For owners seeking a significant and reliable increase in performance without the complexity of building an engine from individual components, a complete reconditioned performance engine offers the most straightforward route. Each engine is professionally built to a defined specification, tested, and supplied ready to install, with all the internal work already completed to a standard that would be difficult and time-consuming to replicate in a home workshop. Performance engines are available in a range of capacities and tuning stages, each built on a reconditioned exchange basis where the customer's old engine is returned as the exchange unit, and all are fitted with unleaded-tolerant cylinder heads as standard, ensuring compatibility with modern fuel.
Engine Specifications
At the mild end of the range, standard-specification reconditioned engines in 1800cc, 1950cc, and 2000cc capacities provide a reliable and fresh power unit with the reassurance of new or reconditioned internal components throughout, suited to owners who want a sound, well-built engine without necessarily seeking a performance increase, though the larger-capacity options naturally deliver improved torque over the standard 1798cc unit. Stage II engines combine the increased capacity with a polished and ported cylinder head fitted with new valves, valve springs, and bronze valve guides for improved gas flow, the Stage II specification transforming the engine's breathing and delivering a noticeable increase in both mid-range torque and top-end power, well suited to fast-road use and spirited driving. At the top of the range, high-torque and large-capacity builds take the engine to 2100cc, achieved by boring the block and stroking the crankshaft, and incorporate performance camshafts, vernier timing pulleys, nitrided crankshafts, refaced flywheels with new ring gears, and a new clutch, the most comprehensively specified builds supplied complete with HS6 carburettors and inlet manifold together with a performance distributor, providing a fully integrated package ready for installation.
Supporting Systems
When fitting any performance engine, the supporting systems should be considered as part of the overall installation. The cooling system in particular may need attention, as larger-capacity engines generate more heat and adequate cooling-fan provision is important, with a mechanical cooling fan advised to supplement under-bonnet cooling on the largest-capacity builds, and a plastic fan blade available for cars from 1973 onwards if one is not already fitted, though on post-1976 cars the fan blade may need to be shortened slightly to clear the top radiator hose. The exhaust system, carburettors, and ignition timing should all be reviewed to ensure they are matched to the new engine specification, as a performance engine paired with a restrictive standard exhaust or incorrectly jetted carburettors will not deliver the power and driveability the build is capable of. An uprated aluminium radiator and electric cooling fan are worthwhile companions to any large-capacity build, addressing the increased heat rejection that the bigger engine produces, and the dedicated cooling-system sections cover the appropriate specifications.
Setup & Range
A rolling-road setup after installation is recommended to optimise fuelling and timing for the specific engine and ancillary combination, ensuring the carburettor needles and the ignition advance curve are matched to the engine as built rather than to a generic specification, which is where the final increment of driveability and performance is found. The range encompasses reconditioned performance engines from standard-specification rebuilds through to fully specified large-capacity Stage II builds, all supplied on an exchange basis with unleaded-tolerant cylinder heads, so owners can choose the level of performance and the budget that suits their intended use, from a straightforward fresh standard engine through to a comprehensively specified fast-road or competition unit. The technical team is available to advise on the right specification for a specific car and intended use, and to discuss the supporting components, carburettors, exhaust, ignition, and cooling, that complete the installation as a balanced package.