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MG MGF Technical - Induction Kit / Throttle Body fitting

Sorry to maybe ask a stoopid question. I'm not really a mechanic - more of a hobyist.

Just wondering if I buy (from say Mike Satur) a cold air induction kit and the enlarged 52mm throttle body.. can i fit that with the engine in place or is it a dopr-the-engine type of mod? Something for the pro's to do? And ay ideas on prices for fitting these things?
I just thought having spent 300 odd quid on parts - I was wondering how much in labour it's gonna cost?
Cheers everyone. I know, you'll be thinking.."God, don't let him near the car!!"
S J Knight

You can fit both yourself... there's a guide for fitting the throttle body here:

http://www.fpower.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5&Itemid=6

Fitting the induction kit at the same time doesn't really present any other problems - the hardest part of the entire mod is probably getting into the engine bay in the first place :)

The instructions with the Vader kit are pretty clear. Just remove the existing air filter box, connect up the silicone hose to the throttle body and take the other hose down to the passenger side vent.

You should however check with your insurance company that fitting the induction kit will not invalidate your insurance as it is a 'performance mod' (i.e. you should see some gain in Bhp from the kit - the Vader kit added 6-7Bhp without any other mods to my car). The throttle body itself improves throttle response rather than adding power, so although you should still inform them of the upgrade you can argue that it doesn't increase the performance of the car.

Al

Cheers Al. Nice one... Anyone got a link on how to fit the induction kit... Then i'm away!!!
S J Knight

Anyone know if this would be a good item to bid on?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/K-N-57i-Induction-Kit-Rover-MGF-1-8-16v-VVC-95-02_W0QQitemZ4593204035QQcategoryZ10414QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

what are they to buy new??
S J Knight

K&N's are one of the most popular air filter upgrades - not least because of the noise you get from them :) - however they don't offer all the advantages of a closed air box because there's no cold air hose so they draw warm air from the engine bay rather than denser cold air from outside the car(although it is also possible to enclose them and take a hose down to the vent or under the car).

I thought when you mentioned Mike Satur in your post that you'd found his page - he has the Vader system (which I have on my car) and the PiperX Viper which is slightly cheaper here http://www.mikesatur.co.uk/fx05.html

If you have slightly more money to burn the ITG Air Box set up from PTP is what a lot of folks would recommmend. http://www.ptp-ltd.co.uk/shop/productslist.aspx?CategoryID=35&selection=3
Al

SJK - a new K & N 57i from "dcdezign" cost me just over £80 inc postage.(see www.dcdezign.co.uk)
It's easy enough to fit, the laborious part is removing the engine panel.
Depending which model you have, the later F's already have a 52mm throttle body.
If you want to have a look at my K & N fitted, I'm in Plymouth, contact me via e mail.
John

Hi Al,
Sorry greed and confusion lost me there. I HAD seen Mike's pages and just got lost in K&N, Vader, Viper etc. The ITG box looks fantastic but then at 4 times the cost of the K&N then perhaps it should be! Is the power/throttle response increase worth the cost?

Ok, now i've got a 2000my MGF. (Oct 2000) It's got the wasted spark ignition system (as i found out after getting dis. cap and rotor arm!!) but not sure about the TB. Reluctant to remove the engine cover. It's raining cats and dogs out there and i can't afford the HOUR and the SKIN..!

John, would love to meet up sometime. How's the F with the mods?
S J Knight

SJK - To check your throttle body you don't have to remove the engine cover, just take out the engine grill in the boot. Mines a 2001 F, one of the last before TF and has a 52mm TB, yours maybe 48mm being just that one year earlier.
With the K&N it does sound a bit more "throaty" but nothing that causes attention - (Induction roar), I think it may be a bit more responsive but honestly nothing dramatic, I have the two K&N air scoops under the car fitted and a third one that is across the rear cross member which went originally to the air filter box - mine had the larger TF filter fitted.
I'm keeping an eye on the other thread regarding the air side scoop to see if that has any good results.
John

Blimey - pocket rocket or what!
Cheers for that though. Will go rummaging around in the engine later. WHEN IT STOPS BLOODY RAINING!!!
So it's agreed that 52mm TB and K&N make it a bit more oomphy? Or is there a better combination?
Not looking for Elise torgue here, just a bit of a wallop when we "engage" (Star Trek thing - sorry)
S J Knight

Simon,

You have mail.

