Rover 200 BRM - 1.8 K-Series turbo project

Rover 200 BRM - 1.8 K-Series turbo project

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Stuballs

Original Poster:

218 posts

101 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
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dom9 said:
Didn't they have an engine fire recently on the dyno? Can't blame them for being cautious!

Great to see it running - I rather like that power curve smile
Yeah fuel line popped off a car they were mapping. Took them out of action for 3 weeks!

RumbleOfThunder

3,554 posts

203 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
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Get it on some proper oil and see how it goes mate.

227bhp

10,203 posts

128 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
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Stuballs said:
227bhp said:
Lol, that's not a steep power curve, it is linear though so will probably suit a FWD car.
The only thing which would have stopped me doing the full map on that is the tapping, apart from that there is no reason why it couldn't have been done. The engine is almost fully run in now anyhow, half an hour of acceleration and deceleration, some max rpm and it's done, end of story, it isn't opinion, it's fact.

You will have thought about the obvious and it isn't something internally hitting something it shouldn't?
Did you keep the performance cams in?
I meant steep at the top as in it isn't starting to fall off. Yep still has the hig-lift cams in. I'm going to have a go with a mechanics stethoscope to see if I can isolate the noise.

The noise shouldn't be parts colliding as there's a couple of mm piston-valve clearance and the rods were not fouling the liner or piston skirt when I built it (again, loads of clearance). It also doesn't get better or worse with temperature.

To me it sounds like top end. Could it be the aggressive ramp with the relatively low duration and high high lift cams? Or maybe the Rover hydraulic followers don't like the running-in oil...
Those stethoscope things aren't very good or easy to use, especially in this situation, the noise resonates throughout the engine and you can't put the tip of the thing on a cam shaft.
I can't be bothered to go back along all the pages of highs and lows in this thread, but seem to remember solid lifters being mentioned, I don't know this engine, but surely someone will know what to recommend? It isn't a bucket being pushed so far it's hitting something is it? I can't imagine CRO 10/40 being a problem and the noise would change with the oil temp so it sounds like it's not oil related.

HughG

3,547 posts

241 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
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Stuballs said:
I meant steep at the top as in it isn't starting to fall off. Yep still has the hig-lift cams in. I'm going to have a go with a mechanics stethoscope to see if I can isolate the noise.

The noise shouldn't be parts colliding as there's a couple of mm piston-valve clearance and the rods were not fouling the liner or piston skirt when I built it (again, loads of clearance). It also doesn't get better or worse with temperature.

To me it sounds like top end. Could it be the aggressive ramp with the relatively low duration and high high lift cams? Or maybe the Rover hydraulic followers don't like the running-in oil...
Its not something like cam lobe on the cam cover is it? I have had that problem with a pinto and race cam in the past.

bgunn

1,417 posts

131 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
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If the base circle of the cams is significantly smaller than original, the lifters will sit in a different static position when inflated - there was issues of misalignment of the oil drillings in the head that would cause this issue.

DVA's website details it, involves a bit of burr action on the ends of the drillings in the lifter tubes.

If you're running hydraulic lifters and they're clattering to the point that the dyno operator is worried about the engine, I wouldn't be running it until you've fixed it. You're losing valve lift, if nothing else.

Stuballs

Original Poster:

218 posts

101 months

Friday 25th November 2016
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bgunn said:
If the base circle of the cams is significantly smaller than original, the lifters will sit in a different static position when inflated - there was issues of misalignment of the oil drillings in the head that would cause this issue.
Thats a actually a really good shout. I'd heard that before but forgotten all about it. It can also be caused by the head itself just being drilled wrong. Easy to test for this - rocker cover off and see if any followers can be pushed down when cam is at fully closed (lobe pointing away).

I'd not heard the fix though. Head off yet again if that is the cause. It would actually be easier to fit solid followers. Taking the head off is now an epic task with my new exhaust manifold (that's why I fitted everything to the engine before fitting the engine in the car).

Solid lifters would also not be that much more expensive when you factor in the cost of new head gasket and bolt set. Plus other gaskets, sealants and fresh coolant.

If the aggressive ramp on the cams (low duration and high lift) is causing the cams to -"pump-out", the only fix for that is new cams or sold lifters.

It's not a cam lobe fouling something - the head has been stripped previously and no sign of any contact.

I've found a couple of examples of vvc heads having excessive clearance in the cam bearing surfaces, which allows a slight wobble of the camshaft. I suppose it could be that. I'd have to whip the cams out and measure. If it is that, it's time for a new head.

Googolplex

1 posts

122 months

Saturday 11th February 2017
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Stuballs said:
Thats a actually a really good shout. I'd heard that before but forgotten all about it. It can also be caused by the head itself just being drilled wrong. Easy to test for this - rocker cover off and see if any followers can be pushed down when cam is at fully closed (lobe pointing away).

....
I've been reading your rollercoaster ride as if it were the newest Dan Brown novel. Man what a story.

How's the progress going? Or have you switched to a different topic. Hope all is well! Greetings, a fellow BRM owner and driver beer

Stuballs

Original Poster:

218 posts

101 months

Saturday 11th February 2017
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Googolplex said:
I've been reading your rollercoaster ride as if it were the newest Dan Brown novel. Man what a story.

How's the progress going? Or have you switched to a different topic. Hope all is well! Greetings, a fellow BRM owner and driver beer
Greetings fellow BRM'er!

