S-Series Austin / MG Metro?

[mantaomega]

Apologies if the following question has been asked previously.

While tuning the existing A-Series or making use of the K-Series engines would be a more straightforward simpler route when it comes to tuning Austin / MG Metros, has anyone over the years ever fitted a 1.6 S-Series engine into an Austin / MG Metro?

From what I’ve read up, it appears that the related Mini was trialled with the E-Series engine (including stillborn 3-cylinders prototypes) that the later S-Series would be based upon from Alec Issigonis utilising the 1.5 E Series in the gearless Mini and the Mini Clubman reputedly being intended to use the 1.5 E Series to the Andy Saunders Mini that used a tuned 110+(?) hp 1750cc from the Austin Maxi, so the S-Series Metro does seem to be a relatively doable conversion (using the Mini and E-Series as an example).

Though the Metro appears to have been developed around the 998-1275cc A-Series engine, in light of the opposition (Fiesta XR2, Nova GTE/GSi, 205 1.6 GTi) it is strange that the 1.6 S-Series (in both 85 hp and 103 hp outputs) was not considered for the Metro given that the Metro Turbo was detuned to 94 hp from its original 130 hp output.

Theoretically going by the figures, a 103 hp MG Metro 1600 should make for a pretty rapid hot hatch compared with the standard 72 hp (0-60: 10.9-12) and turbocharged 94 hp (0-60: 9.4-9.9) A-Series MG Metros, along with the 103 hp (0-60: 9.6) S-Series in the larger and heavier MG Maestro 1600 (with the 150 hp output in the Rover 216 Vitesse Turbo Janspeed indicating the S-Series has some tuning potential).

Would be interested in hearing other peoples thoughts on how feasible a S-Series Metro conversion would be.

Thanks in advance.

[composimmonite]

Anything's possible if you have the skills or deep pockets. It's a case of why though when there are tried and tested methods already around for fitment of the far better K Series and Honda engines into Mini / Metro's.
Maybe a Mini forum might be the place to ask about fitting an S Series ?

Paul H

[mantaomega]

Jul 30, 2013 12:08:30 GMT composimmonite said:

Anything's possible if you have the skills or deep pockets. It's a case of why though when there are tried and tested methods already around for fitment of the far better K Series and Honda engines into Mini / Metro's.
Maybe a Mini forum might be the place to ask about fitting an S Series ?

Paul H

The main reason is that the S-Series existed during the original Austin / MG Metro’s production run.

Sure, the K-Series and Honda engines are tried and tested though what if one wants to take a more consistent and period (80s) in-house route? Akin to how people fit the in-house M-Series engines into Maestros/Montegos (the M-Series also debuting during the Maestro/Montego production run without ever being fitted into either beyond the odd stillborn prototype).

Will look to ask at a Mini forum though it is strange nobody has gone down the S-Series route given the various engines people have fitted into Minis/Metros over the years.

[craig1010cc]

I'm assuming that you'd be using it on a Maxi gearbox to keep the driveshaft side simpler? In that case your problem could be the height of the complete unit.

[mantaomega]

Aug 12, 2013 16:03:22 GMT craig1010cc said:

I'm assuming that you'd be using it on a Maxi gearbox to keep the driveshaft side simpler? In that case your problem could be the height of the complete unit.

Even if it is the more complex route (a Maxi gearbox seems too far back for the Metro), what about using a gearbox from the Rover 216 SD3 (Honda) and Maestro/Montego that used the S-Series (VW/Honda) or make use of a gearbox from the Rover Metro / 100 (Peugeot) and other cars that used the more modern K-Series (Peugeot/Honda) for the S-Series Metro conversion?  

[craig1010cc]

With the Maxi gearbox you'll still get the 5th gear, but aside from them not being the strongest, the fact that they use the same diff joints and gear selectors would seem the logical way forward (if it'll fit under the bonnet of course). If your going to the trouble of fitting a 'modern' 5 speed box then I'd be looking more modern engine too (unless you had one kicknig about)

[pantera2075]

Really, if you're thinking of this route, don't.
It wasn't a good engine, but if you're looking at doing a rover-ish conversion use the Honda D16 as used in the bigger Rovers.
Or, possibly a KV6?
It's a lot of work. You might as well go with a cheap, old, plentiful engine out of pretty much anything else that will do the job better in all ways than the s-series.