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MG MGF Technical - VVC ou MPI ???

This is the picture of a 98 MGF...

http://forum-roadster.com/uploads/post-2-1101712491.jpg

is it a VVC or an MPI ?

The owner says VVC but I would say MPI because of the plastique "injection" chamber ...

maxime
mabonnet

My money is on an MPi.
Also check the rev counter.
MPi- 6720rpm redline
VVC-7250rpm redline
Tim

Agreed, MPI. The other obvious sign is the distributor. There's a page on how to tell the difference on Rob Bell's site, including the coding of the VIN number.

Tim.
Tim Jenner

Maxime, I agree with Tim and Tim - almost certainly a 1.8 MPi, and NOT a VVC.

That page that Tim mentions is this one: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group1/facts_and_figures/spotting_the_difference.htm
Rob Bell

Thanks rob :)

and thanks all, that's exactly what I was saying... let's see his VIN now to check but the engine is surely an MPI...

For the other feature it's difficult because it's a french SE and there are some extra stuff in it and also french spec might be different.

maxime
mabonnet

or of course the engine has been replaced at some time with the 'wrong' type.
Ted Newman

thinking about that

maxime
mabonnet

In that case chaps, if we're looking at a pre-2001 MGF, look for a distributer on the left side of the engine (as you peer through the boot inspection grille - if present, you'll be able to see it just to the right of that cone airfilter fitted to this car). Only MPis use distributors, whereas the VVC uses a wasted spark ignition system.

If we're looking at a post-2001 car, then the above doesn't apply :o( However, there are still external tell-tail signs, particularly the presence (VVC) or absence (MPi) of an extra pair of cam pulleys on left side of the head (under a black plastic cover)...

HTH
Rob Bell

Rob,

You really ought to get out more mate. LOL ;-)
Paul Lathwell

Paul, I don't get to get out much at all much at the moment mate! :o/
Rob Bell

Thanks a lot rob :)

maxime
mabonnet

Rob,

in this picture are you able to tell me about the distributor ???

http://forum-roadster.com/uploads/post-2-1101712616.jpg

maxime
mabonnet

Maxime, the distributor is located in this picture on the top corner of the engine - look upwards and right of the oil filler cap, and you can see the distributor cap with the black HT ignition cables arising from it, which can then be followed back to the cam cover...

So yes, this engine is a MPi :o)
Rob Bell

From that picture I can't tell the difference between that and my VVC..

Check my mail though.. do these photos help you?

Neil H

D'oh! took to long running outside to take a photo of my car.. Sorry!
Neil H

Right slap bang in teh middle is a thing with wires, on the VVC there is no thing with wires, it instead is a cover which goes from one side of the had to the other and holds another cam belt
Will Munns

Thanks a lot boys :)

so the owners has been mistaken by the garage he bought the car from. They told him it was a VVC...
It was 4 years ago.

maxime
mabonnet

Yes, it does sound as though the car was misrepresented when he bought it Maxime :o(
Rob Bell

>It was 4 years ago.

But he was happy with it, was he ?
Until someone told him.
;)
Dieter K.

And I don't know the situation in France, but here in Belgium he would be paying a higher yearly road tax (145cv instead of 120cv)...

BTW, VVC without distributor:
http://www.mgtf.be/images/MO_TU_EN_IgnitionLeads_BrownGammons_04.jpg




Erik

Hello,

I am the owner of this mgf, and the car was in fact misrepresented. But one thing is sure, i am still happy with my F,it is a good and very nice car.

Thanks a lot for all informations you hav given to me and excuse me for my poor english (lol)
Titou

Titou

I wished my french was as good as your english!

I just hope you did not pay the VVC premium when you bought your *F* - BTW I have an MPi and have always been happy with it.

If you are worried that your MPi will not keep up with the VVCs just make sure that you arrange things so that you are leading:-)

Ted
Ted Newman

Tahnks Ted,

When my car was a VVC it was a excellent deal and still that it becomes a MPI it's a good deal! (lol)

I am the third owner of this car, and certainly the last, one of my wish is to keep the F for my child when it will grow up.

Have a nice day
Titou

Maxime / Titou,
Also look under the bonnet, the front one, there should be the ABS unit with the VVC on the right hand side.

Bon chance !

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

Adrian, MPi's have ABS as well so that alone doesn't prove that it's a VVC.
David Clelland

Yep my Feb 96 MPi has ABS and PAS, optional extras but I have them - or rather the car does.
Ted Newman

Good point, didn't catch that but at least it does prove it's not a VVC if there is not one there, that is what I meant. Does that make sense ?

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

I don't have my VIn number at this time but my red zone begins just under 7000 rpm, so I think that proves that my car isn't a vvc no?
Titou

Thats a very good clue, very unlikely to have had a rev counter change from a vvc to an mpi spec.

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

The inlet plemun looks like the black plactic versions that was fitted to pre-2001 MPi's.
Steve Ratledge

Titou, I think that you have absolutely the right attitude: enjoy the car! It doesn't much matter whether it is a VVC or MPi - they're both cracking good fun drives!

PS Saw the England v France game... Unfortunately for us, the best team won! :o/ ;o)
Rob Bell

Unfortunately I did not see the match, I restore a house during week ends. But after France/Scotland I was a little bit anxious because england is really a very good team and France/Scottland was very difficult for us.

Just a question on this site where are you going when you want to speak about wheater, rugby or everything else?

PS: What do you think about keeping a F for long time? I am afraid about electronic troubles which will appear in a few year, do you think it will be easy to find parts?
Titou

Titou - MGF General is usually the area for talking about important issues such as Rugby and the weather... As for England being a good team? Yes they are, but the old guard that helped us win the World Cup have largely retired, and of course, Mr Wilkinson is still of injured. Unfortunately, I think we're cruising to a last place. But from there, at least the only way is up!!!

Okay, back to the thread!!!

I've got my MGF very much as a long term ownership proposition. I've owned mine from new - and it is now 9 years old. Electrically, it's been 100% reliable. In fact, as a whole, the car has been absolutely reliable. The only time it doesn't start is when the battery is dead...
Parts wise, so much is shared with other cars in the MG Rover range (past and present), that there shouldn't be too many problems. The one area that does bother me is availability of Hydragas spheres, as Dunlop has stopped their manufacture - and the spheres are unique to the MGF. This is going to be a significant problem for us in a few years time - and a solution may be the MGCC involving MGF specialists to ensure long term supply. However, despite that slightly gloomy note, I also own a Mk1 1967 Hydralastic sprung Mini (similar technology) - and the spheres on that car are still going strong - so good news hopefully for our beloved MGs!
Rob Bell

Titou,
As Rob and others say talk about anything here, especially if it has a MG connection (Don't know about the Olympics though, maybe wait and see who gets them)
PS. MG Rover sponsor an English football team near Birmingham called Aston Villa so that puts football on the map (unless France beat England)

Au revoir for now !

Adrian
Adrian Clifford

This thread was discussed between 10/02/2005 and 15/02/2005

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