Performance Stuff And Gubbings

[chris]

Hi guys, I am finally managing to get to grips with all the jobs i've been putting off for years and i'm now to the stage that i'm thinking about the engine. Is there any one out there who has increased the output of their esprit without reverting to fuel injection. Really really really want to keep my carbs!!!

Plus i've heard that increasing the inlet cam does little to improve car in fact usually makes it run worse?

Does having the head gas flowed etc make that great a difference for the money it would cost?

Is there any gain to a chargecooler on a carb turbo considering the limit of boost and the extra weight of the install?

Is the simplest option to rejet the carbs and up the boost level a touch?

If any one can shed any light on these questions it would be gratefully appreciated many thanks chris

[Glyn Harper]

Well I fitted a chargecooler to my car when I Was still running with carbs. It's not an easy job but it can be done. That then allows you to run a lot more boost.

Because of the way the carbs increase fuel pressure under boost, I didn't need to do any rejetting either. Just put the chargecooler on, and run more boost.

The problems you'll have though, are that you'll need to tap into the little cross pipe thing to put the carb balancing pipe into your car. Also, you'll need to make up some brackets to mount the chargecooler on.. The OEM ones are designed to go onto a fuel injected car so won't fit. Also, you'll need to sort out a rad at the front for the water in the chargecooler. I used the air con rad on mine as I had removed the aircon.. I made up some suitable aluminium pipes that run between the chassis and the body to take the water to the front and back.

Finally, you'll need to get some rubber hoses and a water pump.. although loads of people have changed their SE's to an electric water pump so you'll be able to find loads of threads about doing that bit.

In all, I was probably getting about 260 bhp out of mine on carbs.. but I was running an Emerald engine management system for the ignition though, as this is the limiting factor when you run extra boost.

Other mods you could do.. well, cams I believe help.. but on a Turbo car it's more boost you want really. Porting the head doesn't make a huge difference on a turbo car either, as the air is under such pressure all the time.

Porting makes little difference unless you're wanting 500bhp from your car!

Basically, you can get about 1.1 bar of boost out of your existing turbo.. that should be good for 260-270bhp, but the air will be too hot without a chargecooler and will cause pinking.

[th4neuk]

Like Glyn I installed a chargecooler using the aircon rad.

I've also fitted a forge race actuator and a boost controller. On low boost I am getting around 260bhp and on high boost the RR came out at 288bhp.

I have had the jets increased though just in case. My high boost setting is 1.0 bar.

Hope that helps??

Cheers

[chris]

Thanks guys, could you tell me what size jets you ended up using please mate. I know its gonna be spcific for my car etc but it would nice to know what ball park i'm looking at. ideally i'd like to run 0.8 to 1 bar boost.

Sorry for the stupid question but how does the boost controller work as i have only ever seen them on injected cars???? Thanks again chris

[th4neuk]

I couldn't say the jet size tbh.

I took it in to a local tuner near me who does classic race cars and he sorted out the jets.

I've got a greddy profec electronic boost controller. It works by bleeding of air to the actuator to hold the boost longer. I got one that was fairly basic and has 2 settings. At the touch of a button I can change from low (cruise) boost to high (silly) boost. I have also got rid of the electronic naff boost gauge that lotus fit and put a proper boostgauge in. This gives an accurate indication of your boost (you will need this!!). The nice thing about the controller is that you can set your own boost levels much easier. If I ever want to I can up the boost a touch for brief periods. I've also wired in a temp sender to the chargecooler so I can keep an eye on intake temperatures.

Have a look fr my page on LEW and you'll see some of this stuff on there as well.

BTW it does spit way more flame than my V8 does lol.

Cheers

Alan