An Odyssey of Tuning a Big Power VX220
Discussion
Another year has rolled by. For about half of it, I had terrible noises coming out of the gearbox in 2nd and 4th gear, and due to apathy I put off replacing the gearbox and didn't drive it much.
However, 2 months ago I fitted a new gearbox, it has 7% lower final drive ratio which suits the car better as it aids acceleration, allows me to stay in the power band more easily and reduces the top speed down to 180 MPH.
I have also built a new airbox in the cabin, the induction noise is immense, as is the turbine noise. Also, I got a Polish company to install traction control, which makes me braver exiting corners with my foot down and might save me on wet/rainy days.
Some pics from the last few drives out into mid Wales:
However, 2 months ago I fitted a new gearbox, it has 7% lower final drive ratio which suits the car better as it aids acceleration, allows me to stay in the power band more easily and reduces the top speed down to 180 MPH.
I have also built a new airbox in the cabin, the induction noise is immense, as is the turbine noise. Also, I got a Polish company to install traction control, which makes me braver exiting corners with my foot down and might save me on wet/rainy days.
Some pics from the last few drives out into mid Wales:
Edited by nevcontractor on Friday 16th August 11:11
Edited by nevcontractor on Friday 16th August 11:12
It's 520 HP and weighs 940 Kg with fluids, so that's circa 550 Hp/Ton. So power to weight ratio is a bit better than a Bugatti Veryon.
When it was being mapped originally, it actually made 552 Hp, but I got the boost (and power) reduced to make it more drivable. I usually drive it on a lower powered map (toggled by a switch on the dash) which is only 480 HP, as the torque is far reduced and it's more predictable on the road.
When it was being mapped originally, it actually made 552 Hp, but I got the boost (and power) reduced to make it more drivable. I usually drive it on a lower powered map (toggled by a switch on the dash) which is only 480 HP, as the torque is far reduced and it's more predictable on the road.
Edited by nevcontractor on Friday 16th August 14:33
Thanks for the kind words. If anyone is interested I have a detailed project webset: https://sites.google.com/site/z20letpower/
I'm sure it would be fine on track, particularly the larger ones where you could use the power more, however exhaust noise is a serious problem with it.
I've put TC in it and it has well over a meter of rubber on the tarmac and I've spent 100+ hours adjusting the geometry, so it is both grippy and predicable on the road (providing it's dry).
I've put TC in it and it has well over a meter of rubber on the tarmac and I've spent 100+ hours adjusting the geometry, so it is both grippy and predicable on the road (providing it's dry).
Edited by nevcontractor on Saturday 17th August 09:48
johnwilliams77 said:
Did you manage to give it big beans? It seems like a little too much power for the road - I quite like 250-300bhp Elise’s / VXs.
When I start at dawn (and the roads are empty), I try and drive on roads with plenty of forward vision, so I can exploit the power somewhat. Later I tend to switch to some of those tiny roads (like some of the pics) I then often trickle round at 30 MPH just gawping at the views, taking pics and sometimes going for a hill walk.Before 9 AM the A470 (and many others) are great for zipping along. If you haven't had a chance, try it one day and you'll see, though as you infer, 250 or 300 HP would be ample too.
Edited by nevcontractor on Tuesday 10th September 07:30
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