Shed of the Week: Citroen Saxo VTR
Already track prepped so you don't have to, this little Saxo has a hidden surprise as well
Even in standard trim, the Citroen Saxo VTR is a bit of a hoot. It weighs just over 920kg and squirts out a little more than 90hp in its early versions, of which this is one.
With a fat inventory of tuning bits and chassis mods attached, the grin potential of this week's Shed is high indeed.
Worried about power? There's the nitrous for that..
For them as don't know, nitrous oxide enables your engine to produce great gobs of power without the need for complicated/expensive mechanical or electrical upgrades. It's a pretty straightforward idea based on the handy ability of N2O to separate into its component parts of nitrogen and oxygen when heated.
Injecting the gas into your motor greatly increases the amount of oxygen taken in, which means you can pump in a lot more fuel. And that means power. Or, perhaps more accurately, POWER.
Nitrous oxide systems were used by both sides in WW2 to keep their recon planes flying smoothly at high altitude. More recently the car and bike worlds have latched onto the potential for instant gains.
In the bright, sunny days before Mrs Shed entered his life, Shed picked up some petty cash by acting as a test rider for a jovial chap up north who was trying to perfect nitrous kits for motorbikes.
Because track car, right?
Happily, Shed's unselfish test 'work' paid off for Jovial Northern Bloke, who went on to become something of an authority on the subject.
It may be different now, but back then the amount of power, or 'shot' as it is now known in the biz, depended on the size of your injector nozzles. In Shed's bike testing days he was required to trigger the gas via a button on the handlebars, a tricky operation because the sudden whump of power tended to loosen his death grip on the bars.
As the science progressed and the value of solenoids began to be appreciated, things became a bit more sophisticated. The N2O could be triggered to arrive automatically on big throttle openings, rather than manually on the button.
Nitrous oxide is stored in liquid form in a suitably meaty metal vessel mounted somewhere covert if you favour the 'street sleeper' look, or gaudily out in the breeze if you want everyone to know you're holding the winning hand. You'll need to find a supplier to keep your bottle topped up. Your local dentist might be willing to oblige. Failing that, any of the UK outfits offering kits will be able to help you. In terms of power per pound nitrous is almost certainly the cheapest option.
Might need a little ride height adjustment
The Saxo lump is a pleasingly tough old thing and should be well suited to this sort of application. You do want to avoid a nitrous backfire though. This occurs with a too-rich mixture or as a result of poor atomisation and, on a bike at least, would pose a real and present danger to one's gentleman's area.
Otherwise, what could possibly go wrong?
Well, you'd probably want to stay away from the track until such time as you've fitted a roll cage. Saxos are structurally stronger than a paper bag, but not by much. The rear beams are made of slightly heavier gauge paper. Rear arches rust (though this one looks clean enough) and sunroofs leak. Most other stuff will be the normal consumables, which in the case of the Saxo will include suspension components.
Get a cage in it and enjoy!
Shed's testing experiences made him a nitrous convert. On returning home from the north he secreted a small system inside the grass box of Mrs Shed's precious lawnmower. Of course, she had warned him on numerous occasions never to meddle with her box, but the sight of Mrs Shed being dragged face down along the turf by an enraged Atco more than made up for the almighty shellacking he received later. Plus it saved him the bother of ploughing that bit of the lawn, so a win-win overall.
Everyone needs a laugh in life, especially Shed. This Saxo could be it.
Here is the ad.
I've had my saxo for nearly 3 years but upgrading so it's time to let someone else enjoy it. It has been my pride and joy and during the 3 years it has been modified to a high standard! If you've seen fast and furious you'll know the power nitrous oxide gives. This saxo has a well fitted nytrex triple threat wet nitrous kit fitted which, at the present time, is set to give an extra 75bhp in an instant! This kit alone cost £1000! The nitrous bottle has just been refilled. This saxo really is a pocket rocket and great at embarrassing many supposed faster cars. 0-60 below 6 secs.
As you can see in the photos it also has a raceland 4 branch exhaust manifold, full toyosport stainless exhaust, pipercross induction filter. NGK iridium spark plugs with a higher heat reading than normal have been fitted. The interior has been kitted out with an FIA approved cobra bucket seat with 3 point harness - the original seat is available and can be quickly swapped over if wanted. I was going to fit a matching passenger bucket seat aswell but access to the back seats would have been awkward. A sparco steering wheel with quick release boss is also fitted so you can leave the steering wheel in the boot - great antitheft device! It has been lowered 40mm all round with uprated springs and front shocks. All suspension parts are polybushed and racing engine mounts are fitted. The rear axle has 25mm h and r hubcentric spacers fitted to help turn in. Upper and lower front strut braces have been fitted. the front discs and calipers are from a Peugeot 206 gti 180 - great stopping power which you need with nitrous!
Grey kunzite lightweight 15 inch alloy wheels fitted with falken ze912 tyres on the rear and Uniroyal rain sport on the front.carbon look door cards fitted with Peugeot 106 door pockets. HID front lights have been fitted for ultra bright clear night driving.
The carpet has been removed and the floor protected with hammerite.
The body work is in good condition and the MOT is till end of Oct.
This saxo runs and drives perfectly and has been regularly serviced. The rear brake discs and pads have recently been upgraded with a mintex set.
If you wanted to buy a saxo to do up - well buy this one and just drive!! Runs great and drives even better!! Handles superbly. It has never been raced or on a track and the nitrous has not been used all the time - just at those moments when you feel like embarrassing someone! This is a true sleeper car that will put a big smile on your face. Any more info about the car or the nitrous kit just ask.
£995
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That Saxo sounds a hoot! I want a NO2 button, more so I want to press one whilst driving. Best I've managed is a hi/lo boost switch on a MK2 RST and that was f
kin awesome!Great shed.
Structural integrity is slightly better than cardboard and plastic, I wouldn't take one on track without a cage.
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