MG ZR: Cams & Maps

[C2K]

Sadly it's not a particularly easy thing to fit. Box off, casing HJ split and remove both shafts to get to the diff. People tend to replace the plastic caged bearings whilst they're there. I did when I rebuilt my box, and did the same when I rebuild my ex's VVC Coupe box with a type B torsen.

BRM boxes weren't exactly common but were a good arrangement.

[lolsteve]

Mmmm as I thought it looks like it'd be a garage job for sure , good thing there's a decent one back at Uni who specialise in mgrover. Might ask them see if they know the costs & that involved but a quick look on ebay puts that idea way out of my price range
On the plus side the 306 didn't come with one so I won't be loosing in that respect if it doesn't get fitted

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/QUAIFE-Limited...35c6a28a22

Pretty sure I have the pg1 box?

[Atterz]

You better have deep pockets if you want to beat some of the track prepped Gti6s floating around...

[C2K]

Yes you have a PG1. There are several gear variants though depending on the origin of the box. Easier to look out for a second hand steel caged one.

[lolsteve]

You better have deep pockets if you want to beat some of the track prepped Gti6s floating around...

I don't think as of right now I'd be able to create something that can beat the track dedicated gti6's or ones with serious investment. However I am hoping for something that can beat the equivalent dailies/slighty modified. If I can/if the car survives track time then I'll look into investing more time & money into the project
Maybe the title should be changed to defeat GTi6 rather than destroyer as it might be a big misleading :/

Yes you have a PG1. There are several gear variants though depending on the origin of the box. Easier to look out for a second hand steel caged one.

Righto, they appear on ebay much or is this is hunt it down in scrappys/breaking cars kind of job?


Currently though more focused on trying to source a non leaky radiator, since the ebay seller won't send me a replacement until I send back his one leaving me radiator less for a good few days at least

[C2K]

Have a scout about the forums, like Rovertech, or the ZR forum. Best bet for you is someone breaking a BRM 200.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROVER-BRM-ALLO...33840f9b42

BRM gearboxes had a unique gearbox code, but i cant remember what it was. You can tell if it has LSD through the gearbox driveshaft hole anyway. If it has a bar it's an open diff. If you can see through it, or it has a washer with a hole in then it has an LSD. Rovertech had pics on ages ago.

[procta]

Mmmm as I thought it looks like it'd be a garage job for sure , good thing there's a decent one back at Uni who specialise in mgrover. Might ask them see if they know the costs & that involved but a quick look on ebay puts that idea way out of my price range
On the plus side the 306 didn't come with one so I won't be loosing in that respect if it doesn't get fitted

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/QUAIFE-Limited...35c6a28a22

Pretty sure I have the pg1 box?

yes you have, all 1.8 k series rovers have them. even the lotus elise does too.

only the code is different as that's the drive ratios.

[Atterz]

Fair play mate! Best of luck with it, it is a nice example!

[lolsteve]

So that lsd would work then? Still quite pricey but just something to consider If I win the lottery

Thanks, except a few patches of nasty rust it's in quite good nic

[procta]

So that lsd would work then? Still quite pricey but just something to consider If I win the lottery

Thanks, except a few patches of nasty rust it's in quite good nic

yeah, but it would be cheaper to get a second box with it in, or good set of grippy tyres.

[lolsteve]

Decent tyres it is, running nankang ns2 on all 4 corners at the moment

[puglove]

so your using plastic instead of rubber?

[Curt]

Plans sound pretty good . Surely the LSD won't be worth it for the power it has? Would have thought money would be better spent on tyres like has been said, plus some more track experience.

[lolsteve]

so your using plastic instead of rubber?

times were hard when I needed tyres, just got back after second holiday and all 4 tyres need replacing on 17" wheels. Not cheap but are good enough to be killed on track time

Plans sound pretty good . Surely the LSD won't be worth it for the power it has? Would have thought money would be better spent on tyres like has been said, plus some more track experience.

