Rover K-series engine

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Rover K-series
Cooling system		Water-cooled
Output
Power output	60–192 PS (44–141 kW; 59–189 hp)
Torque output	124–128 lb⋅ft (168–174 N⋅m)
Chronology
Predecessor	BMC A-series engine Rover T-series engine BL O-series engine
Successor	SAIC Kavachi engine

The Rover K-series engine is a series of

, ranging from 1.1 to 1.8 L; 67.9 to 109.6 cu in (1,113 to 1,796 cc).

Design history

The K series was introduced in 1988 by

, but these were replaced by liners made by Goetze. Unfortunately a large number of aftermarket engines, the so-called "VHPDs", were built with the old substandard GKN liners by Minister, Lotus and PTP well after the introduction of the Goetze liners to production in 2000.

The engine was introduced initially in 1.1-litre

SU Carburettor

company. They also included aluminium and larger sized bodies.

The four-cylinder engines were held together as a sandwich of components by long through-bolts which held the engine under compression, though this construction is not unknown, and was used in early lightweight fighter engines from the First World War. It had also been used in motorcycle engines and Triumph's "Sabrina" Le Mans race engine.^[2][3]

The two types of head that were bolted to the common four-cylinder block were designated K8 (8 valves) and K16 (16 valves). A later head design also incorporated a Rover-designed Variable Valve Control (VVC) unit (derived from an expired AP patent). This allowed more power to be developed without compromising low-speed torque and flexibility. The VVC system constantly alters the inlet cam period, resulting in a remarkably flexible drive: the torque curve of a VVC K-series engine is virtually flat throughout the rev range and power climbs steadily with no fall-off whatsoever until the rev limiter kicks in at 7,200 rpm.^{[citation needed]}

Following the collapse of

in 2005, the K Series engine started a new and rather interesting chapter in its history. Two separate re-developments of the engine were taking place by at the time two rival Chinese car firms.^{[citation needed]}

The Chinese automaker Nanjing Automobile (NAC) purchased the assets of MG Rover and in doing so acquired use of the Longbridge plant and the intellectual property rights and production tooling to many designs, including those of the K series engine.^{[citation needed]}

With the help of Lotus Engineering, NAC went on to produce the N Series an improved version of the K Series with redesigned headgasket and oil rail built on the original tooling.^{[citation needed]}

This engine featured in the relaunched MG TF in the UK and the MG3 SW and MG7 in China. Contrary to popular belief, the N Series was never fitted to the

]

When the MG TF ceased production for the final time in 2011, so did the N Series.^[citation needed]

The second development was by the larger Chinese conglomerate SAIC Motor. SAIC had also previously purchased the rights and blueprints to several of MG Rovers designs. Whilst they had the necessary knowhow they didn't have any tooling so had to essentially reverse engineer their version of the engine.^{[citation needed]}

The advantage of this was it allowed Ricardo 2010, the company tasked by SAIC to carry out development the opportunity to improve the engine in a number of areas.^{[citation needed]}

The main areas of improvement included the head being redesigned to improve the waterways and structural rigidity and the block was also strengthened.^{[citation needed]}

All new tooling was used in its production and the quality of materials and that of the aluminium casting process created a much more substantial update than that of the N Series.^{[citation needed]}

This new engine would go on to power the Roewe 750, the Roewe 550 and later after the two firms NAC and SAIC merged, The

]

Engine management

K8 engine

Early K8 engines used a single SU KIF

Single-point injection

became standard with the launch of the Rover 100 in 1994.

K16

K16 models used

sequential injection

.

Model range

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1100

Rover Metro

Quest

All 1100 engines displace 1.1 L; 67.9 cu in (1,113 cc) with bore X stroke of 75 mm × 63 mm. Four variations were created:

• SOHC K8 8-valve, Carburettor, 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp)
• SOHC K8 8-valve, SPI, 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp)
• SOHC K8 8-valve, MPI, 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp)
• DOHC K16 16-valve, MPI, 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)

Cars that came with the 1100:

• Rover Metro
• Rover 100
• Rover 200
• Rover 25

1400

DOHC K-series engine in a MG ZR

Engine Codes: 14K2F (8V), 14K4F (16V), 14K16 (16V)?

