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MG MGF Technical - K&N 57i Kit

Hi,

I'm currently buying a 1998 1.8i, trading in my 200bhp S40 T4.... I'm looking for some idea on low-cost performance upgrades.

I've read a lot about the K&N filter kit, and the improvement in performance - could some who has installed this kit please advise on how easy it is, and cost.

Thanks
Nealer

Have a look through the archives, this is discussed every week.

K&N is a valid improvement, and is very simple to install.

costs about £85.

paul weatherill

I was going to go for the K&N but was tempted to spend a bit more and went the whole hog. ITG Maxogen system and it is excellent , i wouldnt be able to compare the two as i've not tried the k&n but its well worth the look if you have the money.
Gforceuk

Don't expect too much from the K&N in term of performance.
You won't feel the extra power (a few bhp) but it noticeably increases the throttle response.
The main benefit of the K&N airfilter is the incredible noise it brings when you accelerate!
Go for it anyway, it's a 1 or 2 hour job depending on your DIY skills but you'll find fiting instructions i) in the archive ii) on the various websites (Pauls's FAQ http://www.dotcomoff.demon.co.uk/ or Rob's website http://www.mgf.4mg.com/ for example)
Jerome
Jérôme

Not seen any rolling road figures, but the low down response of the K&N is vastly improved if you fit the flower-pot conversion trialled by Dr Bob. This is totally encloses the filter, so even at low speeds the engine gets cold air. The total cost of this add-on to the K&N is round about £20 and well within the capabilities of the average DIYer. Noise is reduced as well

Chris
Chris

Actually I found quite a difference to my braking and gear change points and felt quite an improvement mid range with the K&N. I also noticed a slight lag at low revs which got worse when I fitted the SP exhaust. Running without the tube cures this a little but at the expense of the mid to top range which, for me, was the whole point in getting the filter. So I would say you will notice the difference as well as better throttle response. Obviously 8 to 15 bhp is not going to make it feel like another car but it is definately noticable.

If you want real power out of an F, get it supercharged, but remember to upgrade the brakes and suspension at the same time. Also the small matter of the 4.5K required investment has prevented many of us from taking this path to performance. If it was just half the price, many of us would have raided our piggy banks and got one by now. :-)
Tony Smith

Tony,

Is the supercharging the same as they do on the 160Bhp Elise? I understood it was the same engine as the F has, but was surprised to see an elise-add with '160 Bhp'.

Let me know, might change my mind and not sell the F, but get 'some' upgrade :-)

Thanx,
Bas
Ps: How's the F handling in the cold dutch weather now? Gonna be back in Holland next week for Christmas, and can't wait to go for a spin in the F again :-)
Bas

Nealer,

I would have to agree with Gforce in saying the ITG kit is better if you have the money, I did initially have the K&N and swapped to the ITG,

I found low the mid range torque vastly improved over the K&N with a good noise (not too loud as the K&N)
Although been alot more expensive you get a better result. PTP sell this kit www.ptp-ltd.co.uk and have posted independent RR results on the site

Hope this helps

Paul J
Paul Jenkins

Just curious,

Has anyone seen a set of RR results for ITG Maxogen on a VVC?

They only seem to have data for an MPi on the PTP site

Nigel
Nigel

Hi Nealer, I currently have the VVC with obligatory K&N, MS Daytona, FSE Boost Valve and a tuned SuperChips RACE Chip. My car was set-up on the rolling road and has 159BHP (148) at the wheels, with peak torque of 136lbft (124), before the ICON installation and setup in brackets. I am not sure what flywheel power will be though it must be in excess of 180BHP+... The car really feels incredibly fast and zips through the gears… the car really pulls hard from 1.8K through to 7.2K revs...

I was looking to perhaps install the enhanced exhaust manifold and new Throttle Body to try and flatten and enhance the torque curve on the RR even further.

The only drawback I found is that I must now use Super Unleaded and that the car doesn’t really like the low revs (<1.1K) as much and will sometimes judder. I must add though that this is a very mild issue when compared to the huge power gain over standard. :)

Cheers RichieR

PS You can see the original post on my car in the archives under “WOW 159BHP at the wheels” as there are some links showing the before and after SuperChips PowerPlots.
RichieR

This thread was discussed between 12/12/2001 and 19/12/2001

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.