V6 S-Range engine upgrades?
Discussion
Just toying with the idea of giving the old S3 a bit more umph!
The sports exhaust seems to have worked a little. Anyone had their engine chipped etc?
Heath
No, but Mark Adams I'm told does wonderful things to engines..
Spoke to Joolz a while ago about this sort of thing; his opinion being that driver training, suspension and brakes are the things to do for a faster road car. I'm sure engine tweaks help, but I'm going to work on the other 3 1st.
Having said that, a slightly more rapid 0-60 might be fun..
Was out dragged today by a Chimp, a Lotus Esprit and a Boxter; in each case because I didn't want to go faster, rather than anything else..
I have also been looking into engine upgrades. Steve's bible has a lot to say about it.
Fitting an upgraded cam would be the first avenue. I think I am correct in assuming this would mean an 'engine out' senario (please correct me if I am wrong) as this engine does not have overhead cams which are accessible from above.
The expense and time to have this done all for about 10-15 BHP - is it worth it?
I suppose a rebore and increase in capacity would be worth doing if the engine comes out. That should get a noticable improvement. I still haven't discovered anything about chipping or fuel injection re-mapping which would have to be done.
Of course there is an easier way to get 32 BHP - nitreous...(shock, horror!)
Fitting an upgraded cam would be the first avenue. I think I am correct in assuming this would mean an 'engine out' senario (please correct me if I am wrong) as this engine does not have overhead cams which are accessible from above.
The expense and time to have this done all for about 10-15 BHP - is it worth it?
I suppose a rebore and increase in capacity would be worth doing if the engine comes out. That should get a noticable improvement. I still haven't discovered anything about chipping or fuel injection re-mapping which would have to be done.
Of course there is an easier way to get 32 BHP - nitreous...(shock, horror!)
You may want to have a chat with
www.specialisedengines.co.uk/
These guys seem to know a thing or two about Ford lumps. I have never dealt with them, so can't recommend them as such, but their site is quite informative.
Andy
www.specialisedengines.co.uk/
These guys seem to know a thing or two about Ford lumps. I have never dealt with them, so can't recommend them as such, but their site is quite informative.
Andy
Qualia said: You may want to have a chat with
www.specialisedengines.co.uk/
These guys seem to know a thing or two about Ford lumps. I have never dealt with them, so can't recommend them as such, but their site is quite informative.
Andy
good site - i could spend a fortune there!
The Burton Catalogue will confirm that upgrading the 2.9 is a very expensive option. You would be better off saving your money and buying a V8S or Griffith or ???
Boring out the block will mean new pistons at £150+ each (x6) before you do anything else. The existing fuel injection system is restricted in what can be achieved and would need to be replaced at a cost of £??? The engine management would need to be replaced £??? to enable to new engine to breathe properly.
The option of upgrading to the Cosworth engine therefore would be a much cheaper solution and you can understand why this route has been chosen by some.
I have been considering the various options myself and would welcome any comments and recommendations about getting maximum performance from the 2.9 in basically standard trim.
Boring out the block will mean new pistons at £150+ each (x6) before you do anything else. The existing fuel injection system is restricted in what can be achieved and would need to be replaced at a cost of £??? The engine management would need to be replaced £??? to enable to new engine to breathe properly.
The option of upgrading to the Cosworth engine therefore would be a much cheaper solution and you can understand why this route has been chosen by some.
I have been considering the various options myself and would welcome any comments and recommendations about getting maximum performance from the 2.9 in basically standard trim.
Chaps
This question comes up alot & generally the answer depends on the budget....
For cheap thrills, try an FSE Power Boost Valve, its basically a fuel pressure regulator that boosts fuel pressure & give good gains in acceleration. I havnt fitted one yet as i dont feel the need but i am still considering it.
I was advised it makes 5th gear feel like 3rd !!
Then your on to a tailor made Mark Adams Chip..
Have fun
Giles
This question comes up alot & generally the answer depends on the budget....
For cheap thrills, try an FSE Power Boost Valve, its basically a fuel pressure regulator that boosts fuel pressure & give good gains in acceleration. I havnt fitted one yet as i dont feel the need but i am still considering it.
I was advised it makes 5th gear feel like 3rd !!
Then your on to a tailor made Mark Adams Chip..
Have fun
Giles
S2 giles said: Chaps
This question comes up alot & generally the answer depends on the budget....
