Discussion
Serious answer...
The VVC makes between 145-165 bhp and gains its extra power over the standard (118bhp 1.8 litre) engine by using variable valve timing (VVC= Variable Valve Control) to allow more extreme camshaft timing than would normally be tolerable on a road car.
The VHPD (Very High Performance Derivative) is/was basically a competition-oriented derivative that used conventional tuning techniques (upgraded internals, 'hot' camshafts and improved breathing with throttle body injection, but fixed valve timing) to deliver 190bhp.
But (joking aside), the VVC is a perfectly reliable and tractable road car engine (they fitted thousands in MGF's), whereas the VHPD is much more highly strung, requiring more regular rebuilds/refreshes and having a reputation for grenading itself every now and then.
The VVC makes between 145-165 bhp and gains its extra power over the standard (118bhp 1.8 litre) engine by using variable valve timing (VVC= Variable Valve Control) to allow more extreme camshaft timing than would normally be tolerable on a road car.
The VHPD (Very High Performance Derivative) is/was basically a competition-oriented derivative that used conventional tuning techniques (upgraded internals, 'hot' camshafts and improved breathing with throttle body injection, but fixed valve timing) to deliver 190bhp.
But (joking aside), the VVC is a perfectly reliable and tractable road car engine (they fitted thousands in MGF's), whereas the VHPD is much more highly strung, requiring more regular rebuilds/refreshes and having a reputation for grenading itself every now and then.
No doubt someone will turn up to defend the VHPD as a daily driver, but personally I'd say it's far better suited to occasional track use and the odd weekend blast than substantial road mileage.
There's nothing to stop you using them on the road, mind you (though you hear occasional tales of MOT emissions difficulties when tuned to 190bhp+ spec) and they're nothing like as mental or highly strung as the 230bhp spec engines in the K-series R500's, if they're mapped correctly.
For road use, I'd go for the VVC every time, though, personally.
There's nothing to stop you using them on the road, mind you (though you hear occasional tales of MOT emissions difficulties when tuned to 190bhp+ spec) and they're nothing like as mental or highly strung as the 230bhp spec engines in the K-series R500's, if they're mapped correctly.
For road use, I'd go for the VVC every time, though, personally.
BertBert said:
I used one for many '000 miles day in and out. It's just a k with TBs after all. Don't keep it on the limiter and you'll be fine. Just a matter of how much power you want.
Bert
Perhaps this should read: Bert
FatArnie said:
BertBert used one for many '000 miles day in and out. It's just a k with TBs after all. Don't keep it on the limiter and you'll be fine because the rest of the bits which matter are made from chocolate rather than EN23/40 steel.
The VHPD is expensive to fix if it blows up. The VVC is essentially a near stock Rover motor and easy to source used if you need a replacement . . it just has less power.
I think the VVC-R is a nice halfway house . .. an MGF Trophy VVC motor with RBTBs and tweeks to stock stuff so it developes c.183bhp with a good torque spread. It never made it into a stock Caterham but it was originally developed for this purpose.
I think the VVC-R is a nice halfway house . .. an MGF Trophy VVC motor with RBTBs and tweeks to stock stuff so it developes c.183bhp with a good torque spread. It never made it into a stock Caterham but it was originally developed for this purpose.
(but with less ego involved)rubystone said:
Mars said:
So much uninformed crap/rumour written here.
I used to know a guy whose first name began with an "N" from oop north - not you is it Mars?....I agree with you on this one, but then I would - we used to agree on pretty much everything when we both owned our SLRs 
Mars said:
rubystone said:
Mars said:
So much uninformed crap/rumour written here.
I used to know a guy whose first name began with an "N" from oop north - not you is it Mars?....I agree with you on this one, but then I would - we used to agree on pretty much everything when we both owned our SLRs Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff