What upgrades worth it for M12 2.5?
Discussion
Hello. Excuse the daft login name, Dot is my dog, and Mark N, me, already exists - common as muck.
I've a bog standard M12 2.5, but this winter have decided to treat myself to a few upgrades - the question is, which is worth it?
It's not a track car, is in good nick, and done 16000 miles.
Spent a fun day at the factory for its last service, had my own mechanic, Roger, who worked exclusively on my car for the day - wonderful personal service (and not a bl##dy salesman in sight!)
A factory upgrade to 340bhp is roughly 2k. I'll need the fan upgrade too.
Now, having read what other pistonheads have said i'm thinking should I get the quaife lsd, a new clutch, and what about the mods. from Faulks? Should i get the FPM12 intercooler, BOV and oil breather kit? Any advice on which of these options is best to provide me with the ultimate M12 2.5? Looking foward to your views,
Mark
I've a bog standard M12 2.5, but this winter have decided to treat myself to a few upgrades - the question is, which is worth it?
It's not a track car, is in good nick, and done 16000 miles.
Spent a fun day at the factory for its last service, had my own mechanic, Roger, who worked exclusively on my car for the day - wonderful personal service (and not a bl##dy salesman in sight!)
A factory upgrade to 340bhp is roughly 2k. I'll need the fan upgrade too.
Now, having read what other pistonheads have said i'm thinking should I get the quaife lsd, a new clutch, and what about the mods. from Faulks? Should i get the FPM12 intercooler, BOV and oil breather kit? Any advice on which of these options is best to provide me with the ultimate M12 2.5? Looking foward to your views,
Mark
Hi Mark,
If you're interested, I could get you a price on a six-speed, 3R/M400-spec gearbox c/w Quaife ATB diff and the revised gearshift linkage. We'd do all work at the factory for you.
Please call me on 01455 844 052 if you'd like a chat...
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.
If you're interested, I could get you a price on a six-speed, 3R/M400-spec gearbox c/w Quaife ATB diff and the revised gearshift linkage. We'd do all work at the factory for you.
Please call me on 01455 844 052 if you'd like a chat...
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.
micknall said:
If you're interested, I could get you a price on a six-speed, 3R/M400-spec gearbox c/w Quaife ATB diff and the revised gearshift linkage. We'd do all work at the factory for you.
Mark, if you can afford it - get it done! It will transform the driving experience. Rifle-bolt changes and the Quaife slippery diff will give you the confidence to get on the power earlier through the corners
Most of the upgrades are to do with track performance and survivability really.
Although if you're keen on 'spirited' road drives you will notice a difference too.
Engine power.... hmmm several folks can help you here, they all involve a remap. There's certainly a few more horses available under there. Which ECU do you have? - If it's the old Magnetti marelli as on the early 2.5's your money might be best spent on upgrading it. It could fail at any minute.....and most did
including mine. The factory do an upgrade to the current MBE system, JNM do an upgrade to an Omex unit. If you're already upgraded, MattFP is probably you're man 
The intercooler and BoV don't increase the power, they just make sure that all of it gets where it's supposed to in the most efficient way. The BoV particularly has a marked improvement on upshift accel. The IC prevents heatsoak and keeps the charge temp nice and low to keep the engine producing maximum power.
Not all of the upgrades are power tho, a set of Nitrons and yoko 048's or corsa's will make a huge difference to your handling. The solid brake line and pedal upgrade is also well worth having, the solid lines really help prevent the mushy pedal that you can get after continued heavy brake use.
And finally...the contraversial one... You will make more difference to your speed from A to B by spending the money on you and not the car. Pretty much everyone on here will agree that some decent driver training is worth it's weight in gold..... Unless you're already a part time racing driver or something, in which case I humbly retreat to my paper bag..
HTH
O.
PS, bring it to Brands 
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=223755&f=26&h=0
Although if you're keen on 'spirited' road drives you will notice a difference too.
