Tuning / Engine Mods
Discussion
Having planned most of the cosmetic upgrades for the car (such as new spider alloys, de-cat, Zertec afterburners), I am starting to consider taking the car to a tuning specialist (inc. rolling road testing) to give the engine the once over and to explore ways of improving performance and overall running of the car. However I have had no experience with tuning specialists. There are a few in my area but these will not be TVR specialists - does this matter.
If yes, does anyone know of a good tuning company in the North East that would be able to help. I'm assuming the dealers don't do tuning - correct me if I'm wrong.
If yes, does anyone know of a good tuning company in the North East that would be able to help. I'm assuming the dealers don't do tuning - correct me if I'm wrong.
quote:
Having planned most of the cosmetic upgrades for the car (such as new spider alloys, de-cat, Zertec afterburners), I am starting to consider taking the car to a tuning specialist (inc. rolling road testing) to give the engine the once over and to explore ways of improving performance and overall running of the car. However I have had no experience with tuning specialists. There are a few in my area but these will not be TVR specialists - does this matter.
If yes, does anyone know of a good tuning company in the North East that would be able to help. I'm assuming the dealers don't do tuning - correct me if I'm wrong.
Think your only viable options are Joospeed, or the factory. Would be very brave to let anyone else loose on the engine.
Do you have a 4.2? If so, Joolz has an inlet porting mod which will gain you 20 to 25bhp straight away - this is the most straightforward mod I know about. The problem with any other tuning, e.g. exhaust manifold or head porting is that it's hard to get hold of the MBE mapping software to remap the engine. You ideally need to remap the engine if you're going to make significant mods, to both realise the power from the mods, and make sure it's not running dangerously lean.
If you have a 4.5, there is no cheap and obvious way to get more power, beyond a remap. Apparently the standard map is pretty conservative, and is definitely for normal unleaded, not super. One option is going for a retrospective Red Rose engine upgrade from the factory. 4k gets you a ported heads, higher compression and an ECU that has maps for super and normal unleaded. Allegedly also around 25 bhp, but haven't had seen one dynoed yet (still waiting to get mine tested).
If you have a speed 6, ask the factory to rebuild it to Speed 6 Red Rose spec I suppose.
If you have a 4.5, there is no cheap and obvious way to get more power, beyond a remap. Apparently the standard map is pretty conservative, and is definitely for normal unleaded, not super. One option is going for a retrospective Red Rose engine upgrade from the factory. 4k gets you a ported heads, higher compression and an ECU that has maps for super and normal unleaded. Allegedly also around 25 bhp, but haven't had seen one dynoed yet (still waiting to get mine tested).
If you have a speed 6, ask the factory to rebuild it to Speed 6 Red Rose spec I suppose.
Danny,
4.5 LW RR - I'm Jealous! I currently have a standard 4.5. I have thought about getting the RR conversion done, but as I use the car as my daily transport, don't fancy being without it for six weeks or so. If at some point the car needed to go back to the factory (for engine rebuild or similar!) then I would definitely consider getting the conversion done. However, I'm intrigued, have you driven a standard 4.5 and how does it compare to the LW RR, is the performance, handling noticeably better.
Cheers,
Dan
4.5 LW RR - I'm Jealous! I currently have a standard 4.5. I have thought about getting the RR conversion done, but as I use the car as my daily transport, don't fancy being without it for six weeks or so. If at some point the car needed to go back to the factory (for engine rebuild or similar!) then I would definitely consider getting the conversion done. However, I'm intrigued, have you driven a standard 4.5 and how does it compare to the LW RR, is the performance, handling noticeably better.
Cheers,
Dan
My 4.5 was new in March 2000 - got the engine converted in March this year. The Cerbera Red Rose mods are only engine mods. It definitely feels more responsive and an extra surge of power about 5k RPM, but haven't had it on a dyno yet to check. Certainly it feels slower when you switch the ECU to 95 octane mode.
I also reckon the factory would take longer than 6 weeks to turn it round - mine was more like 8.
If you want to sort the handling, talk to www.joospeed.net - I have his latest spec springs with Nitron dampers and it's absolutely awesome - a lot cheaper than modding the engine at around a grand too! Best of all, once Joolz has all the bits in place, it's only a matter of a few hours work to fit it! The standard car is crap is comparison, honestly.
I've never noticed any difference at all between the standard and "lightweight" Cerbie. I keep meaning to weigh the doors/bonnet/bootlid to check, but never bothered yet.
>> Edited by dannylt on Sunday 9th June 15:46
>> Edited by dannylt on Sunday 9th June 18:18
I also reckon the factory would take longer than 6 weeks to turn it round - mine was more like 8.
If you want to sort the handling, talk to www.joospeed.net - I have his latest spec springs with Nitron dampers and it's absolutely awesome - a lot cheaper than modding the engine at around a grand too! Best of all, once Joolz has all the bits in place, it's only a matter of a few hours work to fit it! The standard car is crap is comparison, honestly.
I've never noticed any difference at all between the standard and "lightweight" Cerbie. I keep meaning to weigh the doors/bonnet/bootlid to check, but never bothered yet.
>> Edited by dannylt on Sunday 9th June 15:46
>> Edited by dannylt on Sunday 9th June 18:18
Would have thought most engine mods are going to mean you'll be without the car for several weeks.
If you want something that'll make your car go noticeably more quickly across a range of driving experiences from bumpy B roads to sweeping A roads and tracks, I'd go for Joolz's suspension upgrade. I drove Danny's (which has the Joolz bits) at the weekend. It was fabulous, far better than my old standard 4.5 ever was. Factory setup makes you feel like the back end is wallowing a bit, IMHO.
Of course, if you get the RR engine mods retrofitted too, then it will be awesome (won't it Danny)?
(But still slower than my SLR)
Andrew
If you want something that'll make your car go noticeably more quickly across a range of driving experiences from bumpy B roads to sweeping A roads and tracks, I'd go for Joolz's suspension upgrade. I drove Danny's (which has the Joolz bits) at the weekend. It was fabulous, far better than my old standard 4.5 ever was. Factory setup makes you feel like the back end is wallowing a bit, IMHO.
Of course, if you get the RR engine mods retrofitted too, then it will be awesome (won't it Danny)?
(But still slower than my SLR)
Andrew
Gassing Station | Cerbera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff