RstAaron.

Just want some advice really, I have a t16 engine from a 220 in a 400 estate and the headgasket has gone.
Now my thinking is that whilst it's apart I may as well upgrade it. I want to know what can be done and for what cost and potential gains to see how far it's worth going with it.

CheeRS,

SapphyMike

Does it have a PG1 gearbox fitted? If so, get the bearing cages upgraded as they fail.

Get a Klinger metal head gasket (if it had one, its unusual for them to fail!).

Pistons, well, you can get JE / Mahle which are expensive. If you can find a set from an 'O' Series or 'M' Series turbo engines, as the pistons are made of chocolate and running anymore than standard boost can cause them to melt.

O / M series pistons might let you run 250bhp, but then you'll need to upgrade the turbo as well as its a T25 iirc.

Personally I wouldnt bother

AustenW

Speak with Andy Nichols at AN Racing

His T series is running circa 800 whp

http://www.an-racing.co.uk/

bluntys1rsturbo

Easiest gains are from fitting a fmic, pulsar t28 turbo but your limited to around 12psi on standard bottom end.
If funds allow go for a set of forged pistons and rods,headwork,fast road cam, t28 and fmic. Gt it set at around 18-20psi and it will fly

oh and if you can stretch.to it a tubular manifold from aa autosport.

RstAaron.

Cheers for the advice, I've heard the ecu's aren't the best when it comes to tuning? Seems like you have to go straight for the big internal mods when looking for any decent power gain then. It's tough to decide wether it's worth the effort but the car is an awesome sleeper already. I suppose if I built a proper engine for it I could always break it to regain some money if needs be...

chaffe

just make sure the head is dead flat if fitting a MLS gasket

SapphyMike

I wouldnt bother tuning it.
The standard MEMS ecu isnt that great either.

mk1trb

id go for bigger turbo, mls headgasket, ms managment and a front mount cooler for a good reliable 280bhp, the early t series bottom ends (before 95) had forged pistons, you can tell an early engine by the inlet manifold saying TURBO where late choclate engines have just INJECTION

t16coupe

all the t series engines had week pistons early engines with mahle pistons cracked later engines with ae pistons melted stage 1 tuning is good air filter with battery in boot decat exhaust 12 psi boost power should be 200/210 bhp stage 2 is the above + t28 turbo from 200sx or pulsar or garrett gt 28r gt28rs or gt2871turbo if u have the budget front mount intercooler and custom made turbo elbow downpipe power should be 240/250 bhp next stage is all the above with forged pistons boost cut 16/18 psi boost walbro 255 pump magnecore leads with grade 8 plugs cams and head work will give small gains with std ecu power will be about 260bhp/280 bhp next stage people fit forged rods dta engine mangement 660 injectors gt30r turbo power should be 350+ bhp