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8th February 2019, 11:36 | #1 |
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Rover 75 2.5 V6 Saloon Spectre Join Date: Feb 2019
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Rover 75 2.5 V6 tuning
Dear all,
Being new on this forum I hope to be to get familiar with the forum, get acquainted and make progress to bring my newly acquired rover in good condition again. Recently I managed to buy a Rover 75 2.5 V6 manual in Spectre, pretty rare being no. 8 out of 9 in this disguise. Already my 7th Rover. It was difficult to judge the car, battery was flat and it was parked pretty tight. It probably needs a new fuel pump and the head gaskets are blown. My garage will make a first judgement of the car and than we will talk it over. He probably has a used V6 that can be used for the first overhaul. This will be the main focus for now. Here also appears the first question. I am considering a limited tuning and are wondering which technical changes are feasible without changing originality too much (remapping via Kmaps? , adding MG inlet? etc.). Hope the forum can be of help. Later I am thinking of adding the handbrake compensator change (if still available), upgrading the High line navigation and turn the interior in good shape. Warm regards, Rob |
8th February 2019, 12:03 | #2 |
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If I were you I’d get the engine sorted to factory spec (get a second opinion on the head gaskets, they rarely fail on a kv6) And enjoy it for what it is, the v6 was never a fast motor, enjoy its smoothness and exhaust note.
If you try and tune it too much you compromise the reliability.
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8th February 2019, 12:16 | #3 |
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Welcome to the fountain of knowledge on anything 75/ZT related.
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8th February 2019, 13:01 | #4 |
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Rover 75 2.5 V6 in Wedgwood Blue Join Date: Dec 2015
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As the Dark Lords Of The V6 have already said, the KV6 isn't an Alfa or a BMW lump, although it is (known issues aside) a reasonably reliable, easily fixed and nice-sounding one. Think about a K&N panel filter or cold-air induction kit (depending on how much under-bonnet sucking you like the sound of) and a stainless-steel cat back exhaust. The system can afford to lose the middle silencer box and stay legal and a custom build can do something about that ridiculous bend where the rear box joins. Again it depends what sort of sound you're looking for. Once past that you're spending a lot of money for not very much change.
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8th February 2019, 15:32 | #5 | |
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Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007
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Hi Rob and to the club.
Trikey is right on the button with his advice to you. In addition: I disagree with you on both those points. The fuel pump on the petrol engines is extremely reliable. Why do you think it is faulty? I doubt very much that the head gaskets have failed. Did the garage tell you that? If so, what are the fault symptoms leading them to that conclusion? Quote:
My advice to you on engine tuning is don't! If you're that way inclined, forget the 75 and buy a ZT instead. Simon
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8th February 2019, 18:23 | #6 |
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Rover 75 2.5 V6 Saloon Spectre Join Date: Feb 2019
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Agreed
Thank you all for the reactions. I realise that I didn't mention the whole story, sorry for that. I am totally not familiair with forum discussions.
As I am more on the cruising and confort side, I think I accept the general opinion. I was just looking for a small touch of extra respons and maybe fuel economy, the K&N seems pretty simple. I rather not change the exhaust. The car has run appr. 125.000 Miles. My experience with my former 75 CDTI was that the endurance of the fuel pump was between 100 - 125 Miles, so that fits the picture. Also the garage of the former owner diagnoses fuel pump failure. The car had to be towed away. By the way, I drove and maintained the Diesel up to 310.000 Miles, and it needed a fuelpump change if I remember it right 3 times. Furthermore, the car was diagnosed for overheating. The reason for overheating was not found yet, probably further investigation was blocked by the fuel pump failure. When I checked the cooling fluid level, from above it was empty. So further investigation seems necessary before making next steps. As relialibilty is important to me, I want to be at the safe side and that is the reason that I am considering a new HG, of course after diagnosing the course of overheating first... Main focus for now is bring the car mechanically in good running order and see what other issues must be adressed. The leather interior is for sure one of the issues. Warm regards, Rob |
8th February 2019, 18:46 | #7 | |
same car since 2005
2001 Rover 75 2.0 v6 Connoisseur Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006
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Quote:
The also common problem for coolant loss is leakage from the plastic thermostat assembly in the vee of the engine ; look for coolant stains in the vee . I really wouldn't touch the head gaskets if they are ok .
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Who said it was simples ? |
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8th February 2019, 18:55 | #8 |
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Thnx, that is very usefull Information!
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8th February 2019, 21:16 | #9 |
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The tuning level depends on your budget, non turbo engines will not see the same results as turbo engines BUT you can still improve them. The last ZS180 I did found about 12bhp & 15lbft from the remap.
Best results on the KV6 though come from getting the VIS motors working right, they make a serious torque improvement to the low/mid range. The below shows a ZS180 with some VIS motor/wiring issues so the owner wanted some improvement to keep him going until his new engine etc is ready. |
9th February 2019, 07:57 | #10 |
Doesn't do things by halves
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When you get the engine running again you should check that the radiator fan is working properly. It's very likely that it isn't and, coupled with possible loss of coolant in the 'V' as Chris has explained, will lead to overheating and the inevitable incorrect diagnosis that a head gasket is responsible. Here's how to check the fan's operation:
Regarding the fuel filter, there's lots of information available about this common problem by searching for 'orange clip' or 'FFS' (Fuel Filter Syndrome). You'll read that the filter does not need replacing, simply tightening and securing. Regarding engine response and fuel consumption, check your VIS actuators (Variable Intake System). There are two and the 'balance' actuator, if unresponsive or if the flap valve is sticky, makes the engine feel as if it has lost a litre of capacity! Even when running at peak efficiency, the KV6 will not sip fuel. Simon
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"Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce. Last edited by SD1too; 9th February 2019 at 08:05.. |
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