Should I buy a VX220 Turbo?
Discussion
Many thanks Joe - 
Yes it IS a turbo, it has the wide air intakes and makes a suspicious whooshing noise under heavy load I guess some wag could have put the Turbo badge to confuse me, but it feels like a turbocharged engine to me!
The exhaust has VXR engraved on the twin pipes, and the pipe crosssection looks identical to the Milltek exhaust on Thorney's site. It was advertised as the official Vauxhall part, but wasn't the Milltek sold by Vauxhall for the VXR as an approved part? It looks like this is the one though.
I don't think there's anything suspicious about the car, just a mistaken name for the colour.
I've sent another mail to the vx220.org admin so hopefully I'll be up and running there soon!!! I will have lots of things to ask as I get to grips with the car (I have a bad habit of modifying cars...)
Yes it IS a turbo, it has the wide air intakes and makes a suspicious whooshing noise under heavy load I guess some wag could have put the Turbo badge to confuse me, but it feels like a turbocharged engine to me! The exhaust has VXR engraved on the twin pipes, and the pipe crosssection looks identical to the Milltek exhaust on Thorney's site. It was advertised as the official Vauxhall part, but wasn't the Milltek sold by Vauxhall for the VXR as an approved part? It looks like this is the one though.
I don't think there's anything suspicious about the car, just a mistaken name for the colour.
I've sent another mail to the vx220.org admin so hopefully I'll be up and running there soon!!! I will have lots of things to ask as I get to grips with the car (I have a bad habit of modifying cars...)
Congrats on the purchase
i bought a coral blue 04 VXt at the bgeinning of july and loving every minute of it. had minor problems - headlight leaking water in, easy fix but im waiting on a new unit from vxl as its under warranty so why not!
i have a slight coolant leak from somewhere as every tousand miles or so i have to keep topping it up - wil get this pressure tested or something when it goes in to have the headlight fitted (that ive been waiting over 3 months for). had a few leaks in from the roof/window seals when its been out in bad rain but i leave it in the garage and tend not to use it in wet weather anymore now i have a daily driver.
the tailpipe with VXR etched into the top is definately the milltek back box. gives a nice sound, can hear the turbo whoosing through the exhaust and a nice spitting on gear change/popping on over run.
i also currently have fitted the milltek precat replacement downpipe (front section) - think you'll probably have to do soem investigating to find out if yorus has this?
this made the exhaust a bit louder/deeper and sounds even better.. nice loud spitting on gearchanges and pops very nicely. in the next week or so i shall be purchasing the 200cell motorsport cat 'mid' section which sould make it sound even louder/free up some more ponies and then its off for a remap to make the most of it, get more boost, and get rid of that annoying standard flatspot in the midrange!
yep.. i too have a bad habit of modifying cars too! havent owned one thats completely standard yet. lol
i bought a coral blue 04 VXt at the bgeinning of july and loving every minute of it. had minor problems - headlight leaking water in, easy fix but im waiting on a new unit from vxl as its under warranty so why not!
i have a slight coolant leak from somewhere as every tousand miles or so i have to keep topping it up - wil get this pressure tested or something when it goes in to have the headlight fitted (that ive been waiting over 3 months for). had a few leaks in from the roof/window seals when its been out in bad rain but i leave it in the garage and tend not to use it in wet weather anymore now i have a daily driver.
the tailpipe with VXR etched into the top is definately the milltek back box. gives a nice sound, can hear the turbo whoosing through the exhaust and a nice spitting on gear change/popping on over run.
i also currently have fitted the milltek precat replacement downpipe (front section) - think you'll probably have to do soem investigating to find out if yorus has this?
this made the exhaust a bit louder/deeper and sounds even better.. nice loud spitting on gearchanges and pops very nicely. in the next week or so i shall be purchasing the 200cell motorsport cat 'mid' section which sould make it sound even louder/free up some more ponies and then its off for a remap to make the most of it, get more boost, and get rid of that annoying standard flatspot in the midrange!
yep.. i too have a bad habit of modifying cars too! havent owned one thats completely standard yet. lol
Edited by GuyVXT on Monday 13th November 15:17
just a quick comment before i leave for work, there are now 100cell milltec cats availiable for the vxt, worth asking about, thorney said that they help things keep a bit cooler and are also a bit louder.
yes the vxr(milltec) backbox was an optional extra for the vxr. Never know it could be a full system.
yes the vxr(milltec) backbox was an optional extra for the vxr. Never know it could be a full system.
