My MG ZS 110 Project Progress Thread
 

I thought this time as the project is still new i'd put up a proper progress thread so I can update it every time something happens. I will also be doing video updates through my Youtube through the link in my sig. Anyway here goes....

Picked the car up about 2 weeks ago completely stock with a genuine 24,000 miles on the clock from new. It was made in 2005 but registered on a 54 plate for reasons unknown. The car has the Rover K series 1.6 (108HP) engine as stock and the owner from new added the optional extras of the factory fitted bodykit, Cat 1 alarm and Kenwood audio upgrade...but left out electric windows lol.

The car is mint apart from a few paintwork niggles (been used as a city car), there is some light scuffs and scratches but nothing that can't be removed. Engine wise healthy as the day it came from the factory and the same for the interior of the car.

My goal for this project it to have a fast-road car and also a car that can compete on occasional track days without looking to foolish. I have estimated the final figures of running about 140 BHP and not sure on torque figures just yet also those figures will be achieved without moving from N/A tuning or uprating the liter of the engine from a 1.6. Just yet.

Here are some pictures of how the car stands completely stock-

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/DSCF4450.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/DSCF4452.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/DSCF4455.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/105_0680.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/105_0703.jpg

So thats how it stands at the minute! ready for modding!

Quick update, since buying the car nothing major has really happened.

I first of all fitted my Competition spec head unit from theloudest.com (Christmas present) which replaced the stock Kenwood unit...although the Kenwood was very good nothing really can match this head unit for quality on stock ICE.

Some features of the head unit-

DVD Player
TV
Colour Screen 3.5'
Ipod connection
USB/Memory Card reader
Bluetooth
Built in Amp
4x80 watt capable
Bluetooth Streaming
etc etc

Installed in my car:
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/105_0696.jpg

Second update, me and a friend took the ZS to have a power dyno run over at Noble Motorsport in Chesterfield. I just wanted to get a base figure to then start modding too insted of blind modifying and hoping I get gains.

The end result was 123.0 BHP at 6729rpm and 108.2 lb-ft of torque at 4960rpm. This was very strange for a car which should only have 108BHP stock so either the dyno was over reading alot or there may be something internally done to the engine already (investigations on going lol). In the very least I know the engine is healthy and ready for modding.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/DSCF4528.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/DSCF4524.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/DSCF4529.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/DSCF4534.jpg
There is also a quick video on my Youtube (see sig).

Thats all up to yet....comming soon MG TF 135 Fast Road Cams and 160 VVC Inlet Manifold with 1.8 injectors :). Oh and a set of Areo wipers lol.

Not done an update for a while so here how everything stands up to yet. Nothing really has been done to the car apart from a Steve Cleanz detail, I am still collecting parts in my bedroom lol.

I got some Piper cams from Lee off here, they look very much like Pipers 270's but can't be certain until fitted...at the very least they are 135 profile :) Here they are

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/DSCF4566.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/DSCF4565.jpg

Hoping to get them fitted at the beginning of next month :D so will report on the differences.

Also got myself an Exhaust heatshield thingy for the rear bumper but need to modify the bumper to fit it.

Had a nice surprise this morning as I got my brand new XPower Thruflo backbox I got of Ebay (what a bargin!!) the other day....looks sexy with a 3.5" inward rolled tip and a 2.25" pipe diameter so not an overkill and should handle my final power aims perfectly, going to get that fitted soon as I receive my Janspeed Intermediate pipe I got from PTP yesterday :D.

Some piccys-

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/DSCF8022.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/DSCF8024.jpg
The only markings on the box-
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/DSCF8027.jpg

Still waiting for my 160 VVC Inlet mani and Plenum and also Janspeed Center Section which should be here very soon!

Cheers
Tom

nice, going to be a good project bro!

Cheers mate, I hope so lol will take time but no expense will be spared!

:)

Nice to see a new progress thread, If you do go for the vvc inlet then try a 52mm tb and get the head ported to match the inlet. Otherwise will do very little :)

Look forward to seeing the progress

Thanks mate. Yeah been in contact with AA Autosport about a port and polish to match the inlet mani (heard fitting without a p'n'p it can loose power) but the 52 TB will have to come a little later as funds are low this month lol. After buying 135 cams a 160 inlet and some cool areo wipers hahaha.

Great thread Tom, looking forward to the updates as Im doing some of the same mods.
Best of luck and it sounds like you found a good engine to work with.

I got 52mm TB's brand new £70 inc postage :)

Bump for update on page 1 :).

Thats the same exhaust I had on my old 180 (I had 2 of them!) Just be extra careful with the Xpower writing as it's very very prone to scratching and coming off totally!

Yeah figured as much lol only printed on aint it. Mite get it embossed on when the original wears off.

