A brief look at my 1990 MG Maestro Turbo

[Gareth]

I've had my car for 7 years in June and its seen quite a few changes over the years.

Here's the spec -

Engine and Modifications

Standard O Series 1994cc 8 valve
Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4 T3 60 trim turbocharger, fully rebuilt
17psi via -31 Actuator going up to 20psi.
Mildly flowed and rebuilt cylinder head to my own spec
RadTec full width full height alloy intercooler
Custom 3 core large capacity radiator
One off alloy catch tank
GK AutoWorks Mixture device and uprated carb needle
Flowed and reshaped inlet manifold
Apexi air filter
Rewired fuel pump
Magnecor KV85 Ignition leads
ERL Aquamist water injection running weak screenwash mix
Samco coolant hoses
NGK BPR6ES plugs gapped to 0.75mm
2.5 " exhaust from turbo back
3x5 Oval SS Powerflow backbox

Suspension and braking
Uprated/Lowered AVo 35mm springs with Monroe Gasmatic Shocks
Rear ARB removed (makes the back end less prone to lift off oversteer)
280mm Black diamond discs, EBC red stuff pads
Powerflex suspension bushes

Wheels

MGTF 15" 6 spoke alloys , 195/50/15 V rated Toyo Proxes T1-R rear 195/50/15 GY Eagle GSD3 Front

Bodywork

Smoothed and cut out front bumper with stainless steel mesh, rubbing strips removed, clear side repeaters
Smoothed rear bumper
Tinted rear lights.
Modified Front Grille to allow for extra cooling and filter intakes.
MG ZS boot badge fitted into grille
Bonnet louvres
Honda Accord wheelarch trims
MGRover chequered flags on front wings


Interior

AutoMeter boost gauge and EGT.
LED for W.I
Late spec Montego Centre console
JVC CD player
Otherwise standard



Last rolling road result = 200bhp corrected flywheel/220lb ft, 165 @ the wheels (@ 13psi, pre-mods 2003)

Approx 250/270+lb ft after current mods

AFR 11.5-1, EGT's at WOT in 5th 890 C (1675 F)

1/4 mile time with std turbo, intercooler etc = 14.545 (2.363 60ft)
Best terminal 97mph, @ 13.5psi boost Santa Pod October 2003

Current quarter mile time =

13.72@ 102.5 mph (2.22 60 ft) 15-16psi boost, Santa Pod 14/8/2005

Engine rebuild pics


Wire rung block and bored 20 thou oversize.


Engine bay before respray




After respray


Comparison between 45 and 60 trim Turbo's.


Engine fitted with new pistons


Built up engine


Engine refitted



Engine bay pic fitting RadTec intercooler.



As pictured for a small piece in Retro cars back in 2005.




After an Astra modified my back end when i was stationary at a roundabout in sept 2005.


Close up of the non-existant door gap.




The rebuild commences.









And the paint goes on -





Nearing completion

All done




And most recent pictures taken today -

[Ben]

Fantastic write up - really amazing piece of work there - how many Mg's have you got?

[Gareth]

Fantastic write up - really amazing piece of work there - how many Mg's have you got?

Just the one, the rest you see are either my parents cars or my mates.

[andycaca]

iimpressive stuff
i hope to see you on track soon :twisted:

[jungle-jim]

ever been tempted to fit a modified T-16?

i always loved the Mg maestro.

good effort chap.

[Gareth]

ever been tempted to fit a modified T-16?

i always loved the Mg maestro.

good effort chap.

No, for a number of various reasons.

1. To get big power from a T series you need forged internals and management
2. Everyone does it.
3. I prefer the 8 valve power delivery and the fact it costs bugger all to tune
and 4. Being such a rare car to fit a different engine would ruin some aspects of its originality.

I dont know of any T-16 Maestro's bar Andy Nicholls that is faster than my 8 valver, they may exist but

[IWANT1]

Very very nice examble my buddy squashed one of those engines in his mk1 fiesta it flys!!!!

[Stuart]

A fantastic project and a great write up, nice one :thumb: Any chance that you can post your timing slip? We ask for dyno sheets to back up bhp and timing sheets for quarters to keep the site free of bullshit

[pablo]

Very nice car mate, always liked the Maestro Turbo. Used to have a Montego turbo tuned by Moto build, so i know how quick they are.
As you said the beauty of the old skool 8 valves is that it doesn't

[Bubble]

What a great write up of your Maestro. That is a great achievement to be proud of - well done

I bet the performance surprises one or two people