MI16 conversion

Would it be wise to use the money customising the current engine, rather than a spending it on the transplant? I suppose its fun factor.

You're looking at big money to get 160bhp out of a 1900...Nevermind a 1600.

The Mi16 is a GENIUS bit of automotive design. One of the best heads ever.

*n
 
Would it be wise to use the money customising the current engine, rather than a spending it on the transplant? I suppose its fun factor.

No, the XU 8v is hard and expensive to get power from. Easier and cheaper to start with an Mi that is 30bhp up as standard anyway.
 
As Lopez mentions, trick baffled sump designs just don't seem to work that well on this engine. Dry sumping is really the only option if you are running sticky tyres.
Do you think the following is the reason?
I bet having the engine canted at an angle of around 30 degrees from vertical doesn't help much either.
 
And almost always completely overlooked.
"but the 205 is smaller and lighter so it's better".
The 309 had almost perfect wheelbase/track dimensions. A hell of a car IMHO.

Loved mine:

30902.jpg


Broke it:

30903.jpg


:(

I felt very guilty about killing that car, it was my favourite hot hatch.
 
Was the green one the Goodwood or brooklands?
Goodwood i think but can't remember.

Goodwood

**NEWSFLASH, PEOPLE**
Anyone wanting a track car should try looking for a 309 rather than a 205.

Damn right, the 309 gets a bit of a slating on 205 forums from some members, I suspect a lot of it is because deep down the 205 owners know the 309 is the better car.

The only reason I'm building a 205 and not a 309 is that I had a cage to fit the 205 already....
 
My 309 SRi was one of the most fun cars I've owned; I can't echo the handling side of things though because it handled like a boat.
 
A friend of mine recently converted his 1.9 to a Mi16 on carbs, and it does indeed fly (once he got it rolling roaded). He hasn't had problems with the oil light coming on round bends.... some people seem to only get it when using slicks on a track according to the 205gtidrivers forum.

You mentioned brakes - the 1.9 (or even a base model!) is easier to upgrade as you can use 266mm or 283mm calipers and discs straight from a 306/206/307. You could fit these on your 1.6 if you pinched the bits (hubs, driveshafts, etc.) from a 1.9. The 1.6 is the dark horse model as far as brakes are concerned.

You can use some 309 suspension bits (wishbones, rear beam) to get a wider track which would make it more of a track car - but as mentioned above, consider getting a 309 instead of a 205 for track use.

If I were you, I'd flog your existing car, and get one with the engine conversion already done. £1600 is crazy money, as you could get the complete car for a few hundred more.

EDIT: Just seen the 309 above.... :( :( :(
 
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Damn right, the 309 gets a bit of a slating on 205 forums from some members, I suspect a lot of it is because deep down the 205 owners know the 309 is the better car.

The only reason I'm building a 205 and not a 309 is that I had a cage to fit the 205 already....

a biased forum, wow what a novelty :D.
There were fewer 309's it seems and as you know better than most, some people simply can't comrpehend that a slightly slower car can be a better one. The 205 was, for me anyway, a little oversquare and as such when you're at the limit you get very little warning that it's about to take you figure skating. The 309 was waaaayyyyy more progressive than that and a dream to drive (and hold) at the limit.

I drove the Dimma 205 4x4 Cossie with 350 brake and it was a naughty little thing if you tried to misbehave in it. Even an ordinary 205 requires an experienced driver to reall press on as if you're not expecting it to let go when it eventually does, it'll have you.
 
@MikeHunt79
i "believe" the disc+calipers from the GTi6 are almost a bolt on replacement for the 205. There seem to be quite a few that have had them fitted and the brakes are one of the best things about the GTi6.
 
I've only had my 205 bite me badly once, had sore wrists for weeks after that.

Been in one a couple of times when the driver has overcooked it though, he lost it in a big way very very quickly.

The 309 is much more chuckable IMO. Throw it in, lift off, slide, floor it, keep going. Excellent fun.

I wasn't even going very quickly when I killed mine, I was just very tired in the early hours of the morning and had a total lapse of concentration. Snapped out of it too late - I think if that hadn't happened and I've carried on driving then I'd have fully fallen asleep shortly afterwards and had a really serious off.

Live and learn :)
 
@Mikehunt79
i "believe" the disc+calipers from the GTi6 are almost a bolt on replacement for the 205. There seem to be quite a few that have had them fitted and the brakes are one of the best things about the GTi6.
Yep, going from 243mm discs to 283mm makes quite a difference. :cool: They only just squeeze under the 15" speedlines tho... there's only a few mm space. :eek:

The GTI6 brakes bolt straight on to all models apart from the 1.6 (which is what the OP has), as it has different length driveshafts and different hubs to the rest of the 205s, but there are ways round that with pinching of parts from other models. :)

I'm currently waiting on some 266mm brakes (from a 307hdi) to come thru the post which should bolt on to my 205TD as it's not nice having something that weighs more than a 1.9gti with non-vented discs. :eek:
 
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