Yea tyres and experience comes first, along with suspension work

[lolsteve]

Pics of the old and new "leaking" radiator
I am somewhat confused right now though since the current new one has stopped dripping.
I've checked twice today with the engine going from cold to hot along with rev'ing it to see if that pressured the system but there doesn't seem to be any more coming out. Dad has suggested that the metal may have expanded after the first heating/cooling phase and filled the leaking space up. you can see on the photos the red residue left behind but had a flash light down there to look closer and it just seems all dry now?

[devils_fuel]

Very odd fella, I would say a new one should never leak- never had in all the new ones I've replaced lol

[lolsteve]

Mmm it has a 2 year warranty so will be keeping my eye on it and the coolant level, just don't want to be sending it back and having the car off the road if it's fixed itself.
Ordered new parts to cheer myself up with the rad..or something I dunno I just like buying new bits

[Poodle]

Bit of a pain that they've got to inspect it and you've got to wait without a radiator, especially now it's stopped leaking. Typical.

[jammapic]

Just FYI.. My mum has a 214 bubble, which has had 3 headgaskets and is now being scrapped as it needs a 4th. Do NOT skimp on cooling system bits on this car. Make sure all coolant sensors are right, and that the thermostat has been replaced recently. They have a habit of sticking closed and cooking the thing which you won't even know about as the temp gauge won't show you! That's what happened this time with mums.

If its using coolant, and there's a puff of smoke on start up - I'm sorry to tell you it WILL be the HG. Not a difficult job to change on one of these, just ensure you fit the newest freelander gasket and have the head skimmed.

In terms of power, you may get near a GTI6, but... The handling is and always will be pretty poor. I used to have an older square shape 216 gti with every foreseeable suspension mod and it was only "ok".

That said, I've always liked these and they do make a great noise... But shoulda got a BRM

JP

[lolsteve]

Bit of a pain that they've got to inspect it and you've got to wait without a radiator, especially now it's stopped leaking. Typical.

Yea it's a right pain, I'll just keep an eye on it if it does leak any more it's going straight back but I don't want to send it now for them to turn around and say it's fine and have to pay postage for it there + back.

Just FYI.. My mum has a 214 bubble, which has had 3 headgaskets and is now being scrapped as it needs a 4th. Do NOT skimp on cooling system bits on this car. Make sure all coolant sensors are right, and that the thermostat has been replaced recently. They have a habit of sticking closed and cooking the thing which you won't even know about as the temp gauge won't show you! That's what happened this time with mums.

If its using coolant, and there's a puff of smoke on start up - I'm sorry to tell you it WILL be the HG. Not a difficult job to change on one of these, just ensure you fit the newest freelander gasket and have the head skimmed.

In terms of power, you may get near a GTI6, but... The handling is and always will be pretty poor. I used to have an older square shape 216 gti with every foreseeable suspension mod and it was only "ok".

That said, I've always liked these and they do make a great noise... But shoulda got a BRM

JP

It had a new head gasket 6 months ago apparently and I can only hope it was the new MLS type. I'd check but it's a lot of work to do so Plus I don't "hoon" it until it's reached running temp since that's meant to be the way to kill the gaskets
I'm not trying to skimp on the cooling system there just doesn't seem to be much parts supply for the ac models, but I've yet to have it overheat at all can't even get the fan to come on but it comes up to temp quickly
In terms of handling, I quite like it. Despite it being on standard suspension atm its quite throwable with the tyres being it's weakest aspect. Looking into the details more there are rally teams who use the shell and claim it's stiff enough as standard to not really require a strut brace, although I can't imagine one would hurt.
According to parkers the GTi6 is 1215kg vs 1145 of the Zr, which is 70kg difference so about a average passenger weight?

Congrats for getting a new car.. I like the colour of your car because its looking very attractive. So you have started a project.. i see the photos in previous pages.. but not see any progress, anyhow good luck mate for your project, i hope you will complete it soon. thanks for sharing the photos.

