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MG MGF Technical - Alternate British engine

I was just looking at the Triumph MC website and noticed that the 3 cylinder Rocket motor might provide an alternative power plant for an ageing or ailing MGF.It has 3 cylinders, 2.3 litres, 147PS, 200nm torque fuel injected, and should be lighter than the K series as well. Have any of you techo's out there considered this transplant scenario?
Phil Stafford

Phil, I was at the Triumph factory recently watching it being built. That motor is some beast. I'm going to get some dimensions from the production line but it isn't small. Not many available so far - the bike was officially launched 2 weeks ago. Should be having a test ride on one very soon - not interested in buying one but it's rude not to try them (I am the local owners club organiser).
JohnP

A Triumph engine in an MG? Crickey - that's not been seen since the days of the midget 1500 ;o) ;o) ;o)

I'll get me coat...
Rob Bell

Like you can talk - your MG has got a Triumph _OWNER_ in it ;-)
Will Munns

A Triumph with a 5-speed Ford gearbox I'll have you know! ;o)

Thought about a K-series transplant too - but since the chassis is as rigid as wet cardboard, I think I'll stay with the fire-breathing 1296cc lump... ;o)
Rob Bell

Piccies of the bike Phil was looking at:

http://www.triumph.co.uk/site/bikes/MoreImages.cfm?BikeID=83

and specs:

http://www.triumph.co.uk/site/bikes/BikeSpec.cfm?BikeID=83

Do Grinall still exist/ Used to build light cars based on BMW Engine/Shaft combos. This could be up their street: complete power unit with integral drive train to a cwp output.
JohnP

Interesting that a little operation like Triumph can do this, and create a stunning new engine whereas MGR cant

how much of an effort would it have been to make a KV8 out of two K16 4 cyls?
Neil

I suppose that you could keep one of the head castings

And the other head casting would be an offset mirror image.

Not sure about the thru bolt design though?
Will Munns

The KV6 has a 90 degree Vee angle for a good reason: it was part of a modular engine family.

Is building a KV8 good commercial sense? I guess that depends on how many engines they could sell, and wether that cash generation would offset the not inconsiderable investment required to homologate the engine.

I'd love to see a KV8 in a ZT - and in a host of specialist British cars - but will it ever happen?
Rob Bell

MGB GT V8 also powered Rver 3500 try putting that in a F
John Dickson

>>MGB GT V8 also powered Rver 3500<<
It was the other way round - but the BGT V8 got a very low power unit, lower than the engine currently in the F !
Even bored out to 3.9Litres and placed in the RV8 it's not exactly powerful (thirsty:yes, powerful:no)

>>how much of an effort would it have been to make a KV8 out of two K16 4 cyls?<<
I've seen a Kawasaki V8 1.6Litre made from two 750cc IL4s (bored/stroked out) - made a fabulous noise, still in a kawasaki bike !
I've also raved many times about Radical's V8, made from two Hayabusa engines - why bother with a KV8 when one of these 350+BHP would fit ?

>>Is building a KV8 good commercial sense? I guess that depends on how many engines they could sell, and wether that cash generation would offset the not inconsiderable investment required to homologate the engine.<<
I would've thought it made more sense than the Mustang unit they've been buying/modding. Perhaps too many people remember the Stag engine, and how that came to be built.
Steve

Steve, I think you are probably right on all three accounts!

Ahhh the old Stag engine, otherwise known as the Slag, a novel idea just not done properly, alledgedly through lake of development/cash. I think lessons were learned, perhaps this is why the yank V8 lives in the ZT260

An opportunity may have been lost in this though, nevertheless it's a great car to have with that old V8 banging away which allows MGR to go on to develop bigger faster versions.

Given current cash issues I think that MG should concentrate their mind on the ZR/S replacement and in GETTING THEIR MARKETING FUNCTION SORTED!!!

