KV6 Tuning

[Neil Loud Fer and Labrat]

Ok guys tell me
am I right in thinking that the V6 K series is equally viable as an engine to tune?

tell me about it!

[Rob Bell]

Been reading/thinking about this topic for some time (as you do).

Like the K16 engines, the KV6 responds particularly well to a decent air filter modification - preferably enclosed ala ITG. A BIG gain can apparently be had by fitting a half decent exhaust manifold - the one on the KV6 is, I am told, a pile of poo.

Regarding head tuning - interestingly, the KV6 head configuration shares a lot in common with the VHPD! But, yes, some sensible porting and valve enlargement can result in some impressive gains on this engine. I've seen on such head on Dave Andrew's porting bench! Estimated power was something in the region of 300bhp once the engine was rebuilt and a couple of other tasty modifications were undertaken

QED are also very involved in tuning the KV6 too...

So yeah, it's a viable engine to tune!

[TimW]

One of the Z boys is getting some new cams put into his KV6 by DaveA. I must ask how it's going...

[ScarletFever]

George at RSM is the current KV6 guru, he has a number of engine options up to 300bhp and including a 250bhp nitrous version!

The biggest problem with the KV6 is that it is mated to the PG1 gearbox in the ZS 180 and the Getrag gearbox in the ZT 190, both of which are operating towards the upper levels.

So, in a Zed car the KV6 work has been limited by what the gearbox can handle rather than what is possible. George reckons 250bhp in a ZS is fine, any more than this is pushing it (incedentally MGR don't recommend any more than 180 for the ZS (PG1) and 190 for the ZT (Getrag) - the forthcoming ZT220 uses an automatic gearbox).

QED and Piper do stuff (George uses thier kit) for the KV6 - it's an engine with a lot of untapped potential IMO.

[Concorde]

New boy on the block

I have a ZS180 and heard a lot about tuning the beast but nobody seems top be able to substantiate their claims of extraordinary power gains etc.

One claim is for 215bhp by adding induction kit, cat back and chipping!

Do you guys have any REAL information on what is possible?

I would have thought this engine easily capable of 200bhp in manufacture guise but MG/Rover seem to limit it to 160/180 & 190ps. What are the differences in the three versions? Is it all in the ECU? Does the 190 have different cams?

I am considering starting with an induction kit, the Maxogen offering seems to have addressed the 'heat under the bonnet' problems best thuogh it is more expensive. However I am concerned about water ingress. I have seen pictures of a fit using the fog light position to give some sort of ram air effect to the cold air feed, is this a bit risky?

Who can I contact for further advice?

Thanks in advance

[Rob Bell]

Hi Concorde,

Firstly, welcome to the forum!

Your questions raise some very important points - chief among them being independent validation of claims - one of the reasons that I go back to trusted RR all the time. While a RR doesn't give you the full story, and sometimes the results from a RR can be distorted to suit the person conducting the tests, it can nonetheless provide verification of what works and what doesn't.

What works on the KV6, as fitted to the ZS180, is a decent air intake system. Kev has this on his ZS180, and on Dave Walker's extremely accurate and reproducible RR, gave a very healthy improvement in power - I think that he now sees in excess of 190bhp (with a better back box etc). That he did this using a Rover 820 airbox is simply stunning - you don't necessarily need the expense of the Maxogen, but without doubt, the maxogen does give you a ready made and ready to fit option. But if you were a fan of Blue Peter as a child, the Rover 820 airbox option is very easy to do!

Unfortunatly, 215bhp is simply not possible without more serious work - and I think that would have to include a much better exhaust manifold.

The difference between the 180 and 190 appears to be primarily breathing (the ZT190 has a much more efficient intake design) and to some extent, different mapping. The ZT190 map can be applied at your dealership to your ZS180 - assuming that they are agreeable! The cams for the two engines are, apparently, identical.

If you want to chat to fellow ZS180 enthusiasts, the best forum I know of that caters for most of them is the X-Power forum. Look out ZSV6 (Kev) and 180Boy (Eddie).

Hope that helps!