thinks the freelander diff would fit!! Yes if both splined openings were equal, but one is much bigger!! (Sorry i'm not technical!!)

What can I say?? By ill fate (gearbox failing) I looked into the conversion. I wish that I had left the freelander box intact, but back in 2005 I had no visions of buying a freelander!!

From what I have seen, taken apart and played with, changing the bell housing on an S4EM would enable it to mate correctly to a T series and providing the gearbox internals are kept to manufacturers standard, it will drive and work in 4wd.

Regards,

Steve

i dint say i agreed with them - just i thought they were interesting points. are yu saying that you could, or could not use the 220 (Torsen) LSD?

where is Sean when yu need him - he seems to be able to get most things

The Mad Hat Man said:

i dint say i agreed with them - just i thought they were interesting points. are yu saying that you could, or could not use the 220 (Torsen) LSD?

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You could not - as the IRD input shaft would not fit the LSD.

I didn't say you did agree with the points raised - I was just surprised at his guess work!!

One way you could use the T series and LSD equipped PG1 is to go with your idea of the 2WD freelander, but even then you would have to extend the O/S driveshaft after junking the IRD, VCU etc.

Regards,

Steve

Sorry to dig up a old thread but did anyone get anywhere with this conversion as yesterday I bought a 620ti engine to put in my freelander after the k started doing an impression of a kettle. I thought the bellhousing pattern would have been the same, but after reading this it seems not. Would the bellhousing from the 620 fit onto the hippo gearbox without too much trouble or am I looking at cutting them in half and welding the bits together???? Any help gratefully accepted, thanks

Rza98765 said:

Sorry to dig up a old thread but did anyone get anywhere with this conversion as yesterday I bought a 620ti engine to put in my freelander after the k started doing an impression of a kettle. I thought the bellhousing pattern would have been the same, but after reading this it seems not. Would the bellhousing from the 620 fit onto the hippo gearbox without too much trouble or am I looking at cutting them in half and welding the bits together???? Any help gratefully accepted, thanks

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Hi, The bell housing off the t series will fit the K series gearbox. You will have to swap that first, then the gearbox will fit your 620ti engine.

I did the reverse (years ago) and fitted a freelander gearbox to a t series engine (for more economy). I just had to remove the freelander final drive and replace with the rover one as well as swap the bell housings over.

Let us know how you get on!!!

Regards,

Steve

I think you might have to change the input gear on the gearbox for the T series gearbox input shaft.

I have attached some pics of my swap (yes back in 2005)

I am certain that all input shafts are the same.

Any questions - feel free to ask.

Regards,

Steve