SC Power conversions
Discussion
OP, clearly some good observations and experience of both SC and turbo on here and there are merits to both I'm sure, but as I have no experience of the SC I'll keep my big mouth shut on that! But I have got the EW turbo with intercooler on my 92k Chim! Granted I have had work done on my engine and checked to make sure it was healthy and proved on Jools RR but its not a full rebuild.
My observations so far
1.) Mine runs on dizzy and 14cux setup and is smooth and better to drive at lower revs than without.
2.) Running on the above means retarding the dizzy and it runs richer than it should to avoid lean conditions top end.
3.) Quieter....I said this to Eann before fitting and he laughed. My sleeved exhaust had to come off and the original back on as it was just too much and flaming. Quieter its not but I didn't like the change in note with the sleeved exhaust and I don't know yet where the balance is, partial sleeve maybe, not noticed much difference on standard. Eann didn't even want to drive it out of his estate with the sleeved on
4.) Performance on the 400 at 10psi when winding it up is addictive but low down in first is not game changing.
5.) I don't mind the whoosh but it takes a bit of getting used to with the dump valve.
6.) Road manners are pretty civilised, you press the loud pedal harder and it goes faster! My experience so far (in the dry) is that it will not unexpectedly try and throw you into a hedge unless you are driving like a complete *ock with no respect...then it will with a smile on its face but thats Tvr in most guises!
7.) The heat under the bonnet with turbo has noticably increased even without any cats....bank on getting ceramic leads and boots...I've found these to be fantastic.
8.) Never noticed much oil usage in mine ever and its not increased yet.
7.) I think the ultimate setup is probably a V8D 4.6 or similar if you go turbo and the numbers some of the guys are making is astounding.
8.) Would I go aftermarket ecu and upgrade the injectors?....Yes in time but don't think that when set up safely within limits it doesn't run well on the 14cux because it does...very well in fact!
Qbee has a great 4.6 special set-up as he has pointed out already in this thread and others with turbo's that have far more experience in this field than me so the above are just my observations thus far after 5 months! But I feel thats a fair time to test properly and post IMHO comments on the subject....I've driven a couple of thousand miles on it now.
Do you have to have a rebuild....personal opinion obviously but IMO as long as you know its in decent shape and especially if its a 400 why? I'd rather drive and enjoy and then if and when it needs a rebuild do so or buy another 400 engine, there's plenty of them around and not that expensive to replace unlike the larger cc engines. What I would say is you have to accept that you are potentially opening yourself up for more wallet draining in the long run....thats after the realistic 4k spend if you want the kit fitted.
Good luck
My observations so far
1.) Mine runs on dizzy and 14cux setup and is smooth and better to drive at lower revs than without.
2.) Running on the above means retarding the dizzy and it runs richer than it should to avoid lean conditions top end.
3.) Quieter....I said this to Eann before fitting and he laughed. My sleeved exhaust had to come off and the original back on as it was just too much and flaming. Quieter its not but I didn't like the change in note with the sleeved exhaust and I don't know yet where the balance is, partial sleeve maybe, not noticed much difference on standard. Eann didn't even want to drive it out of his estate with the sleeved on
4.) Performance on the 400 at 10psi when winding it up is addictive but low down in first is not game changing.
5.) I don't mind the whoosh but it takes a bit of getting used to with the dump valve.
6.) Road manners are pretty civilised, you press the loud pedal harder and it goes faster! My experience so far (in the dry) is that it will not unexpectedly try and throw you into a hedge unless you are driving like a complete *ock with no respect...then it will with a smile on its face but thats Tvr in most guises!
7.) The heat under the bonnet with turbo has noticably increased even without any cats....bank on getting ceramic leads and boots...I've found these to be fantastic.
8.) Never noticed much oil usage in mine ever and its not increased yet.
7.) I think the ultimate setup is probably a V8D 4.6 or similar if you go turbo and the numbers some of the guys are making is astounding.
8.) Would I go aftermarket ecu and upgrade the injectors?....Yes in time but don't think that when set up safely within limits it doesn't run well on the 14cux because it does...very well in fact!
Qbee has a great 4.6 special set-up as he has pointed out already in this thread and others with turbo's that have far more experience in this field than me so the above are just my observations thus far after 5 months! But I feel thats a fair time to test properly and post IMHO comments on the subject....I've driven a couple of thousand miles on it now.
Do you have to have a rebuild....personal opinion obviously but IMO as long as you know its in decent shape and especially if its a 400 why? I'd rather drive and enjoy and then if and when it needs a rebuild do so or buy another 400 engine, there's plenty of them around and not that expensive to replace unlike the larger cc engines. What I would say is you have to accept that you are potentially opening yourself up for more wallet draining in the long run....thats after the realistic 4k spend if you want the kit fitted.
Good luck
Edited by PhilH42 on Friday 18th August 18:30
Edited by PhilH42 on Friday 18th August 18:36
Belle427 said:
The most sensible approach would be the new 4.6 engine but are we Tvr owners sensible? 
