From Zero to Two...

I've been up to get the green 5dr Freelander sorted ready to be moved back to my house, that will be here Wednesday. But on Tuesday i take delivery of a blue 3dr. Both 1.8 petrol and both on MEMS 1.9.

The plan initially is to strip the green one (CAT C) for anything the 3dr needs including the bar and spots . Then strip and scrap the 5dr and start work on the 3dr.

that should keep u busy for the morning

what u got planned for the afternoon ,lol

shame they wernt an auto or a td4 as I could have then begged for some parts

hope it all goes well

Even though its a mems 1.9 3dr i'm still set on running a 1.8 Turbo engine in it using a Freelander 1.8 loom and ecu from a later MEMS 3. It seems relatively easy to fit a MEMS 3 engine, ECU and Loom in a MEMS 1.9 hippo. The Rover/MG owners have done this on countless occasions now so i don't see how it would be any different for this. Also have an opportunity to get a 1.8 NASP engine which is running 180bhp on MEMS 3 using a pretty standard bottom end with a VHPD head. That may be the route i go if i decide against the turbo (which i doubt)

The 3dr has later alloys and wind deflectors, will be getting the bull bars and spot lights off the 5dr, then progress will be made towards getting it running as a 1.8T. This will definitely take me more than an afternoon to complete

jda070504 said:

Even though its a mems 1.9 3dr i'm still set on running a 1.8 Turbo engine in it using a Freelander 1.8 loom and ecu from a later MEMS 3. It seems relatively easy to fit a MEMS 3 engine, ECU and Loom in a MEMS 1.9 hippo. The Rover/MG owners have done this on countless occasions now so i don't see how it would be any different for this. Also have an opportunity to get a 1.8 NASP engine which is running 180bhp on MEMS 3 using a pretty standard bottom end with a VHPD head. That may be the route i go if i decide against the turbo (which i doubt)

The 3dr has later alloys and wind deflectors, will be getting the bull bars and spot lights off the 5dr, then progress will be made towards getting it running as a 1.8T. This will definitely take me more than an afternoon to complete

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sounds all good fun and a very interesting one, something to get ur teeth into , lol

I've got a td4 and haven't got much knowledge with regards to the petrol but like u say if others have done it

wonder if u will have to get the ecus cleared due to the immobilser systems , as from previuos experiance of other owners who have lost keys , transponders has been a bit of fun , as I think it was only 10 x codes that can be re entered etc,

I think though a testbook can clear the lot and reprogram everything , but not got enough knowledge with regards to this and injectors etc so they are all synchronised , bet that will be fun

wish u all the very best mate and will be an interesting thread to follow

got a 3 door myself and done quite a bit of work replaced the entire interior , carpets, dashboard ,matrix etc that was all good fun but the results were worth it so know that side very well

think the best result i ever had was fitting the oem cruise control to the car but mines an auto and the oem can't be retrofitted to a manual

good luck mate and will be following with interest

The conversion has been done on here recently by a guy using the 1.8T engine loom that came with the engine from the Rover 75, this caused quite a few headaches and ended up with running aftermarket engine management but its up and running now and i'm impressed with the videos he's put up of it.

My take on this conversion is that MEMS 3 can be mapped, the ECU can be unlocked so there is no immobilzer issues. If a MEMS3 Ecu from a 1.8 automatic Rover is used, the ECU can be mapped to run the boost signal, if another none VVC MEMS3 ECU is used, a manual boost controller has to be used which should be set between 8-10psi for the standard turbo. The company that map MEMS3 are confident at running the 1.8 Turbo engines reliably at 190-200bhp with 270 nm (200 ft lb) of torque.

Obviously by using the MEMS 1.9 Freelander, this removes the CANBUS network that the MEMS 3 system uses in the Freelander and Rover 75, not that the CANBUS network should cause any issues anyway as i intended on retaining the Freelanders engine wiring loom if i was to do this with a MEMS 3 Hippo, all that should need doing in that instance is fit a manual boost controller and get the standard ECU mapped with a Turbo map without any output for the boost signal. The main complication for me using a MEMS 1.9 Hippo is wiring together the body & engine looms to get the engine running. These 1.8 Turbo engines get retrofitted in Rover 200's & Metros which have the older MEMS loom, as well as 25's, 45's, MG ZR & ZS's. Then there are many people who have converted standard mems 1.9 or mems 2 (VVC) looms to MEMS 3 so that they can get their engine mapped to suit the modifications they have made to the engine.

NOW.... The only things other than standard i intend on fitting if i find them at the right price are MGTF 135 cams or 2 VVC exhaust cams which help the 1.8T with top end power, possibly a VVC inlet manifold to get rid of the 1.8T's plastic inlet (stopping the inlet manifold gasket leak), a 52mm (or even 56mm) throttle body and maybe even a little porting to help air flow. There is also a new gasket kit for the 'N' series SIAC MG's which fit all K series engines and include the oil rail, uprated headbolts etc.. to improve reliabilty. Lastly, if i can get my hands on a diesel 'L series' gearbox it is the uprated spec which will also give slightly better fuel economy due to the ratios.

Thats the plan anyway. Its never been done this way on a Freelander before, and i'm in no way a Mechanic but i think it's possible without too many headaches and i'll be giving it a go. Would really like it running by August.