Mind made up I'm going turbo
Discussion
I've been toying with changing up for a cerb (as posted on here before) and as much as I want one I can't warrant it without selling my Chim 400 "Biddie" at this present time! The more I think about selling her the more I think I'll regret it....so the Cerb is on the future shopping list for now! I've spent a fortune getting her sorted and she's in good order so I've decided I should sort out some extra oomph....so she's more baddie than biddie!
So after thinking about engine upgrades or SC....I've decided on one of Eann's turbo's as a pressie in the early new year... I need to call him to arrange a date for fitting but I like what I heard from the couple of emails sent a few months back.
Eann gave me a good rundown on what I can expect but It would be good to hear what the other guys on here think of the performance difference if the basic turbo kit is used. I will eventually ugrade the injectors, ECU and add an intercooler.
Anyone just go for the basic kit or in at the deep end?
Exhaust note?
Cheers all.
So after thinking about engine upgrades or SC....I've decided on one of Eann's turbo's as a pressie in the early new year... I need to call him to arrange a date for fitting but I like what I heard from the couple of emails sent a few months back.
Eann gave me a good rundown on what I can expect but It would be good to hear what the other guys on here think of the performance difference if the basic turbo kit is used. I will eventually ugrade the injectors, ECU and add an intercooler.
Anyone just go for the basic kit or in at the deep end?
Exhaust note?
Cheers all.
Thanks fellas.
My engine's sound...Bottom end has been checked, heads in good order and I had a new cam and sundries 6 months ago. Clutch good and slave cylinder just changed.
I took a trip up to Joolz recently and shes putting out 235bhp, oil usage next to nothing and pressure good so I'm confident that she's ready...she lapped up the stress on the RR.
The only thing I'm not so sure of is the diff and drive shafts, not because theres anything wrong but its one of the only things I've not touched.
Yep the injectors, intercooler and the emerald upgrade is the plan. I've read stay away from megasquirt although I know some who used it with ok results in the past, can't comment myself as I have no experience with it.
Its really a case of will the basic kit keep me happy for a bit, then I can retrospectively fit the rest?
My engine's sound...Bottom end has been checked, heads in good order and I had a new cam and sundries 6 months ago. Clutch good and slave cylinder just changed.
I took a trip up to Joolz recently and shes putting out 235bhp, oil usage next to nothing and pressure good so I'm confident that she's ready...she lapped up the stress on the RR.
The only thing I'm not so sure of is the diff and drive shafts, not because theres anything wrong but its one of the only things I've not touched.
Yep the injectors, intercooler and the emerald upgrade is the plan. I've read stay away from megasquirt although I know some who used it with ok results in the past, can't comment myself as I have no experience with it.
Its really a case of will the basic kit keep me happy for a bit, then I can retrospectively fit the rest?
Pupp said:
The 'right' answer is that, putting aside fuelling, forced induction will need ignition control that the OEM dizzy will not support (Megasquirt is as good as any provided it's installed and set up appropriately) - the reality is that up to half a bar of boost or so (maybe beyond but that;s a good threshold), it can be made to work well enough and there's many getting good results. You will certainly be happy with half a bar (and less).
Thats what I was after Gary...I've experience of turbos but with fuel and spark taken care of and on 4 cylinders.If it'll work on moderate boost with a little advance tweaking and regulator control, and the drive is a real improvement I'm sold! Well I'm already sold but just a bit more now
I'm seriously excited about it and the further improvements that can be had in due course. Not that I doubted Eann one little bit, just nice to get other peoples take on it on their own cars.
Nice one Fella's.
All good advice much appreciated, I was aware of the chassis slicing and dicing to squeeze it in but I'm confident with the knowledge and experience on here that it will be fine and there's strengthening solutions available.
Thats interesting about the injectors, mine have all been refurbed so I was hoping they would be sufficient up to 350BHP but over 400BHP has really surprised me.
I'll check with Eann on the guts in his currently used turbo and will def keep you updated on progress...fitting date and results.
Slippery slope chasing performance I know but what a way to blow money...excuse the pun
Cheers
All good advice much appreciated, I was aware of the chassis slicing and dicing to squeeze it in but I'm confident with the knowledge and experience on here that it will be fine and there's strengthening solutions available.
Thats interesting about the injectors, mine have all been refurbed so I was hoping they would be sufficient up to 350BHP but over 400BHP has really surprised me.
I'll check with Eann on the guts in his currently used turbo and will def keep you updated on progress...fitting date and results.
Slippery slope chasing performance I know but what a way to blow money...excuse the pun
Cheers
Sardonicus said:
ClassiChimi said:
Whats the cost of all this.
Toughned driveshaft's etc incl.
Sounds very expensive and from what I've seen not always reliable.
Why not sell your 400 engine and just get a 450/500 and put a decent after market Ecu on it.
Maybe have the heads worked and it will be around 350 BHP and as in the case with my very standard 450 engine 350 torques which is more than enough for the cars ability on the road.
If my very standard induction and 38 mm trumpets with. Catted pipe produces 300 BHP and more importantly for these engines produces 350 ft lb torque then why bother with all that when you can get to a similar figure n/a
Unless you get well into the 400's you won't notice it very much either in my view!
You just have to consider drag times to see the small effect all this actually produces, and most of that is off the line and the gains become tenths of a second the further up a 1/4 mile you go so in the real world a matter of yards.
