75 1.8t engine remapping, mod chips
 

engine remapping or mod chips for a 1.8t, im guessing remapping is better? thoughts please, is there any recommend companies is Suffolk/top essex area for remapping? I would possibly like to do it myself if possible so I can revert back to original mapping if I feel the need or want to keep the car standard, Can the remapping be done by myself if I get the new files and the correct cables? Where can I get the files and cable?

I understand the possible damage but I like the idea some of the remappers claims of a smooth, more power, slightly more mpg and faster throttle responce, I know they are only claims hence this thread. That's is if they are noticeable? - if you've had it done can you comment on it worth?

Thank all

sorry if this is a duplicating another thread.

I had my TF done by . . .

http://www.zandf-tuning.co.uk/

Yes, more power (approx 8 bhp) but the noticeable difference was smother rev range, throttle response etc. Overtaking is a breeze :D Best £200 I ever spent on a car.

ok cheers. i did have a look, but there a little wayout, unless they can email files etc?? worth thinking.

has anyone done the upgrade themselves after getting the files? if so how...

ok thanks, i have seen them on the web, would you mind elaberating and let me know what you think of their work, did you get much from it, is it a noticable improvement?

I have found east coast tuning, but can not find east coast racing on the web yet.

Or you could see myself or marinabrian who will be able to do that for you, will cost you a lot less than £200 too ;)

The upgrade from the Rover 18T tune to the MGZT 18T tune will give you 10PS (approx 8 BHP);)

Russ

Russ added ECU Tune to my previous car,the extra power and torque were very noticeable..Well worth it in my opinion.

Will at p-torque has done excellent work for me in the past.

His 1.8T remap should add about 30bhp and 45lbs/ft torque, but what you notice more is the smooth power delivery.

Just make sure your engine is in good fettle first, there is no point remapping if something 'aint quite right.

Final adjustments too on the rollers.

You will get a rolling road power run before and after all for less than £300.

Just a satisfied customer before you ask.

Isn't tuning a 1.8 a bit like pulling the pin on a granade with an uncertain fuse length????? :o:o:o
...

Yawn.......

Sure I just read elsewhere on here about someone getting a good deal changing the belts on his v6 for £500. Could've updated head gasket and remapped 1.8t for that!

Can I ask where you and marinabrian are located? Do you use files from standard mgzt's? Can I ask what software/cables you use? Could it be something i can do. I've read the cides etc before when I had misfire faults, i realise ill need a new cable!

This is the type of improvement I'm lookig for, not so much,top,end or tons of power, just little improvements like this....
Glad to see satisfied people.

This the type of info I'm after. I understand you can push any car too far. Making it into a grenade....surely its a common sense approach?

The 1.8 Turbo was deliberately 'held back' to keep within tax bands at the time for the fleet market. There's power within to be unleashed!

Held back in power dictated by marketing, to slot in below V6's at 180 & 190.

If you don't want all of whats available just ask Will to cap power & torque at the figures you are comfortable with.

When these 1.8 T's were in developement they were running upto 200 bhp I've heard it said.

I wouldn't exactly say held back..

The quoted power output figures that MG Rover published was to keep the car in a tax band to compete in the sector of the market.

The output and MGR's output figures are two different things.Specialists in this unit and owners have witnessed a higher output than what was originally quoted in standard form

The unit itself is a robust unit and I would say is pretty much at it's limits.The installation of remaps and other various tuning modification in higher mileage older engines could cause damage,and perhaps put the unit under unnecessary stress.

Not related to remapping as such, but worth reading about the 1.8 Turbo.

From MG Rover Product Communications Manager. Interesting reading.

Release immediate
October 3, 2002

MG’S SPORTING TAX-BEATER

MG is today (October 3) launching a new 160Ps high-efficiency turbocharged K Series engine to power the MG ZT saloon and ZT-T estate 160 derivatives. The turbocharged and intercooled 1.8-litre K Series engine answers the UK’s demand for a CO2 tax-beating car with a sports appearance and excellent chassis characteristics.

The 1.8T engine replaces the former 160Ps 2.5-litre V6 engine of the ZT 160 and ZT-T 160 models, yet despite offering the same power, provides even greater all-round performance with significantly reduced fuel consumption and a crucially better CO2 rating.