So if I thought the performance was only just adequate on the test drive... does this mean that I have some expensive spending to do stage 3+, or that simply I'm a power junkie? 
FWIW it sounded mature and restrained - not the lairy unrefined 4-cyl bark you'd expect from a race cat and lightly baffled backbox. I'd assume that the original cat is still there - I know turbo'd cars can be quieter but Scoobies most certainly aren't with the right backbox!
So I'd guess that it's got the Milltek back box only (no cat exchange) and perhaps not a hugely effective remap - I'd expect a 240 bhp VX220 to feel fookin' fast. It didn't pull as hard as my supercharged 993 (only 320 bhp and 1400 kg)
To be honest it's not my first priority with the car - it's got bridgestone road tyres and what look like EBC greenstuff pads (duff, don't like 'em) on standard brakes, and I'll be looking at a new set of wheels with stickies for the summer and trackdays, and either EBC reds or a caliper / disc upgrade. I'd rather get sticky tyres on than increase power any further, good tyres make a massive difference on trackdays!
FWIW it sounded mature and restrained - not the lairy unrefined 4-cyl bark you'd expect from a race cat and lightly baffled backbox. I'd assume that the original cat is still there - I know turbo'd cars can be quieter but Scoobies most certainly aren't with the right backbox!
So I'd guess that it's got the Milltek back box only (no cat exchange) and perhaps not a hugely effective remap - I'd expect a 240 bhp VX220 to feel fookin' fast. It didn't pull as hard as my supercharged 993 (only 320 bhp and 1400 kg)
To be honest it's not my first priority with the car - it's got bridgestone road tyres and what look like EBC greenstuff pads (duff, don't like 'em) on standard brakes, and I'll be looking at a new set of wheels with stickies for the summer and trackdays, and either EBC reds or a caliper / disc upgrade. I'd rather get sticky tyres on than increase power any further, good tyres make a massive difference on trackdays!
the annoying thing is... to check most of the system you have to have the under try off really which are awkward to get to. ive only ever removedit on 4post ramps or over a pit.
or you could try and remove the drivers side rear wheel?? easy to jack up.. just put some cardboard or something on top of the trolley acks crown when you jack it up and only jack it up at the right point (just behind the door, theres a sticker showing it) and you should be able to see the mid/cat section through the arch gap have a look see if it looks like standard one.
can see the milltek plate on my backbox through the drivers rear wheel arch too..
or you could try and remove the drivers side rear wheel?? easy to jack up.. just put some cardboard or something on top of the trolley acks crown when you jack it up and only jack it up at the right point (just behind the door, theres a sticker showing it) and you should be able to see the mid/cat section through the arch gap have a look see if it looks like standard one.
can see the milltek plate on my backbox through the drivers rear wheel arch too..
I dont know where your based but it could be an idea to book in to thorneys/courtenays/plans etc and get the car on a rolling road (£40ish) so you know what the car is running at (they can also see if every thing is running as it should be) It may just be a backbox with no remap which would make no difference to standard performance.
greenstuff pads are not recommended at all, I have mintex 1144's and can recommend them for mostly fast road use (occasional track day), if your going to do a lot of track work you may be better off getting mintex 1155's or padgids RS14's (they take longer to heat up)
The only caliper upgrade that i know will definatly fit is thorneys, very impressive bit of kit but a bit pricey for me at £1500 ( www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk%2Fgcs_">www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/gcs_article.php?artid=15&typelink=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thorneymotorsport.co.uk%2Fgcs_ )
wheels and tyres.... Bit of a pain.