John,

I've gone down a similar route to you.
I have the two K&N pipes under the car with an extra tube running to the passenger side vent. Thus the reason I started developing the scoop. Plus, a DIY heatshield made from a Cadburys biscuit tin which actually works really well. :)
Kris

>> The ITG box looks fantastic but then at 4 times
>> the cost of the K&N then perhaps it should be!
>> Is the power/throttle response increase worth the >> cost?

Simple answer is "I don't know" - I don't have an ITG box, but I've heard a few people say they are worth it ...but then they would probably say that anyway after spending £350 ;)

I have got a Vader induction kit from Mike S and it definitely makes a difference - 149Bhp / 151Ps on a rolling road with no other mods (standard VVC is 143Bhp / 145Ps. I can email you the dyno graph if you like.

The noticeable thing about the graph is the improved torque curve from ~2000rpm - good for a VVC as they tend to be weak till about 3500-4000 rpm so you feel more pull from the engine at lower revs. I'd say it was worth the extra cost, (but see above :-P )

Incidentally my car is also a MY2000 (November) and was fitted with the plastic 48mm TB as standard so I imagine yours will be as well. Only the 'late' F's were fitted with 52mm TB as standard I believe.

>> So it's agreed that 52mm TB and K&N make it a bit >> more oomphy? Or is there a better combination?

There's almost always a better combination - it just depends what you're prepared to spend ;) If it's bang-for-buck you're looking for then a K&N and 52mm TB is a good place to start... you can always change the filter again if it doesn't perform as well as you hoped.

Al

If you have the K&N you might be interested in a bracket for the cold air pipes.

Still have plenty in stock at £12 inc P&P UK only

Email for more info.

Tom
Tom Randell

Cheers Tom.
Actually I was a bit cheeky and wandered down to the MG dealership. I dropped in a crate of Stella for the lads who worked two days on the "car trouble" for free (warranty) I also wanted the passenger window aligning better (leak) and the drivers door was needing alignment too. Amazing what BEER does. In and out in 1 hour - all free of charge and so began the chat about Mods.
"Have you taken it around a roundabout yet?" It started.
"No, not given it a good run..." etc.
The three lads are all into "making adjustments" and stongly advised the Piper-X Viper induction pipe coupled to the 52mm TB. Oh they were asking when i wanted to book it in. We'll do it Mr. Knight. Nice to see someone wanting a bit of fun out of their MGF...

So we'll see what the costs are first and then.... I suppose they are qualified MG mechanics. Spare time work obviously!! (grin)
S J Knight

Tom, re-read your e-mail. Forgive me i'm a little mad. What does your bracket do?
Sorry, sound a little silly don't i?
S J Knight

The bracket holds the K&N induction pipes in place more securely than the manufactures instructions which state the pipes are tie wrapped to the hydrogas pipes.
My brackets holds the pipes in place mounting to a crossmember and help to keep the pipes intact.

The bracket is recommend on the BBS.

Tom
Tom Randell

ahh now i see. Is there any drilling or anything? Or have you got a link to it?
Might be getting a K&N soon so might well be after one!
Cheers
S J Knight

Tom, can you e-mail me mate. I'd like a bracket please. The K&N arrives on Tuesday!
Cheers
simonjonknight@mac.com
S J Knight

Hi All

Don't want to put the kybosh(?) on the K&N thinking guys, after all it is cheap, but didn't I see in EMG awhile ago that a racing team found increased engine wear using K&N's. Seems as filters they have lots of big holes in them. That's how all that air gets through I guess.

Peter
Pete Tipping

anyone know the best place to buy k&n kit, also would i need pipes for under the car
tommy

Tommy,


You need a 57i Kit.

Most car accessory shops have them for c. £90. There are also loads on eBay.

The kit comes with the pipes, but you should buy a bracket from Tom Randell (see above) to keep the ends pointing forward under the car.

Cheers!

Sam
Sam Murray

Tommy, as mentioned above, the cheapest place online for the kit is here: http://www.dcdezign.com/details.asp?item=57-0238&vehicle_ref=237&title=+Mg+F+k&n+57i+induction+kits+57-0238

Emma
Emma Jackman

This thread was discussed between 01/12/2005 and 05/12/2005

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.