Which suggests you are being seduced by the dark side? I took my 49k engine to Powers for the turbo. They stripped it down to check the cam wear - as you know a weak point - and found the bearings badly scored. So they stripped it down completely and found the crank bearings worn down and blackened. Fortunately no crank wear. So, while you think you know the condition of your engine, be very careful.
I have no doubt the turbo installation will run well on the old Lucas set up but as pointed out earlier, aftermarket ecu does away with all the potential problem components.
As for noise, definitely in agreement with QBee, the exhaust is much quieter. Personally I prefer this as a lot of my road driving is on the M1 so exhaust drone is avoided.
As you can see, the majority of chargers and turbos make around the same power from the 400, roughly 350-375 bhp. However the turbo can make much more torque and if you prefer the lazy driving style, maybe you should consider this.
Oh, and don't forget insurance. I can only find one company willing to cover me as the power increase has risen from 204 to 355 (at the wheels).
Spot on, Phil H, I couldn't agree more.
I did 1000 miles on 14CUX on mine after the turbo was fitted, and it ran fine.
My 4.6 was a fresh build, but only because I had broken my 5 litre. A nice used 4.6 in good nick would have been fine.
The dump valve whoosh is quite fun. Not tired of it yet. My inner 19 year old is alive and kicking. It gets me timing my upchanges to 5000 rpm for max effect, either when passing any vehicle with the window open, or any gaggle (collective noun) of lycra-louts cluttering up our country roads without paying road tax.
I did 1000 miles on 14CUX on mine after the turbo was fitted, and it ran fine.
My 4.6 was a fresh build, but only because I had broken my 5 litre. A nice used 4.6 in good nick would have been fine.
The dump valve whoosh is quite fun. Not tired of it yet. My inner 19 year old is alive and kicking. It gets me timing my upchanges to 5000 rpm for max effect, either when passing any vehicle with the window open, or any gaggle (collective noun) of lycra-louts cluttering up our country roads without paying road tax.
If you are really only looking for around 300bhp you can achieve this with a 4lt with some engine mods.
I have stage 3 new spec V8D Worrior heads 45mm inlet manifold, 45mm shortened trumpet base, 72mm plenum, mc1 and the car makes 284 bhp.
A well known Norfolk person was so impressed with the results he decided to take it a bit further and has 330bhp on his race car with after market ecu.
You end up with a very drivable car.
I have stage 3 new spec V8D Worrior heads 45mm inlet manifold, 45mm shortened trumpet base, 72mm plenum, mc1 and the car makes 284 bhp.
A well known Norfolk person was so impressed with the results he decided to take it a bit further and has 330bhp on his race car with after market ecu.
You end up with a very drivable car.
Engineer1949 said:
not sure where you are based but if its anywhere near basingstoke my son nick would be glad to give you a taste of 4.0ltr sc fun in the orange chim i built some four years ago it is now back to a very road focused machine and a joy to drive.
john
Im a bit too far away in South Wales but thanks for the offer.john
Im leaning toward the SC route as id like to keep the exhaust note exactly as it is and i feel the 400 engine is well suited to the conversion and my driving style.
I see positives in all of the options available its just the FI route fascinates me the most!
Belle427 said:
Im a bit too far away in South Wales but thanks for the offer.
Im leaning toward the SC route as id like to keep the exhaust note exactly as it is and i feel the 400 engine is well suited to the conversion and my driving style.
I see positives in all of the options available its just the FI route fascinates me the most!
I'm based in Bristol so not to far from u if u want a drive out in my SC your more than Im leaning toward the SC route as id like to keep the exhaust note exactly as it is and i feel the 400 engine is well suited to the conversion and my driving style.
I see positives in all of the options available its just the FI route fascinates me the most!
Welcome I think u will like it .
motul1974 said:
Sorry for Hi-jacking this post a little - but are there any SC options that include the 'whine'???? I think that alone could sway me after my NA upgrades! :evil;
You'll need a PD blower for that. Look at Magnuson, something like a 122hh or later TVS1900 would do the trick but you'll need to work out the intake plumbing as they typically sit on top of the engine, like in Mad Max. Here's mine sporting a TVS2300.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 19th August 11:30
motul1974 said:
Sorry for Hi-jacking this post a little - but are there any SC options that include the 'whine'???? I think that alone could sway me after my NA upgrades! :evil;
I just have to pop the wife in the passenger seat for that...cheaper than SC.....actually on second thoughts motul1974 said:
Thanks for that, but guessing the height will be an issue as long as I'm not prepared to take a saw to my bonnet! 
Depends but the blower normally sits in the V, replacing the existing plenum/carb etc so not not that bad. Here's somebody who's done it on an MGBhttp://www.britishv8.org/articles/mgb-v8-superchar...
I have promised this to myself one day but it would have to have the "whine"! Not a RV8 below though..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY8nPYwHb5I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0g00Wx7mi8
Soundtrack to shake hands with Lucifer to.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY8nPYwHb5I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0g00Wx7mi8
Soundtrack to shake hands with Lucifer to.....
I think it's best to decide your bhp and airflow requirements. The rotrex will deliver well up to a point and it'll have good manners. It's not very large. The good thing with the turbo's is that they come in all sorts of sizes so you'll never be hp limited as long as the rest of the installation's good.
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