the front wheels are unique and the only brand that supplies tyres in these sizes are bridgestone (Fronts 175/55 R17). You can get the rears in different brands if you like but i would stick with the bridgestones (Rears 225/45 R17)
So if you want some sticky tyres you will need new alloys, there are a few options ( www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk%2Fgcs_">www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/gcs_article.php?artid=21&typelink=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thorneymotorsport.co.uk%2Fgcs_ )
all the best
Joe
greenstuff pads are not recommended at all, I have mintex 1144's and can recommend them for mostly fast road use (occasional track day), if your going to do a lot of track work you may be better off getting mintex 1155's or padgids RS14's (they take longer to heat up)
The only caliper upgrade that i know will definatly fit is thorneys, very impressive bit of kit but a bit pricey for me at £1500 ( www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk%2Fgcs_">www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/gcs_article.php?artid=15&typelink=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thorneymotorsport.co.uk%2Fgcs_ )
wheels and tyres.... Bit of a pain.
the front wheels are unique and the only brand that supplies tyres in these sizes are bridgestone (Fronts 175/55 R17). You can get the rears in different brands if you like but i would stick with the bridgestones (Rears 225/45 R17)
So if you want some sticky tyres you will need new alloys, there are a few options ( www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk%2Fgcs_">www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/gcs_article.php?artid=21&typelink=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thorneymotorsport.co.uk%2Fgcs_ )
all the best
Joe
Thanks for the advice Joe - much appreciated since I can't get onto the vx220.org.uk website - I've emailed John the admin many times but getting no response. Obviously not welcome!!
New wheels and brakes it may be next year... Brake pads will be changed as soon as I start back on trackdays next year, however I can't abide squealing brakes on the road so won't be considering the Pagid pads - IME the Mintex 1155 and (sometimes) 1144 can also squeal. I've had great results with the ceramic EBC Reds on my Porsche for track and fast road, no squeal either. Are these no good on VXs? I know the Greens are no good, but the Reds are a completely different kettle of fish
New wheels and brakes it may be next year... Brake pads will be changed as soon as I start back on trackdays next year, however I can't abide squealing brakes on the road so won't be considering the Pagid pads - IME the Mintex 1155 and (sometimes) 1144 can also squeal. I've had great results with the ceramic EBC Reds on my Porsche for track and fast road, no squeal either. Are these no good on VXs? I know the Greens are no good, but the Reds are a completely different kettle of fish
The only pads i have used are the standard ones and the 1144's. I aint heard mine squeel for quite some time but must admit it was really annoying when they did, only happened when braking at very low speeds,like under 5mph (think it stops after a couple hundred miles)
the RS14's, and 1155's as you said are known to squeel more then others although some owners say they dont have a problem.
I cant remember ever reading any reviews on redstuff pads and after a quick search have found none...
It could be worth giving them a go and see what you think. Could be the first to review them. Just checked out their site and they do have redstuff listed for the VXT for £100
the RS14's, and 1155's as you said are known to squeel more then others although some owners say they dont have a problem.
I cant remember ever reading any reviews on redstuff pads and after a quick search have found none...
It could be worth giving them a go and see what you think. Could be the first to review them. Just checked out their site and they do have redstuff listed for the VXT for £100
cyberface said:
Thanks for the advice Joe - much appreciated since I can't get onto the vx220.org.uk website - I've emailed John the admin many times but getting no response. Obviously not welcome!!
Try www.type116.com/ Dan
DanL said:
cyberface said:
Thanks for the advice Joe - much appreciated since I can't get onto the vx220.org.uk website - I've emailed John the admin many times but getting no response. Obviously not welcome!!
Try www.type116.com/ Dan
Nice one. On there as we speak.
cyberface said:
DanL said:
cyberface said:
Thanks for the advice Joe - much appreciated since I can't get onto the vx220.org.uk website - I've emailed John the admin many times but getting no response. Obviously not welcome!!
Try www.type116.com/ Dan
Nice one. On there as we speak.
In case you've given up on type116 (as it is a pretty cynical place), your membership has now been approved on vx220.org.uk by TurboTomato.
Ben
Ratspants said:
cyberface said:
DanL said:
cyberface said:
Thanks for the advice Joe - much appreciated since I can't get onto the vx220.org.uk website - I've emailed John the admin many times but getting no response. Obviously not welcome!!
Try www.type116.com/ Dan
Nice one. On there as we speak.
In case you've given up on type116 (as it is a pretty cynical place), your membership has now been approved on vx220.org.uk by TurboTomato.
Ben
Cheers - yep given up on type116 - no idea what their problem is - have said 'hello' on vx220.org at last!!
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