Advice please

12th November 2008, 15:48

Hey, guys and gals - looking at purchasing a couple of saxo's, looking for some help first.

I would like a saxo however would ideally like to tune one to around 150-175bhp/ton. Myself and my brother don't really use our cars very much so have decided to sell up (honda s2000 and an impreza turbo - if you know anyone interested in mint examples of both) we are looking for something with smiliar acceleration to have a bit of fun in.

I am looking at spending up 1.5k to tune each car (starting with a 90-98 bhp vtr or 1.1 if engine swap is route).

1)Can you guys please clarify kerb weights

Heard the 1.1 is 800kg
1.6 VTS and VTS 965kg - why such a difference? any structural chassis/handling/braking differences?

2)Also clarify difference in trim levels between
1.1
1.6vtr and 1.6vts

3)Can anyone advise of tried and tested tuning routes for more power ( I understand if the car goes faster, it needs to handle better and stop faster etc etc)? For example ( hypothetically)

Option1: VTR 98bhp
1) Vipder Induction kit £150
2) Full exhaust system £500
3) Engine ecu remap £300
Total £950 +30BHP

4)I was thinking along two routes
a) Supercharge the car, how much? and where can I have this done?, how reliable is the car? and also what gains to expect?

a) Swap the engine and gearbox with a 1.6 b16A honda engine 160BHP version. Has this been done? will it fit?

If these options are not viable I doubt I will achieve 150bhp/ton which in the 965kg 98bhp vtr would require 145bhp (+47bhp). Not considering starting with the vts as vtr's can be had for approx half the price.

any advice appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

12th November 2008, 15:51

to get an extra 30hp out of a saxo your guna be needing to at least add cams to your list.
to get 150hp cheap(ish) your going to need to start with a 16v engine, then add, manifold, exhaust, air filter, cams and remap.
would be nice to see a honda engien in one though.

12th November 2008, 15:52

to get an extra 30hp out of a saxo your guna be needing to at least add cams to your list.
to get 150hp cheap(ish) your going to need to start with a 16v engine, then add, manifold, exhaust, air filter, cams and remap.
would be nice to see a honda engien in one though.

12th November 2008, 16:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saxovts666

1)Can you guys please clarify kerb weights

Heard the 1.1 is 800kg
1.6 VTS and VTS 965kg - why such a difference? any structural chassis/handling/braking differences?

2)Also clarify difference in trim levels between
1.1
1.6vtr and 1.6vts

Thanks in advance.

the vtr/s are pretty much the same as a 1.1 chassis with the vtr/s having obviously bigger engines and the vts is heavier than the r, the Vt's have disks and pads all round and the 1.1's have drums at the rear

the Vtr/s have driver air bags, the vts has passenger and one on the drivers seat (unsure about the passenger), vtr/s have elect windows and sun roofs, but im unsure about 1.1s in general also the vtr/s have a body kit, fogs and colour coded mirror caps!!!!

12th November 2008, 16:11

abs on vts aswell, was optional on the r.
you also get 8v attitude with the r

13th November 2008, 00:33

Thank you all for your responses.

Good knowledge about specs and equipment seems best to start with a VTS and not skimp on equipment!

I have done some further research and it appears that some VTR's and VTS's can be had for £1k 97-98 with around 80k miles.

As for Civic VTI hatchbacks they start at 3.5k for a decent one...

I would like my car to be a fun daily driver, being ''wolf in sheeps clothing'' to a certain extent. Also I have the perception that saxo drivetrains are made of chocolate ( my next door neighbour is now on his 3rd gearbox VTR after 50k miles of hard road driving)

I am budgeting £1.5k for a car and 1.5k for modding.

So narrowing my options
1) I start with a VTS and tune it.
Can anyone recommend specific cams/induction/exhuast and ECU with pricing please.

How reliable is this route?

2) B16A VTI engine 160BHP standard. Have to fabricate mountings. Engine + gearbox cost £850 delivered from japan with 30k miles and warranty leaving £700 for fabrication and bits and bobs.

With exhuast + induction + ECU B16A is reliably good for 200bhp on RON99 ( V-power) but 160bhp will do lol.

** VTEC sounds awesome** - anyone disagree?

Will be a daily used car so don't want to reduce weight by throwing things away and stripping it out.

160BHP and a Kerb weight 930kg = 172hp/ton.
on par with the fastest hot hatches.

200bhp and a kerb weight 930kg = 215/ton not for off m3 pace etc lol crazy lol.

Let me know your thoughts,

Thanks

13th November 2008, 23:42

Anyone have experience of what is involved in an engine conversion?

13th November 2008, 23:59

engine conversion to a saxo engine or a different engine entirely?

imo, buy a phase 1 vts for about a grand, strip out most things, saves about 30kgs, add in a green enclosed ind. kit, magnex exhuast, sports/de-cat, btb 4-1 manifold (mild steel, stainless cracks) cat cams 708's and a kms/dastek ecu. should easily make 150brake. And it'll be suprising quick with 'only' that power.

14th November 2008, 00:03

as for price, ind kit circa £100, magnex 2nd hand £150-200, decat £50 (sports cat £300), manifold £200, cams £400-500, ecu £400-500. Thats all quite high priced, ebay sometimes brings up ecu's for cheaper, remember to add in rolling road time for setting it up.

14th November 2008, 00:07

SUPERCHARGING - For a rotrex conversion parts cost about £5000. GMC Motorsport will fit this (thier own) kit too. As for reliability, it can easily be as reliable as a standard vts if done well. Expect power to be at least 180bhp, easily caple of running nearer 300 with forged pistons and rods. Go for the C30-83 charger rather than the C30-74 and you can easily increase the boost/power

14th November 2008, 21:27

Hey, I was looking to do drop in a honda B16A 1600cc. ECU + Exhaust + induction on vpower = 200bhp (1.5-2K for all of this) throughout most of the rev range with bomb proof reliability.

Has anyone done this? or can provide me tips etc? I would need to fabricate mounts, what else? I have a mechanic as a neighbour who can help out....

Thanks!

I quite fancy going the N/A route you suggested!!!

16th November 2008, 00:14

i'm sorry but if you're having to ask if you'll need to make mounts for the honda engine i'd question if you can really do it.

also, iirc a B16a is 167bhp? so i'd be suprised if you'd get 200 from just those mods.