All 1400 engines displace 1.4 L; 85.2 cu in (1,396 cc) with bore X stroke of 75 mm × 79 mm (2.95 in × 3.11 in) and have DOHC, 16 valves and MPI. Six variations were created:

• SOHC K8 8-valve, Carburettor, 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)
• SOHC K8 8-valve, SPI, 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)
• SOHC K8 8-valve, MPI, 75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)
• DOHC K16 16-valve, SPI, 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp)
• DOHC K16 16-valve, MPI, 83 PS (61 kW; 82 hp)
• DOHC K16 16-valve, MPI, 103 PS (76 kW; 102 hp)

The K16 82 hp (61 kW; 83 PS) variant is exactly the same as the 103 PS (76 kW; 102 hp) version, apart from a restrictive throttle body designed to lower the car's insurance group. This can be converted to the 103 hp (77 kW) model by changing to the unrestricted throttle body of a 103 engine. The 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) Spi features single-point fuel injection rather than the multi-point of the later engine.

Cars that came with the 1400:

• Rover Metro
• Rover 100
• Rover 200
• Rover 25
• Rover 400
• Rover 45
• Rover Streetwise
• MG ZR
• MG ZS – Ireland and Portugal only
• Caterham Seven
• GTM Libra
• GTM K3
• FSO Polonez Caro/Atu
• Reliant Scimitar Sabre

1600

Engine Code: 16K4F

All 1600 engines displace 1.6 L; 96.9 cu in (1,588 cc) with bore X stroke of 80 mm × 79 mm (3.15 in × 3.11 in) and have DOHC, 16 valves and MPI. Two variations were created:

• 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp)
• 111 PS (82 kW; 109 hp)

Cars that came with the 1600:

• Rover 200
• Rover 25
• Rover Streetwise
• Rover 400
• Rover 45
• MG ZS
• MG F
• MG TF
• Caterham Seven
• Caterham 21

1800

DOHC K-series 160 HP VVC engine in a MG ZR

Engine Codes: 18K4F (16V non-VVC), 18K4K (VVC variants)

The 1.8 engine is the largest the engine displaces. All 1800 engines displace 1.8 L; 109.6 cu in (1,796 cc) with bore X stroke of 80 mm × 89.3 mm (3.15 in × 3.52 in)

.

Non-VVC (18K4F):

Naturally Aspirated:

The base engine makes 118 bhp (120 PS; 88 kW) @ 5600 rpm and 124 lb⋅ft (168 N⋅m) @ 3500 rpm of torque or in slightly tuned at 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) @ 6750 rpm/ 165 N⋅m (122 lb⋅ft) @ 3000 rpm in the MG TF

Turbocharged:

The 1.8 Turbo was developed to replace the 2.0

and made 150 to 160 PS (110 to 118 kW; 148 to 158 hp)

• 2000-2005 Rover 75
• 2001-2005 MG ZT

VVC (18K4K):

The VVC engine came in three variant:

• The early VVC produced 143 hp (107 kW; 145 PS) @ 7000 rpm / 174 N⋅m (128 lb⋅ft) @4500 rpm

• Rover later tuned the VVC to produce 158 hp (118 kW; 160 PS) @ 7000 rpm / 174 N⋅m (128 lb⋅ft) @4700 rpm

• VHPD – Very-high-performance derivative, 177 or 192 PS (130 or 141 kW; 175 or 189 hp) (Lotus version) (Uses VVC unique cylinder head casting (similar to VVC casting), has big valves, but with fixed cam timing – No development input was requested from Rover).

Kavachi engine

The SAIC Kavachi engine is an extensively improved version of the Rover K series, using a different turbo and gearbox, improved head gasket and strengthened block. UK engineering firm Ricardo plc, expert in race engine designs, was commissioned to not only redesign the engine but also the manufacturing process to produce what is now a very reliable engine. It is only available in 1.8 L; 109.6 cu in (1,796 cc) version.

References

External links

• Austin Memories – History of Austin and Longbridge
• K-Series engine history – The full history of this engine

Further reading

• Engine Overhaul Manual. Rover K Series. MG Rover Group.
• Hammill, Des (2008). The Rover K-series 16V Engine. 1989-2005. CP Press.
  ISBN 978-1-84155-688-8
  .