gtm libra

[marcevo1]

hi thinking of perhaps buying a second hand libra.

any idea what sort of prices they go for?

1.8 or v6?

real alternative to the elise exige?

also the 1.8 k series - anyone supercharged a libra yet?

cheers

[ricola]

Somebody has strapped a new mini supercharger to one, not sure of power output though. Pretty much any tuning kits for the Elise/MGs should fit if you want lots of power. I find 160bhp plenty in such a light car!

Rich

[Bertram]

I know somebody who Turbo charged a Libra. He used an Audi 1.8 20VT in his car.

See it here: www.gtmlibra.nl


Bye,


Bertram



www.gtmlibra.nl

[JonRB]

Is it finished then, Bertram?

[marcevo1]

just been doing some research

looks as if the supercharger causes problems with the liners :-(

rich - you can never have too much power ;-) (actually thats a lie i drove a fwd 300bhp golf - mad mad torque steer a 850 mini could beat it!)

from reading up last night direct to head throttle bodies may be the way to 200bhp (and a lovely noise)

Marc

[Paul Drawmer]

marcevo1 said:

hi thinking of perhaps buying a second hand libra. any idea what sort of prices they go for? 1.8 or v6? real alternative to the elise exige? also the 1.8 k series - anyone supercharged a libra yet?

Prices - surprisingly cheap - I've got one, so they should be worth LOTS MORE!!!
1.8 is more nimble - better weight distribution
V6 has more grunt - but not lardy on the road.
Exige is better car - but more money.
see above for supercharged comments.

I like mine and it isn't for sale :-)

[ricola]

marcevo1 said:

rich - you can never have too much power ;-) (actually thats a lie i drove a fwd 300bhp golf - mad mad torque steer a 850 mini could beat it!) Marc

I'm also building a 300bhp old beetle cabrio so I'm not adverse to lots of power , just that you can spend a lot of money tuning the K series and the gains are mostly high up, 160 is a nice balance with no extra maintenance... Of course, you are welcome to buy mine and tune it up!

Rich

[marcevo1]

ricola said:

marcevo1 said: rich - you can never have too much power ;-) (actually thats a lie i drove a fwd 300bhp golf - mad mad torque steer a 850 mini could beat it!) Marc I'm also building a 300bhp old beetle cabrio so I'm not adverse to lots of power , just that you can spend a lot of money tuning the K series and the gains are mostly high up, 160 is a nice balance with no extra maintenance... Of course, you are welcome to buy mine and tune it up! Rich

300bhp beetle - wheelie tastic... is that 2 or 3 bags of sand in the front? ;-)

yes dont really want top end only - used to either big engines or turbo/supercharger. would really want to retain vvc - think emerald is developing something at the moment?

yes looking at your car seriously but may be a bit pricy - seen v6's go for 9-10k ish?

Marc

[Shaun_E]

Supercharging isn't the only way to get a big power K though and 200bhp is fairly easily achievable and reliable as long as you use forged pistons. The K series in my Caterham produces 227bhp @8000rpm and around 167lbft torque - and it's not all at the top end. Admittedly its a 1900 with a well ported VVC head (bigger valves than a std K16), throttle bodies, Emerald ECU and BP285H cams. The Scholar conversion eliminates the problem of the liners moving by interference fitting custom liners to a machined block. It's available in 1800 (80mm bore) or 1900 (82mm bore) and costs about £1100 including a set of Pistal forged pistons to match.

[ricola]

marcevo1 said:

300bhp beetle - wheelie tastic... is that 2 or 3 bags of sand in the front? ;-)

I've shifted the engine forwards a bit and have a great big Pace rad in the front, it's an 03 so has suspension similar to the 944 so should go very well.

marcevo1 said:

yes dont really want top end only - used to either big engines or turbo/supercharger. would really want to retain vvc - think emerald is developing something at the moment?

Not sure how far Emerald have got either, definitely an option!

marcevo1 said:

yes looking at your car seriously but may be a bit pricy - seen v6's go for 9-10k ish? Marc

I've not seen any V6's go for that little, lowest I've seen a Libra go for is £9k but it is all down to spec and mine has all the goodies (new design suspension, anti-roll bars, Xenons, 160ps engine, AP brakes, Recaro interior, Alpine system etc etc). I am negotiable! You don't want a V6, much heavier/thirstier..

Rich

[marcevo1]

nomex suite time...

yes agree i think the v6 is heavy for the output and cost of getting more out of it.

i will get back to you next week re your motor (should have some dosh by then)

marc

[m1spw]

Libra's look sooo sexy

[JonRB]

marcevo1 said:

yes agree i think the v6 is heavy for the output and cost of getting more out of it.

True, but on the plus side it is a V6.

[ferg]

On the minus side you mean....

[chrisx666]

A standard VVC160 from a TF is the way to go IMO. The Libra is light, but not 7 light - the stock VVC's tractability is a good thing.
I bought one brand new (complete with CR gearbox) for the price of a non VVC 120->160 engine upgrade kit.

www.gtmlibra.com/Libra/Build/images/Dscf0023.jpg

[Bertram]

JonRB said:

Is it finished then, Bertram?

No, I am not finished yet. I expact to start the engine for the first time in a few weeks from now. Making a custom exhaust, custom intercooler, custom ... etc took a lot of time. My website is pretty up to date with the current status.