Morris Minor Owners Club

I have 4 door 1000 that want to put a modern engine in.
What do you suggest?
I dont want to turn it in to a hotrod, just make it a bit faster and more reliable (I know you all think the A-series is).
I was thinking 1.4 ish
Also if anyone knows someone in the Essex/East London area for doing the work?
Thanks

how about a rover k series or a ford zetec, the K series is a common(ish) conversion in spridgets, and spridget engine and boxes fit morris' without all that much hassle. You could go to the MG bbs board and they might be able to help.......(but they arn't as friendly as here) http://www2.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5? ... subject=76 The zetec is a better engine but it will probably be a harder conversion due to lack of previous conversions......

If you want to go down the 1.4 `K` series route have a look at JLH
http://www.jlhmorrisminors.co.uk/
I think the kits are around £1,000 and the same again for the engine and then there is the cost of fitting etc, the 1275cc `A` series engine from the Midget/Marina/Ital is a cheaper and tried upgrade, you will also need a brake upgrade to discs around £350 + fitting and also a shocker upgrade from £100 an end + fitting so if you cant do some of the work yourself it soons mounts up, how much did you want to spend ?

The A-series is reliable!!

K-series - 1.1, 1.4 8v (84ish bhp), 1.4 16v (102ish bhp), 1.6 or 1.8!!
Ford Zetec is possible, but it depends what you want.

Lots of kitcar builders used the Kseries because it thrives on revs, and apparrently feels sporty... But hey, Phyllis overtook a lorry today. Nothing to do with me... she insisted . There's nothing quite like the roar of an A-series on the overrun...

The K-series is a very expensive conversion and overly complicated motor but that's just Rover for you. I don't like the engine myself, heard things about it.
Have you thought about the Vauxhall engine, maybe 1.6, 16 valve? or go for it and have the 2.0, 16 valve. There is a bell housing conversion for the Ford type 9 gearbox. If I was going to do an engine conversion this is the way I would go I think, well if I wanted to stick with petrol that is. Horse power, well anything really. A 2ltr 16 valve stage 1 will give 162bhp and a full race engine from QED will give 290bhp. A very tunable engine.

The K-series is a very expensive conversion and overly complicated motor but that's just Rover for you. I don't like the engine myself, heard things about it.

The K-series is a bit prone to head-gasket failure and cambelt snapping IF regular servicing is neglected. When you put your foot down they do growl and sound quite like a sporty engine (bit more raw than a Honda VTEC for example). They also shift a bit too! I have a 1.6 16v in my Rover 416 and it does not hang about! I am more than pleased with it's performance given that it's only a 1600 and the car weighs so much!

A LOT of kit car manufacturers offer the K-series because it's a nice tunable engine. It sounds good and it shifts!!! It was also developed as the replacement for the A-series so you can kid yourself into 'keeping to brand loyalty'!!!! Caterham also offer a road going version of the k-series 1.8 that kicks out 230 BHP!

I have never seen the Vauxhall 2ltr engine fitted to a Minor?? Is there sufficient space?? That too is a tunable engine but it's not as modern a design as the k-series.

Practical Classics have got a group test on Modified Minors - see Kevin's post about that.

K-series gaskets can fail, but only, as Cam said, if you don't check the levels - something which all motorists should do. There is a new design of head gasket which solves the only weak link in the system. And never mind the 1.8 - over 100bhp from a 1.4 can't be bad, surely? It was originally designed as a 3 cylinder engine, but vibration problems caused them to make it a four-cyl. 1.1 and 1.4 are the best, apparrently, the 1.6 and 1.8 being somewhat weaker than the smaller engines. However, if the performance is important then the larger engine might be a good idea. 1.4 16v is the best in the range, IMO.

when i worked for rover i was told it was a bit of a design fault on the k series. Strange how most mechanics can change a k series head gasket with no documentation and always have the part in stock!

Cam the chap in practical classics had added a few inches to the front to allow the vauxhall engine to fit.

The K-series is a bit prone to head-gasket failure and cambelt snapping IF regular servicing is neglected

And it is also prone to headgasket failure IF regular service IS DONE.
Funnily enough the K-series was sold in non Rover cars, d the non-Rover vehicle manufacturer admitted the head gasket fault and gave free repairs when Rover dealers still denied that a problem existed.... Funny old world

If a car has existed for over 30 years and most owners praise the reliability then it's reliable. Can't get much better than the A-series for an easy to maintin 1950's and 60's engine.
If a car gets to 10 years old and dissapears that usually means they are a nightmare to maintain and have generic problems (certain engines that develop overheating problems at 10 years old etc..) Personally I'd keep clear of anything like Renault engines.

1080's Vauxhall engines had a reputation to reach spaceship mileage, but I've not heard much about modern ones. These days the level of complexity of all engines means that even if the engine was good it is off the road due to faulty electronics parts..

And it is also prone to headgasket failure IF regular service IS DONE.

Yes, Ray my comment was not that clear. I meant that they were prone to head gasket failure. Also cambelt snapping if regular servicing is not done!

I have also heard theat the headgasket problem has been solved on newer engines, my 2nd sprite is going to get a 1.8 16V i - around 200HP in standard spec

lads does anyone have a full list of the cars the k-series 1.4 16V came in. This is something i want to do down the line and want to start keeping an eye out!

also i have heard that the vaux engine is a very heady engine. would this not effect handling

All current rovers and MGs as far as I know, but you might want a RWD one like an MGF/MGTF....

but aren;t the 214, 414 etc the old honda engine or is it all the same.

i don't know, Cams new part chaser has a K Series but im assuming its FWD

The 214 and 414 uses the K-series. The 416 (pre 96) is Honda, post '96 it's K-series (like mine).
The Metro also uses a 1.1 K-series in either 8 or 16 valve versions.

They can be used transversely (FWD) or in-line (RWD) with minimal modifications. (see JLH).

There is also the MGF with the 1.8 VVC K-series unit, and if you want to go mad then the KV6 2.5 as fitted to the Rover 75.

Virtually all the applications are FWD except the MGF and MGTF. they are still transverse but they are mid-engined (I think).

Best bet is to get a scrap Rover 214 for the engine, as there are so many about and they are cheap.

Cam, chancing my arm here but you don;t know what model the 1.4 16V came in. I don;t want to go over the 1.4 but i would like the extra horses!!

I think all Rover 1.4s (214) were 16 valve.

That's the MK2 Rover 200 shape (from 1990 G reg to about M or N reg).


My mate had a 214SLi and it was 16 valve on a H reg (1991).

thats excellent, there are a lot more of them around, i should even find one over this side of the pond.

I'm glad we had this chat! I thought the k-series was only in the more modern 25, 45, and 75 range!