Engine power.... hmmm several folks can help you here, they all involve a remap. There's certainly a few more horses available under there. Which ECU do you have? - If it's the old Magnetti marelli as on the early 2.5's your money might be best spent on upgrading it. It could fail at any minute.....and most did
including mine. The factory do an upgrade to the current MBE system, JNM do an upgrade to an Omex unit. If you're already upgraded, MattFP is probably you're man The intercooler and BoV don't increase the power, they just make sure that all of it gets where it's supposed to in the most efficient way. The BoV particularly has a marked improvement on upshift accel. The IC prevents heatsoak and keeps the charge temp nice and low to keep the engine producing maximum power.
Not all of the upgrades are power tho, a set of Nitrons and yoko 048's or corsa's will make a huge difference to your handling. The solid brake line and pedal upgrade is also well worth having, the solid lines really help prevent the mushy pedal that you can get after continued heavy brake use.
And finally...the contraversial one... You will make more difference to your speed from A to B by spending the money on you and not the car. Pretty much everyone on here will agree that some decent driver training is worth it's weight in gold..... Unless you're already a part time racing driver or something, in which case I humbly retreat to my paper bag..
HTH
O.
PS, bring it to Brands
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=223755&f=26&h=0
thanks for the info - simon - i will call you on the gearbox (ta to robp for the feedback on that one) and obes yes! definiately good idea with the roadcraft as first port of call - i love driving and i must admit that a 2CV can bring equal smiles to a Noble in a different way,(my daily is currently a panda diesel - fab little car)
excuse my ignorance - MattFP? - i do have the upgraded ecu (MBE), Cheers, Mark
>> Edited by dotdog on Thursday 8th December 17:05
excuse my ignorance - MattFP? - i do have the upgraded ecu (MBE), Cheers, Mark
>> Edited by dotdog on Thursday 8th December 17:05
dotdog said:
thanks for the info - simon - i will call you on the gearbox (ta to robp for the feedback on that one) and obes yes! definiately good idea with the roadcraft as first port of call - i love driving and i must admit that a 2CV can bring equal smiles to a Noble in a different way,(my daily is currently a panda diesel - fab little car)
excuse my ignorance - MattFP? - i do have the upgraded ecu (MBU), Cheers, Mark
MattFP - Matt Faulks of Faulks Performance.
He'll be back regular on the forum soon.
He's moving workshops at the mo.
www.f900.co.uk
Mark,
I've got a 2.5 as well and over the last year have had the engine upgrade (via Matt), LSD fitted and BOV fitted. I think the Engine Upgrade really improves driveability and fun factor on the road......I would recommend this (via Matt rather than the factory), get the Intercooler and BOV. Unless your really pushing road driving then LSD might be limited in terms of value for money. I only had it fitted because the original failed.....hope you dont get the same.
The suspension upgrade and tyres only if your interested in tracking it.
I've got a 2.5 as well and over the last year have had the engine upgrade (via Matt), LSD fitted and BOV fitted. I think the Engine Upgrade really improves driveability and fun factor on the road......I would recommend this (via Matt rather than the factory), get the Intercooler and BOV. Unless your really pushing road driving then LSD might be limited in terms of value for money. I only had it fitted because the original failed.....hope you dont get the same.
The suspension upgrade and tyres only if your interested in tracking it.
Thanks Simon - next stop for me is costings on all these options.. yes, touch wood my diff. is okay - i dont wring the car's neck, and i think the 6 speed box from the 3R will be dear - does yours still have the 5 speed? ( i rather like the fact you have to be measured in the gearchange, between the great rushes of power). So perhaps i should go for matt's power/intercooler/bov upgrade, then continue with standard diff/gearbox till there's a problem..
I actually had a new five speed box fitted when my diff went rather than the six speed which was a lot more expensive. When you add the new gear linkage its a ton of money just for a smoother gearchange and maybe a couple of tenths off a 0-60 time. I certainly couldnt justifiy it.
I think your approach makes sense. Enjoy!
I think your approach makes sense. Enjoy!
Rich,
If you've got a garage and can whack a fan heater or two on you'll cut the drying time down considerably - its just this piggin' cold weather that slows down the sealant curing!
When I did the original prototypes the weather was a little warmer and I was driving the car within a few hours.
G
If you've got a garage and can whack a fan heater or two on you'll cut the drying time down considerably - its just this piggin' cold weather that slows down the sealant curing!
When I did the original prototypes the weather was a little warmer and I was driving the car within a few hours.
G
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