What is the sound like by the way mate? seem quite rare as there is no videos anyware and very few pics of them fitted.

Cheers
Tom

ive got an xpower one as well, no writing on it though and its slightly shorter than the mk2 exhaust but it looks good still, its a sporty sound not too loud, it isnt noisy on the motorway which is good

how much did aaa quote you for port and polish bud? Ive got an alloy inlet mani sitting in the garage but dont want to fit it if it will be loosing power!

I am not going with AA Autosport for myne mate, i'm going with Dave Andrews from DVA Power.

I got quoted the following from Dave-

Strip head, clean and re-assemble £90
Stem seals and oil seals £47
Fettle inlet ports to match VVC plenum £60
Light fettle around valve seats and throats £100
Cam ladder sealant £4

Also those prices were with me removing the head from the car first.

Cheers
Tom

How much is your insurance gonna be once the engine work is done? I was put off modding the Kseries any furthur by my insurance and Im 23.

Your getting your work done by the right guy thats for sure! ;)

Well mine was on a V6, but it sounded mental at full blast. it's got quite a loud bass tone

Awsome project, you sound like a sensible guy who will take his time and do the job properly... just the way to do it. Hope all goes well for you.

Cheers lads :)

They are quite understanding to be honest mate and are fair with the price increases. Its all good though as i've got a crap but well paid job and no bird at the minute so that free's up alot of funds hahaha.

Exhaust Updateeyy-

Got all my parts delivered yesterday so went about fitting everything. Looking at the old mild steel system it was way past due a replacement :O Very rusted with a massive hole in the silencer too.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...8_132735-1.jpg

I originally wanted to remove the old system before going about cutting up my bumper but the rusted solid bolts said different lol so while I was waiting for my blowtorch to arrive I decided to cut the bumper to MG's factory measurements...quite risky not knowing how the new box would line up but did it anyway.

I did all the marking with crayons and used a hacksaw and a dremel tool to cut it and I amazed myself how good and clean it came out in the end....all done with the bumper still on the car too! preparation was key to not cutting to much lol.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...408_132650.jpg

Rough cut-
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...415_141712.jpg

All cleaned up-
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...415_141645.jpg

After all the cutting I used the blowtorch to cut the old system off as it did'nt want to come off normally, I think that was the easiest part of the whole day. Then came the time to fit the new Janspeed Intermediate pipe and also the Xpower Thruflo box. All bolts were supplied so ready to go!

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...415_144658.jpg

Fitted I was very happy to see it sat rite in the middle of my cut in the bumper :D:D and looked rite good!!

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/DSCF8042.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...S/DSCF8048.jpg

Finally went onto fitting the heatshield itself. It was very easy as the bumper was cut, all I had to do was mark and drill 4 holes for the bolts and put them on.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...8_133218-1.jpg

And finally all done-

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...415_161903.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...415_161917.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...415_161929.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...415_162716.jpg

Hopefully coming next month, bigger brakes and cams fitted. Oh and Waxoyl!! before anything else hahaha.

Cheers
Tom

Videos coming soon :)

very well done :)

Thanks mate :)

looking good:)

Looking good mate. looks like a good fitment too

Any chance you could get a vid of how it sounds. I have a janspeed xpower backbox but i want the Janspeed Intermediate pipe to go with it if it makes any difference etc.

Stephen

chrome polish took mine off :0(

Will get you a video tomorrow mate.

Cheers
Tom

Few videos-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRwAVwZZ-So

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZjkWb67H90

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAgta...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5BghKf8fcQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsvhYHwqR0k

that was mine when i had the open cone on it still, was really loud, yuou really need big speakers to hear what it was like, sounds a lot quieter without it now

youve got a break light out kidda

Well spotted Bob-3rd Video at 39 secs shows your brakelights out mate.
Car is coming along nicely mate, That exhuast sounds great.

Sounds awsome mate. Bit louder than mine.

Time to save the pennies :)

nice car but wouldnt it of been better to get a 1.8 to mod it dont cost much more than a 1.6. Either way uve got a nice car its comming along nicely

Thanks! :)

Never noticed that before hahha will check now...cheers.

Na mate the 1.6 is better than the 1.8 for tuning because of the shorter crank making it rev free-er etc. Thats why they use the 1.6's in the Kit Cars like Caterhams and that :).

Cheers
Tom :)

The backbox really does change the way the whole car looks now. I like it even more, those MK2's do look mean with the wide arches.

Also looking forward to seeing how much gain can be had from the future mods.

looks and sounds cracking there!!! coming on very well:)

Lovely car mate, it sounds lovely and you've done a great job on the exhaust. I have a Janspeed on my MK2 and it is too far over to the left which is really annoying!

Cheers lads, much appreciated :)

Update-

Brake light fixed...that is all!


lol

lol