I know it’s a way off yet, what with not having collected my car, but I’m considering fun options for tinkering.
The first of these being the radium garrett GT28 or 30 conversion, but without the intercooler - am thinking of using the chargecooler already in place.
In addition, due to connections at cosworth I was going to go for one of their 2ZZ crate engines. I don’t think it’s out yet but they’ll be offering it in low and high compression guise.
I have contacts for getting good deals on cosworth components in the UK, so thought it would make for a great set up. My only concern is going for a standalone ecu and controlling the boost properly.
Torque is the killer of the gearbox, you can strengthen it but in the end a turbo set up will deliver so much more torque it will not last. If you change both 3 and 4 gears plus the output shaft it might survive but it is still a ticking timebomb with all the torque of a big turbo, you just could resist turning up the boost
If you want turbo power go Audi
Modded Exiges are not about trying to pass any crazy emissions rules or anything. It adds a new level of complication to the install, that isn’t needed to make loads of power and a nice drivable car. Plus it adds a load more components that can go wrong.
I’ve heard of issues on modded Direct injection cars with the high pressure mechanical pumps failing and the injectors being blown out of the head!!
There’s quite a big tuning scene in mk5 and 6 golf Gtis and Audi s3s. I’d imagine it would be problematic but it doesn’t seem to be slowing their progress.
Who’s gonna take out a perfectly good Toyota 2ZZ to experiment with a new Audi/VW engine in a Lotus when you can do a proper E153 Toyota gearbox swap and build the engine to what ever power level you want ?..
The R$D has been done.
To buy an direct injection Audi engine and then rebuild it with proper bits just isn’t cost effective…
I know what you mean, but I can get the audi engine (in stock 265 bhp format) in and running in the car for only a few k more than just an audi gearbox conversion. If I want to go further it starts to be not cost effective to stick with the toyota - plus there’s fun in modifying aspect that does appeal to me.
Agreed that it maybe doesn’t make sense to make the jump to the tfsi as opposed to the old 1.8t which is tried and tested.
My concern is really getting a suitable gearbox option that is definitely up to the challenge but also has a nice action. Am not too impressed with the feel of the toyota gearbox in standard form.
I’d appreciate suggestions on how to improve it. People have mentioned improved linkages, but I don’t knwo where to start looking. It’s one of the main reasons I am looking at the audi and that’s before considering the longevity of the stock gearbox when used on track.
If the E153 gearbox you are referring to is the MR2 box, people keep telling me the ratios are just not suited to cars with less power than yours.
Brill mate, is there any other lol