Anyone tried a carbon plenum?

[bryanlister]

I've seen an ad in Sprint for ACT Performance Products. One of the upgrades they feature for the Rover V8 is a carbon fibre plenum chamber. They state that the original 3.5 Rover V8 puts out 190 bhp. Obviously, TVR units develop 240 bhp upwards. However ,the breathing of TVR engines (except 5.0)is still through a standard alloy plenum developed for the 3.5. They show torque curves running a standard v carbon set up on various engines to demonstrate the power/torque increase through letting more air into the engine.

They look nice - but has anyone on Pistonheads done the conversion?

For further info see www.actproducts.co.uk



>>> Edited by bryanlister on Thursday 14th February 09:42

[markh]

I am looking into it but am do the gas flowing, cam and chip first (booked in next month)

Mark

[budd]

If you remove the std plenum and check out the intake pipes under it you'll find lengths of pipe set into the base,i would guess that the use of trumpets with the correct radius and of tuned length is where any extra power will be found.

[kevinday]

There are a large number of modded engines with the carbon plenum, this is the main source of cheapish power hikes. BTW TVR power figures are 'generous' to say the least. I have heard (on good authority) 4.0 engines give around 200-220 bhp in standard form, the plenum and injection system modification should give you a genuine 240-250. The 5.0 engine is around 270-290 standard.
For more details Steve (SHPub) is the guru.

[GreenV8S]

quote:They look nice - but has anyone on Pistonheads done the conversion?

Yes, and they do exactly what it says on the tin. There are quite a few options (enlarged inlet manifold, enlarged throttle body, different size trumpets etc etc etc) and how far it is sensible to go will depend on how wild the rest of the engine is. It is worth giving ACT a call and talking it through with Tim Lamont, he will expain all about it.

Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S with all the ACT bits)

[pbrettle]

Oooo no - this could get costly....

[bryanlister]

I am beginning to like the sound of this! Why is Xmas always so far away whey you know EXACTLY what you want!?

[richb]

There was guy who used to frequent this list - Jess Sulivan - who was a bit of a power freak, he had all the ACT stuff on his Griffith. I haven't seen him post for a while but I have details of what he had done if you are interested. Rich...

Basically it's the same advice as already given, fit the ACT stuff and talk to Tim Lamont, if you want knock out the pre-cats then get a Mark Adams chip and rolling road tune-up.

>> Edited by richb on Thursday 14th February 17:59