Richard_E Posted March 13, 2001 Share Posted March 13, 2001 As I think happens to everybody with a seven I am looking for an engine upgrade. I have a 1.6 SS, but with 2 people up the engine loses its vigour due to the extra weight. What is the best way to upgrade the engine without going on a diet. I have read in other threads that people need more from 50-90 and I tend to agree with this. I would like more top end but do not want to lose the drivability around town etc. I know I am asking alot but you input is welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard_E Posted March 13, 2001 Author Share Posted March 13, 2001 Sorry, forgot to say that i have a 6-speed box already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmar Posted March 13, 2001 Share Posted March 13, 2001 I think the accepted wisdon is dump the SS bits, and buy throttle bodies, mapable ECU and new cams. Then the next stage is ported head the best place for K sereis tuning is Dave andrews web site at http://hometown.aol.com/DVAndrews/kengine.htm i know of 1 1.6 that gives out close to 190 BHP that dave fettled (how do you get the link active in the message?) Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberts Wallet Posted March 13, 2001 Share Posted March 13, 2001 If you get rid of the SS bits then let me know Wahoo...The nights are drawing out and the clocks change in a couple of weeks cool.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid Spalding Posted March 13, 2001 Share Posted March 13, 2001 sorry to butt in but ... I'm looking to go this way - seems crazy to hang onto the SuperSport bits when they could fund the upgrade. But how much are they worth to someone ? Can anyone give me a rough market rate, it would help sell it to the finance dept. - they've seen 3500 miles. cheers Sid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groutledge Posted March 13, 2001 Share Posted March 13, 2001 I've heard a rumour that Lotus have a truck load of VHPD they bought for Exiges that nobody wants to buy. I think they're after about £4500 each. Might be wortha sniff!! Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph7355 Posted March 14, 2001 Share Posted March 14, 2001 Richard - it really depends how much extra poke you want, and how much of the work you'll be able to do yourself. Dave Andrews site is THE best resource for K series tuning available so an absolute must see site if you're considering upgrades. Also tune into the mailing list on se7ens.net (you can just read the archives to cut down on mail traffic). Lots of upgraditis exhibited on there. BUT, if you have to get much of the work done for you and aren't starting with a Superlight type car then you may be better off (financially and spec wise) trading the car in against a used SLR. Then again, finding one of the exact spec, colour etc. may prove difficult. I did the upgrade thing last year so if you want more specifics, drop me a mail and I can let you have prices etc. for pretty much everything you may (or may not!) want. Plus some dos and don'ts! Graham's idea may also be sensible, but I'm not sure that the Exige engine uses the "normal" VHPD ECU or induction setup (I have some recollection that they're specific to the Exige) so it might be a bit of a headache getting it up and running in a Caterham. Sid - I've seen used Supersports kits advertised for about 500 quid in the past - not sure if they sold at this level though as there isn't always a market for them...if it's anything like mine a good holiday, promises of curtains etc. usually appeases the Finance Dept. C7 AJM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Martyr Posted March 15, 2001 Share Posted March 15, 2001 Richard, I think the answer to your question is 'Carefully after due consideration. I have carried out the TB/ECU upgrade using dta/QED and Jenvey bits. It has taken about 3 months from start to finish over the winter and was not easy. I am a working mechanical engineer who served an apprenticeship and built my original 1600SS kit, so I enjoy the work. But I found the stripping and re-building of the engine loom tricky. I had several attempts in getting the brackets holding fuel pressure valve and new coil to my satisfaction. It was not easy. The result is a marked increase in top end power but the real question is "Was the £2000+ wisely spent or would I have got more pleasure out of using the money in several overseas track trips etc which is what ownership is all about. I think the jury is still out but I do get a lot of satisfaction from the work I did, if that does not interest you then I think the 1600SS is an exciting and well calibrated car that can go round tracks faster than most of its drivers in its original form. Think long and hard before changing it to a less optimised less subtle albeit more powerful car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp7 Posted March 15, 2001 Share Posted March 15, 2001 Groutledge, do you have any details on who to contact re the VHPD engines? Cheers Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert OSELLO Posted March 15, 2001 Share Posted March 15, 2001 Hi Tony, I'm also thinking in doing that job, and as far as I remember, you mentionned that you have written something like a report or a guide with pictures you could share with evrybody interested. Is still the case? I would be very happy if I could have a look on your stuff just to see how hard it is and if I would be able to do the job by myself. Thanks, Robert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groutledge Posted March 15, 2001 Share Posted March 15, 2001 I don't have a contact personnaly but Marcus at easytracj does, try their web site, www.eastrack.co.uk. They've probably got some cotract info for him. Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted March 16, 2001 Share Posted March 16, 2001 Is the VHPD engine rumour true??????? X777CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R500 CYA Posted March 16, 2001 Share Posted March 16, 2001 I've done loads of research on this, and whilst I'm sure Simon will disagree with me, the best upgrade I have found for the 1.6 SS is to sell it and buy a SLR. Problem is the additional costs involved in tuning the 1.6, rapidly become uneconomic when compared to buying a used SLR. If you are intersted in doing the work yourself, then go the TB, cams, ECU route. If you just want a well sorted, more powerful car, save your money and buy a SLR. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul jacobs Posted March 18, 2001 Share Posted March 18, 2001 Does anyone know what sort of power just fitting DTHTB on a 1.6 SS, and changing the ECU to match, would make, in other words, trying to save the work and expense of opening up the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark.hall Posted March 18, 2001 Share Posted March 18, 2001 There was a thread recently that had a posting or two remarking that an otherwise standard 1.6SS (I think!!!) had the MEMS unit swapped for an Emerald M3DK, and showed an increase of 10 to 12 bhp, IIRC. This was at the (not so) recent Emerald rolling road day, so the tests were close together, and under the same conditions except for the ecu swap. Mind you, my memory isn't what it should be, so try a search on the archive from the link at the top of the page. The answers are all on here..............somewhere............ Edited by - mark.hall on 18 Mar 2001 11:34:57 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmar Posted March 19, 2001 Share Posted March 19, 2001 This was an 1800 standard K series not a 1600 supersport was Roy Booths (W111 FLY) caterham, I think he was quite happy at this not surprisingly, also sorted out some other issues he had rob Edited by - robmar on 19 Mar 2001 11:02:22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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