VTS 1.4 tuning

4th February 2005, 23:03

Hello, I got me an Saxo VTS 1.4 8v, 75HP. I want more power, what mods are necessary to increase to lets say around 100HP?
Thank you!

4th February 2005, 23:27

enclosed air filter, full exhaust system with de-cat pipe, 4 branch manifold, fast road cam kit, unichip (dastek) or similar that should see u round that figure if not more!

u maybe better just getting a 1.6 8v/ 16v or an engine conversion!

6th February 2005, 02:39

So it is possible to go over 90 hp without opening the engine. Cool.

Maybe I'm going to build my own pipe. Anyone knows any article on how fourstroke exhaust work (not the basics thanx)?

Or maybe the engine transplant....

But does the 1.6 16V fit onto an ex 1.4?

6th February 2005, 02:58

yeah it will fit but you will have to get a list of things in order for it to work!

- engine
- ecu
- wiring loom
- keys
- transponder box (immobiliser)
- radiator + fans
- ignition barrell

also the 1.6 16v has a fuel return line where any unburnt fuel goes back to the fuel tank which your 1.4 wont have!so it will run a bit rich and use more fuel but will be ok!

the difference will be awesome i only upgraded from 1.6 8v and the difference was amazing!

also u have to make sure the ecu,key,transponder box and ignition barrell come from the same car other wise they wont work!

hope ive helped!

8th February 2005, 00:29

Of course you have helped! Also now I see engine transplant is the cheapest way to increase power. Answer me please some more things:
What exactly is the wiring loom? The cables?
Will I need the keys of the donor car?

But before any power mods, I have to improve the suspension & brakes.

Thanx!

8th February 2005, 03:19

yes improve brakes and prob suspension aswell first, or at same time.
You will need keys as then you can use the ECU. If you dont , you will need the ECU unlocked , which is quite costly.

9th February 2005, 19:25

I have also did a bit of search around turbocharging. And find out that a Turbine setup fitted in the UK will cost over 5000 pounds...????!"#%#$?? Have I read correct? That is around 7000 euros? Damn.
However I'm sure I'm able to fit an turbine for not over 500. If I buy an secondhand turbine and do all the tubings myself (I have a lot of experience in welding exhausts = twostroke exhausts).
But do turbo setups need things like the wastegate and popoff valve? What did I forgot that costs so much?

How would the 1.4 engine respond to turbocharging? IMHO to achieve 100hp there is no need for a high boost pressure.

9th February 2005, 19:54

To reach 100bhp on a 1.4 you will not need to turbo/charge it.
this can be done with the right set up of cam/exhaust/chip/air filter. All set up correctly.

With a turbo, you will need what you have listed above, also need an oil cooler, intercooler.
They do add up to alot here , but that also includes the fitting.

Like you said, you could get yourself a second hand turbo and modify it onto your car. but to do this you will still need all nessecary pipework, and ancillaries, ie: intercooler etc.

To learn more about DIY turbo jobs. Send Frevo (on here) a PM as he has recently purchased a second hand turbo uit, and intends on getting it onto his saxo.

Good luck mate. keep us informed

9th February 2005, 20:58

To reach 100bhp on a 1.4 you will not need to turbo/charge it.
You are right, but that would cost me much more than the turbo by my calculations.
The intercooler I would make it watercooled, with an 12V waterpump and an motorbike radiator to cool the water. I think that the watercooled intercooler is easy, since it doesn't need a lot of surface as water takes heat off 25 times better than air.
Is the oil cooler really necessary? Isn't the turbine lubrification oil coming from the engine? Well, anyway I saw oil coolers are relatively cheap.

I think I can make the exhaust collectors. I build twostroke exhausts already. Take a look:

Will keep you informed, If I won't change my mind since I need also a reliable car!
But I get quite pissed off when "street racers" with various cars like Punto sporting, Polo GTi....start challenging me, since my saxo looks powerfull but it's only an 75hp

9th February 2005, 21:20

I get that aswell, only having a 1.4 too. hmm

Im not to sure if the oil cooler is required. I thought there was a separate oil tank for the turbo lubrication?I may be wrong mind.

Some turbo installations , like the ones from Cituning, also do one with a fifth injector aswell. But this is even more pricey !

10th February 2005, 03:57

Some good information given there.

Dont think there is much you can add to those lists without going to the extent of Throttle bodies, turbo, supercharger.

What might interest you is that GMC MOtorsport created a 1.4 supercharged saxo that if i remember had more power than a standard saxo VTS and had an awesome amount of torque.

10th February 2005, 20:14

SaxoAL: I saw that oil delivery for the turbo was fitted where the oil sensor is, with an T-piece, while the oil coming from the turbine was ducted into the carter pan.

GSMotorsport: Hum, 1.4 more hp than 1.6 16V...hehe. Well, I guess that would need some major changes on the engine itself.

I discovered that secondhand turbines are quite cheap; 100euros for an IHI RHF3, which is rated for petrol engines that will produce from 27-135 HP. It's from an Fiat uno turbo 1.3, the owner says that is revised.

10th February 2005, 20:27

Sounds good !
Make sure you get a good quality turbo, if buying second hand. One from quite a new vehicle would be good also.

11th February 2005, 20:55

It is also true that I need "only" 108HP to match the acceleration of the 1.6 16V, since my car weights 840Kg, while the 1.6 16V weights 935Kg (on the paper).

13th February 2005, 23:20

A question: If I make an head distancer to lower the compression ratio, can the belt adjust to the new distance?

15th February 2005, 23:36

now thats a clever question, i neva thought of that, technincally, the belt is tensioned, i suppose that if the head was rised then the tensioner would give a lil bit of play in the belt, and it would compensate for the extra length

16th February 2005, 21:04

Yes the tensioner pulley has plenty of play to allow a drop in compression using thicker gaskets or a decompression plate. Remember that the increase in thickness of the gasket is not needed to be much greater then 3-4mm to be effective.

18th February 2005, 00:14

roost show a picture of ur car?

18th February 2005, 01:10

Ok, thanx for your answers. Now I have most of the macchanical problems sorted out.
The only thing that bothers me now is how will the injection system respond to the boost.
If it will need adding of various (extremely pricey) electronic stuff and have it programmed then probably the project is doomed.

Pure_sax: No, I don't have them. But is like this one on the pic, but only in dark blue colour. It's entirely stock.

18th February 2005, 15:49

Well the fuelling and associated electrical parts are the most costly parts of the conversion. You're talking upwards on 700 stg for these alone.

19th February 2005, 02:42

D'OH

21st February 2005, 14:27

Does the Xara 1.6 16V engine fit the saxo?

21st February 2005, 15:58

not without ALOT of work.
Engine mounts are different, wings would need widening, bonnet extending.
Plus. a saxo VTS engine would still outperform it , as the xsara engine is heavier, therefore if in a saxo, its handling would not be so good compared to a 'normal' saxo engine.

21st February 2005, 23:58

Same engine as 106 GTi and Saxo VTS only with 110bhp. Little less power but will fit ok with saxo mounts and alternator brackets too. (Alternator is mounted at the rear of this engine and power steering pump is belt driven and is mounted at front where saxo has alternator). Engine still has tuning potential so if bought cheap would be a good way to go.