[andrewhayward]

within the next three weeks I'm going to get the following done:

- Bilstein shocks and lowered springs
- wishbone bushes
- Forge recirc dump valve
- manual boost valve
- JT 3" full system exhaust and cat

already done the JR air filter, rear anti roll bar bushes and both the top torque arm bushes.Driven one today on this set up and now I just need one Except that had a Speedparts Stage 3 aswell, but that will have to wait!

Am informed to set the boost at 1.2bar as the standard ECU will cope with up to 1.5. Any views from Ye wise ones? How much extra bhp over the std 225 will this lil lot give me and what benefits will a stage 3 give me on top of all this. Oh yes, and my brakes are still all standard, tho new discs n pads all round . Spose I should upgrade these when I've worn them out?

Thanks.

 

[mark e]

I'm not sure what you're suggesting, Andy, about the boost.

A standard ECU will have a much lower overboost cutoff than a modified one, possibly around 1.1/1.2 bar. You can get a little more power/torque out of it by slightly upping the base boost, which you can do either with a bleed valve or by shortening the wastegate.

However, the standard ECU will not have the appropriate mapping for higher boost levels and may not be able to cope adequately once you push things too far. I would not advocate more than a mild increase in base boost over normal unless you have a modified ECU.

Personally, I would use the MBC as a bleed valve, not as a replacment for the APC solenoid, thereby retaining at least some APC control.

If you add a free flowing air intake filter to your list of mods (available from around £30-£40) then you'll get a further improvement in throttle response, which will make the car feel significantly quicker as turbo spool up time will be reduced.

I would enjoy the handling improvements and wait for your upgraded ECU.

As for brakes, then yes, you should give consideration to upgrading them. Pads are cheapest to start with. There's been plenty of discussion in the forums about suitable compounds. Some "favourites" include

Ferodo DS2500
Mintex C1144
Pagid Fast Road

HTH

 

[zeke]

I wouldn't raise the base boost, even with a modified ECM, for two reasons: one, it will lower the margin that the APC controls boost during knock and two, with some modified ECM's and all stock ECM's, raising base boost will cause the ECM to do what Dr. Boost calls negative adaptation - an actual lowering of the peak boost that can be achieved. My modified 9000 has stock base boost (.45 bar?). If one is wary of the tach, rather than the boost gauge, spool-up is not a problem. In other words, as long as the rpms are above 2500 rpms, I don't have to wait for

 

[aeropilot]

Andy,
I'll be interested to know your findings on the Bilstein kit....
I've heard it makes the car very hard riding, although it seems that a lot of those crazy Swedes fit the 'Billys' in peference to Koni's etc.,......
The roads must be different in Sweden, or perhaps it's because the predominance of gravel roads in Scandanavia means the Bilsteins are better because of their strength and bump/rebound control over poor surfaces......
Discuss......

 

[ylee coyote]

modified ecu..
one of the biggest benifits (did not realise till harry reminded me ) is it eliminates boost taper ..no more breathlessness as you rise through the rev's it really make a difference when you are pressing on....

 

[andrewhayward]

Aeropilot,
I briefly drove John's Aero (at West Midland Saab Specialists) the other day

. It has the Bilstein Kit and a Speedparts Stage 3 and thats what immediatly convinced me about the Bilstein kit. I use my car as the family car I just want to sport it up a bit ( well OK ...... a lot!) and get from A to B quicker, originally I was going down the Konis and PI springs route as they seem very popular, but I've never actually experienced them.

Anyway after driving the Bilstein set up they didnt seem too harsh and I was sold by the " point n squirt " reaction of the car..... no roll, throw it around and it was so solid copmpared to my standard set up.

Like I say I havnt driven on the Konis, but IMHO at approx £420 for the shocks n lowered springs, I just dont need to cos the Bilsteins are suffice for my requirements. OK they probly dont give the variation that the Konis can but if you dont plan on regular track days ( tho one or two are a must to try out the new spec!)and just want an amazing improvement in stance and road handling then they are an excellent choice.

well, thats my two bobs worth anyhow!

 

[ylee coyote]

fyi my koni' and roc springs were £350 from motorsport world.....
I think the billy kit was a little dearer from ecp but remember it is the complete strut...so no messing about ,cutting down struts ....