Will it ever get done?

**kenholland** · 8-27-03, 13:47

After last weeks fiasco where my Eibach fitting at Mike Stokes got cancelled because of a rush job (some idiot had wrecked the rear suspension on his mates BMW and his mate was due back next day) I thought I was sorted for tomorrow and all would be ready for Trax.

Just got a phone call saying that they had just opened the box, only to find that the supplier hadn't sent the right springs. They weren't even the right make, but were Apex! Simon phoned them and was told that they couldn't get the Eibach's in time so had sent what they had "just to get the job done". Bunch of to$$ers.

I've now been assured that if the Eibach 5522-140's are in stock in Germany they can be here in 3-5 days. So fingers crossed they'll be on for Trax. I'm not 100% sure who's giving me the runaround though...

Ken

**cruisemad** · 8-28-03, 5:54

I still need to lower mine but to be honest I dont see when I will have time as im fitting an 820 Vitesse Turbo Engine to a Rover 200 Coupe this weekend. Not a particually hard job until it comes to the wiring and the ecu is linked to the imobilizer. DOH!!!

Kyle.

**mop** · 8-28-03, 7:23

I know what you measn Ken.. it just seems to go on and on.. I havent even really started modding yet either.. Want to get some internal mods done, then a couple of scratchs that need spraying, then the lowering..

Hope it gets done soon for you!

**cruisemad** · 8-28-03, 7:27

Lowering our cars isnt that bad a job really. Its actually one of the easiest cars ive done. Did my last one twice!!! Takes me about half a day on my own when im not rushing it. Hoping to get it done before trax. One thing that wont be done is my rather leaky power steering pump which now leaks rather alot. Its ok though cause 4ws kicks ass.

Kyle

**G-Force** · 8-28-03, 7:40

Cruise i assume theres good reason for using the 820's lump ( i know its 200bhp ) wouldnt the standard 200 turbo lump do ? - Are they the same ? ( 200 turbos are imports so i supose harder to find and more expensive )

So there looking forward to sub 30 mpgs .....

Have fun with the mota :-) As for your steering pump have you tried any scrappies yet ? Guess u dont fancy converting it to 2ws :-P either way steer ( hoho ) clear of Mazda they quoted my nearly 2K for a new Rack and Fitting !!

Regards

G

**cruisemad** · 8-28-03, 8:03

Its actually an early vitesse which means its only 180 bhp. Thing is we spent 50 quid on a bleed valve, 2nd hand dump valve and booste guage and its now 230bhp!!! Dam thing will beat my 6.

Next to no difference in engine apart from the 820 vitesse early engines are stronger and we got the whole car for 50 quid!!! The engine is worth 300!!! Hence why we are using an 820 Turbo not a 220 Turbo!!!

Since when was a Rover 220 Turbo and a 220 Turbo coupe an import??? I know someone who bought one new direct from rover.

Yeah he wants to join my club of how many petrol stations he can avoid. The answer is not many!!!

Ouch!!! 2k!!! Ive got a new power steering pump on the way but its comming from the states. To go back to 2ws i would need to change the rack and pump and to be honest id rather it leaked. Will get it sorted when the new pump arives.

**cruisemad** · 8-28-03, 8:14

Good news about the Rover ECU. Just spoke to Camco 88 in warrington and aparently the early Rover ECU's didnt have the imobilizer on them. wooo hooo. Still got to swap wiring looms though. DOH!!!

**G-Force** · 8-28-03, 9:24

Yup the 820 never were popular ad depreciated like skodas & fords ( hehehe sorry andy :-P )

Good buy for 50 pounds ! I was joking about changing the steering ! Although your probably mad enough to try ! Early 820s probably didnt even have immobilisers so that shouldnt be an issue.

Slightly sceptical that an old rover engine will still be 180 bhp in the first place let alone adding 50 bhp with a bleed valve and dump valve - im not that performance orientated but the sounds quite high to me ( 25% power increase ! )

Anyway the mongral that crawls out at the end should be quite a sight - Any plans to rolling road it to get some stats ?

