Rover 216gti D16 Twin Cam
Discussion
Long time lurker, very occasional poster. A few weeks back I picked up a 1990 registered, Rover 216 gti with the D16 Honda D16 twin cam engine. It’s only just ticked over 30k miles and overall is in pretty good condition. All in all, a perfect little project car.
I owned a 220 gti turbo whilst I was at uni about 15 years ago now, I’d wanted one since my dad had a NASP M16 220 gti when I was maybe 9 or 10…those formative years left a fair old impression. Unfortunately for me the gti turbo was an absolute nail. I’d bought it from a demilitarised zone in Birmingham - which raised concerns that I duly ignored.
What I couldn’t ignore in the ensuing two or so years of ownership were the numerous, unrelenting and expensive problems that started to take the shine off the ownership experience, as well as all the cash out of my overdraft. I ended up selling it for barely anything and I don’t even have any photos of it, to my eternal shame.
In between those periods of unreliability, it was an absolute blast. Utterly full of character, much faster than anyone would expect and handled well. Once I’d figured out the crazy torque steer, that just became an endearing character trait that added to the madness of it all.
So fast forward 15 or so years, a healthy dose of nostalgia and a more comfortable lifestyle (that evidently could do with a bit more stress), has lead me here.
I went to view it in some barn fairly close to me. Evidently it had only been driven a few hundred miles each year for the past 10 years and had otherwise been left to sit in a barn. The MOT history is mainly green, a few advisories here and there and a couple of fails. The last MOT passed fine with a couple of advisories on tyres and brakes but nothing to be too concerned about.
Superficially the car presents well, with no rust on the rear arches, doors etc. but a closer inspection does show some attention will be needed. Despite not covering many miles and having lived a sheltered life, it didn’t seem to be particularly loved. When I viewed the car it clearly hadn’t been cleaned in years and generally looked a little sad.
When I got it home I gave it a good degreasing and a proper wash to see what I was actually dealing with. I was relieved that the previous owner hadn’t tried to clean it, so it was delivered to me with a decade or so film of barn detritus on it.
In short it’s pretty good but there are areas of attention. Various trim bits around the windows look very tired and could do with replacing or painting. I replaced the dubious alloys it came on with a set of MG 11 spokes and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.
The bonnet as a rust bubble on the front near the Rover badge, appears to have been washed with sandpaper given the deep swirl marks and is also catching the windscreen wipers, as these are an incorrect figment.
With the car up on ramps, the front subframe needs replacing, so I’ll need to find somewhere that has some reconditioned or new ones. The sills will want some de-rusting and inside the rear arches are starting to look a bit scabby, despite the outer body work around the rear arches looking perfect.
The brakes are also terrifying, I’ve started to source parts for an OEM+ upgrade. I have a set of MG ZR160 callipers, carriers and Mtec discs to go on, for the front and rear. I’ll need to order up a set of pads, currently debating which one (maybe Tarox Strada or EBC, something along those lines). The callipers will be sent off for a refurb, I’ll be hunting down braided lines, and I need to source some MG ZR160 backing plates for the front. Once I’ve got all of that sorted, I’ll be far happier.
It’s booked in for a cam belt service in a couple of weeks, so at the moment it’s just being kept tucked away in the garage.
On my brief test drive, I was really pleased with the D16 twin cam, it’s really spritely and eager to rev. A lot of character for an old four pot. It starts on the button and just works, so far so Honda. The suspension is clearly tired, the ride is really bouncy, I suspect the shock absorbers have given up absorbing and most if not all of the bushes are well past their best.
Despite all that it still handles very sweetly, there’s a really good, fun car under there waiting to be freshened up.
So the plans prior to winter are:
Cam belt service
Subframe
Sills
Deep clean the interior - it currently smells like the inside of Grandpapas coffin
Whilst the subframe is dropped I’ll probably have most / all of the bushes replaced. I may have to go after market polybushes depending on what is still available off the shelf but that’s ok. The underside will be getting a full de-rusting and wax oil (or similar). It’ll be SORNed and kept in the garage over winter to be kind to the old thing.
Next year I’ll start addressing the less pressing things: the 4x4 ride height, the tatty bonnet, some of the window trim. And of course, generally just enjoying it.
