Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club

My 214 is no spring chicken, even with the best will in the world I'll be happy to see 200,000 miles from the original engine. Would a later 1600 or 1800 K series engine make a real alternative as far as replacement goes, I know the R8 was avaliable in 1600 form but that was using the Honda engine. What I'm after is a straight swap, bolting up to an existing R8 1.4 gearbox though if items like back plates/fly wheels need changing what should I need? I imagine I could do this with the 1600 easier than the 1800?

1600 would be the easier option.

The R8 Man wrote:I know the R8 was avaliable in 1600 form but that was using the Honda engine.

The K-Series 1.6 made it into the last of the 200 Coupes.

As did the 1.8, except it was in VVC format.

Non VVC is an easier fit though.

Could I use a 1.4K gearbox straight onto a 1.6K? I guess if I just had the block then I could rebuild it using a 1.4 SPI head and just drop it straight in?

Yes you could.

Much of the 1.4 engine is the same as the 1.6. The whole bottom end to start with. The 1.6 is a 1.4 with a larger bore really.

That sounds perfect, a new engine, a bit more hp and torque as well. Not that I don't dislike the power too much at the moment, but the R8 is not a light car and a little extra would really help, especially on the Motorways.
I take it the flywheel is the same between the 1.6 and the 1.4 as well? Also would a MPI head accept the manifolding for the SPI system, my car is used for work you see so I want a minimum amount of fuss to fit a new engine. 8)

I'd fit the MPI if you could, perhaps take the engine box and loom from a donor car and drop the lot in. The SPI isn't the most reliable system in the world nor the most powerful

Just a thought anyway.