Hi All,
Having owned my Trophy 160 for a year now I was wondering how this engine holds together! we all know about the HGFs, however I don't hear anything else about the engine, how does the bottom end last if it is reved like a jap four? on paper the design looks to be bullet proof! I guess the reason for these questions is I have a good mate who drives a MX5 and I don't want to have a MG engine falling apart whilst having fun in the mountains! my car has done 90,000km it had a HGF at 40,000km it has a been serviced and maintained second to none, Thanks for your time.
Engine Longevity
Moderator: Committee Members
Forum rules
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
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Chris Tideswell
- Posts: 830
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 5:58 pm
- MGF Register Region: Midlands
- Model of Car: TF 135
- Location: Shepshed Leicestershire
- Contact:
Re: Engine Longevity
Apart from the known HGF the k-series seems quite bullet proof, the only other problems are snapping alternator belts that take out the cam belt, cam belt tensioner and leaking water pump.
Apparently some MX5's don't take well to the cam belt being changed leading problems with the camshaft pulley dropping of!
Apparently some MX5's don't take well to the cam belt being changed leading problems with the camshaft pulley dropping of!
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Mr bennett
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 3:27 pm
- MGF Register Region: Midlands
- Model of Car: 98 vvc
- Location: halesowen west midlands
Re: Engine Longevity
as long as you keep on top mate(like everything) it will kick your mates MX5 arse all over the mountains.
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Rob Bell
- Committee Member
- Posts: 14438
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:36 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: MGF 1.8i + MGF Shed!
Re: Engine Longevity
Yup, apart from the well documented problems with head gaskets, the 1.8 litre K-series is absolutely bullet proof in standard specification (or close to - push your luck with 200 bhp, and naturally, the life span of the engine is somewhat curtailed, but that'd be true of any engine pushed to close to twice its original power output! 
)
VVC heads can and do get a bit rattly with greater age - but that would be the only other potential issue with this engine...
)VVC heads can and do get a bit rattly with greater age - but that would be the only other potential issue with this engine...
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kevinr
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:51 am
- MGF Register Region: Eastern Australia
- Model of Car: MGF Trophy 160
Re: Engine Longevity
Thank you for the reassurance 
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Andrew Regens
- Regional Rep
- Posts: 742
- Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:10 am
- MGF Register Region: Eastern Australia
- Model of Car: TF160LE80th #15/1600
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Engine Longevity
With almost 160000km which has included many track days at 7250rpm, the K series engine seems to thrive on it. I have used Mobil 1 and changed every 10000km which I feel has helped with the engine life.
Piper 4-2-1 Manifold, Daytona Back Box, Stage two Remap, Bilstein Shocks, thicker anti roll bars, PG 1 gearbox Caged bearing with type B Ltd Slip Diff. Large rear brake Kit, Toyo R888R Track/road tyres. Half Roll Cage, 4Point Harness.
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kevinr
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:51 am
- MGF Register Region: Eastern Australia
- Model of Car: MGF Trophy 160
Re: Engine Longevity
I also use Mobil 1, Mobil will tell you that a full syn oil (Mobil 1) will drop the engine oil temp by about 10 degrees compared to a straight mineral oil, I don't know because I changed mine over as soon as I purchased my car, its never been over 120 celsius.