Rover 623 anyone?

SimonBurges · Post by **SimonBurges** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:59 pm

Never hear much mention of the 2.3 litre Rover 623, especially the "sporty" predecessor of the 620ti, the 623iS.

Does anyone own one? I, er, don't.

Si

Squaddiemodo · Post by **Squaddiemodo** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:00 pm

was one for sale in our cars for sale section not too long back, there are a few around but they are quite a rare car, no too many were sold originally

Bloody good car TBH

Jynx · Post by **Jynx** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:21 pm

I disagree, while the kit level was impressive and they cars looked well finished the h23 or h22 overbored block as it stands is very weak. I belive its the worst engine ever put in a 600, dont believe everything you read on Ebay auctions :p Its one of the reasons why there arent that many about.

However I really do want one for my project.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:24 pm

Having drove a 620sli ffor a fwe months, the only thing it could of done with extra was a little more umph. I would be surprised if the 623 was a horrid attempt at this.

Obviously the Ti is a little less refined but more powerful outright...

Squaddiemodo · Post by **Squaddiemodo** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:25 pm

my dads last company had 3 as company cars. all were run to 150k miles and the only thing that went wrong was a guy broke a gearbox. the engines were fine never used oil, and were generally quite rapid for a standard nasp car. i was always quite impressed with them. Isnt it the same engine that was in the 2.3 honda prelude of the same era, that got rave reviews as an engine.

SimonBurges · Post by **SimonBurges** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:15 pm

Of course the trouble is, since Rover started badging all variants as simply "600", you never know if it's a 618, 620, 623 or whatever.

Was the 623iS actually any different performance-wise to other 623's?

Biggest shame with the whole 600-series was the lack of a V6. That would really have helped its executive aspirations.

Squaddiemodo · Post by **Squaddiemodo** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:17 pm

if i remember correctly, the iS was the only one you could get with a manual. i could be wrong please correct me if that is so

fluke · Post by **fluke** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:19 pm

I don't think there was any performance difference.
A woman near me has one it's the spitting image of my ti.

IIRC it's suspension and interior that were different to the normal 623's.
Just remember, Crackey head

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:25 pm

The iS wasn't the only one you could get as a manual. There are plenty of manual 620s & 623s about.

The main difference between the 623iS and the other Honda powered 600s was the uprated suspension that was fitted as standard. I enjoyed a brief flirtation with one a few years back, but sold it on as it had suffered neglect and the top end of the engine sounded like a diesel.

It was, however, pretty nippy and handled surprisingly well.

And yes, the 623 range is fitted with the same H23 engine as was used in the 2.3L Prelude.

rich820coupe · Post by **rich820coupe** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:27 pm

I was told by a guy a couple of weeks ago, that rover where very close to securing a deal with honda for the 2.2 vtec to be used in the 600 but it fell through :cry:

Squaddiemodo · Post by **Squaddiemodo** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 6:47 pm

that would have been fun! would have like to have a go in one of them.

My old neighbour had the 2.3 and the v-tech prelude, i had a go once it was great

Jynx · Post by **Jynx** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 9:36 pm

vitessesqauddie wrote:that would have been fun! would have like to have a go in one of them.

Well in a few month mine will be ready

And like Fluke said, the 2.3 (h23) has head problems, and yes the preludes had them too.

malcolm_durant · Post by **malcolm_durant** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:59 pm

If this appears twice it's because my computer's playing silly buggers...

Quote <Biggest shame with the whole 600-series was the lack of a V6. That would really have helped its executive aspirations.> Unquote

Remember reading on the Rover800 Yahoo Group that Rover themselves toyed with the idea of a 627 around the time the 600 range was launched; even got as far as putting some prototypes together (some of which escaped from the crusher).

With a manual gearbox that sounds like a nice motor...suspect there was insufficient performance differentiation between a 623, a 627 and a 620ti to justify the effort and expense...

MGJohn · Post by **MGJohn** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:01 pm

There was an immaculate white late-reg 623iS in my local breakers recently. No idea why the car was there - things folks throw away nowadays. I was most impressed by this car's interior - very smart seats. A day later those seats and much of the interrior was gone.

Scott Wrote:

>>Obviously the Ti is a little less refined but more powerful outright...<<

Less refined...puzzled by that .... engine or car?

SimonBurges · Post by **SimonBurges** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 12:20 pm

suspect there was insufficient performance differentiation between a 623, a 627 and a 620ti to justify the effort and expense...

A silky 2.5 V6 would always be a more executive option rather than the all out performance of the 'ti but would have made the 2.3 superfluous.

Honda Accord - best selling car in the US for ages. Shame Rover couldn't sell the 600 into that market.

BrackenFox · Post by **BrackenFox** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 12:41 pm

Rich620turbo wrote:I was told by a guy a couple of weeks ago, that rover where very close to securing a deal with honda for the 2.2 vtec to be used in the 600 but it fell through

I'd have loved that. I had a 2.2 VTEC Accord coupe while I was living in the US for a while, and I always wished they would put that engine in a 600. Of course, the Accord Type-R version of that engine would be even nicer.

(First post outside the padded walls of the newbie section! Woohoo!

)

Jynx · Post by **Jynx** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 12:53 pm

does the accord type-r run an h22a?

BrackenFox · Post by **BrackenFox** » Thu Jul 21, 2005 1:12 pm

The Accord Type-R is an H22A7, I think. It's been a while since I had to think of Honda specs, so I may be completely wrong.