Rover non VVC to VVC

[Exploded 23]

For over 11 years I'm driving my MK1 Elise and I already had loads of fun.

The enige is still running as if it is new, nothing to complain, but after 11 years I'd like to have little bit more power. I have a Honda K20A2 lying next to the Elise, but the conversion kits are very expensive imho. If I cold find an affordable I would go that route.

A good alternative might be a replacing my engine with a 160 BHP (VVC) engine from an mg-f, I'm able to buy a decent second hand engine, but should I go that route what needs to be changed? Any one an idea, how I can change the cable tree easily? I need to change the ECU as well I presume?

Any thoughts would be great, before I jump into this project..

[gt111 26]

From what I understand the 143 bhp EU2 VVC engine is a lot easier to fit than the later 160 bhp EU3 VCC

You would need the ECU, engine wiring loom and coil packs and I think it's pretty straight forward.

Many people are beginning to use the EU3 but think it needs more wiring changes or an Emerald.

[Exploded 23]

I would consider the Emerald as I really would like to have 160 BHP, this means having an EU3 engine over an EU2.

Do I need the Lucas unit as well? How do they call it, the 5AS unit?

[simonb 12]

You should talk to Roger at Sabre Heads

[Paul C 15]

My stock 143bhp 111s was running 170bhp on an Emerald and then a DTA Mappable ECU.

If I got another S1 Elise I would go for a non VVC every time and tune/mod that engine, there are loads of goodies you can get for the non VVC head and it ran to 190bhp in the Exige/Elise without a VVC. I say this because a VVC failure on my Elise bust shedloads of bits in the head, in general I'm not a lover of 'clever' engine heads that mess around with cams and valves, your pistons have no sympathy when that kind of stuff fails...