Engines : 2.5 KV6 v T16 Turbo

Bjorn · Post by **Bjorn** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 6:28 pm

Which do you prefer and why?

Quiche81 · Post by **Quiche81** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 7:34 pm

I've owned an 827 Sterling and I now own my
620Ti... I prefer the T16 by a long way, granted
the sterling perhaps had better lower end grunt.
But ..... Crikey where parts expensive on that
engine, Cambelt was a mortgage on its own !! My
HT Lead set was the best part of Â£100
Plus there was no real way to get stuck into it
for modifying, even now i believe there is very
little that can be easily done..
Now the T16, I think the only thing that can't be
modified is the small M12x5 Hex nut on the far
back left corner of the sump, there are plenty of
people with a T16 engine nicely beyond its stock power
level's.. (Not so many KV6's) .. Its a great engine on
cost too and so far everything i've bought was very reasonable
in price!!

Leif.

MGTurbo · Post by **MGTurbo** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 9:47 pm

The 2.5 KV6 had a poor start. Head gasket problems (damn K Series again), overheating etc. Driven the latest version in the MG ZT and its a fine engine if a little lacking in low down grunt, in this respect the Honda 2.7 felt stronger but did have less emissons gear.

Comparing it to the T Series turbo is difficult. No doubt about it, the KV6 is super smooth and refined, but the T has an excellent power delivery and will always feel stronger. I'm a four cylinder fan, so for me, T Series..

Gareth

Neil F · Post by **Neil F** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 10:07 pm

Hi,

give me a T-Series Turbo if I want a cheap fairly powerful engine, upto about 230bhp or all out power, i.e. Andy Nichols engine, otherwise, give me a sensibly tuned KV6 for a nice relaxed cruiser or better still a nice quick well balanced naturally aspirated track car.

In other words, both have their application and place.

Neil

chris · Post by **chris** » Fri Apr 11, 2003 12:43 pm

i'll stick with the t16 thank you, killed a zs180 on actuator boost only the other day, was someone from work

I'm more looking for power not refinement

This should stir it up

I think that the KV6 is still reasonably new and as such has not had a lot of development tuning wise, the t16 is just starting to come into it's own now, maybe in time the kv6 will but i can't see it being used for a lot of cars

Neil F · Post by **Neil F** » Fri Apr 11, 2003 3:37 pm

Hi,

To be honest, having a ZS180 myself, the one thing I find a bit of a let down is that it doesn't have more power - I think in reality it's only in the low 170's.

But as standard the rest of the package is much better than a standard 220 Turbo, it actually handles and stops!

Give the KV6 a bit of the same treatment as a top notch 1.8k and you should easily be able to crack 300bhp with a NASP which would make it a much more interesting prospect

problem is it would cost a fortune to be the first to do it :-(

Cheers

Neil

Grant620 · Post by **Grant620** » Sun Apr 13, 2003 10:02 pm

I've driven Neil's ZS, and IF it had more grunt - that would be my ideal car.
At the moment (and the forseeable future) the T-16 offers more bang per buck.

Post by **SubCat001** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 8:17 pm

I've limited experiance of the KV6 compared to the T16 turbo but I'd have to go with the T16 Turbo. In terms of value and tunabilty its currently way ahead of the KV6(for now)

James

Steve B · Post by **Steve B** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 10:28 pm

Well I'll go for the KV6

, but then I have to really.

The reason I went for the KV6 is that it is a newer design of engine, and can tuned fairly easily to about 250BHP.

Steve

Grant620 · Post by **Grant620** » Fri Oct 24, 2003 12:26 pm

Steve B wrote:Well I'll go for the KV6 , but then I have to really.

The reason I went for the KV6 is that it is a newer design of engine, and can tuned fairly easily to about 250BHP.

Steve

Yep, with NOS!!

Steve B · Post by **Steve B** » Fri Oct 24, 2003 1:08 pm

Not just with NOS Grant

. It all depends on your budget to be honest, what I regard as fairly reasonable, some people would be horrified at.

Steve

Ti-Andy · Post by **Ti-Andy** » Fri Oct 24, 2003 2:20 pm

Steve B wrote:Not just with NOS Grant . It all depends on your budget to be honest, what I regard as fairly reasonable, some people would be horrified at.

Steve

Is it done yet??? ........ can't wait to see what you get from it with DTA and the other bit's n' bobs.

Seen an 02 ZS180 (21k) for 9 grand (hmmmm

)

Steve B · Post by **Steve B** » Fri Oct 24, 2003 3:39 pm

No it is not finished yet, it is being mapped at the moment, so it shouldn't be long.

I can't wait to see it finished either, I know what is being hoped for, but whether it reaches this or not I don't know.

Steve

Ti-Andy · Post by **Ti-Andy** » Fri Oct 24, 2003 7:15 pm

Steve B wrote:No it is not finished yet, it is being mapped at the moment, so it shouldn't be long.

I can't wait to see it finished either, I know what is being hoped for, but whether it reaches this or not I don't know.

