43 replies to this topic

[rick_rallye]

Hi all, I'm considering a VX220 and I'm amazed at the specs from a 2.2L unit: 145 bhp 150 lb ft @ 4000 rpm A mildly tuned 2.2L engine should be pushing out 200bhp + What kind of power gains can be had from a combination of exhaust/decat/filter/cams/remap? Would I be looking at around £2k for this little lot? I've had a good look around on here and it seems many of you have tried various different cams... whats the latest general consensus? I'd love a tuned VX220 NA over a VX220 turbo, if its feasible though

[P40L VX]

Have a look at this,

TMS Clicky!

[The Knobs]

buy a turbo

[P40L VX]

buy a turbo

Never a truer word spoken!

[LazyDonkey]

Hi and welcome You are making the right choice sticking with the NA , but don't get carried away with the idea that the car won't shift with the standard engine. Its all about weight and the NA really doesn't have much. In this day and age hot hatches have 200 bhp plus, but they all weigh a good 400 kgs more (almost 50% more) than an NA. The lardy turbo on the other hand

[Jim_Cross]

If you want huge power gains, you're either going to have to supercharge it, or wait for TMS stage 5 (including throttle bodies and new ECU). That will be monsterously expensive though. Stage 2 feels quicker than a standard NA, but that will only get you 165-170bhp max, and that's not a huge difference. Well worth the money IMO but won't satisfy someone after 200bhp+. You have to remember that the VX engine is designed to be both torquey and reliable, hence the relatively low power given the engine size.

[clipping_point]

Noone has passed the +200 HP mark with a tuned N/A AFAIK. Myself I´m aiming for a p&p head, hairy cams, big-bore inlet, stronger valve springs in order to rev higher. The stuff that is on the market does not do the job sofar. Myself I am aiming for 210 HP and it is about 3K and a lot of my own work

[Jase_MK]

buy a turbo

How helpful...

Rick - nobody has gone past 175-180ish really. Looks like throttle bodies might be the answer but they're in development and don't actually exist yet.


edit: I'm so slow - 5 responses posted in the time it took me to type 2 lines...

Edited by Jase_MK, 19 September 2005 - 05:43 PM.

[P11 COV]

buy a turbo

N/A - possibly get 180bhp for a lot of money

Turbo -skies the limit really

[Steve Crisp]

Hi Mr Clipping_Point, I'm interested in upgrading the valve springs as well, but the valve-spring manufacturer quoted in the GM engine tuning guide isn't even on the www! Do you have any particular springs in mind? Regards, Steve

[clipping_point]

Hi Mr Clipping_Point,

I'm interested in upgrading the valve springs as well, but the valve-spring manufacturer quoted in the GM engine tuning guide isn't even on the www!

Do you have any particular springs in mind?


Regards,


Steve

I got a contact in the states selling:

Dual Valve Springs $225.00
Ti Retainers $185.00
Valve Spring Seats $75.00

Dunno which brand tho

[rick_rallye]

Thanks for all the responses guys! Very helpful bunch I'm just suprised because the figures for the my 306 Rallye 1998cc are around 180bhp and 150lb ft, and I know I can get mine up to just over 200bhp with little more work. Seems strange that the VX220 engine isn't very tuneable considering its a 2.2 Though I appreciate that even as standard it'll be very fast and a hoot to drive The Turbo and VXR are always options, but I guess we'll have to see how the prices go in the 2nd hand market.

[dude]

Hi Mr Clipping_Point,

I'm interested in upgrading the valve springs as well, but the valve-spring manufacturer quoted in the GM engine tuning guide isn't even on the www!

Do you have any particular springs in mind?


Regards,


Steve

I got a contact in the states selling:

Dual Valve Springs $225.00
Ti Retainers $185.00
Valve Spring Seats $75.00

Dunno which brand tho

Ferrea springs

talked to Karo earlier .

Hi Steve!

Didn´t i give you Karo:s email earlier?

well here it is: karo@carcustoms.net

say that you got it from me

[DUNNO]

hi mate, nice question you have posed, i guess you can see by my signature that ive a stage 3, i believe that the engine is alot more "downtuned" for reliabilty and is more a "family hack" engine, that is why i got mine tuned up, it does make a difference to being in a standard car and i bet that those of us who have had them tuned wont have thought "that was a waste of money", my reason is that the standard N/A is such a wonderful car to drive and sooo much fun with a more progressive powerband, however the engine has been restricted to be euro 10000 compliant , i also like the character that the car has (more revvy, no flat spots, nicer feel when you want to rev it hard, sounds also , the engine is pretty much bomb proof and a 35+ bhp lift does make a large difference to such a light and sure footed car , im still well with mine and i have the stage 3 done july last year..... counts for summat, however the vehicle never feels over awed with the extra power, summat vauxhall should have done originally, that said independent throttle bodies..... now your talking hope i was a help ......also im so happy with the car ive never even considered a turbo , my dream is a 220 bhp naturally aspirated engine with over 190lbft of torque , i believe that this'll give the supreme balance of power and poise that the car.

Edited by DUNNO, 19 September 2005 - 08:15 PM.

[rick_rallye]

175bhp sounds nice, also a lighter flywheel as well so should rev really freely. I bet they're fantastic around a track. Has anyone taken theirs to the Nurburgring yet?

[DUNNO]

ive not taken my car to any tracks but even on the roads the mods make a noticable difference, the flywheel is one of the best of the mods, makes the engine rev "alot" freer and bouncing it off of the 6500 rev limit (only )) much easier, i think that mine is about 2/3rds the weight of the standard one (about 6 kilos), the exhaust is another really good mod oh and the itg kit, alot of money but sounds , and ive heard rumours that it'll help you get 5-7bhp extra on a normal car (180 was with a pipercross filter so hopefully more).....

[Thorney]

Thus far we've developed: Gas flowed head Lightened flywheel race cams valve springs caps/collets (basically what we call a top engine race kit) which does a lot of what Clipping point is referring to. Beyond that you're looking at throttle bodies which we'll have soon and around 210bhp or 230bhp with a few other mods. Cost will be cheaper than a SC'ing the engine.

[Ratspants]

I reckon the 145horses is fine for the road, it might not sound like much but it has about the same power to weight as a Clio Cup 172 and with the RWD and rear weight bias you can get going places at a fair old lick. If I had 2 grand I'd be getting lighter wheels and hubs to improve handling rather than straight line performance. I reckon you should get an NA keep it standard for a couple of months then think about what you want to change based on where you feel the weaknesses in the car are vs. your driving style. Ben

Edited by Ratspants, 20 September 2005 - 07:23 AM.

[DUNNO]

I reckon you should get an NA keep it standard for a couple of months then think about what you want to change based on where you feel the weaknesses in the car are vs. your driving style.

.... words of the wise............


i had my car standard for over 6 months before going for a stage 2, enjoy it as standard and then see what'll really make it better for you..... the reason i did mine was "to add character" i felt the chassis excellent the braking adequate for the fast road use that i do, however the sound and performance delivery of the engine wasnt what id have expected from a sports car.........it felt strangled and restricted...... not anymore

now for some throttle bodies........

[speedster]

Beyond that you're looking at throttle bodies which we'll have soon and around 210bhp or 230bhp with a few other mods. Cost will be cheaper than a SC'ing the engine.

I like those numbers. Any idea when this ultimate mod will be available? Cost of the complete package?