G

**cruisemad** · 8-28-03, 9:37

Yep on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. The 6 is hopefully going in aswell. Its a K reg so not that early but they did change the engine in the 820 Vitesse in 1996. As for the imobilizer. It has got one just not linked to the ecu.

**kenholland** · 8-29-03, 11:26

Just returned from Regal Auto in Southampton having had my FSE boost valve tuned.

The bad news is that, as I suspected, the new exhaust has not made a difference to the HP (didn't de-cat in the end).

The good news is that now the FSE is tuned in, she's running at 175bhp @ 5760rpm

The torque curve is a lot more agressive too.

Ken

**Maputosimon** · 8-29-03, 11:38

Are you saying the exhaust made no difference at all??

Strange...I did feel a difference, though not as big as the 'washable air filter'!

BTW, big compliment last night....coming out from Aikido class last night, there was an Audi TT next to mine, with owner waiting for me. Recognised it as it's well known locally for looking almost standard, but it's the most highly performance-modded TT in the UK, and has featured in magazines.

Guy said "is this yours?" to which I said yes. He then said, "nice car", and I spent the next half hour talking mods etc with him and his friends! Really enjoyable. Of course, the first questions, as always, were, "are you really running Nitrous?" and "What's the engine?" And he DID know about the Probe connection - I was impressed!

He then drove off with an array of shimmering blue lighting that made it look like a tropical fish! It did actualy look good, not tacky at all!

D2AN W, if you're ever looking.....

**kenholland** · 8-29-03, 12:24

Yes, I noticed a difference when the new exhaust went on, but:

There seemed to be more pulling power lower down, but less top end. The first dyno run today confirmed this, as the bhp peaked at 6000 rpm and then dropped right off. Now it peaks at 5700 and stays there until 7000

The torque curve is much sharper now too, and peaks at roughly the same spot as the bhp. The overall result is much faster and smoother acceleration, and back to the original top speed.

Probably got the wrong size exhust piping fitted or some such thing. The fact that I had to put a couple of bends in to raise the centre box up probably didn't help the exhaust flow either...
I'm really not sure if Powerflow used 2.5" or 2.75", but from what Regal tell me I should ideally have 2.5" throughout - including inside the centre box - and a free-flow sports cat (or no cat at all) would really help too.

Regal have also told me that they can do new s/s manifolds and will redo the exhaust and tune it properly if I want.

Found a real friendly tuner working out of a workshop below Regal: His name's Dan Fabry and he used to work for JanSpeed before they went bust. Showed me round while I was waiting for things to happen upstairs. Does all sorts of porting, valve polishing etc.

See ya soon,
Ken

**G-Force** · 8-29-03, 14:50

Great news Ken - I know youve been playing ever since you got your 6. I think the biggest thing with our engines is back pressure and its all very well bolting on a large custom exhaust but as you rightly point out exhaust with bends here and there will effect the performance. A for adjusting the FSE its an absoulute must - Ill be interested to see you mpg figures though as the FSE essentially allows more fuel though thus increaing performance.

The next thing has to be a supercharger Ken :-) thatll put a smile on your face. Looking forward to checking out your mota at Trax as ive been unable to make the events since youve joined.

Simon - Nitrous ! ummm... Really ? me thinks not ... Good work on the compliments though - Its amazing just how much respect the car gets in the flesh - Unlike the dizzy ppl who think its an mx5 when say what you drive !

G

**kenholland** · 8-29-03, 18:03

Thanks G,

Quote:

Originally posted by G-Force
Ill be interested to see you mpg figures though as the FSE essentially allows more fuel though thus increaing performance.

I'll be interested too - just don't ever tell Lin the figures. I get enough 'gas guzzling' comments from her already

Supercharger??? I don't think so somehow.

Nearly met you at Bolney apparently. But you turned up late and I think only Dave got to see you.

Cheers,
Ken

**G-Force** · 8-29-03, 19:12

Late ! Narh Im never late - I was there befor all the 6's turned up - Came along with JDB ( Lude import ). Parked up about 10 mins befor you lot arrived- long enough to get a beer anyway :-)

Have you got the Snazzy leather ?

G