K series heads compatability

skellum · 18th August 2022, 21:15

Short version:
Could I take the head from a 135 TF and transplant it onto a ZT 120?

Both are 1.8 K series engines. As I understand it the TF 135 uses different cams, so would/ could the ZT need to be remapped?

And yes, there is a long and grim saga behind this question which I'm not going to bore you all with.

mbonwick · 19th August 2022, 21:40

Yes, the 135 and 120 heads are the same so can be swapped.

135 cams are a popular upgrade and give a useful power boost. With some light head modification (porting) you can easily get around 150bhp. The ECU will need to be remapped (easily doable) if fitting 135 cams, regardless if you port or not, as otherwise it will run rich and bog down.

18th August 2022, 21:15	#1
skellum Avid contributor MG ZT Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Stornoway Posts: 115 Thanks: 17 Thanked 41 Times in 27 Posts	K series heads compatability Short version: Could I take the head from a 135 TF and transplant it onto a ZT 120? Both are 1.8 K series engines. As I understand it the TF 135 uses different cams, so would/ could the ZT need to be remapped? And yes, there is a long and grim saga behind this question which I'm not going to bore you all with.

19th August 2022, 21:40	#2
mbonwick Gets stuck in Connoisseur SE 1.8 Auto Saloon Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Kendal Posts: 633 Thanks: 129 Thanked 176 Times in 147 Posts	Yes, the 135 and 120 heads are the same so can be swapped. 135 cams are a popular upgrade and give a useful power boost. With some light head modification (porting) you can easily get around 150bhp. The ECU will need to be remapped (easily doable) if fitting 135 cams, regardless if you port or not, as otherwise it will run rich and bog down.