What can I do next?

[Alan]

Ok so I'm not too clued up on this kind of stuff, but I've copyed and pasted a spec list of my car. It made 143bhp at the wheels at 14psi and just wondering people's thoughts on what I could do next. When I had it rolling roaded(?) the guy said I couldn't really turn the boost up anymore as the spring wasn't strong enough or something, and suggested I change it. I dont know how to find out how stong the spring is. Anyway here is the spec. Advice and thoughts please


Engine:
Balanced crank and matched rods.
Flywheel lightened (dished on the back) and refaced.
New rings, bearings, bottom end set.
BB performance high lift GT Spec camshaft and uprated valve springs.
EP Motorsport “Stage 7” Cylinder head - Ported/Polished with 3 angle valve seats, shortened guides and matched manifolds.
BB Oil pump refurb kit
Uprated Headgasket and bolts
New valeo radiator as the copper core one was leaking.
New Water pump
Uprated Engine Mounts
Flowed and re-jetted carb with cup mod
New Fuel pump (higher flow)
Flowed turbo elbow
K-tec Stainless 2.5" bore down pipe
K-tec Tiger Side Exit Exhaust System
Full Set of samco silicone water hoses bar the breathers.
Sierra Cosworth Intercooler mounted behind lower grill on bumper.
Ram Air Large Foam Air Filter
Full T25 turbo with 360 degree thrust bearing
Braided oil feed
AEM Wideband Air Fuel Ratio gauge and Lambda sensor fitted in the exhaust
New Battery

Turbo type
T25

Boost Pressure (@ manifold)
14psi

Transmission
Valeo Green box Clutch

 

[Mart]

Can probably run another half a bar of boost, so that would be my next step (with an eye on fuelling of course).

Stronger springs are available for actuators, if it's not a sealed type unit. If so, replacement uprated/stronger actuators are also available.

If you're happy with the power it makes though, improving the braking and/or handling is always worthwhile (assuming you haven't already?).

 

[fatroofer]

Can probably run another half a bar of boost, so that would be my next step (with an eye on fuelling of course).

Stronger springs are available for actuators, if it's not a sealed type unit. If so, replacement uprated/stronger actuators are also available.

If you're happy with the power it makes though, improving the braking and/or handling is always worthwhile (assuming you haven't already?).

I definitely agree! Poly bushes are the route I'd go to appreciate the power you have got (assuming you got decent shocks + springs already)

 

[Alan]

Gaz coilovers front back. You know when you get used to boost and doesn't feel as nippy as it used to. I've got that feeling but don't know what to do next, I don't do track days and it is my daily. Duel carriageways all the way too work, so after da boost yo. !
Yes the guy said it was a sealed actuator so would need a new one, if I put a picture up maybe somebody could tell me what to change it for.
Ps. How much psi is half a bar?

Had a 5 for about 5 years and don't know how much a bar if boost is. Doh!!

 

[TNT Andy]

1 Bar = 14.7 psi
And with another 7 psi that will go like billy-o.

You'll have to watch fueling and also charge temps, but if you're listening for knock when setting up / fuling and you don't get any, then charge temps are not that crucial. But you will be squeezing a T25 hard at 21 psi. If you keep it @ 16-18 on track assuming everything else is ok, you will be fine.

 

[Alan]

So if my actuator is at maximum now, what one do I have to go for to increase the psi (assuming fuel etc is ok).
I'm not sure if you can tell what I have now. Photo attached

 

[Alan]

Extra picture. There's no markings or letters that I can see

 

[TNT Andy]

Is that a Tomcat turbo???

 

[TNT Andy]

Ah - hold on, you did mention that you'd had the bearing replaced with a 360 degree jobby.

The arm that goes from the actuator to the turbo - make this shorter (wind in) to increase boost pressure.
Then hang on.

I cannot stress enough that you will need to be looking at your AFR's and listening / looking for det whilst doing this.

 

[Alan]

I've been told that it's already at the maximum it will go, I'm not 100% sure but he (might) of said if you shorten it anymore. It will increase pressure but that might not be translated into road boost, and I need a bigger/stronger/better actuator. *

*This was a while ago and my memory is hazy. I blame gulf war syndrome.

 

[Alan]

No now I remember. The actuators limit was 14psi. It was making no difference when he shortened it further and needed a different actuator to go past 14psi. But don't know which one/or size to go for

 

[Alan]

Hmm this thread could of been so much shorter
What actuator for 20psi

 

[TNT Andy]

Hmm this thread could of been so much shorter
What actuator for 20psi

Oddly enough - I'm not the man for this topic, I'd say use a bleed valve or controller tbh, I've never got the premise of actuator springs n stuff.

 

[Number 11]

Re the actuator.. try putting the 6mm pipe from the carb onto the other vent on the actuator....... this will help hold the arm closed....... see if you can get 20 psi with some adjustment on the arm......

There is 2 types.. that look the same .... softer 14psi and a higher rated , more expensive option.... to take it up to 2 bar ish... they used to be £35...... it will easily swop as they look and mount the same on the turbo... I have in the past removed the 6mm pipe to the actuator and simply wound the arm in and out to achieve the level of boost I was after..... worked well..

 

[Number 11]

Yo.................. nice car...... looks like you've done all the expensive stuff first..... most people turn the boost up straight away...and blow it up after a few days.....


200+ bhp is well easy for you now.... I had the similar level as your self with 212bhp 222 ftpounds of torque..... at 2bar...

don't be shy to go for mega boost...the turbo can handle it..... youll hear the engine on full boost sound like your driving over gravel if the fuelling or ignition timing is wrong and you can then re adjust the fuelling etc......

if I owned your car I would...... rebuild the carb and set the jets up as I described in a thread to gtmatt.
http://turborenault.co.uk/threads/478/#post-7016

Plus 145 main jet... then ad aquamist.... adjust the boost to 2bar and adjust the aquamist jets these are measured in tenths of a mm.... 0.6 to start.... and is used to slow the burn speed in the chamber.... possibly adjust carb main jet to achieve a good on boost air and fuel level.... youll be burning more fuel through the rev range but when turbo is on boost it'll pull like a train..........


if you don't want water injection.... 21 ish psi could be achieved by replacing the jets as above and retarding the ignition by adjusting the Top dead centre sensor back on its thin mounting arm.. usually a good wack with a hammer will loosen it then you can adjust it back a few degrees




then youll want the big disk conversion....