VVC- any thoughts

[Charley Farley]

I may have the opportunity to change from current 5 spd 1.8 Supersport of which I own half- to a 6 spd VVC engined car which I could own outright.

Output is similar (150 vs 145Bhp). Age, mileage & specs of both cars are virtually the same- the only differences would be the engine & gearbox.

Has anybody had much experience of the VVC- would there be much difference compared to the S'sprt?

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Cheers

Charley

[Fat Arnie]

VVC should stay in an MGF. If you ever needed proof it was possible to take all the K-Series bad points and build on them by taking more of positive elements away, then the VVC is it.

If you want VVC levels of power put a stock 1.8 K on throttle bodies. A much more enjoyable drive.

[Piers917]

The 6 speed 'box is IMO a must have. The ratios are far better suited to the Caterham than the 5 speed, very closely stacked and shorter overall, but with a longer first gear. It also has a shorter throw and narrower gate making it an all round nicer 'box to use.

[Charley Farley]

Two interesting comments so far- seems current S'sport engine with 6 Spd would be the best bet...

[Jack_and_MLE]

I love my VVC, for it's torque low down and power hight up.
I like so much I'm going to fit some RB and an Emerald.

[rubystone]

Jack_and_MLE said:

I love my VVC, for it's torque low down and power hight up.
I like so much I'm going to fit some RB and an Emerald.

Is "RB" Roller Barrels? If so, why do you want to fit those and are you sure you can fit them whilst retaining the VVC elements? I'm also intruged as to why you want to fit an Emerald.

All this would make sense if you were choosing to junk the VVC elements, mind. Except for the roller barrels which, despite my car having them, I really don't think add much unless you're planning on doing a lot of track days.

[finmac]

I had a drive in a VVC last year and must say I was very disa with the experience, to be honest was not a patch on my old 160BHP X Flow.

Now my new 205BHP K Series is a different Kettle of fish... am amazed how much better an experience it is compared to the VVC for only 50 odd BHP more.

[sjmmarsh]

My old car was a VVC - I found it a very flexible engine, with good torque from low down. When mated to the 6 speed box it meant you could use almost any gear on the road (legal speeds) above 20mph and drive it like an automatic.

It is more fun going up rapidly through the gears though!

Steve

[Furyblade_Lee]

My last car was VVC powered. It was a brand new "crate" 2003 engine when the car was built. I think it is a fantastic engine, disregarding all the supposed reliability issues i never managed to blow it up in 16,000 miles despite having very little mercy (maintained properly, mind). Smooth, totally reliable and very economical when cruising. As stated, they have a good spread of power from low down. It made 170 bhp on 2 different rolling roads. In contrast, i drove a "180bhp" K with hot cams, TB's ect and while aurally more exciting it seemed no faster, peaky and nowhere near as ecnomical. And to replace after a blow up would be much more expensive than a VVC. I suppose you need to drive both back to back, but do not be put off by a VVC.

[Shaun_E]

I've never driven a stock VVC so can't comment on it vs 1.8 SS BUT it does make a good base for tuning as the valves are bigger than those on a normal K16 head. You have to junk the VVC mechanism but Piper make a blanking kit and can supply camshafts to fit (the blank diamter is larger on a VVC). I've got a VVC head on my DVA built engine as MS2 or VHPD heads are expensive and not that easy to find now.

[Jack_and_MLE]

RB= Roller Barrels.

I briefly fitted them last year and the amount of torque was a lot more.
The engine was not even mapped properly because the cooling could not keep up with the extra heat created by the new installation.

There are a couple of EU3 VVC on RB which are producing in the region of 170-180bhp with lots of low down torque.


Jack

[rubystone]

Jack_and_MLE said:

RB= Roller Barrels.

I briefly fitted them last year and the amount of torque was a lot more.
The engine was not even mapped properly because the cooling could not keep up with the extra heat created by the new installation.

There are a couple of EU3 VVC on RB which are producing in the region of 170-180bhp with lots of low down torque.


Jack

At what point in the curve did you feel the extra torque? from your final comment it sounds like it may have been "low down" - which isn't what I'd expect with roller barrels....

Any idea why the roller barrels should have created "extra heat"? that sounds a bit odd to me.

[dannylt]

No reason to not get more torque EVERYWHERE with roller barrels, certainly cleaner at the bottom end with hairier cams. Anyway, more power means more heat. My old car with 350bhp was happy doing dyno runs all day, but when tuned to 400bhp it would be overheating by 6000rpm.

[Jack_and_MLE]

The overheating issue was a recurring problem with the original TB. The extra power just exacerbate it.


Jack

[wonkycustard]

It shouldnt overheat especially in std form.

sounds like you have problems and you should get the engine looked at.

[Jack_and_MLE]

Wonky

I'm not sure if you ever seen how a radiator is fitted in a 21, it is parallel to the road so airflow is not maximize!

I 'm changing the rad, fan and I'm fitting a PRRT. I'll also be using a type of coolant which changes colour if there is exhaust gas in it.
If the test is positive well, I just have to send the car to DVA for him to worked is magic on the head

Jack

Edited by Jack_and_MLE on Friday 15th February 12:29

[RobM77]

I owned a VVC for 3 years, currently race a std 1.6 engine and have driven two R300s (non VVC 160bhp basically).

The VVC is a fantastic engine for normal road use, in fact I now have one in my Elise. Monster mpg, smooth torquey power all over the rev range. The delivery isn't as exciting or sporty as a tuned straight cammed engine though, so it's a very different feeling driving it.

I haven't got a bad word to say about either engine, but they are definitely very different driving experiences.