An Odyssey of Tuning a Big Power VX220
Discussion
When I started my project I considered other manufacturer's engines, but I thought the path of least resistance was to stick with the same engine block as the car rolled out of the factory with. Now that I know every inch of the car, I have considered building a vx220 race version with some sort of big power but low torque engine like an M3 V8, perhaps with a supercharger (though this add expense and complexity and charge temp issues).
However, every time I think about it, it seems a bit stupid to create another VX when I already have a 500 BHP one sitting the garage.
However, every time I think about it, it seems a bit stupid to create another VX when I already have a 500 BHP one sitting the garage.
Edited by nevcontractor on Wednesday 17th October 19:07
Edited by nevcontractor on Wednesday 17th October 19:08
I've made some more mods and got more power out of it. Write up is here: https://sites.google.com/site/z20letpower/07---upd...
dom9 said:
Yep, I've seen that one before.OlberJ said:
Yurp. Stretched wheelbase though, you want to keep it lovely
NEV, numbers aside, does it feel much quicker now?
But with the new 'box... NEV, numbers aside, does it feel much quicker now?
I'd love to know (off topic) whether you could squeeze a Cayenne 4.5 V8 in a Cayman... Keep it all Porsche but with an NA V8 soundtrack!
thought I'd update this thread a bit as I haven't been on here for ages:
Over the winter the car started smoking a lot, and after discovering it had lowish compression, I took the engine out and had gave it back to Steve Milton, who re-honed it and put different pistons in and also new stem seals. We suspected possible over fueling causing blow by (due to the sheen), which in turn was causing the turbo to leak past the seals/flingers (pic below):
About 6 months ago I swapped the throttle body over to larger size (and large 3 inch top hat), but TBH I don't think this helped at all.
Also, last month I got someone to install a new rack, new steering UJs in it and also a new very stiff front anti-roll bar. This has had a big impact on the way it handles and gives more confidence when cornering.
I have finally saved up enough money to get a semi-decent after market ECU for the car. On the 12th Oct the car is going up to EFI Tuning in Runcorn to have Adaptronic 440 installed and mapped. This will allow me to modify the maps in the car for different conditions, set in gear boost limits, traction control and the ability to remap it locally and easily if I ever change the engine/mechanicals. I have wanted to do this for 2 years now, and importantly this will allow me to bring the torque down as it the car is lethally powerful at the moment.
Am off to my brothers wedding in it this weekend, hopefully nobody will turn up with a faster car
Over the winter the car started smoking a lot, and after discovering it had lowish compression, I took the engine out and had gave it back to Steve Milton, who re-honed it and put different pistons in and also new stem seals. We suspected possible over fueling causing blow by (due to the sheen), which in turn was causing the turbo to leak past the seals/flingers (pic below):
About 6 months ago I swapped the throttle body over to larger size (and large 3 inch top hat), but TBH I don't think this helped at all.
Also, last month I got someone to install a new rack, new steering UJs in it and also a new very stiff front anti-roll bar. This has had a big impact on the way it handles and gives more confidence when cornering.
I have finally saved up enough money to get a semi-decent after market ECU for the car. On the 12th Oct the car is going up to EFI Tuning in Runcorn to have Adaptronic 440 installed and mapped. This will allow me to modify the maps in the car for different conditions, set in gear boost limits, traction control and the ability to remap it locally and easily if I ever change the engine/mechanicals. I have wanted to do this for 2 years now, and importantly this will allow me to bring the torque down as it the car is lethally powerful at the moment.
Am off to my brothers wedding in it this weekend, hopefully nobody will turn up with a faster car
Edited by nevcontractor on Tuesday 10th September 15:34
The car has seen quite a lot of mileage this summer, since rediscovering the wonderful roads in Brecon Beacons it has been hard not to drive out there at 5.00 AM every Sat/Sun morning.
Since the last update I've stuck some uprights on it (to help with lowering it's COG), fixed a burst water hose and carefully experimented/changed to the geo. I've also switched from Khumo V70a tyres to Federal RSRs, they last a good deal longer and are considerably cheaper (though a bit less grippy)
Mainly I've just been putting lots of petrol into it and blasting about.
Since the last update I've stuck some uprights on it (to help with lowering it's COG), fixed a burst water hose and carefully experimented/changed to the geo. I've also switched from Khumo V70a tyres to Federal RSRs, they last a good deal longer and are considerably cheaper (though a bit less grippy)
Mainly I've just been putting lots of petrol into it and blasting about.
Edited by nevcontractor on Friday 26th September 13:11
Last weekend I got round to finally getting the power map completed (with both revs and boost kept below maximum for reliability reasons). With 521 BHP and being 940 Kg, this gives it a power to weight ratio of 550 BHP/Ton - better than a Bugatti Veyron.
Mid range grunt is beyond most people's imagination (even mine!), many motorbikes can't keep up, let alone cars.
Mid range grunt is beyond most people's imagination (even mine!), many motorbikes can't keep up, let alone cars.
Edited by nevcontractor on Friday 13th March 14:44
nevcontractor said:
Last weekend I got round to finally getting the power map completed (with both revs and boost kept below maximum for reliability reasons). With 521 BHP and being 940 Kg, this gives it a power to weight ratio of 550 BHP/Ton - better than a Bugatti Veyron.
Mid range grunt is beyond most people's imagination (even mine!), most motorbikes can't keep up, let alone cars.
you are asking for a whole heap of butthurt from the bikers Nev!Mid range grunt is beyond most people's imagination (even mine!), most motorbikes can't keep up, let alone cars.
nevcontractor said:
Haha, well they can come and try their luck against me, a well driven one with plenty of power will be faster for sure. Last weeks attempt came from a Ninja, when the bloke caught up he was just shaking his head in bemusement.
It doesn't often happen to him, I bet!! It sounds like a different prospect to my 2.2 NA!!Truly bonkers! Brilliant.
Don't think the bikers comment was anything more than it was,...if I was on my bike, I'd be amazed at this vx220, but if I knew what was in it, I wouldn't be surprised when it took off like a scalded cat.
I certainly don't think I'd be able to keep up with a car like this.
Don't think the bikers comment was anything more than it was,...if I was on my bike, I'd be amazed at this vx220, but if I knew what was in it, I wouldn't be surprised when it took off like a scalded cat.
I certainly don't think I'd be able to keep up with a car like this.
robinessex said:
Quote:-
Since the last update I've stuck some uprights on it (to help with lowering it's COG)
How does that work then?
You can do that to adjust the roll centre, but it ain't going do anything to the COG
The uprights I installed raise the hub location by 40mm, this in turn allows me to lower the car by the same amount without affecting the geometry of the wishbones. So in summary, the car is now 4cm lower with corresponding lower CoG.Since the last update I've stuck some uprights on it (to help with lowering it's COG)
How does that work then?
You can do that to adjust the roll centre, but it ain't going do anything to the COG
Edited by nevcontractor on Friday 13th March 15:21
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