The new 1.8-litre turbocharged versions of the ZT range expands the appeal in both company car and retail sectors, with a CO2 rating of 194 g/km and a Euro III standard combined fuel economy figure of 34.9mpg. These figures compare with 225 g/km and 30.0mpg for the previous 160Ps V6 model. The high efficiency turbo unit delivers worthwhile gains in performance, reducing the 0-60mph time from 8.8secs to 8.5secs, and the fifth gear 50-70mph time from 10.7secs to 9.8secs (similar improvements also apply to the comparable ZT-T estate car versions).

Because the turbo unit has been specifically developed for high torque in the key driving range, with 215Nm available all the way from a mere 2100rpm to over 4500rpm, it has a strong and tireless character, to be enjoyed either on the longest journey or the shortest sprint.

The gearing of the new ZT turbo models has been carefully optimised to combine performance and economy. A final drive ratio of 4.167:1 provides overall gearing of 22.2 mph/1000 rpm in fifth gear, which places it between the gearing of the former ZT160 (23.4mph/1000rpm) and that of the continuing ZT190 (21.0mph/1000rpm).

Many drivers will also enjoy the enhanced responsiveness and agility that the 50 kg lighter power unit adds to the already sporting ZT chassis.

New Generation Turbocharger

The new turbocharged MG ZT models use the latest Garrett GT20 turbocharger with T100 turbine wheel design. This new-generation unit moves away from traditional turbocharger configurations, which until now have been predominantly designed for diesel applications. The T100 is a dedicated petrol engine concept, shaped to work more effectively over the greater speed range of modern petrol engines such as the K Series. In order to retain good off-boost efficiency, a balanced combination of moderate boost pressures and a relatively high compression ratio is used.

The unit incorporates a special cast stainless steel exhaust manifold able to withstand temperatures of around 1000°C, with specially developed pistons and connecting rods, and an uprated oil pump.

Available in showrooms from early October, the new 1.8T models will carry on-the-road pricing from £18,970 for the ZT 160 saloon and £19,580 for the ZT+ 160. The ZT-T 160 estate starts at £19,935 and rises to £20,545 for the ZT-T+ 160.

For further information please contact:

Greg Allport, General Manager PR and Events

I'm in West Yorkshire and Brian is in Newcastle, the tunes we use are the ones for the standard ZT 1.8T so there's no issues to worry about.

These are applied with T4 the MG/Rover diagnostic machine not something you could do at home.

Although it's possible to get hold of tuning files and a lead off the internet unless you are careful you can turn your ECU into a useless brick, you are never sure if the files are good or bad or if they will work at all ;)

Russ

Thanks Russ, if its ok ill keep you in mind for if I plan to come your way, I was hoping for some where closer, but the few companies ive tried contacting haven't replied yet. I may have to plan some time out and travel to you. Can you let me know either on here or message me, time needed to do the remap, other than 8 bhp what else seems to improve going from stock r75 to stock ZT is their improvements you can do on from that,costs, notice required? I'm sure ill have more questions if visit. Thanks for all your help.

I am very grateful for all the reply and advice :bowdown: but im surprised there's not been any more people knowing of tuners/remappers in or near my area. i know, for most things, im out on a limb being in east Anglia. maybe im expecting too much? making things worse, the couple ive found "near" me haven't replied to my emails. Is someone trying to tell me something :mad: ?

I'm not far down the road from you (I'm near Sudbury) philt4 is I think the closest chap with the T4 setup and he put the 160 tune in my 75. Still a couple of hours down the road (he's in Olney iirc) but as I needed another key programmed as well it was a two birds, one stone thing. It's also worth plugging into a T4 if there are any features you want enabled or disabled.
There was a Rover Metro featured in PPC a year or two back fitted with a 1.8T and that was running 200 to 210bhp, but that was running an Emerald ecu.

no james , thats the diesels your thinking of... innit :D

Ok thanks, I actually live in sudbury too, I tend to put ipswich down as there's two Sudburys. Plus I spend most of my life in/based in ipswich for work. Can I ask what "features are enabled or disabled via t4? I cant think what I can change??

I'm soon travelling to Tamworth, Is there any T4 people or good re-mappers close to here. trouble is ill have the family with me so diverting too far off course might not be possible.

thanks all.

