Whats the difference between the vitesse and vitesse sport??

Vitesse16v · Post by **Vitesse16v** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 6:59 pm

Hi,

I am about to buy a Rover Vitesse, I used to have a vitesse sport on a P plate which was the 200bhp model, i am currently looking at a standard vitesse with the 180bhp engine.

I ma worried that the 180bhp vitty will be a bit of a disappointment after the 200bhp one

Can some one tell me what the difference is between the two engines to gain the extra 20bhp

thanks

T16 Dave · Post by **T16 Dave** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 7:14 pm

Different inlet cam, runs less boost. Fit a manual boost controller, turn boost up from 8.8psi on the 180 engine to the ~12 of the 200, and you'll get back some of the lost 20 ponies.

benno_bro · Post by **benno_bro** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 8:05 pm

suspension is slightly different too apparently.....

T16 Dave · Post by **T16 Dave** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 8:22 pm

yeah, less wallowy. Stock vitty is enough to make your lunch revisit you.

Post by **Punx0r** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 8:53 pm

Slightly larger diameter exhaust.

High level rear brake light and leather door cards probably add a few horses

TBH, I don't think most vitty sports run 200hp anyway, probably closer to 190...

fluke · Post by **fluke** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 9:05 pm

Punx0r wrote:Slightly larger diameter exhaust.

High level rear brake light and leather door cards probably add a few horses

Thats the face lift version stuff.
Also climate control as standard, 3 rear head rests, wasted spark.

Vitesse16v · Post by **Vitesse16v** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 7:07 am

So there are a few differences then. Mayybe i'll wait and get a Sport again instead.....

The one I have seen has had head gasket and steel case bearings done recently that the main reason I was going to get it.

benno_bro · Post by **benno_bro** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:32 pm

fluke wrote:
Punx0r wrote:Slightly larger diameter exhaust.

High level rear brake light and leather door cards probably add a few horses

Thats the face lift version stuff.
Also climate control as standard, 3 rear head rests, wasted spark.

Fluke is right.....i don't have the leather door cars / climate contol / centre headrest and it isn't wasted spark :cry:

darwin · Post by **darwin** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:44 pm

Different inlet cam

Exhaust cam surely

I have a Vitesse and I dont find the suspension that wallowy . I've been in worse cars .

Vit Sport has the 17s as standard as well . Far , far better looking than the crappy 16s .

malcolm_durant · Post by **malcolm_durant** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 1:36 pm

Post 96, all Vitesses are Vitesse Sport spec (they dropped the 180bhp model completely and just called them Vitesses).

1996 and earlier Vitesse Sports have the following differences over the "regular" 180bhp Vitesses that I can think of:

200bhp (exhaust cam and ECU changes)
17" alloys
2.5" bore exhaust system
Stiffer springs and dampers (allegedly Mk1 827 Vitesse spec...I'm dubious about that bit of history myself as my V6 Vitesse rolled like a oil tanker until I lowered it :twisted:

)
Torsen diff in the gearbox

Other upgrades to trim, wasted spark ignition etc were as per the rest of the range, except the 820 Coupe Turbo/Vitesse Coupe was always a 200bhp model as far as I know.

There was no visual difference between a 180bhp model and a 200bhp model aside from the alloys. Check the log-book if unsure (mine definitely says "Sport".

Oh, and of course the Sport models attracted a more discerning owner...and continues to do so to this day :nyah:

Hope that helps?

Malcolm

BlueRover · Post by **BlueRover** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 11:11 pm

Vitesse16v wrote:So there are a few differences then. Mayybe i'll wait and get a Sport again instead.....

The one I have seen has had head gasket and steel case bearings done recently that the main reason I was going to get it.

I would say that the extra reliability is worth more than 20 extra horses due to the weary-outy bits have been done already. If you really want extra hp, go for induction/exhaust and boost the turbo a little. You'll find little difference in 20 hp with those extras on board.

PS, don't let motobuild near it or you'll have -150 hp after a few days.

Vitesse16v · Post by **Vitesse16v** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 11:18 pm

BlueRover wrote: I would say that the extra reliability is worth more than 20 extra horses due to the weary-outy bits have been done already. If you really want extra hp, go for induction/exhaust and boost the turbo a little. You'll find little difference in 20 hp with those extras on board.

PS, don't let motobuild near it or you'll have -150 hp after a few days.

You have had the same thought I had. The reliability thing is what has pushed me to buy it. Picking it up in the morning!

