BT
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,772
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Mar 29, 2016 21:08:15 GMT
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Now. I'm back looking again. And designing a 160vvc tro track car in my head. This is my exact problem. I have good friends with small, nippy motors. Mk1/Mk2 fiesta turbos/zetecs, clios, novas and such small fun little cars that have taken quite a long time to build and a few quid to put together. I can't help but think that a 160bhp metro could be affordable yet capable and there seems to be a lot going for them. Plus the conversion seems to be one of the most simple ones I've looked at, and I've done a fair few. Edit. I realise totally that despite the early mg metro sharing a huge amount of parts with the classic mini the later rover creations did not share any parts with the classic mini what so ever, but what are the chances of a classic mini roll cage fitting a rover metro? Only because I have a spare...
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Last Edit: Mar 29, 2016 21:19:13 GMT by BT
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Mar 29, 2016 22:16:29 GMT
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Anythings possible but it'll be a pig to adapt and then pointless unless you are 110% confident your welding/fab skills are up to it.
You can buy a ready VVC'd 'tro for between £1000-£1500, cheaper one do pop up but tend to be needing a few things sorting.
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Sane thoughts here gents, but additionally; the GTI won't fit down the drive to the garage, the metro would.
Also, the idea of having all out, balls out fun in a nimble little car appeals as the 3 we have are almost too competent. The Saab is effortlessly smooth, and fairly quick, but below 110 there's no drama.
Her Celica is dull below the speed limit, and only really comes alive 90+
And the GTI is now rare, value going up and parts can be tricky to get. So I never use it "properly".
Idea of a nippy, fun little car to own purely for spirited drives really appeals.
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Sometimes you don't need to go all out with a 1.8 in them. I've relocated my work into the countryside and I've picking up a P-plate 111 mpi at the weekend. I've got a rusty 1.4 ZR i'll nick the engine from, add a couple of home brew mods and stcik on my GTi suspension and brakes with a dose of lowering/stiffening and it'll be a good laugh at that
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mgmrw
Part of things
Posts: 701
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Mar 30, 2016 11:30:28 GMT
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That was plan b. Find a rotten or chavvy ZR/zs. And steal its good bits.
eBay calls.
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The Rover Metro deanflowers
@deanflowers
Club Retro Rides Member 81
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Mar 30, 2016 14:41:22 GMT
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I sold my 1.8 VVC 160 rover 100 GTA last year and a set of 14" team dynamics yesterday.
The PCD is 4 x 98 so getting something above a 13 isn't that easy but is needed if you want to run bigger brakes than a GTI.
The green one on steels uses 4 spare wheels off a picasso i think which are actually ally so pretty lightweight if i remember correctly.
I fitted rover 220 calipers to the front of mine (with adapter brackets), GTI roll bars front and rear and raised the pressure in the hydragas on shortened rods.
A lot of MGF stuff fits. I used the radiator with a bit of trimming to the front panel, the suspension cones on MGFs can be used and are shorter and can be chopped shorter again
Metropower forum is a good source of info.
I would buy a car with one fitted as it will work out cheaper and hopefully be solid.
Very fast and pretty scary things, i would have out a cage in mine if i had kept it.
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'The reason i have pulled you over is to say how incredible and absolutely awesome that is'
Mercedes W109, Mercedes W140 S280 SWB & S320 LWB, W201 cosworth kitted, clk230 Kompressor, w109 300sel, Lincoln Continental 1964, BMW E30 Tech II tourer, MK1 Golf Clipper, BMW E31 840ci sport, JAGUAR XJ40 3.6, Kangoo van, Volvo 740GLE estate, Maserati Quattroporte GTS
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BT
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,772
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Mar 30, 2016 14:55:07 GMT
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Thanks for your input. When I fount the green one the description said 14 montego wheels or something, but Picasso Ali steels are interesting, personally I wouldn't want to go any bigger than 13, despite the advantage of bigger brakes and better ratios. Stupid as it may sound, and despite never using them myself, would wobble bolts not open the opportunity to fit 4x100 wheels? Of which there are a tonne of choices? Myself, I would like to keep it as sleeper as possible, the one I have found even comes complete with main dealer sticker (local one as well) and many "save the badger" type window ornaments. A picnic blanket on the parcel shelf would do the trick nicely.
Personally I would like to build one myself, it may work out cheaper but it's like buying an already made airfix kit, I'm sure people do it but building it is a whole load of the fun for me.
The cage is something I am very thoughtful of as well. Problem is there doesn't seem to be very many of them about.
I know many people have already mentioned metro power but I am struggling to navigate the site. Is there any online guides or write ups on the VVC conversion into the metro?
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Mar 30, 2016 17:38:28 GMT
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PCD is 4x95.25 to be precise. Wouldnt personally run wobble nuts. You can convert to 4x100 but depending on your wheels choice and stud size it's a bit close to the edge on the front drive flanges! 4x98 (fiat/lancia/maserati) re-drill would open up some wheel choices and perhaps a little safer on the front drive flanges. I've got loads of piccies I'll post up in a bit, I've just got to pop out and follow up a lead on a w-plate MK1 metro in Primula yellow thats been in a garage for years that I've just been told about!
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Neil
Part of things
Posts: 599
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Mar 30, 2016 21:11:19 GMT
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Still talk about mine now, loved the thing. I started off with a red 1.1mpi and at the time a friend of mine had a storm grey gti with the vvc lump in so that was me addicted. After a few years of gaining no claims we build a rover 100 ascot vvc, it was class and bloody quick! 143 vvc, PG1 box, janspeed manifold and sportex system, 15" comp mos, MG TF rear subframe in the front and individualised rear cans, quick rack etc etc, spent a lot of my small wage on that car but it was such a hoot. Would love another. Used to get laughed at at the lights then a mile down the road it would change to a thumbs up.
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Neil
Part of things
Posts: 599
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Mar 30, 2016 21:13:18 GMT
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*I still have some aftermarket 14" 5 spoke wheels for it in the garage, doing nothing.
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The Rover Metro deanflowers
@deanflowers
Club Retro Rides Member 81
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Mar 31, 2016 11:35:37 GMT
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think it must of been MGF spare wheels being run then. you are right 95.25 not sure what i was thinking of
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'The reason i have pulled you over is to say how incredible and absolutely awesome that is'
Mercedes W109, Mercedes W140 S280 SWB & S320 LWB, W201 cosworth kitted, clk230 Kompressor, w109 300sel, Lincoln Continental 1964, BMW E30 Tech II tourer, MK1 Golf Clipper, BMW E31 840ci sport, JAGUAR XJ40 3.6, Kangoo van, Volvo 740GLE estate, Maserati Quattroporte GTS
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BT
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,772
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Mar 31, 2016 15:51:58 GMT
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Strangely, insurance on there is pretty crazy! 5yrs NCB as well, may have to give my insurer a call and see if they can sort something out for us.
Is the 143bhp 1.8 much fun?
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Ryannn
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,421
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Mar 31, 2016 18:14:40 GMT
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Strangely, insurance on there is pretty crazy! 5yrs NCB as well, may have to give my insurer a call and see if they can sort something out for us. Is the 143bhp 1.8 much fun? I've just transferred my insurance from my metro to an MR2 and it only cost me £9... Including a £15 admin fee... makes me think I was being ripped off on the metro! They get nicked and crashed a lot, there's just as many CAT ones for sale as good ones.
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Wernt metros and astra belmonts the two most stolen cars of the 90's? Sure I read that somewhere.
Probably explains the insurance costs.
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