I may be the worlds worst photographer but I’ll see if I can get some (terrible) pics uploaded
Thanks for reading, will update as and when things get done. If anyone has any advice or general Rover stories I’d love to hear them. Cheers, Oli.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/XfzuCp9L.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/4Tcp1UDJ" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/4Tcp1UDJ.jpg)
I owned a 220 gti turbo whilst I was at uni about 15 years ago now, I’d wanted one since my dad had a NASP M16 220 gti when I was maybe 9 or 10…those formative years left a fair old impression. Unfortunately for me the gti turbo was an absolute nail. I’d bought it from a demilitarised zone in Birmingham - which raised concerns that I duly ignored.
What I couldn’t ignore in the ensuing two or so years of ownership were the numerous, unrelenting and expensive problems that started to take the shine off the ownership experience, as well as all the cash out of my overdraft. I ended up selling it for barely anything and I don’t even have any photos of it, to my eternal shame.
In between those periods of unreliability, it was an absolute blast. Utterly full of character, much faster than anyone would expect and handled well. Once I’d figured out the crazy torque steer, that just became an endearing character trait that added to the madness of it all.
So fast forward 15 or so years, a healthy dose of nostalgia and a more comfortable lifestyle (that evidently could do with a bit more stress), has lead me here.
I went to view it in some barn fairly close to me. Evidently it had only been driven a few hundred miles each year for the past 10 years and had otherwise been left to sit in a barn. The MOT history is mainly green, a few advisories here and there and a couple of fails. The last MOT passed fine with a couple of advisories on tyres and brakes but nothing to be too concerned about.
Superficially the car presents well, with no rust on the rear arches, doors etc. but a closer inspection does show some attention will be needed. Despite not covering many miles and having lived a sheltered life, it didn’t seem to be particularly loved. When I viewed the car it clearly hadn’t been cleaned in years and generally looked a little sad.
When I got it home I gave it a good degreasing and a proper wash to see what I was actually dealing with. I was relieved that the previous owner hadn’t tried to clean it, so it was delivered to me with a decade or so film of barn detritus on it.
In short it’s pretty good but there are areas of attention. Various trim bits around the windows look very tired and could do with replacing or painting. I replaced the dubious alloys it came on with a set of MG 11 spokes and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.
The bonnet as a rust bubble on the front near the Rover badge, appears to have been washed with sandpaper given the deep swirl marks and is also catching the windscreen wipers, as these are an incorrect figment.
With the car up on ramps, the front subframe needs replacing, so I’ll need to find somewhere that has some reconditioned or new ones. The sills will want some de-rusting and inside the rear arches are starting to look a bit scabby, despite the outer body work around the rear arches looking perfect.
The brakes are also terrifying, I’ve started to source parts for an OEM+ upgrade. I have a set of MG ZR160 callipers, carriers and Mtec discs to go on, for the front and rear. I’ll need to order up a set of pads, currently debating which one (maybe Tarox Strada or EBC, something along those lines). The callipers will be sent off for a refurb, I’ll be hunting down braided lines, and I need to source some MG ZR160 backing plates for the front. Once I’ve got all of that sorted, I’ll be far happier.
It’s booked in for a cam belt service in a couple of weeks, so at the moment it’s just being kept tucked away in the garage.
On my brief test drive, I was really pleased with the D16 twin cam, it’s really spritely and eager to rev. A lot of character for an old four pot. It starts on the button and just works, so far so Honda. The suspension is clearly tired, the ride is really bouncy, I suspect the shock absorbers have given up absorbing and most if not all of the bushes are well past their best.
Despite all that it still handles very sweetly, there’s a really good, fun car under there waiting to be freshened up.
So the plans prior to winter are:
Cam belt service
Subframe
Sills
Deep clean the interior - it currently smells like the inside of Grandpapas coffin
Whilst the subframe is dropped I’ll probably have most / all of the bushes replaced. I may have to go after market polybushes depending on what is still available off the shelf but that’s ok. The underside will be getting a full de-rusting and wax oil (or similar). It’ll be SORNed and kept in the garage over winter to be kind to the old thing.
Next year I’ll start addressing the less pressing things: the 4x4 ride height, the tatty bonnet, some of the window trim. And of course, generally just enjoying it.
I may be the worlds worst photographer but I’ll see if I can get some (terrible) pics uploaded
Thanks for reading, will update as and when things get done. If anyone has any advice or general Rover stories I’d love to hear them. Cheers, Oli.
