I currently have a 220 s with a 2bluair back box and high flow air filter, I really would like it to be a reliable 260-280bhp. What would you guys say is the best/cheapest way of archiving it?
Thanks folks
A drive to Christopher Neil’s for the 260 upgrade will do it…
Just don’t go any further than that or the gearbox will fail.
The most reliable way of destroying the box is to fit a smaller pulley , the increased mid range torque is just too much…
I see that hanger 111 do a 35bhp ecu upgrade, by the way it reads its just a plug and play, would that be something worth going for? How much was the cn 260 upgrade JFK? If you don’t mind me asking.
I think at the time I had mine done it was around 1500 quid …You’d need to call them for latest price.
The 35 bhp upgrade will require more fueling to attain the increase , it will test the standard fuel pump to its limits… maybe hangar 111 fit a larger pump at the same time ? … I don’t know ?
I know that Lotus wouldn’t allow CN 's to upgrade cars to 260 without a larger pump tho…
Just a final point from me …
If you think that ‘eventually’ …you may want 320+ etc.
Then you may be better off going to an easily mappable ecu such as the syvecs or others so that you can upgrade the car in stages…
Beyond 260 though it gets expensive ,trust me !
Thanks JFK, I think tops I would go 300, would still want the car to be reliable and I could not afford to go more then that 
if I did take it to 260bhp would i notice the difference?
260 is a noticeable difference ,but the ‘transformation’ happens with a pulley change…
Nearly forgot , driver training is what you need …'words often heard from the owner of one of the most heavily modded s1,s on here ! ’
A word on gearbox reliability : i got mine CN’d over two years ago and at the beginning of this year the clutch went after many months of threatening. I took the opportunity to get the gearbox checked and it came back with an all-clear, noting a little bit of wear on 2nd.
My car sees plenty of track days so I think it’s safe to say the CN 260 is no gearbox killer.
Agreed Motorhead … the .CN route is kinda factory approved…
The Crux ,I believe is the addition of a heap of�mid �range torque offered by increased boost when pulleys are changed …
I have the Hangar111 280 Komotec conversion. Changed the clutch and flywheel when fitted and no damage to the gearbox in 2 years.
Yet to have a good experience at CN 
.
Agree with all the above if you go any further than 280hp the gearbox is at risk and above 250hp unless driven carefully the standard 220hp clutch is a serious weakness as the pressure plate lacks clamping force (been there broken both)
Any of the ECU remaps\replacements (along with new injectors and pumps) from the trusted suppliers will get you what you want. speak to all and make your choice
Hangar 111
JS Racing
Chris Neil
Essex Autosport
you will not be dissapointed in any but the need for more might well end up costing you more 
McWill. I have exactly the same dilemma. There seems to be a number of routes. So far my research has come up with the following alternatives.
A - Hangar 111 upgrade the charge coller, induction, sports cat plus a reflash
B - Christopher Neil and others upgrade the injectors and fuel pump, plus a reflash (OEM 260 approach)
C - SSC and some others replace the ECU completely which allows ongoing variable mapping and they get significant boost from this process alone. You can then upgrade as you wish, remapping as you go (rolling road session required!)Downside is the level of expertise required is not widely available depending on product.
Seems to me that if all you want is a one off modest improvement, the option B would get the job done.
If you plan on keeping the car (and have permanent upgraditis) then C is the way to go, and be prepared to add additional parts such as injectors and fuel pump pretty quickly.
It is noticeable that none of the performance companies seem to refer to installing smaller pulleys. I am not sure if this is due to the problems of the extra torque referred to above.
I have the additional problem of being based in the north east whereas most of the companies are in the south. But I am talking to a number up here.
yeah don’t TDI now offer a ECU upgrade:
[quote=Muu]yeah don’t TDI now offer a ECU upgrade:
That’s the SSC ECU that I have. If you look at the SSC website there is now a FAQ section about the ECU.
Just changing the ECU alone on a 240 car for instance could realise 270-280ish by remapping alone without a smaller pulley but the injectors and fuel pump would be beyond their limits
Bugger all that mumbo jumbo, I just love the Type 72 in the pictures 
Gearboxes are expensive but I wouldn’t be too precious with the clutch - the OEM unit is nothing special in any regard. If you’re driving the car on, then I definitely recommend the Exedy stage 1 plus power flex engine mounts as a decent setup for track and ‘fast road’ not that I’d know anything about the latter :d