120 v 160 pros and cons?

DJO · 11th May 2024, 08:23

There seems to be a lot of 1.8 ZTs about, both turbo and non-turbo.

I'm interested in people's experience with these? I used to have a V6 160 so I assume the turbo 1.8 would be similar performance to what I remember.

Is the non-turbo 120 a big drop in performance or only really noticeable at the top end, such as when your right foot feels heavy?

Cheers
David

SD1too · 11th May 2024, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJO

Is the non-turbo 120 a big drop in performance or only really noticeable at the top end, such as when your right foot feels heavy?

Quite the opposite in fact David!

Turbocharged engines produce a larger amount of torque at low engine speeds. The standard ZT 120 produces a maximum of 160 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The turbo version (ZT 160) reaches 215 Nm, a whopping 30% increase at the much lower and useable engine speed of 2,100 rpm.

Your MG 160 V6 produced just 15 Nm extra torque of 230 Nm but again at 4,000 rpm. The 1.8T would return much stronger acceleration without having to rev the engine.

Simon

Yorkshire GOC · 11th May 2024, 12:33

Had a 1.8t for 10 years - the car is still going strong in Lincolnshire - fine motor and fine performance - 5 years into ownership i had a KMAPS remap to 200bhp and she was even better. KMAPS advised the 1.8t was limited to 160bhp in the factory so as not to compete with the BMW series 3.

FLYING BANANA · 11th May 2024, 13:34

I’ve had my 1.8t for 14 years now. Been mapped. But my first ZT was a 1.8. When I bought Banana I noticed the difference in its pulling power.

oldie · 11th May 2024, 20:59

To what can a 1.8t be successfully mapped? What sort of performance can be obtained?

VVC-Geeza · 11th May 2024, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldie

To what can a 1.8t be successfully mapped? What sort of performance can be obtained?

200 - 210bhp is typical on standard internals but with a lot of money spent 350+ is achievable.The stock remap is very noticeable.

SteveThackery · 12th May 2024, 11:17

And I'm sure you've all informed your insurance companies, yes?

Yorkshire GOC · 12th May 2024, 12:57

Yup and Adrian Flux were fine about it - hardly any difference in price.

FLYING BANANA · 12th May 2024, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveThackery

And I'm sure you've all informed your insurance companies, yes?

Told my insurance company about all the modifications on Banana including it being mapped and the only concern they had was with the stainless steel exhaust. No idea why.

Lagetha · 12th May 2024, 16:19

I have a standard 1.8 only modification I have made is to replace the standard plastic throttle body with the alloy one from a 1.8t. Only did that because of strange readings on BigRuss' T4, and when he spoke to Marinabrian, he suggested I source an alloy unit. I don't know if it's placebo effect or what, whilst it is no racing car, it does seem to drive better, more power out of bends, and more responsive to throttle input.

* if you make this mod you need to ensure that cam cover breathing is maintained by not connecting the breather to the throttle body - it is blanked off on the 1.8t unit.

Sent from my Note 16 Pro using Tapatalk

11th May 2024, 08:23	#1
DJO Avid contributor Vauxhall Zafira Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Haywards Heath, West Sussex Posts: 241 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	120 v 160 pros and cons? There seems to be a lot of 1.8 ZTs about, both turbo and non-turbo. I'm interested in people's experience with these? I used to have a V6 160 so I assume the turbo 1.8 would be similar performance to what I remember. Is the non-turbo 120 a big drop in performance or only really noticeable at the top end, such as when your right foot feels heavy? Cheers David

11th May 2024, 12:33	#3
Yorkshire GOC I really should get out more....... Rover 75 connoisseur se v6 auto Join Date: May 2014 Location: Hull Posts: 2,079 Thanks: 1,842 Thanked 623 Times in 469 Posts	Had a 1.8t for 10 years - the car is still going strong in Lincolnshire - fine motor and fine performance - 5 years into ownership i had a KMAPS remap to 200bhp and she was even better. KMAPS advised the 1.8t was limited to 160bhp in the factory so as not to compete with the BMW series 3. __________________ She came off the Longbridge Line on 20-05-2003 The Silver Machine was the 13th of 160 Rover 75's to come off the production line that day and is the 100th of 527 Starlight Silver Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Auto saloons listed in the build records produced world wide.

11th May 2024, 13:34	#4
FLYING BANANA Moderator/Club Shop MG ZT 1.8t+. No.3 of 4 in Sunspot Yellow & Ford Fiesta in Black. Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Rattler Farm Posts: 22,610 Thanks: 9,270 Thanked 15,645 Times in 6,806 Posts	I’ve had my 1.8t for 14 years now. Been mapped. But my first ZT was a 1.8. When I bought Banana I noticed the difference in its pulling power. __________________ 233,730 onen hag oll

12th May 2024, 11:17	#7
SteveThackery Avid contributor Rover 75 Connoisseur SE saloon, 2.5 KV6 automatic, 2002, White Gold Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Nottingham Posts: 197 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	And I'm sure you've all informed your insurance companies, yes? __________________ If it ain't broke, keep fixing it until it is.

12th May 2024, 12:57	#8
Yorkshire GOC I really should get out more....... Rover 75 connoisseur se v6 auto Join Date: May 2014 Location: Hull Posts: 2,079 Thanks: 1,842 Thanked 623 Times in 469 Posts	Yup and Adrian Flux were fine about it - hardly any difference in price. __________________ She came off the Longbridge Line on 20-05-2003 The Silver Machine was the 13th of 160 Rover 75's to come off the production line that day and is the 100th of 527 Starlight Silver Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Auto saloons listed in the build records produced world wide.

11th May 2024, 20:59	#5
oldie Loves to post Connoisseur SE v8 auto '54 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: West Sussex Posts: 489 Thanks: 105 Thanked 56 Times in 41 Posts	To what can a 1.8t be successfully mapped? What sort of performance can be obtained?

12th May 2024, 16:19	#10
Lagetha Loves to post Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Bolton Posts: 318 Thanks: 180 Thanked 42 Times in 34 Posts	I have a standard 1.8 only modification I have made is to replace the standard plastic throttle body with the alloy one from a 1.8t. Only did that because of strange readings on BigRuss' T4, and when he spoke to Marinabrian, he suggested I source an alloy unit. I don't know if it's placebo effect or what, whilst it is no racing car, it does seem to drive better, more power out of bends, and more responsive to throttle input. * if you make this mod you need to ensure that cam cover breathing is maintained by not connecting the breather to the throttle body - it is blanked off on the 1.8t unit. Sent from my Note 16 Pro using Tapatalk __________________ I am Kevin, the car is my Viking shield-maiden, Lagetha! 2000 Rover 75 1.8 Classic SE in Moonstone Green/Black Leather seats and Sandstone Beige Interior (purchased 10 April 2022) 2002 Rover 25 2.0 IL TurboDiesel - gone but not forgotten, you can follow Deric's adventures on YouTube at Boaty's World and Project Nigel. AllegroMan is restoring Deric now. (Owned 25/10/2022-15/05/2023) Last edited by Lagetha; 12th May 2024 at 20:26..