Ok... What to do next?

[rharris21]

Hi all.

I have a list (don't we all) I am putting together for things I want to gradually change on my car.
It is a fantastic example and I want to keep it that way with a few of my own additions.

I recently decatted the car and it definitely made a difference. Noise wise is not much different although it does sound 'better'.
Not sure how much difference it made - the car was already 306 bhp and 315 lbs ft.
But I am in the future, maybe, looking to get the car to the 'original' decat stats which I believe were 340 bhp/lbs ft?
It would be nice to get up there or even a nice rounded 350 hp/lbs ft mark.

The question is, what to do next?
I know people will say the car is already quick enough (it is, but we always want more), turbo/SC (not keen as want to keep as close to original) buy a cerbera/speed 6 but I personally don't fancy the speed 6's. Put off by the endless engine rebuilds I hear about and the lack of torque in comparison to the rv8.

The previous owner did a hell of a lot of work on the car and it has pretty much every ACT modification and it has been mapped by Austec previously.

Are my options just to go to a V8 Dev modified engine?

I am not very engine minded. Ok with the peripherals like suspension/brakes etc.
Any opinions welcome

[MPoxon]

Sounds like you already have a nice sorted example. I would have thought you would not get much more power unless you rebuild the engine withe upgraded internals or add a turbo / SC.

Just add fuel and enjoy it as is would be my advice.

[phazed]

I assume yours is a 5.0?

It would help if you can list Austecs mods and any other mods above standard.

It is possible to get 340 horses out of a 5.0 with the correct mods, hence my questions.

[Chilliman]

Richard YHM

[Zippee]

phazed said:

It is possible to get 340 horses out of a 5.0 with the correct mods, hence my questions.

Was thinking that myself - isn't a good 500 around 290-300 at the fly?
OP - out of interest why do you need more power? The 500 is a torquey little beast and can be enough of a handful anyway - a turbo or supercharger would give you way more but you need to ensure the car is still driveable as a result, no point in having tonnes of power but being unable to put it down on the road.

Anthony (QBee on here) has a V8 developments engine in his Chim so may be worth a chat with him.

[Chilliman]

Zippee said:

phazed said:

It is possible to get 340 horses out of a 5.0 with the correct mods, hence my questions.

Was thinking that myself - isn't a good 500 around 290-300 at the fly?
OP - out of interest why do you need more power? The 500 is a torquey little beast and can be enough of a handful anyway - a turbo or supercharger would give you way more but you need to ensure the car is still driveable as a result, no point in having tonnes of power but being unable to put it down on the road.

Anthony (QBee on here) has a V8 developments engine in his Chim so may be worth a chat with him.

IMHO the torque delivery of the standard 500 is too much too soon, which is why so many of them end up going backwards into the scenery. The standard 500 is also somewhat asthmatic in the upper rev range. Breathing mods and a cam that provides a more progressive torque delivery is the way to go. That's essentially what's been done to mine, and it's hilarious to drive

Just my opinion though

[Sardonicus]

Chilliman said:

IMHO the torque delivery of the standard 500 is too much too soon, which is why so many of them end up going backwards into the scenery. The standard 500 is also somewhat asthmatic in the upper rev range. Breathing mods and a cam that provides a more progressive torque delivery is the way to go. That's essentially what's been done to mine, and it's hilarious to drive

Just my opinion though

Totally agree

[chris1972]

I don't have the experience with these cars such as Chilli or Sardonicus; however, I recently fitted my own shortened flared trumpets and the ACT induction. The trumpets were shortened by 20cm and I've noticed less torque lower down, but a definite increase between 3500-6000rpm. Its now even more leery. Yesterday the rear wheels were struggling for grip in the dry at 50mph.

[rharris21]

Zippee said:

Was thinking that myself - isn't a good 500 around 290-300 at the fly?
OP - out of interest why do you need more power? The 500 is a torquey little beast and can be enough of a handful anyway - a turbo or supercharger would give you way more but you need to ensure the car is still driveable as a result, no point in having tonnes of power but being unable to put it down on the road.

Anthony (QBee on here) has a V8 developments engine in his Chim so may be worth a chat with him.

I guess it just as we always want more. I know it will never be an ending project and I look forward to continuing to improve it and help it stay 'healthy' if you like. I am unfortunately an acceleration freak. I struggled to put the power down in the winter but since the 'summer' has arrived it has been a lot better. with nice warm tyres the thing grips very well. But I do agree, hence my hesitation towards turbo/SC. They would surely be undrivable. And unoriginal

[LordGrover]

chris1972 said:

I don't have the experience with these cars such as Chilli or Sardonicus; however, I recently fitted my own shortened flared trumpets and the ACT induction. The trumpets were shortened by 20cm and I've noticed less torque lower down, but a definite increase between 3500-6000rpm. Its now even more leery. Yesterday the rear wheels were struggling for grip in the dry at 50mph.

20cm?

[chris1972]

LordGrover said:

20cm?

Doh...

[rharris21]

phazed said:

I assume yours is a 5.0?

It would help if you can list Austecs mods and any other mods above standard.

It is possible to get 340 horses out of a 5.0 with the correct mods, hence my questions.

Yep tis a 5.0.
Here goes with the current modifications (going through all invoices, make take a while!):
Recent ACT decat y piece fitted
Austec Racing Remap and 'chip' fitted?
Bosch Air flow meter with 72mm bore, Tornado chip/ECU software (although this will have been replaced by Austec's chip and mapping), smooth bore induction hose from plenum to meter, new fuel regulator
Carbon Fibre trumpet set
Standard ACT exhaust
Lucas ignition leads replaced 2010
Interestingly (only just realised this) - V8 Dev did the new camshaft in 2009 - they used the stealth kit. They also set oil pump gears, head bolts, sump gasket, water pump gasket

In terms of performance I think thats about it? There are endless invoices for various gaskets etc. The prev owner did a hell of job on keeping the car a great example.

hope that helps