Just found this thread - Awesome (The 214SEi was my brothers car I lusted after)

I run a 1.8 non-VVC in my MGTF, and have rebuilt two VVC MGF's.... the tapping is normal on the VVC, but the best advice I can give you is to get down to Mark at Z'n'F Tuning for a remap.

 

1. He only works on MEMS3 ECU's (Caterhams, MG's, etc)

2. He wrote the original maps for the F/TF

3. Its only £200-£250 to do!

 

It got rid of the kink in my power curve on the TF, and standard procedure he does with the VVC engine i to increase the rev limit , stops it lowering the rev limit to around 6700 when you actually hit the stock limit, and tunes the delivery according to your setup

 

Been looking at Z and F as they're not too far away from me. Want to leave it a while before I start tinkering, make sure it all holds together first

Had a four wheel alignment done today so it's all running straight again. Also had the emissions tested while it was at the garage. HC and Lambda figures are ok but Co is high. We reckon it's probably due to not having the post cat oxygen sensor that the ZR the engine came from would have. Options are, fit one, get a box of tricks to fool the ecu into thinking it's there or have it mapped out.

 

Took the bird out for her first ride in it since the engine swap. I think she liked it but she kept making funny squealing noises

My first proper car was a 214 SEI loved that car. Did 60k and never serviced it lol. Was a quick car for an 18 year old. Got a mate who races a ZR in the metro cup, we are also rebuilding an old metro race car for a laugh.

Keep up the good work mate.

How high was the co output?

How high was the co output?

 

2.72% on fast idle and 4.34% on natural idle.

It does sound like there is a slight blow aroun the downpipe area. I reckon that probably wont help matters.

Just got home from a weekend at the Autosport show giving passenger rides to the show goers on an Autosolo course. It was a great opportunity to really test the car and make sure it can handle what I plan to throw at it. It certainly seemed to be the most surprising car, many people looked disappointed that they had to ride in the Rover but every one of them came out the other end with big smiles on their faces No one could believe how well it went!

 

I gave it absolute death all weekend and nothing broke so that's very encouraging.  A couple of things did become apparent though. Firstly, despite being a brand new standard item, the exhaust is a bit loud. It sounds quite good with a nice raspy note to it but it has the potential to cause PR issues on road events so it'll need sorting.

 

Secondly, the bigger engine generates substantially more heat within the engine bay and after a while this was affecting the idle. I'm missing a part of the airbox assembly which means the airbox literally sucks in the hot air from the bay giving a poor combustion mixture and the engine would occasionally try and stall as a result.

 

Solution will be as follows:

 

Install a slimmer fan to enable repositioning of the rad which will then create space for a nice direct cold air feed.

Heat wrap the manifold and downpipe.

Raise the bonnet up at it's mountings.

Cut a couple of vents in the bonnet for good measure.

Today has all been about keeping the tatty old thing on the road, MOT is coming up soon and a big hole in the sill just would not do so I went and saw my brother for a spot of welding. He was in a bit of a mood over a woman, but that's his problem, ultimately this car is much more important so despite his poor attempt to cancel our appointment stating that "Dad was doing something in the garage today" I turned up anyhow. Mostly because my Dad was already aware of my visit and he is always very welcoming. Particularly when he was struggling to get his Passat back together after fitting a tow bar

 

Anyway, the end of the sill is in a bit of a state so my bro had to build a bit of a patchwork to sort the hole

 

 

 

If definately doesn't look pretty but it's solid again so good for another year's ticket.

 

Whilst I was over there I got my Dad to get the noise meter out and do a noise test on the car. Quite handy when your Dad is an environmental Scrutineer

Anyway at 4500rpm static test it's only 89dB so it's definately not going to cause any problems at events

very good will be nce to see it in action at how fast

very good will be nce to see it in action at how fast

 

I reckon you'll see a lot of the back of it

I reckon you'll see a lot of the back of it

 

I imagine a lot of people will.

I hate it when holes appear in sills, one of the hardest places to work on too with your head doubled up underneath, especially if you are working on the floor.

Haven't updated in while, been too busy ragging the hell out of the thing

 

One thing I noticed was the oil was getting very hot when pushing on. During the road rally I did the other week,it was nearly off the scale at times so I installed a nice little oil cooler, along with thermostat from Mocal. Problem solved

 

 

 

 

MOT this saturday then it's first competitive Autosolo the weekend after.

What size core are you using?

It's a 13 row cooler. Seems quite efficient.

I'm toying with the idea of loosing the oem water to oil cooler on my felicia and fitting a mocal cooler instead, as you might guess it gets fairly hot in the engine bay and the radiator can't cope, just wasn't sure what size core to use.

This was the kit I bought

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400629912455?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

 

It suggested that a 13 row is suitable for up to 150bhp for track use and 200bhp road use. Definately needs to be used with the thermostat though, I tried without first and I couldn't keep any heat in the oil at all.

Excellent thanks, not too expensive either! I'm pretty certain the oil filter thread is a 3/4" unf on a vw engine though but I bet that geezer sells them too.

Yeah, seems to stock various kits so you should be able to find something suitable.

Just back from MOT. Passed

Just back from MOT. Passed

I might need the number of that test centre     

I might need the number of that test centre     

 

Are you having MOT related issues?

I will be in June, as I have stripped the car out, air bag lights and a de cat, might be an issue...   car will only be going to and from track days so just need to be legalish 

First Autosolo of the 2014 season yesterday and bagged a reasonable result with the Brisk Rover. Managed a convincing 1st in class and 2nd Overall at Bristol Motor Club's Autosolo at Mendips raceway. The venue was one that has not been used before and it was quite daunting as the steel lined walls of the stock car track were not far away if you made a mistake. Fortunately I didn't touch one, but I did come a bit closer than I would have liked on the last run of the 1st test. The car didn't miss a beat all day

 

videos:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwJ9kCIYq_s

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toXwPY6JZaM

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwIPAOatzrc

Noticed the car has been running a bit cool recently so decided to change the thermostat. Despite only fitting a fresh one when I put the new engine in.

Anyway, once the old one was out, the problem was quite apparent

 

 

How that happened, I have no idea. New genuine MG Rover stat in and all is well

 

Remember kids, cheap stats are pants. Get better ones

I agree, pattern parts are naf, but I guess you don't have much choice for rover stuff anyway?