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MG MGF Technical - VVC or Not?

Alright guys and gals I have a bit of a riddle:

I am looking to replace my MGF MK1 VVC with an as late as I can get MGF MK2 VVC. I went to look at one today and I'm not sure if it is a VVC or not. I checked:

1) VIN No matches logbook and has a 'T' as 8th letter.
2) Engine No on block matches logbook and is 18K4K...
3) Engine No sticker has number half missing but has barcode.
4) Car has ABS.
5) Car has 16" Square Spoke Alloys.
6) Car has Rev Counter with 7250rpm Redline.
7) Car has Full Leather Interior.
8) Engine has a Metal Throttle Body.
9) Plenum chamber does NOT have VVC on it.

Now I have read all sorts of stuff on Robs website and others and they all say. "if it hasn't got VVC on the Plenum chamber, walk away". But this car has all the right features other than that and it felt as fast as my MK1 VVC so can it be a VVC or is it a Frankenstein do you think? Were any VVC's made without it being embossed on the Plenum? Is there anything else I can check to make sure the engine is a VVC one?

All your thoughts and experiences on this one would be much appreciated! :)

Thanks,

Nick
Nick Atkins

Dieter is your man for checking out the logbook details, because they are going to be the most reliable source of info. The rev counter is correct for a vvc.
Most of the other details are not indicators, becuse parts could have been changed during the car's life.

Chris.
Chris

It's not been removed, has it? (vvc unit)
I dunno if that's even possible, maybe a bodge after an HGF?

But IF it doesn't have the VVC molding on the plenum chamber, it ain't IMHO.
Ddraig

By Mk2 MGF, do you mean an mgtf?.

Mines an early MGTF VVC and it has an aluminium Plenum chamber, and does not have VVC on it.
Ian

The most reliable way would be to check whether the car has a distributor. Unfortunately mine is a vvc so it doesn't and I don't know where it would be located on the mpi.

Chris
Chris

Thanks for the replies, chaps. :)

The car was obviously originally made as a VVC. What I am trying to determine is whether someone has modified the inlet or it is standard and somehow is an anomoly as it doesn't have the VVC logo. Maybe it has been re-engined with a 1.8MPi unit so I would like to make damn sure that it hasn't before I spend my hard-earned!

The Engine No with 18K4K... means it should be a VVC unit but I'm wondering if someone went to the trouble of renumbering the engine to match the documentation?!

I will get the owner to take some photos of the engine and see if you guys can spot anything.

Cheers,

Nick
Nick Atkins

Here you go. Please let me know if you can tell.

I can only upload 1 at once so I'll have to do 3 posts I guess!


Nick Atkins

2nd Photo.


Nick Atkins

3rd Photo.


Nick Atkins

I've just nipped out for a quick look and can't see any difference to mine. (Apart from the lack of logo and K&N)
But I don't know what 1 1.8i looks like.
Ddraig

Nick mine is a trophy 160 no vvc logo
sr foster 81

Ddraig - You didn't need to wet on my account! Thanks for checking. :)

Ian & SR Foster 81 - Interesting stuff... Looks as though there was some MGF/TFs with the VVC engine and no logo.

Maybe we'll have to get Rob to amend his site!

Where's Roger, Rob, Will or Dieter when you need them?! :p

Nick
Nick Atkins

I read since the 8th, but can't see the VIN
:)
Me never said there should be anything marked on the plenum ;)

8th a "T" is a VVC though


Regards
Dieter
Dieter

As Dieter says, the VIN holds the answer.

As far as the MGF is concerned, the MPi had a plastic inlet manifold, until the engine became the TF135, at which point (MGTF introduction)the VVC alloy manifold was used, but in 'natural' aluminium rather than black (and obviously without the vvc logo), and the VVC the cast alloy inlet.

post 2000 cars did not have a distributor, whether VVc or MPi, my car is a 2001 MPi.

I'd be very surprised if a previously VVC engined car had be re-engined with a non-vvc motor as I believe the engine electronics are different and non compatible...

Other ways to check are:

Does it actually rev to the 7250 rpm limit? because the MPI is redlined at 6750 and hits the rev limiter shortly after.

overall gearing, the 1.8i is around 23mph/1000rpm against the VVC's 20ish/1000rpm.

hope this helps

mike
mikeroberts

The numbers are:

VIN: SARRDWBTC20530978
ENG: 18K4KM12443576
Date of 1st Reg: 13/07/2001

The inlet manifold is metal but painted black as you can see in the photos.

I hope that is of some use to you guys! :)

Thanks once again,

Nick
Nick Atkins

Most reliable way to check, is to see if there is a cambelt on each end of the engine. If so, is definitely a VVC. Also, there is a VVC hydraulic control unit on the inlet side of the head, RHS of the car, about 4-5" high
Andy

reads correct
VIN: SARRDWBTC2D 530978
ENG: 18K4 KM12 443576
Date of 1st Reg: 13/07/2001

That's the 72802nd MGF ever made (inofficial count)
A very early 2002 model (2D), just in the range of the MGF Trophy.

The engine is a VVC.

HTH
Dieter
Dieter

Nice one guys! :) Thanks for all the help.

Dieter - What do you mean by "A very early 2002 model (2D)"? It is Jul 2001 registered so must have been built at the beginning of 2001, no? Also it is not a Tropy but a standard VVC car. Is something amiss here?

Cheers,

Nick

Nick Atkins

He's referring to the VIN number, the VIN number changes when the model type is changed. - Look at your VIN number, 2D makes ip part of the number and must signify the change to the 2002 model (which obviously started production in 2001, as you are proof of that)
Mark

Oooooh! Brilliant! :p

I can't seem to say thanks enough! :D

Nick
Nick Atkins

You're welcome!

>It is Jul 2001 registered
That's the said model change date from 1D to 2D.
Dieter

This thread was discussed between 08/03/2008 and 12/03/2008

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