For cheap thrills, try an FSE Power Boost Valve, its basically a fuel pressure regulator that boosts fuel pressure & give good gains in acceleration. I havnt fitted one yet as i dont feel the need but i am still considering it.
I was advised it makes 5th gear feel like 3rd !!
Then your on to a tailor made Mark Adams Chip..
Have fun
Giles
Giles - can you give me some more info on this - who recommended it, how much etc, how easy to fit?
shnozz said: Giles - can you give me some more info on this - who recommended it, how much etc, how easy to fit?
Im not Giles (shock horror), but I do have a Power Boost Valve (or Rising Rate Fuel Regulator). Now I haven't driven any other S series, other than mine. But one of the things I did notice was the surprising acceleration in 5th. I try to get a run in some S series here in Northern Ireland to try to gauge the difference.
More info on the Power Boost Valve here
www.fuelsystem.co.uk/pbv.htm
They are available for around £65, and quite easy to fit, so deffo worth it I think
Shmern
Shnozz, try
www.fuelsystem.co.uk/pbv.htm
It tells you how it's meant to work. I did a search on Demon Tweaks as well, cost: £70 - 120, depending on the engine I guess.
Sounds quite interesting - more oomph for not a lot of dosh. Mind you, fuel consumption will probably be sky high.
www.fuelsystem.co.uk/pbv.htm
It tells you how it's meant to work. I did a search on Demon Tweaks as well, cost: £70 - 120, depending on the engine I guess.
Sounds quite interesting - more oomph for not a lot of dosh. Mind you, fuel consumption will probably be sky high.
hmm - interesting reading. so which one would be right
Granada/Scorpio 2.9 Efi (Vert Bolts)
86-92
PBV39430
£69.00
Granada/Scorpio 2.9 Efi (Horiz Bolts)
86-92
VK-384-18-H
£98.00
I am not sure fuel economy would suffer to any great extent. Perhaps someone in the know would be able to give a little more information - unless we run shmerns car head to head with a "normal" S in a duracell style test!
Granada/Scorpio 2.9 Efi (Vert Bolts)
86-92
PBV39430
£69.00
Granada/Scorpio 2.9 Efi (Horiz Bolts)
86-92
VK-384-18-H
£98.00
I am not sure fuel economy would suffer to any great extent. Perhaps someone in the know would be able to give a little more information - unless we run shmerns car head to head with a "normal" S in a duracell style test!
M@H said: And they do one to fit a "TVR 4.5 serbra" !![]()
Which - as we all know - is a car in desperate need of more go.

Shmern - how's the fuel consumption on your S2, any idea yet. (Note to others: This is an out-of-interest question. I am not particularly bothered about fuel economy.)
Hi Folks
If i recall its the vertical bolt version. Generally about £70.
Fitting is easy-ish & once installed it needs a bit of tweek-drive tweek-drive if you know what i mean.
Fuel consumption isnt much different at light pedal speeds. Obviously if you boot it alot (to get the benefit) then consumption does increase.
LeeBee who used to be on this site alot (where have you gone) recommended it to me, he had fitted a few & said it was better than chipping for the money.
Just be careful to follow instructions as i understand you can create too much pressure if you just turn it up to full.
Giles
If i recall its the vertical bolt version. Generally about £70.
Fitting is easy-ish & once installed it needs a bit of tweek-drive tweek-drive if you know what i mean.
Fuel consumption isnt much different at light pedal speeds. Obviously if you boot it alot (to get the benefit) then consumption does increase.
LeeBee who used to be on this site alot (where have you gone) recommended it to me, he had fitted a few & said it was better than chipping for the money.
Just be careful to follow instructions as i understand you can create too much pressure if you just turn it up to full.
Giles
Shmern - how's the fuel consumption on your S2, any idea yet. (Note to others: This is an out-of-interest question. I am not particularly bothered about fuel economy.)![]()
Well dunno what a standard S does, but I reckon I got 30mpg on the run from Princes Ridgebury (sp) near Luton, until Carlise. Mostly boring Motorway 70-80 MPH, altho I did have quite a few grinning moments
Since then I've only done about 100 miles (remember the dash is only back into it) and I reckon with some enthusiastic (sp?) driving Im getting low 20's.
VERY pleased with the MPG, whats other S series like ?
Shmern
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