These guys http://www.rica-uk.com/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=801

Will get you 195 bhp & 260nm torque. At a price though...

or on the way back to suffolk??

Im no expert but that, from what i've read about remapping, seems a pretty poor return for a remap on a turbocharged engine, would have expected at least a 10-15% increse in power, or about 16-25 bhp.

Is that about the price of a new engine? :D

The answer I gave was in relation to a 1.8 VVC (MG TF 160) not my ZT 1.8 Turbo.

I know its only 8bhp, but with the smoother rev range, increased torque etc, you do feel its a lot more that 8bhp. I suppose it depends what people want, massive bhp is not for everyone. I personally like the increase torque from 2000rpm.

Exactly, 50BHP increase sounds good, but not always what were after. Im after a little more BHP say 10-20 BHP, but more importantly a smoother power curve, sharper responce etc. - just trying to slightly improve what we have!!

Well I can say the MG 160 tune suits the 75 tourer very well :drool4:
Much flatter torque curve and 13 extra horses ;)
Brian :D

That sounds good. Now need to decide om when, where and how much lol.

What other "features" are there to enable/disable?

Bathrobe Locking
Lazy Lock
Lazy Vent
Single Point Entry
Daytime Running Lamps
Headlamp Delay
Tail Lamp Delay
Number Plate Lamp Delay
Programmed Wash Wipe
Intelligent Wipe
One shot Drivers Window Down
One shot Drivers Window Up
Bathrobe Locking

Anything there take your fancy ?
Brian :D

Yep... Whats bathrode locking? Lazy lock and vent?

Can it do hold down fob key to total close? Or open?

One shot windows from driver control for all windows?

Bathrobe locking allows you to start the car with one key, and lock it with the other
Lazy lock, key in the drivers door turn to the lock position and hold, all windows and sunroof close, lazy vent is the polar opposite.
One shot open and close on drivers window only if fitted with anti trap.
Brian :D

Yes please ......the list of jobs are now increasing....one shot open and close and the lazy. (Not that Im lazy) :)

Ive just been reading back a bit and was wondering does anyone know why the cars left the factory with not so good power delivery/smothness, flat spots or sluggish throttle responce. I can inderstand resticting the BHP and torque for CO2 and tactically placing it lover than the V6's, but so many people have mentioned that even puting the mg zt on the r 75 improves it vastly.
:confused:

Because cars leave the factory with a standard map that has to cope with a range of extreme conditions and climates. All cars can be improved with a custom remap.

sorry to be dim Brek but have notice benefits on doing the Lower engine mount and Decat. I presume the mounts are to get centre of gravity lower? and the decat is self explanatory?
but why do Clutch Master Cylinder. Power VIS replaced.Thermostat housing?:confused:

Looks like I'm also going down to Portsmouth way soon, anyone down there able to do either mg remap or full modified remaps? or anyone arround the m25 area?

cheers

Sorry to raise this again but I'm going to Plymouthfrom Suffolk, any know of a remapper out that way?

Instead of selecting a mapper who happens to be located in the direction you are heading it would probably be better to research who is recommended, tried and tested.And then arrange a convenient time and date to visit them,even if that means going a little out of your way.

There is no lower engine mount, it is a stabiliser otherwise the engine would swing on the top two engine mounts like a pendulum. Nothing to do with centre of gravity. Forces involved, engine will try and turn in the opposite direction to the crankshaft, braking and acceleration will shift the lower engine backwards and forwards due to the mass of the engine. Stabiliser resists these forced, hence the reason why they fail.

True, ill probably go to ZandF, but just wondered if there was any that end of the country or on route that would of been recommended. I presumed people may of not mentioned them knowing im on the east coast.

Well I'm on the east coast :getmecoat:
Brian :p:

And highly recommended too :D

Don't know why, I haven't got a clue about rover 75 stuff :D
Brian :cool:

Just born lucky.. :p::D

Thanks for the info, your still 300 odd miles higher than me all though still on east coast
:)
Thanks vvc-geeza for your strong approval :D

If I do venture north(for me) ill pm you.
Thanks

think you will find that was on a mg tf and not turbo.turbo will produce bigger gains with remap,regards.

go and see z and f ex factory engineers.its a no brainer.all this about 195 bhp forget it.they will take it to approx 182 with far better torque as well,regards.