Noob with lots of questions

Bobby Valentino

Bobby Valentino

Hello all,

I am soon going to be upgrading my car, now i have been a Rover owner ( no jokes plz ) and was gonna upgrade to a 25 GTI, as I already have alot of parts I can take of my old car to put on the new one, however I have always been tempted by a Almera 1.8 Sport.

Now I really wanted a N16 but the engines dont seem that powerful,older N15.

Could someone explain to me how tunable the 1.8 engine is, how hard would it be for me to achieve similar performance to a N15 GTi

Also I would really like some pics of N16 that have been modded.

Any help is really appreciated!
 
in all honesty mate, find yourself a nice N15 GTi they are great cars engines really respond to some choice mods, cant really speak for the N16's as theres nothing really available for them....
 
There isn't a lot of tuning parts available I'm afraid mate.
Only way is chucking a bit of money at it such as member 'Almerasleeper' on here has done.. He's spent thousands supercharging the 1.8 engine. And now he's ran quarter mile times comparable to a stock N15 GTi..
It can be done lol.
Why not get an N15 anyway?
Joe
 
Thanks for the quick replies, tbh, I wanted a N16 as I prefer the looks inside and out and this is the main reason. Really want a fast car but needs to be refined too.

I wondered how interchangable parts are, I dont suppose it is possible for example to put a N15 Gti engine in a N16. I realise parts are harder to come by, alot harder then MG-Rover parts.

How easy is it to work on a N15, I have a fair bit of mechanical experience so wouldnt mind getting my hands dirty
 
shaggy_master said:
There isn't a lot of tuning parts available I'm afraid mate.
Only way is chucking a bit of money at it such as member 'Almerasleeper' on here has done.. He's spent thousands supercharging the 1.8 engine. And now he's ran quarter mile times comparable to a stock N15 GTi..
It can be done lol.
Why not get an N15 anyway?
Joe
Click to expand...

That's not quite fair Joe - yes I have spent a lot of money, but I've also beaten standard Gti's, MR2's, 206 Gti's,etc. That's just on track as well, on the road my car now embarasses a lot more expensive machinery. But you're right that there isn't much available 'off the shelf' for the N16. :)
 
I'm not being harsh at all mate.. All due respect for your spending/dedication for the work you've had done..
But I've witnessed a completely stock N15 GTi run 15.3s quarter mile..
Joe
 
rowdy-GTi said:
Fastest, and probably most reliable N16 is the diesel version.
Click to expand...


Yep, looking at the facts diesel would be good to work on but Im not a fan of diesels, like hate them. :D


Hmmm.... sleeper would you mind posting me a link or some pics of your car if possible, and without the turbo is there much gain from straightforward mods like exhaust and induction changes...
 
Welcome to AOC mate.

I love the N16s but they were never designed to be fast cars. They handle really well but you can't ignore the fact that that the GTi was designed to be a hot hatch while the N16s were designed to be economical daily drivers.

Yes, you can push the N16 1.8 with lots of cash and effort but you'll be working against the original design instead of with it as you would with a GTi.

Tons of modded examles of both N16 and N15 in the members ride section.
 
Bobby Valentino said:
Yep, looking at the facts diesel would be good to work on but Im not a fan of diesels, like hate them. :D


Hmmm.... sleeper would you mind posting me a link or some pics of your car if possible, and without the turbo is there much gain from straightforward mods like exhaust and induction changes...
Click to expand...

With a custom cat-back exhaust & K&N panel filter ( plus removed resonator box with cold air feed), you'd be looking at around 8-10 bhp more. Not a lot for the money really & not worth changing the ECU for either. But combined with a decat pipe that would be more like 15 bhp over stock.
Top tip mate - do not waste money on a K&N 57i kit for the N16, mine actually lost power (5bhp) - verified on a dyno !

I think the pics on 'member's ride' section are open to anyone, so have a look under my name dude. Put in Almerasleeper N16 or Rotrex supercharger in that area. :)
 
wraith said:
Welcome to AOC mate.

I love the N16s but they were never designed to be fast cars. They handle really well but you can't ignore the fact that that the GTi was designed to be a hot hatch while the N16s were designed to be economical daily drivers.

Yes, you can push the N16 1.8 with lots of cash and effort but you'll be working against the original design instead of with it as you would with a GTi.

Tons of modded examles of both N16 and N15 in the members ride section.
Click to expand...

True enough Stu . . . . .
 
Thank you mate, will check the pics out now. I know about the 57i, in my car it soaked up hot air which decreased performance.
I dont want much more power, just want a little more power than I have atm.

If I could add 15bhp id be happy with that.

Btw wraith, form your sig, your car seems lowered on coils, how low can you go if you buy springs, have seen 35mm ones and is there any difference between standard n16 suspension and the set up in the 1.8 sport?
 
I've just bought Apex lowering springs for mine - 35mm all round. Had Gmax springs on for the last year, but the ride quality was appalling ! H&R or Eibach Sportline are the best springs for the N16, but they are costly ! I'm combining the Apex ones with Excel G shocks - recommended by other members on here. Hope that helps ! :)
 
Right thanks for all the advice guys, one last question I take it that for example n15 struts and springs (some for sale on here) wouldnt fit n16's....

I always thought the n15 and n16's share the chassis, but have different engines and interior exterior shell, so would suspension and things like backboxes be interchangeable between the two, I may be completely wrong
 
N15!!
Although its slightly older its still very well equipped, I think you'll be suprised how refined it actually is! Take a look at one before you dismiss them, they drive so well!
Joe
 
Welcome Bobby.

I have a GT and it does'nt feel big at all, it handles great.

My advice would be to try an Almera GTi, you will not regret it.

Drop by the Northern meet on November 1st for inspiration (check the thread)
 
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