Rover engine swap

[wazzrj666]

Hi everyone I've got a bit of a dilemma. I've been given a 1994 rover 214 8-valve condition is fair for its age but the heads on its way out. I can't decide whether to put a more powerful engine in it or recondition the head??? Any suggestions ??

[sowen]

What do you want out of the car, what hands on experience do you have and do you have time/space/money available to throw at it?

[squonk]

A head from a scrapper will cost very little, a gasket set about £35 and an afternoons work should have it sorted. Change the engine and you need the ECU and the alarm ECU, ignition key transciever and god knows what else. Probably a degree in electronics to sort the wiring out as well!!

Then once you have put a different engine in it it becomes a modified car and your insurers will hit you with a premium increase. If the engine has significantly more power what are you going to do to the brakes and suspension?

Unless you buy a complete donor car it could get very expensive and time consuming.

[wazzrj666]

I already have a 1997 214 but it's the 16 valve. So in theory I have the donor engine, loom and ecu. I've been told that the 8 valve head is rare. But I'm not sure as what's wrong exactly, my mate is a mechanic and says the waterpump has gone and caused the hgf. I'm in no rush to fix it so it'll be at weekends mainly. As for experience I've taken an engine out on another car, changed suspension and gearbox on the 97.so not a lot lol. I just want it as a retro daily.