Steve

Cool

Mine's undergoing high boost mapping shortly (once a radiator is sorted out :roll:

)

Andy

radddogg · Post by **radddogg** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 5:47 pm

Steve B wrote:Well I'll go for the KV6 , but then I have to really.

The reason I went for the KV6 is that it is a newer design of engine, and can tuned fairly easily to about 250BHP.

Steve

The T series is easier to tune to that sort of power and much cheaper too. If it pops then just drop another engine in.

You just can't beat the feeling of a turbo boosting up. I had a traffic lights duel with a mate in a Golf GTI 16v. He beat me...............up to 2500rpm! As soon as the turbo spun there was the K&N roar/Turbo whistle. 5500rpm Ph-tisssshhh. 2nd Gear - ROAR - WHISTLE - bye-bye-gti

paul888 · Post by **paul888** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 7:05 pm

t16 cant beat a turbo...altho v6's are smooth , needing less changes etc.
only thing would put me off a kv6 is not much tuning potential..

requestingaflyby · Post by **requestingaflyby** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 10:35 pm

600ti wrote:t16 cant beat a turbo[url][/url]

but it is a turbo!

i knew what you meant really

daz500 · Post by **daz500** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 10:50 pm

FFS !!!

I got 1/2 way through before I realised this was a 2 year old thread :evil:

xr4x4 · Post by **xr4x4** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 11:08 pm

daz500 wrote:FFS !!!

I got 1/2 way through before I realised this was a 2 year old thread

and?

rnash2002 · Post by **rnash2002** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 7:24 am

daz500 wrote:FFS !!!

I got 1/2 way through before I realised this was a 2 year old thread

keep it going then lol

daz500 · Post by **daz500** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 9:46 am

xr4x4 wrote:
daz500 wrote:FFS !!!

I got 1/2 way through before I realised this was a 2 year old thread

and?

do you like reading the news from 2 years ago ? I know I don't.

Jonny 5 · Post by **Jonny 5** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 10:14 am

This isnt the news though, its a debate.

xr4x4 · Post by **xr4x4** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 3:22 pm

Jonny 5 wrote:This isnt the news though, its a debate.

thank you...

twas my point...

Leo · Post by **Leo** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 12:55 pm

So... 2 yrs on, what do people think now? The T16 has come further, as has the KV6.

I've never been in a KV6'd car let alone driven one so I can't comment.

tf_boy · Post by **tf_boy** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 1:37 pm

well im in the middle of this debate now,

i have some money, but dont know what to get

a zs 180
or a 420 turbo coupe turbo etc etc

ross

114gta · Post by **114gta** » Sun Jun 05, 2005 1:18 pm

radddogg wrote:
Steve B wrote:Well I'll go for the KV6 , but then I have to really.

The reason I went for the KV6 is that it is a newer design of engine, and can tuned fairly easily to about 250BHP.

Steve

The T series is easier to tune to that sort of power and much cheaper too. If it pops then just drop another engine in.

You just can't beat the feeling of a turbo boosting up. I had a traffic lights duel with a mate in a Golf GTI 16v. He beat me...............up to 2500rpm! As soon as the turbo spun there was the K&N roar/Turbo whistle. 5500rpm Ph-tisssshhh. 2nd Gear - ROAR - WHISTLE - bye-bye-gti

But golf GTi 16v's are poo

That was my input to the discussion. Carry on...

typermetro · Post by **typermetro** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 2:14 pm

propper

MGTurbo · Post by **MGTurbo** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 6:48 pm

typermetro wrote:propper

ProPPer what?

xr4x4 · Post by **xr4x4** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 6:57 pm

MGTurbo wrote:
typermetro wrote:propper

ProPPer what?

BO.....!

Jonny 5 · Post by **Jonny 5** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 7:10 pm

MGTurbo wrote:
typermetro wrote:propper

ProPPer what?

Suburu PPP pack?

MGJohn · Post by **MGJohn** » Sat Jun 11, 2005 6:34 pm

I'd REALLY lurve to have a T16 Turbo MG ZS .... I have a ZS and a spare T16 turbo unit complete .... ... thinks .... Nahhhh....

s0ck · Post by **s0ck** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:09 pm

Turbo for the win... always.

Drove my Dads 827 and that felt rather urgent from the word go (many years ago) but my T16 would destroy it. Obvously that was the Honda unit but that's my only basis for a comparison.

Stevo135+ · Post by **Stevo135+** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 8:10 pm

Id much rarther twin turbo or if that's impossible due to lack of space, supercharge the KV6 in a ZS, than put a dirty great lump of a T16 turbo in one. I know the weight difference isnt massive between a KV6 and a T-series, but i wouldnt want to spoil a brilliant handling car, by putting a big iron lump in the front. I just want to see someone blowing a KV6 for a change thats all.

Lee Lord · Post by **Lee Lord** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 9:10 pm

T16 gets my vote. It has been very strong and reliable in my Vitesse. i guess it is more economical as well with fuel prices at 91p a litre!

Lee

Dave V6 · Post by **Dave V6** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 2:28 pm

kv6 is catching up to the t16 for tuning now ,we will see big bhp zs soon enough,although imo anything over 230 is to much without modding the rest of the car.