It is broadly similar to the current supercharger conversions they carry out but the stage 1 kit has no charge cooler, no laminova cores a smaller pulley and retains the standard 2.2 throttle body. It's yet to be fully mapped but we're expecting about 210-220bhp from the stage 1 kit.
The installed price will be approximately a couple of grand less than the current stage 2 conversion cost and it will also be available as a DIY kit.
I'm almost finished with the install now and have a few observations
First of all the cost of the kit
Whilst there are certain bits that you can buy on ebay from the states such as the compressor and manifold there are a whole long list of other smaller parts which are essential and the cost will mount up for these, quite a few of these aren't readily available off the shelf either. In terms of the install time of the stage 1 kit I would say that will vary depending upon the experience you have and the space you have to work in. Whilst I did a lot of the prep wiring work several weeks ago I also had to swap out my cams which isn't what most people will need to do. I'd say that if everything went to plan most people would be looking to get it all completed in about 5 days, with an additional pair of hands being needed quite often.
It does look quite simple on the face of it, but it all takes time, quite often more time than you would realise. Courtenay usually fit the stage 2 kit within a week, which I think is pretty good going. I'd want at least what they charge in terms of labour to tempt me to do all that on someone else's car
:: The ECU needs to be relocated which means extending all 4 injectors, MAP sensor, air temp sensor and all the throttle body wiring. To solder all the joints and bundle them up properly with sleeving, 2 lots of heatshrink etc takes a while. New injector plugs are also needed.
:: The fuel lines need to be moved and secured.
:: The main coolant hose needs to be cut in situ and extended.
The main problems as always on the VX are to do with gaining access to things, there's just not a lot of room to do stuff, don't expect much skin left on your knuckles
I was out early this morning to try and finish things off, had to faff around with a spacer plate for the 2.2 throttle body where the holes wouldn't line up properly and the bolts needed cutting down. I already have the proper larger throttle body which is an easier fit but Courtenays wanted me to use the smaller one as that's what most people will use for the stage1 kit.
I turned it over on the starter with no spark plugs in to get the oil pressure up which made it make an amusing tooting sound like an organ then eventually put the plugs in and gave it a go. Was left scratching my head for a while as there was no spark but after resetting things with an OBDII connection it started first time
It seems to be running pretty nicely and is able to move under its own steam on the drive, but I ran out of time to do much more today.
Now I need to tidy up the wiring, cable tie it down, double check a few bolts, make sure the coolant hose and fuel lines are fully secured away from the belt, bleed the coolant system, replace a wheel arch liner, resecure the battery and change over the wheels to something more appropriate for the current weather.
Then it goes off to Courtenays for final tweaks to the map and a general check over.
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http://www.muncher.org.uk/supercharger
Looking forward to seeing a final price for the diy kit.
Does that mean that Courtenays have taken the Laminova cores out of the intake manifold prior to fitting? And that they'd need to be re-installed when/if you move to StageII (which presumably still needs the charge cooler and pre-rad)?
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