MG metro cylinder head

[KirstMin]

Hi, if you get a chance could you look at this link and tell me if there would be any benefit in fitting over marina head (unleaded):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MG-Metro-unleaded ... otohosting

Its an unleaded G Reg mg metro head. What else would need to be done to fit this - skimming etc?

cheers

[KirstMin]

OK, so the valves may hit the block - ive just seen previous posts.

[KirstMin]

So perhaps I would be better getting a 12G295 and sending this to morspeed for a stage 2 conversion - then its a straight swap right? I notice that their prices are based on exchange so can I just buy one on ebay and send that to them?

eg:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mini-copper-12g29 ... dZViewItem

[bigginger]

"Has no VAVLE springs..." For 99p. buy it anyway! Sorry not to be more helpful, BTW, but I just don't know.

[KirstMin]

I know if i send it to morespeed for stage 2 conversion then it gets new valves etc, I assume that they are after the casting for the head rather than anything else. This is what they do:


"Lead free converted head, Fully de-coked, Then the rocker face is machined to ensure a total seal.

The inlets are cut to accept a bigger valve & guide restriction is then removed, New guides are fitted, The exhaust ports are opened to match the manifold gasket. And the chambers are re-shaped (turbo chamber volume is increased)

The head is then re-surfaced and assembled with new valves & stem oil seals, 160lb double valve springs. Painted ready to fit."

[bigginger]

Sounds good to me - I've got a 12g295, Think I might give them a go myself.

[KirstMin]

Hiya, what did you have to do to fit the head? I've heard that you need to drill pockets for clearance on the 12G940 but am assuming (having read various threads) the 12g295 is a simpler task (straight swap)? What cam do you have?

[Peetee]

the 12g295 is a simpler task (straight swap)?

Yes but the head should be skimmed by 60thou to restore comparable compression.
You would be wise to change to an 1.5 inch carb too.

[KirstMin]

Hi Peetee, is that the figure I will need to tell the machinist or will they know what to do exactly?

Also, I have pretty much stage 1 done - with HIF44 carb

cheers for advice

[bigginger]

I don't know, KirstMin - it's not in a car yet!

[KirstMin]

haha! All the fun to do then

[KirstMin]

OK, I might not have been very clear, I've already got a marina 1275 engine fitted - so what head will I have at the moment? I've noticed that most people are fitting the 12g295 to their 1098's so I think I'm getting the wrong end of the stick with this modified head business.

Would I be able to take the head off my existing 1275 and send it to be stage 2 modded rather than buying another head and getting that done?

[bmcecosse]

If you already have a 1275 engine in the car -then the 295 is not for you ! The MG Metro head will give you a performance lift and is straight bolt on. Don't worry about it being 'leaded' - it will last for ages even without additives. Best to look for the HIF44 carb and alloy inlet manifold that were fitted with that head on the MG Metro. The MG Metro cam is also well worth having (huge improvement on the standard cam) - but you need the engine out to fit it.

[rayofleamington]

MG Metro unleaded cylinder head

How would you tell if it was unleaded - from the close up of the exhaust valve seat I can't see an insert, but then it isn't a great photo.

[bmcecosse]

There never was an 'insert' - in theorey they used a different 'heat treatment' on the head - but I have my doubts - and better quality exhaust valves. The 'unleaded' MG Metro head does NOT have the bigger inlet valve - it is just the same as any other Metro (1275) head of that era - with no performance advantage. The MG of course still had more power - much better camshaft, higher compression pistons, excellent alloy inlet manifold and a better exhaust manifold and system.

[KirstMin]

Hello everyone... good to see the board back up... With regards to the head question, whilst this board has been having a facelift, I have been spending my time at the minifinity board:

http://www.minifinity.com/

It seems that Morspeed heads get a great rep for quality without being too expensive and their main man, Simon Morson, came from 11 years with MED. I think I am going to get him to build me a stage 3 head and get a new camshaft:

http://www.morspeed.co.uk/miniheads.htm

What do people think?

[Cam]

WHOAH!!! When did Simon leave MED?? He did the work on my head.

[KirstMin]

Oh right! I don't know when he left but the kids on minifinity rave about his heads... he seems like a nice chap who knows what he is doing alright. Plus his prices are cheaper coz he says that keeping his business small and doing the work himself keeps the overheads down.

OK, with a small amount of investigation it seems he left MED in Jan 2004 to set up his own company, morspeed - now that is a good play on his name!

[Cam]

Yeah, a bit like Ripspeed (Keith Ripp) One of the best ones I came across was a friend of a friend - Simon Raphael Incarjola naming his garage SRi Motors!

[KirstMin]

It certainly gives them a head start

OK, not very funny