Wondering about power gains
Discussion
Chaps,
Whilst my car is in the garage I am a bit bored, so I have been reading up about how to "tune" the Cerb, in particular very impressed on the thread about the Supercharged Cerb. 700+HP....awesome. That must be damn near Veyron quick if you can keep the rear wheels on the ground!
Anyway, some questions, if you'd be so kind as to guide me!
1. Am I right in thinking, as I've read, that the 4.5 V8 whilst advertised as 420HP, typically is around 380HP in the real world, due to various inefficiencies/age?
2. What power gains are likely to be had from cross-linked decat? Would this require a remap?
3. What additional gains are sensible from a remap (if not present), and would this reduce engine lifespan and/or reliability?
4. Will better air-filters improve performance? If I'm replacing the induction hoses, would it make sense to go for the short-induction hoses & a remap, or are the longer hoses better, also with a remap?
5. What other low-cost (i.e. around £500 per item) parts/changes can improve both engine performance, lifespan & reliability?
6. Anything other guidance in this area before I start tinkering?
Anyway, it's Friday evening, so time for a few
Laters
Whilst my car is in the garage I am a bit bored, so I have been reading up about how to "tune" the Cerb, in particular very impressed on the thread about the Supercharged Cerb. 700+HP....awesome. That must be damn near Veyron quick if you can keep the rear wheels on the ground!
Anyway, some questions, if you'd be so kind as to guide me!
1. Am I right in thinking, as I've read, that the 4.5 V8 whilst advertised as 420HP, typically is around 380HP in the real world, due to various inefficiencies/age?
2. What power gains are likely to be had from cross-linked decat? Would this require a remap?
3. What additional gains are sensible from a remap (if not present), and would this reduce engine lifespan and/or reliability?
4. Will better air-filters improve performance? If I'm replacing the induction hoses, would it make sense to go for the short-induction hoses & a remap, or are the longer hoses better, also with a remap?
5. What other low-cost (i.e. around £500 per item) parts/changes can improve both engine performance, lifespan & reliability?
6. Anything other guidance in this area before I start tinkering?
Anyway, it's Friday evening, so time for a few
Laters
Chaps,
As new/potential owners, may I advise you to chill a little? Whilst 380bhp might not sound like a huge amount (in context) you may well find that it's ample. The AJP8 pulls like a train and commands serious respect. My 4.2 is easily fast enough and after 15 months of ownership not once have I felt the requirement to 'upgrade'. I was initally left miffed at the performance, but comming from driving a 2.0TDI everyday I needed to gain confidence to push the revs up a bit. I soon discovered that the world suddenly goes into fast rewind very quickly above 4000rpm, and I havn't been left feeling dissapointed since.
If rolling roads, drag racing or serious trackdays are your thing then fine, but you could end up spending £££££'s, and if you're only(!) intending to use it as a road car are you seriously going to gain much benifit?
Regards,
Olly
As new/potential owners, may I advise you to chill a little? Whilst 380bhp might not sound like a huge amount (in context) you may well find that it's ample. The AJP8 pulls like a train and commands serious respect. My 4.2 is easily fast enough and after 15 months of ownership not once have I felt the requirement to 'upgrade'. I was initally left miffed at the performance, but comming from driving a 2.0TDI everyday I needed to gain confidence to push the revs up a bit. I soon discovered that the world suddenly goes into fast rewind very quickly above 4000rpm, and I havn't been left feeling dissapointed since.
If rolling roads, drag racing or serious trackdays are your thing then fine, but you could end up spending £££££'s, and if you're only(!) intending to use it as a road car are you seriously going to gain much benifit?
Regards,
Olly
Also, not a bad idea to get boss of what you have first. The STD car is plenty fast enough to be able to learn the TVR handling, giving you upgrades to look forward to later on in ownership. I went from 312bhp to 413bhp over about 4 years, & then enjoyed the following 5 years getting the hang of it!!
Sorting the handling via suspension and braking before tweaking the power is very sound advice. Poly bushes, two way adjustable shocks and heavier springing will transform the car ready to deal with any extra power. A lightened flywheel makes a huge difference to the engine response and while there is no substitute for BHP, reducing rotational mass from the drive train makes a big difference, a lot more than a linked decat will.
Mickydoo, a typical cerb isn't 380hp though, it's more like 330-340! And i've seen them as low as 190hp with faults. A straight remap on long pipes on a good standard car takes you into 380-390hp territory, with short pipes over 400hp is very likely and a much much smoother power curve. A light flyhweel is great but by the time you've fitted it you've spent the price of induction AND mapping and there's no way a flywheel gives you the equivalent of 70bhp and the improved mpg too that comes from remapping. It's nice icing on the cake if you're having a clutch change, but not something you'd automatically pick as a first move, cerb v8 flywheels are incredibly light anyway.
Ok well I've driven a few fast cars front & rear wheel drive up to around 300bhp & the lightest around 1300kg. I'm pretty sure based upon pull & performance that my Cerb must be generating c.350 at least. Whilst the last owner didn't have her for long the previous couple spent a lot on her, and having gone through the receipts there are some for work done at various performance centres. I'll read in more detail when I get a chance & post.
Would a linked decat (she has one) demand a remap?
Would a linked decat (she has one) demand a remap?
Plus - yes - I've no immediate plans to upgrade but I like to be informed, & once I've had her a few months I am fully intending to get her on the track. She's a race car & it would be rude not to. 
Having made the commitment to be an owner I'm the type who will commit time & energy. Kinda all-in or fold in poker
Having made the commitment to be an owner I'm the type who will commit time & energy. Kinda all-in or fold in poker
spitfire4v8 said:
the decats add maybe 10hp over a catted car so nothing that remotely troubles the massively excessively rich fuelling of a cerb!
where r u these days Julian, would like to have your number maybe you would like to see the my car again as you were involved quiet extensively in the project. PM me please. Gassing Station | Cerbera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff