122 replies to this topic

[old codger]

Been looking at supercharger conversions for the vx, and just wondered if anyone has any before and after figures, or even better lap times from track days. For the n/a vx220 and the supercharged version. Also read about rough cold running and engine reliability probs after having the conversion done. Anyone know of these issues. Can the 2.2ecotec withstand the extra power being put through it?

[Crazyfrog (Fab)]

Been looking at supercharger conversions for the vx, and just wondered if anyone has any before and after figures, or even better lap times from track days. For the n/a vx220 and the supercharged version. Also read about rough cold running and engine reliability probs after having the conversion done. Anyone know of these issues. Can the 2.2ecotec withstand the extra power being put through it?

if the engine is modified properly and tune by courtnay it will be 100 reliable .

[walshryan]

plenty done it all through reputable tuning companies so should be fine, dont get why people dont just get the turbo though

[rob999]

plenty done it all through reputable tuning companies so should be fine, dont get why people dont just get the turbo though

[XXX]

dont get why people dont just get the turbo though

Power delivery + NA handling = win

Ask any of the soupercharger boys if they would swap theirs for a turbo

[jonnyboy]

Lap times? What does that matter?! All you need to know is it goes like stink but weighs less than a tubby (crucial). Keep the rev limit sensible and its fine. From what I saw detonated engines have been on over revved or on track cars where oil starvation may have been to blame. Keep away from sticky tyres!

[NickB787]

dont get why people dont just get the turbo though

Power delivery + NA handling = win

Ask any of the soupercharger boys if they would swap theirs for a turbo

No way

benefits= Bl...dy quick

[Phear]

Before: 144bhp, After: 250-260bhp (for stage 2 conversion). Not much else you really need to know The z22se is generally considered to be good for 250-260bhp as standard, 300bhp with uprated con-rods, 400bhp with uprated pistons and the sky's the limit with uprated piston liners. Many have done it and I think only one has failed because of what has been attributed to too much power and that was putting out in excess of 260bhp. The rough running from cold is only an issue for those who have done the conversion themselves and had Courtenays apply their standard base map by posting the ecu to them. Once you get Courtenays to put it on the rollers and remap it (or if you get them to do the whole conversion for you) its no longer a problem. As for the Turbo v S/C thing, its been discussed to death but there are 2 reasons people tend to go the S/C route, 1) They couldn't afford or couldn't justify the extra cost for a Turbo and bought an N/A and then after a while decided they'd like extra power or 2) They wanted the power with the weight benefit that the 2.2 offers over the Turbo.

[Seb.F]

Before: Car cost £7600 with FSH from Vaux, 58k miles. Power at 148bhp completely standard. (No idea on torque) After: Cost an extra £3800ish on top of that to get TD 1.2s, Gaz suspension, full stage 2 S/C (or stage 2+ as I did conrods as well), eagle conrods, new timing chain and water pump, full manifold back Milltek exhaust. For the total price of £11,400(ish), I now have; a decent pick of tyres; a decent suspension setup; a nice sounding exhaust for a daily car (not too loud); a nice little whine on WOT, while still retaining a silent running engine on day to day boring drives through town or on motorways; a fairly reliable car that I can also be fairly confident won't try and blow itself up if I even slightly abuse the power (safe route with conrods, new timing chain, new water pump, new coolant header tank with cover and Forge pre rad and pro alloy rad); and a HUGE grin. And 256bhp and 226lbft of torque. I would most definately say that the £11,400 I spent on modding my N/A, would not have been better spent on buying a turbo for that same amount of money and without any mods at all.

[Crazyfrog (Fab)]

I would most definately say that the £11,400 I spent on modding my N/A, would have been better spent on buying a turbo for that same amount of money and without any mods at all.

[Seb.F]

As for the Turbo v S/C thing, its been discussed to death but there are 2 reasons people tend to go the S/C route, 1) They couldn't afford or couldn't justify the extra cost for a Turbo and bought an N/A and then after a while decided they'd like extra power or 2) They wanted the power with the weight benefit that the 2.2 offers over the Turbo.

With this as well, the choice was exactly as I've just stated, buy a completely standard turbo for the money, or get an unmolested innocent N/A and mod the feck out of it to make it into a hugely better car than the turbo could have been for that money.

[Phear]

btw the Stage 2 S/C puts out about an extra 75bhp/tonne than a standard VXT, sure you can take a VXT up to the same power/weight ratio but it will cost you a lot more and you'll still be carrying extra weight into the corners

[southpaw]

or get an unmolested innocent N/A and leave it as is to make it into a hugely better car than the turbo.

[Crazyfrog (Fab)]

or be a sheep

[stumpyRS4]

Guys Apologies for (probably) opening up an old wound, but weight... The VXT is only what, 50-odd kgs heavier than the NA isn't it? Might be wrong obviously, and haven't checked for a wee while, but didn't think it was alot... Does that small amount of extra weight make THAT much difference ? I'm not being argumentative before anyone flames me, I am new to VX's and noted this mentioned a few times already...

[jonnyboy]

100 kgs Its all about the roll inertia. The initial feeling of weight on turn in that no amount of tuning or suspension will get rid of on a turbo. Thats why I've had 3 NA's.

[Phear]

Offical curb weights put the Tubby at 60kg more than the N/A which is a 7% weight increase. To be honest I've never driven a Tubby so I can't say from experience but I doubt you'd notice it unless you are pushing it to the limit on a track.

[jonnyboy]

You do notice it. 7% is quite a lot especially in a car where you can detect if you've lost 2 PSI from your tyre. The weight shows itself at that moment of turn in. The NA is a lot crisper on turn in. Not a big deal for many but the NA has always had the slight handling edge. with the charger it can also match the speed now.

Edited by jonnyboy, 08 May 2010 - 09:57 PM.

[stumpyRS4]

You do notice it. 7% is quite a lot especially in a car where you can detect if you've lost 2 PSI from your tyre.

The weight shows itself at that moment of turn in. The NA is a lot crisper on turn in. Not a big deal for many but the NA has always had the slight handling edge. with the charger it can also match the speed now.

Thanks.
Saw your write up on PH too BTW.

The wheel widths are also quite narrow? My car wheels are 8.5J as standard...
Can the VX accomodate larger/wider wheels?

[VXTyrant]

dont get why people dont just get the turbo though

Power delivery + NA handling = win

Ask any of the soupercharger boys if they would swap theirs for a turbo

Ask any of the high powered turbo boys if they'd swap for an N/A!

I'd rather have a high powered tubby ANY DAY!!!