Uploaded September 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
This is a story of converting a standard petrol 1.8 freelander to a 200bhp Turbo engine, using the original engine block and driveline. Why, you may ask? It’s for more driving fun and because the more powerful 185bhp 2.5V6 only comes as an auto, whereas the 1.8’s are usually manual, which again is more fun.
It is a two stage story, my first build was just getting the engine and bits together that were bought (was told it was a turbo engine - it wasn’t!)
A good lesson, check eBay buys more thoroughly! And adding a Turbo to a standard 1.8 engine is asking for trouble! - It didn’t last long! Also you need a properly mapped ECU (changed to a KMaps 200bhp MEMS3 ECU later from the rather unusual XIC ECU on the initial build)
So the second chapter (from 7m 49s) is all about doing it properly, so you can skip to that if you prefer. These are the chapters:
First Step Get it Running From 1m19s
Initial results From 6m56s
Doing it Properly From 7m 49s
End result From 26m 35s
Lots of details, but can’t cover everything. Some will think it's too long, for those people: just skip forward.
Here’s the short video of this car running with some nice turbo noises (I hid the boost swoosh from the dump valve later after i got bored of that by plumbing it into the air filter box) - youtu.be/IirkSuXbl_0
Hopefully this will inspire or help others! There is also a good guide in LRO magazine autumn 2020 issues by another guy doing the same conversion.
Subscribe to the channel for similar DIY, fixing stuff, car bits and tech reviews here:
youtube.com/user/comeinhandynow?sub_confirmation=1
Note, if you want to be notified of new videos click on the bell symbol on my home page.
Check out eBay for buying bits for a conversion. You can also buy whole MG6 turbo engines if you want to swap the engine. e.g.
Ebay UK MG 1.8 turbo engines: ebay.us/6Zbdvx
Turbo throttle body: ebay.us/Hs4bhd
Also look on Ebay for parts like exhaust, manifolds, gauges etc.
For instance this is the wide band Air:Fuel Ratio (AFR) gage and sensor that I used:
Ebay UK: ebay.us/CmorX1
Turbo recirc valve blanking plate:
Ebay UK: bit.ly/3iNYwX1
K series liner shims:
Ebay UK: bit.ly/30nNFMh
and Amazon for tools like a torque wrench, socket set etc:
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2ZTX65w
Amazon USA & others: amzn.to/2FLgo6t
Rubber disposible gloves are also useful, to start you off here's the links for
eBay USA: ebay.us/GGqmTJ
eBay UK: ebay.us/cE1BHK
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3aikbl8
Amazon USA & others: amzn.to/3cdwjpD
If anyone wants to show appreciation for any money savings, or just help support the channel and future videos then you now can. Use this link: paypal.me/comeinhandy
OR you can support me by using the above Amazon and Ebay links to buy other stuff that you would usually buy, it will not cost you anything more, but will help this channel.
I’m on Facebook here: facebook.com/comeinhandynow
Become a Patron to get extra content or previews or sponsor here: patreon.com/user?u=31365629&fan_landing=true
The video is about my personal opinion and experience and contains no paid for product placements. No responsibility is accepted for any perceived recommendation for or against a product or feature nor any consequential damage or harm since this video is just my personal experience. You accept by watching this video that you accept any responsibility for any subsequent actions or decisions that you take.
Note on copyright / licensing: This video was created using Apple iMovie and as such any music or video content is fully licensed by their terms and conditions for free publication and distribution.
See the Apple iMovie software license agreement at:
images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/iMovie.pdf
Which states "all Sample Content included in the Apple Software may be used on a royalty-free basis in your own video projects"
This is a story of converting a standard petrol 1.8 freelander to a 200bhp Turbo engine, using the original engine block and driveline. Why, you may ask? It’s for more driving fun and because the more powerful 185bhp 2.5V6 only comes as an auto, whereas the 1.8’s are usually manual, which again is more fun.
It is a two stage story, my first build was just getting the engine and bits together that were bought (was told it was a turbo engine - it wasn’t!)
A good lesson, check eBay buys more thoroughly! And adding a Turbo to a standard 1.8 engine is asking for trouble! - It didn’t last long! Also you need a properly mapped ECU (changed to a KMaps 200bhp MEMS3 ECU later from the rather unusual XIC ECU on the initial build)
So the second chapter (from 7m 49s) is all about doing it properly, so you can skip to that if you prefer. These are the chapters:
First Step Get it Running From 1m19s
Initial results From 6m56s
Doing it Properly From 7m 49s
End result From 26m 35s
Lots of details, but can’t cover everything. Some will think it's too long, for those people: just skip forward.
Here’s the short video of this car running with some nice turbo noises (I hid the boost swoosh from the dump valve later after i got bored of that by plumbing it into the air filter box) - youtu.be/IirkSuXbl_0
Hopefully this will inspire or help others! There is also a good guide in LRO magazine autumn 2020 issues by another guy doing the same conversion.
Subscribe to the channel for similar DIY, fixing stuff, car bits and tech reviews here:
youtube.com/user/comeinhandynow?sub_confirmation=1
Note, if you want to be notified of new videos click on the bell symbol on my home page.
Check out eBay for buying bits for a conversion. You can also buy whole MG6 turbo engines if you want to swap the engine. e.g.
Ebay UK MG 1.8 turbo engines: ebay.us/6Zbdvx
Turbo throttle body: ebay.us/Hs4bhd
Also look on Ebay for parts like exhaust, manifolds, gauges etc.
For instance this is the wide band Air:Fuel Ratio (AFR) gage and sensor that I used:
Ebay UK: ebay.us/CmorX1
Turbo recirc valve blanking plate:
Ebay UK: bit.ly/3iNYwX1
K series liner shims:
Ebay UK: bit.ly/30nNFMh
and Amazon for tools like a torque wrench, socket set etc:
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2ZTX65w
Amazon USA & others: amzn.to/2FLgo6t
Rubber disposible gloves are also useful, to start you off here's the links for
eBay USA: ebay.us/GGqmTJ
eBay UK: ebay.us/cE1BHK
Amazon UK: amzn.to/3aikbl8
Amazon USA & others: amzn.to/3cdwjpD
If anyone wants to show appreciation for any money savings, or just help support the channel and future videos then you now can. Use this link: paypal.me/comeinhandy
OR you can support me by using the above Amazon and Ebay links to buy other stuff that you would usually buy, it will not cost you anything more, but will help this channel.
I’m on Facebook here: facebook.com/comeinhandynow
Become a Patron to get extra content or previews or sponsor here: patreon.com/user?u=31365629&fan_landing=true
The video is about my personal opinion and experience and contains no paid for product placements. No responsibility is accepted for any perceived recommendation for or against a product or feature nor any consequential damage or harm since this video is just my personal experience. You accept by watching this video that you accept any responsibility for any subsequent actions or decisions that you take.
Note on copyright / licensing: This video was created using Apple iMovie and as such any music or video content is fully licensed by their terms and conditions for free publication and distribution.
See the Apple iMovie software license agreement at:
images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/iMovie.pdf
Which states "all Sample Content included in the Apple Software may be used on a royalty-free basis in your own video projects"
