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Just out of interest what ways are there to performance tune my engine? (1984 1272cc HK)

Cheers

I'm interested in this too! hehe 895cc!

air filter stuff

4 branch manifold

twin carbs

performance cam

lightened flywheel??

GT gearbox?? (i had a mk2 with one, was awesome!)

theres a lot of things dude

It really comes down to how much you want to spend on a MK1 -2.
Unfortunately, proper tuning is an expensive business, and if you only have a 55bhp engine your gonna have to spend a fair bit to make a genuine 65 -70bhp.
Its pointless spending money on tuning parts if the engine is worn. You really need to acertain the mechanical health of your engine first.
A compression test when cold, and another when hot will show if the bores and piston rings are in good order. Check that the oil pressure is good with a hot engine, and that there's no blue smoke, undue rattles etc.
So if your happy that the motor is in good nick, you can start choosing parts.
If you don't want to take the engine itself apart, your really limited to inlet and exhaust mods.
Many people will spend £200 plus on a big bore exhaust system. Apart from being very heavy (unless they're stainless steel), they're often badly fitting and unnessarily noisy. They also very do little for performance or power. A far better bet is an Ashley 4 branch manifold. They ain't exactly the best quality, but are a huge improvement over the standard manifold, particularly on single down pipe models. For around £140, they make much more sense and do give a few more bhp.
Whilst a K&N air filter looks much better, make sure a cold air feed is taken from the front of the car otherwise it'll just draw in hot air from the bay - not good for power.
A decent condition carb is important, this can be used with a port matched inlet manifold to get the best out of it.
Don't be fooled by manufacturers claiming more power by fitting their brand of "high performance spark plugs or HT leads". Good quality standard plugs and leads are more than enough unless you are running a seriously modded engine.
If you know what you are doing and have more to spend, then you can always start changing things like the camshaft, or better still a decent ported head and maybe convert to multi point fuel injection from a mk3 GT.
Hope this is of some help.

Well i know for a fact that my MK1 engine is in mint condition, it runs without any leaks, blue smokes or rattling at all..

The air filter is something i am going to have to replace again as i replaced it with a second hand one, which is just crap..

GK inlet manifold and camshaft, weber carb. Everything else doesnt really need to be changed.

I got an inlet manifold off ebay.de for 30 euros posted. and a camshaft for next to nothing as well. These two components are what strangle the HK engine at higher rpms.

As for the 895 - it really isnt worth trying to squeeze any more power out of one of these. You might wanna consider an engine conversion.

What defines an engine conversion?

WildChild wrote:What defines an engine conversion?

Changing the engine to something different from original factory spec?

G40 or GT engine in a mk1/2 is a popular one

Carbs 'n' Cams is the way forward, but to get decent power ruins 'normal' driveability and destroys fuel consumption. An engine conversion is usually the most cost effective way to the big power numbers

Steb,

Presumably this would make the car a "custom" or "modified" vechile..

how would you list it insurance wise? and would you have to put it through another MOT due to a new engine and get it all rechecked with paper work from the DVLA?

In the eyes of the insurance company, it is most definately modified

And yes, as you quite rightly state, needs a new MOT and updated V5