Thank you, the colour seems to be the one thing I get complimented on
I haven't done much progress yet since I've been reading & reading rather than just rushing and buying but new parts are on the way and these arrived today

[jammapic]

I'm not denying they are good little cars... just don't get your hopes up too much in terms of mega handling - it just won't be!

Have you had it dyno'd yet? I'd be interested to know roughly what they put out...

[lolsteve]

Yea it'll probs never be the best handling hatch out there sadly, but just interested in seeing if I can put together something that can compete with the dailyish gti6's on track. For giggles n such

I want to get it dyno'd but the places nearby are booked up, since people get in it and say it doesn't feel like 160bhp but had a play with Poodle the other day his stripped out stage1 hdi with a fmic and custom map where he did pull away but not that much as I recall. I'll just get it dyno'd when I'm back up north, might be cheaper up there anyway

[Leedunn86]

Really miss my zr, i had a trophy blue 105 they handle really well from the factory as many came with poly bushes and shorter steering racks than the rover 25. I fitted a tf steering wheel and airbag which was the best mod i did much more sporty feel. Also had the tf rear view mirror with map reading lights which is a nice touch. Sadly mine met its inevitable fate of hgf and after being repaired twice i got rid and bought a mercedes lol. Good luck with the new car could have been built on a good day at longbridge like my friends, which is still going on the original engine never had hgf.

Pic of my zr and my friends trophy yellow

[jammapic]

Yea it'll probs never be the best handling hatch out there sadly, but just interested in seeing if I can put together something that can compete with the dailyish gti6's on track. For giggles n such

I want to get it dyno'd but the places nearby are booked up, since people get in it and say it doesn't feel like 160bhp but had a play with Poodle the other day his stripped out stage1 hdi with a fmic and custom map where he did pull away but not that much as I recall. I'll just get it dyno'd when I'm back up north, might be cheaper up there anyway

A stage 1 HDi got away from you? :-S

[lolsteve]

It's Poodles project double stock, last time his was dyno'd at 130 with 220 torque before the fmic and then with the added fmic and lack of anything in the car it doesn't surprise me he beat me. But at least mine goes bwraaapp

Shame you suffered the HGF, but as you say it does seem a little bit of roll the dice on whether they fail or not just need to keep filled with coolant and not rag from cold. Same as any other car really

[devils_fuel]

Steve if anything starts to go on the cooling system fix it straight away and bleed it properly, these engines hold airlocks due to design and that causes HG issues.
I replaced all the cooling stuff on my cabbie as they failed one by one in the space of a month of ownership and then the HG went, on the upside no cooling issues the reason for this catastrophic failure we all felt was a fecked thermostat that wasnt dealt with asap and that knocked all the other parts out

[lolsteve]

We bleed the system properly , bleed screw out and hot air through blowers. How do you know if thermastat is duff then since I've been told its in a right dick location

New goodies on route should be here by tomorrow :p

[procta]

mine stuck open, i was told to put my hand on the rad to feel it go warmer and warmer, if it did that then it was the thermostat, also i changed the two sensors on the water elbow, as these can act up too, one under the elbow is the dash clock, the other that points to the rad is the ecu , now i have heard stories that the one that points to the rad, can make the car run odd. but i have found that to be questionable, the one under, can make the clocks read out, mine under read! so i replaced the two and all is well.

[Jonny81191]

Well if it handles anything like a TF then write your will now before you go near a track. Had a hoon in a TF last night and was massively dissatisfied with it. And I set off with low expectations. Got it sideways and held it, at which point it then snapped round like it wanted to kill me. And under normal driving I found I was slowing down a lot more for corners. It just didn't feel stable.

[Niall]

must say, i went up the hill with Steve (giggidy) at pugfest in this and it handled fairly well but sorry to say it, wasn't a patch of a 306. Not saying that because im bias but i was genuinely surprised at where it was loosing control considering how flat it cornered as well!