Gosh I forgot they did a saloon as well. I had a few of the 3 door GTi’s back in the day. The last one in about 2000 which was our chip shop car for a few years. Much preferred them to the 220GTi that came along later. The Honda engine is a gem to thrash along and bullet proof. The lower torque is more gentle on the gearbox as well. They were well built, stylish, comfortable and cheap to run. One of Rovers finest. Enjoy.
tvrfan007 said:
Two tone with Tempest grey!
The two tone has massively grown on me as has the pinkish trim insert - which may well have been a bit more red back in the day!Agreed on the spats, will take a closer look but unfortunately even when sheltered these old Rovers seem to attract rust. Will be aiming to get a handle on it all though!
A B16 conversion would be ace, though I think as with all things, maybe not as cost effective as it once was.
bigmowley said:
The Honda engine is a gem to thrash along and bullet proof. The lower torque is more gentle on the gearbox as well. They were well built, stylish, comfortable and cheap to run. One of Rovers finest. Enjoy.
Thanks! So far it’s living up to my memories very nicely. One of the main draws was just how small and biddable it is compared to more modern stuff. I have an M4 as a daily which feels centuries ahead in terms of tech and build but it doesn’t have that unfiltered joy and clarity that older, less encumbered cars do. Being able to use the performance for more than two seconds will also be welcome!helix402 said:
I remember watching these race alongside the Honda versions many years ago. At scrutineering they were all checked for power and gave consistent figures (130hp if I remember correctly). Lovely engine. Please bin the wheels and sort the ride height!
The ride height is frankly laughable. Definitely one the list! Those MG wheels were a must buy to replace some truly ghastly Caliber wheels. At the moment they get the car rolling without me cringing too hard but yes, will absolutely be sorting something more correct. The MG wheels are also unbelievably heavy. I have a set of 20 inch HRE alloys on my M4 with 285 tyres on rear. I’ll have to weigh both at some point, I would not be surprised if the 17 inch MG wheels with 205 section rubber is heavier!curvature said:
Great to see one of these still on the road.
I remember having a 220 gti as a hire car at work in the early nineties. Being young and stupid I took it up to an indicated 135mph! It would also smoke the tyres if you floored it from a junction.
That’s my memory??
I remember having a 220 gti as a hire car at work in the early nineties. Being young and stupid I took it up to an indicated 135mph! It would also smoke the tyres if you floored it from a junction.
That’s my memory??
ConnectionError said:
Found memories of mine, a 91 twin cam gti
Watching with interest
Thanks both! It’s definitely been a fun trip down memory lane so far. How many left were registering around 30-odd 216gti’s taxed and another 100 or so SORNed, so getting to be a rare sight. I think that adds to the fun and also a little obligation to try and keep this one as healthy as possible. Watching with interest
Om said:
As for the Gti I had a 3 door 220Gti in metallic BRG. Great car if not the most reliable engine... Obligatory crappy picture:
Wow that looks great! I think time (and now rarity) has been kind to the design of the R8 Rover, especially in 3/5 door Gti spec. So many people have good memories of these old Rover’s, and it gets a lot of positive attention on the road too.
Mr Tidy said:
But those wheels look gash!
Ha! Yep, you’ll have to believe me that they are far more palatable than the wheels I bought it with. They were some kind of Caliber thing, but not a Rover fitment, so way too wide. The tyres were a mismatch of brands, widths and profiles. So had to go immediately. The MG 11 spokes were local-ish and still circular, so will fulfil a need for now. A proper set of wheels is on the shopping list though!
Here’s a screen grab from how many left, so definitely getting rare. I think there may be a few more SOHC’s out there, but the numbers aren’t huge.
I had one of those but a 3 door in black, with 5 spoke Rover wheels, looked great and was a nice change from the roller skate CRX I had before it!
I got rid of it quite quickly as the wheelbase was an inch shorter on one side than the other
It is nice to see cars like this still on the road makes a nice change from diesel Audi/ BMW or now Teslas!
I got rid of it quite quickly as the wheelbase was an inch shorter on one side than the other
It is nice to see cars like this still on the road makes a nice change from diesel Audi/ BMW or now Teslas!
Had a black over grey version of that also H plate. Probably the sweetest 4 pot I've owned, would spin round to the red line and it still felt as though it had another 2000rpm to go, didn't sound harsh or strained. Changed to a 220 coupe non turbo and that engine was so rough in comparison, never wanted to go anywhere near the red line is sounded so bad - I think that engine was Rover's own but could be wrong.
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