Interestingly at the moment for MGR Marketing is their key to survival, they have tried a few good and clever ideas also a few shiite ones. Their product marketing could be a lot better, what IS that City car all about? This is a mistake or the same proportions as invading Iraq.
I think that car should be subtly dropped.
The aweful rebadging of the Rover product, The badge looks cheap and nasty guys!
BUT other things are quite excellent the SV, ZT V8 fantastic, the Bonneville saltflats ZT-T record and the X power idea of pandering to the darkside of MG owners. They just need to get their product strategy a bit better
Neil

>>Given current cash issues I think that MG should concentrate their mind on the ZR/S replacement and in GETTING THEIR MARKETING FUNCTION SORTED!!!<<
I agree completely.
One article I read recently was about Nissan's turn-around - their new CO said the first step was to stop Nissan selling their cars too cheaply. MGR need to produce a price list that can be treated with respect.
Everthing seems so short-term at Longbridge of late.

Perhaps they should pop over to Hinckley (it aint far) and see how Triumph have built themselves a future manufacturing in England.
Their dealers are good too ...
Steve

>GETTING THEIR MARKETING FUNCTION SORTED!!!

That new advert - you know the 'look we pay lots of tax' one. What moron cut the obvious tagline ?. It's clear what its ment to be - it ends:

"At Rover we don't just make great cars......"
and then silence, rover logo, mg logo, british flag.

Obviously (although cheesily) it was ment to end:
"We make Great Britan"
Will Munns

Yes indeed.

And ...BMW still own the Triumph brand name for cars...can you see where I am going? Hinkley -Longbridge etc

Yeah I have said it before I cant understand why BMW would still want the name, they wouldnt use it. But somebody else might,
Neil

There are, apparently, still some problems with the use of "triumph" as a trade mark. The Triumph Motorcycle Company were prevented from using the name on a clothing range - just in case somebody saw me in a tee shirt and thought I was wearing a bra! Seems the lingerie company have a higher call on the name than the bike manufacturer. ??possibly also BMW now that laws have changed and/or been reinforced??

JohnP

Kev says,
Try the new Ford Lion engine, 2.7 twin turbo common rail diesel, runs like silk. I am sure it will fit with a bit of bodging.
Kev

Lion engine?
sounds like a huge first world war aero engine to be fitted to scary land speed record cars

And Diesel...there's a special word that goes with diesel and that is the word NO!! runs like silk?... my Ass!
dagerdagerdager!
Neil

Does Mike Satur do a lovely, bulky, heavy, black rubber bumper coversion to complement the Triumph engine?
S
Steve Clark

>>Try the new Ford Lion engine<<
Does 'lion' signify Peugeot involvement ?
And is this the V6 twin turbo diesel currently in the jaguar adverts ?

if so, then it could well be a very, very good engine.
perhaps peugeot will put it into their show cars (ace of hearts/spades ? ). If it produces the torque of BMWs 3litre diesel, then I look forward to driving something with it.
Steve

<<The Triumph Motorcycle Company were prevented from using the name on a clothing range>>

The Triumph clothing range says Triumph on it - how does that equate to prevented from using the name? i.e. Leather jackets with Triumph in big, 6" letters.
Kevin s

Kevin, your sight almost suits you - I said "were prevented". A long and expensive course of actions. They eventually were forced to move the tail under the script and change the font as well as add the words 'motorcycles' on most of the range.

Sorry, only quoting direct from factory going back to 1991 just before production was restarted.
JohnP

That Triumph 3 pot - can I have one in my Mini please?

Might go nicely in a Spridget too.

As for a KV8 - why not?

It's been in development for donkey's years, and surely it could be made by Powertrain in limited numbers - like the KV6 in later Rover 800s?

Might go nicely in a Morgan. But if MGR has formed an alliance with Proton, and by extension Lotus...
JH Gillson

This thread was discussed between 06/07/2004 and 15/07/2004

MG MGF Technical index

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