Is the T16 easy to get up to 250 though?

Better induction, exhaust, bigger turbo and up the boost and you are starting to get there.

that's a fair point
275 is possible on a standard block (with a bigger turbo and intercooler ect..)
so its still cheaper and you could get more than 274 for your money

I will have to consult my rover turbo expert on this lol

Close to yes, and reliably on standard internals

My mate Victor who owned "mental maestro" as seen on top gear many years ago strubbled to get a reliable usable car above 270.

His T16 had been bored out to 2.1L, forged internals, T3 hybrid turbo and emerald ECU custom mapping @ emerald, I'm not saying you can't get more but it starts to become impracticle for everyday use.

You can pick up a half tidy MK2 for £1.5k or one with engine issues, or even just a lucky bargin for sub £800.

That leaves £5.7k to buy, rebuild and fit Tseries. Reckon you will see decent power with that amount of cash!!!

It really depends what you want to use it for, you can shoot for big power, and have the downside of it becoming possibly less useable and more temperamental, or go for less power with more reliability and more useable.

£5.7k large on the T :crazy: your getting near the reyland Vag conversion without the extras

You wouldn't need to spend anywhere near that figure to make decent power, you can pick up engines for £250 or less.

Thats my point :)