It's been fairly quiet since I don't want to drive it on salt-covered roads and makes the rust any worse before the respray in July.

She's currently in bits again too as the tubular manifold warped slightly and develop a leak. The manifold-turbo gasket also disintegrated! I had to take the whole front end off to get to all the bolts! While it's off its going to zircotec for ceramic coating.

One I have the manifold back I'll finish the running in then go back to Emerald for full mapping.

227bhp

10,203 posts

128 months

Saturday 11th February 2017
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Where was the manifold warping and leaking?

Stuballs

Original Poster:

218 posts

101 months

Saturday 11th February 2017
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227bhp said:
Where was the manifold warping and leaking?
By cylinder 1 head mating surface. To be honest I suspect the surface wasn't completely flat to start with although it wasn't actually blowing initially. When I got it all off the blow there was minor compared to the blown gasket with the turbo. I had it wrapped so the extra heat won't have helped.

I've had it skimmed by Modus Engineering in Tunbridge Wells now and it's completely flat.

Planning on running the manifold-turbo join without a gasket now.


Hugh Jarse

3,502 posts

205 months

Saturday 11th February 2017
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why not use a soft metal sheet instead of no gasket, such as pure copper, aluminium. BTW im no expert in this area, just a thought.

227bhp

10,203 posts

128 months

Saturday 11th February 2017
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Stuballs said:
227bhp said:
Where was the manifold warping and leaking?
By cylinder 1 head mating surface. To be honest I suspect the surface wasn't completely flat to start with although it wasn't actually blowing initially. When I got it all off the blow there was minor compared to the blown gasket with the turbo. I had it wrapped so the extra heat won't have helped.

I've had it skimmed by Modus Engineering in Tunbridge Wells now and it's completely flat.

Planning on running the manifold-turbo join without a gasket now.
It's less likely to blow against the head as they are usually more flexible and well bolted, be aware (if you're thinking of spending on coatings) that if it's the heat which has done that then it's possible it will do it again. Some gaskets are better than others, some have a steel ring around the exhaust port which are good, even MLS are available with a soft core for some cars too.

Have you checked the turbo flange for straight? I guess you would, I found they bow with the heat and then it burns the gasket out.

Stuballs

Original Poster:

218 posts

101 months

Saturday 11th February 2017
quotequote all
227bhp said:
It's less likely to blow against the head as they are usually more flexible and well bolted, be aware (if you're thinking of spending on coatings) that if it's the heat which has done that then it's possible it will do it again. Some gaskets are better than others, some have a steel ring around the exhaust port which are good, even MLS are available with a soft core for some cars too.

Have you checked the turbo flange for straight? I guess you would, I found they bow with the heat and then it burns the gasket out.
Flanges at turbo are both flat. I think it was just a duff gasket. Replacement gasket at head is a genuine land rover item with the steel rings you mention so hopefully that will help.

The wrap held in an awful lot of heat. I'm hoping the ceramic coating is a good halfway-house.

Stuballs

Original Poster:

218 posts

101 months

Sunday 19th February 2017
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Manifold back from zircotec and fitted:











Pics taken before I actually finished putting it back together but you get the idea! Thankfully the manifold doesn't leak. I was worried it might still blow between mani and turbo now I'm running that joint gasket-less but it's all good. Fingers crossed it stays like that!

One I've got the MOT done (which ran out while it was VOR) I can finish running in and get back to Emerald for a proper map before summer! You will recall it's currently only mapped for half throttle and 5KRPM so it'll be nice to open the taps a bit.

Shadow R1

3,800 posts

176 months

Sunday 19th February 2017
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Great update. smile

Willfin

295 posts

178 months

Wednesday 22nd March 2017
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Read the whole lot and its an epic thread! Just done a rebuild on my TVR recently and love an engine rebuild story!

Did you solve the head noise if its ready for the remap soon? Have you gone solid lifters?

Where are going to for the remap?

Im off to JDM soon for my remap once my engine is run in.

Stuballs

Original Poster:

218 posts

101 months

Sunday 26th March 2017
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Willfin said:
Read the whole lot and its an epic thread! Just done a rebuild on my TVR recently and love an engine rebuild story!

Did you solve the head noise if its ready for the remap soon? Have you gone solid lifters?

Where are going to for the remap?

Im off to JDM soon for my remap once my engine is run in.
Thanks smile

Although I'd have preferred one less rebuild in this particular tale wink

Never solved the noisy head issue. It's annoying as hell though. Embarrassing too. Runs fine just sounds like a diesel. I have sourced a low mileage unskimmed vvc head which I'll fit at some point. Couldn't go solid lifters as that would have required new cams. I'll probably go milder on the cams when I fit the new head but I'll decide on that nearer the time.

Engine has just over 1,000 miles on it now. Mapping is this Wednesday and going direct to Emerald again. Staying with low boost for now though.

I'll post up results.



S2WYA

498 posts

198 months

Monday 27th March 2017
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Always loved the look of these and I must say this is the best one I have seen! Good work man,

RumbleOfThunder

3,554 posts

203 months

Monday 27th March 2017
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Hope all goes well, balls of stu.

TheDukeGTi

202 posts

136 months

Monday 27th March 2017
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Enjoyed reading your thread, despite the difficulties you've had. Good luck with the rest of the run-in. Looking forward to seeing the final results!