All I'm saying is consider a bigger engine because I'd say that will be a more sort after car than a turbo car and IMHO an easier car to own and actually use.
I am incl an Ecu update as part of the best n/a package so I suppose that could end up being very expensive too. Hmmm
I'm not convinced of the turbo cars yet, most I've seem have constant worries over detonation or pipes blowing off or gasket issues, if you can afford it then it's all part of the fun but a plug and play package I don't think they are.
Also every engine that's getting high figures then f
ks the block or crank, not straight away but I think it's more just a matter of time.
If the cars a toy and doesn't get used for anything other than fun, go for it
No disrespect Alun but your 450 with around 300hp is far from standard even if you are still using the 38mm trumpet base so not the greatest standard bench for HP Toughned driveshaft's etc incl.
Sounds very expensive and from what I've seen not always reliable.
Why not sell your 400 engine and just get a 450/500 and put a decent after market Ecu on it.
Maybe have the heads worked and it will be around 350 BHP and as in the case with my very standard 450 engine 350 torques which is more than enough for the cars ability on the road.
If my very standard induction and 38 mm trumpets with. Catted pipe produces 300 BHP and more importantly for these engines produces 350 ft lb torque then why bother with all that when you can get to a similar figure n/a
Unless you get well into the 400's you won't notice it very much either in my view!
You just have to consider drag times to see the small effect all this actually produces, and most of that is off the line and the gains become tenths of a second the further up a 1/4 mile you go so in the real world a matter of yards.
All I'm saying is consider a bigger engine because I'd say that will be a more sort after car than a turbo car and IMHO an easier car to own and actually use.
I am incl an Ecu update as part of the best n/a package so I suppose that could end up being very expensive too. Hmmm
I'm not convinced of the turbo cars yet, most I've seem have constant worries over detonation or pipes blowing off or gasket issues, if you can afford it then it's all part of the fun but a plug and play package I don't think they are.
Also every engine that's getting high figures then f
ks the block or crank, not straight away but I think it's more just a matter of time. If the cars a toy and doesn't get used for anything other than fun, go for it
265 with maybe another 10 for the open intake (no air mass meter) and your MBE only gets you to maybe 275, maybe its your heads and cam combo? just saying fella 
Edited by Sardonicus on Sunday 23 October 17:26
I can do much of the mechanics myself (electrically not so much) and yep although when I first bought her I drove daily, I've found it takes the edge off the occasion a bit, so it is just for fun now.
Enjoying everyone's opinions, ideas and experience in general on here, seriously helpful and always makes for interesting reading.
Cheers all.
N7GTX said:
I asked a similar question to yours around 2 years ago and got much the same opinions as you are now. There was a group with superchargers who also posted some very favourable comments. In the end it all became a bit confusing with all the conflicting replies!
I chose the Powers version as I wanted it done by someone who knew what they were doing and also offering a warranty. However, this is not cheap as you can see from the link I posted earlier (you pays yer money and all that). I did have a turbo seal failure but this was fixed straightaway.
At Chatsworth I had a good look at one of the Eann Whalley conversions and it looked very neat and tidy and the owner was very happy with it. Later at Lotherton Hall several people commented that the installation looked original and asked if TVR had done it at the factory.
As for driveability, for 98% of the time you are below 3,000 rpm so the car behaves like a standard car and fuel economy is not ridiculous. On the motorway, 2,750 rpm equates to 80 mph.
But, get it on an A road and start overtaking.....the car comes alive. Its addictive all right....
Hi Iain,I chose the Powers version as I wanted it done by someone who knew what they were doing and also offering a warranty. However, this is not cheap as you can see from the link I posted earlier (you pays yer money and all that). I did have a turbo seal failure but this was fixed straightaway.
At Chatsworth I had a good look at one of the Eann Whalley conversions and it looked very neat and tidy and the owner was very happy with it. Later at Lotherton Hall several people commented that the installation looked original and asked if TVR had done it at the factory.
As for driveability, for 98% of the time you are below 3,000 rpm so the car behaves like a standard car and fuel economy is not ridiculous. On the motorway, 2,750 rpm equates to 80 mph.
But, get it on an A road and start overtaking.....the car comes alive. Its addictive all right....
Yes suppose you don't always get straight answers on here but at least you get opinions
Its a difficult decision to make, but 500 engines seem to be few and far between these days and when they do come up they seem to fetch stupid money bearing in mind many are well used.I missed one on ebay recently for £3700 that had been rebuilt and he was in Brentwood
One way or another you're going to pay I suppose, I've tried to spend the money getting her sorted generally rather than focus too much on performance up until now, but I don't really get a rush on acceleration its just fast.
Yes I read the SC and turbo write up and also considered Dom's turbo but its spending the chunk in one hit that puts me off, plenty of other stuff thats more pressing usually. I'm going to call Eann this week once I've def decided if I just stick to the basic kit or add to the shopping list...I think I will do the former as it also shows what can be achieved at each stage....useful for others considering it as well I spose.
What was your first drive like after the upgrade?
Thanks for the advice.
I was a little apprehensive to be honest without the intercooler so agree with those comments.
I've spoken to Eann and its looking like Feb earliest next year (with intercooler). No xmas turkey for me...or presents or anything much until then...maybe beans on toast and the odd cider to celebrate!
I've spoken to Eann and its looking like Feb earliest next year (with intercooler). No xmas turkey for me...or presents or anything much until then...maybe beans on toast and the odd cider to celebrate!
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