Good point about motobuild. When I had my vitesse sport they told me the sport runs 7psi!!! Useless, in my opinion!

flame220 · Post by **flame220** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 8:13 pm

Vitesse16v wrote:So there are a few differences then. Mayybe i'll wait and get a Sport again instead.....

The one I have seen has had head gasket and steel case bearings done recently that the main reason I was going to get it.

Buy it, you wont regret it

flame220 · Post by **flame220** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 8:16 pm

malcolm_durant wrote:Post 96, all Vitesses are Vitesse Sport spec (they dropped the 180bhp model completely and just called them Vitesses).

1996 and earlier Vitesse Sports have the following differences over the "regular" 180bhp Vitesses that I can think of:

200bhp (exhaust cam and ECU changes)
17" alloys
2.5" bore exhaust system
Stiffer springs and dampers (allegedly Mk1 827 Vitesse spec...I'm dubious about that bit of history myself as my V6 Vitesse rolled like a oil tanker until I lowered it )
Torsen diff in the gearbox

Other upgrades to trim, wasted spark ignition etc were as per the rest of the range, except the 820 Coupe Turbo/Vitesse Coupe was always a 200bhp model as far as I know.

There was no visual difference between a 180bhp model and a 200bhp model aside from the alloys. Check the log-book if unsure (mine definitely says "Sport".

Oh, and of course the Sport models attracted a more discerning owner...and continues to do so to this day

Hope that helps?

Malcolm

The Sport definitely hasnt got 827 Vitesse suspension, mine was like a barge until lowered, my Sport however needs nothing doing to the suspension.

Vitesse16v · Post by **Vitesse16v** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 8:16 pm

flame220 wrote:
Vitesse16v wrote:So there are a few differences then. Mayybe i'll wait and get a Sport again instead.....

The one I have seen has had head gasket and steel case bearings done recently that the main reason I was going to get it.

Buy it, you wont regret it

I bought it a few days ago mate, I am well chuffed with it!

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:53 pm

I thought the only real difference was the exhaust cam pulley?!

flame220 · Post by **flame220** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 5:18 pm

Gazza wrote:I thought the only real difference was the exhaust cam pulley?!

Oh so very wrong.
The Sport is a very different beast to a 180 Vit.

malcolm_durant · Post by **malcolm_durant** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 11:39 pm

On a vaguely different note, I'm about to catch a minor dose of chavfluenza...

I'm going to fit a boot spoiler to mine; but not the usual spoiler off a 800 hatch as I personally think that looks too high on a saloon, spoiling the long lean lines. Dug out the old Rover 400 Mk2 spoiler I somehow never fitted to my wife's old 400 hatch.

Initially it looks really promising, being lower than a 800 spoiler, with a curve that compliments the curve of the 800 bootlid and with struts that are just in the right place to bolt to the sides of the bootlid.

Not sure yet if the holes will line up with the holes in the 800 bootlid frame that signify where you should drill the bootlid skin to fit a standard 800 spoiler though.

With a bit of work filing the base of the struts down to account for the slight upturn at the back of the bootlid on 800 saloons, it should fit really well.

Spoiler actually came off a Rover 400 shaped Honda Civic 5 door and so has a built in LED brake light...it's also glassfibre rather than rubber, so simple to fettle and repaint. Brucie bonus!

Obviously the extra drag of the spoiler will knock 10mph off the top speed whilst contributing absolutely nothing to the amount of downforce generated...!

Malcolm

symonh2000 · Post by **symonh2000** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:08 pm

I have never driven a 180 Vitesse, but I have owned a Vitesse sport, as well as my current Vitesse wasted spark. I am pretty sure too they havent got the same suspension as the 827 vitesse as the one I had was roick hard on the ride and handled like a elephant with a Hernia. The 827 has self levelling rear shocks too. Mine was a manual box one by the way.

george_chick · Post by **george_chick** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 8:52 pm

self levelling shockers and the springs to go with them was only factory fit on the MKI Sterlings, so your one was messed about with at some point.

symonh2000 · Post by **symonh2000** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 12:38 am

Cheers for that George. I don't know if mine did have the self levelling shocks, but I am sure I read somewhere they did. I know for a fact it was pretty poor in the handling department. Especially compared to a Mk2 827 and not to mention my current Vitesse. In response to the first post you may find the later Vitesse is cheaper to insure than the Vitesse sport. I certainly did, this seems a bit strange to me as it is basically the came car with a few extra bits of trim and wasted spark ingintion instaed of a dizzy.