Power up

[Poledriver]

I know that there are some other trhreads covering mods, but many of them are old and links not working so......................
I want to get a power increase from my engine. I'm looking at a sports cat and complete exhaust system. Any recommendations? I'm particularily interested if anyone has found a system which doesn't need mods, or details of what mods are needed. Are there any improved exhaust manifolds available?
Induction, are there any worthwhile mods which can be done to inlet manifold/plenum/throttle-body? Is there much difference between panel filter, induction kit or cold air induction kit?
Electrics, are there any mods to be considered with ECU, plugs leads etc?
Looking ahead to when I need to sort out the head gasket, is there much to be gained from porting and flowing the head etc?

I do realise that looking at the various manufacturers/suppliers websites will give me much information. but experience has shown me that it's better to get information from other users if I want to know the truth!

Also, what are the warning signs for head gasket problems?

[Adam]

Aah, time for a wee essay to pass my boring train journey..

First thing to consider before you start modding the K-series VVC is what do you want out of it? this'll save a lot of time and money in the long run. Ditching the VVC will open the doorway to higher power, but your cost then rises exponentially....


I want to get a power increase from my engine. I'm looking at a sports cat and complete exhaust system. Any recommendations? I'm particularily interested if anyone has found a system which doesn't need mods, or details of what mods are needed. Are there any improved exhaust manifolds available?

This can all pretty much be covered off with the Janspeed full system. Comprises a performance manifold, sports cat, interpipe and backbox. They may say that they don't stock them for the BRM but they do. An MG ZR 160 manifold and sports cat fit on fine and a Rover 200vi backbox will mean that it doesn't stick out too far from the bumper. With the ZR interpipe there was one bracket that needed re-welding but that's the only mod required.

Janspeed used to make the manifols from stainless but cracking problems have forced them to use mild steel now, the quality is still top notch though. Although the primaries aren't quite the ideal length they are as close as you'll get without going for a full custom system.

Definitely go for sports cat for 2 reasons. The back pressure from the sports cat aids the exhaust scavenging from which the VVC benefits and it will allow it to pass an MOT (just...).

Induction, are there any worthwhile mods which can be done to inlet manifold/plenum/throttle-body? Is there much difference between panel filter, induction kit or cold air induction kit?

Again consideration is needed about what the final aim is? Assuming you wish to keep the VVC then the daddy of induction kits is the ITG Maxogen. not cheap but is very good and has an intake designed to fit witihin the restrictive engine bay. For a replacement panel filter then again ITG are very good.

The throttle body ideally needs upgrading to the 52mm alloy version. The 56mm will fit but tests have shown it creates flat spots throughout the rev range.

Inlet manifold and plenum are pretty much there, but port matching will always be a benefit.

Electrics, are there any mods to be considered with ECU, plugs leads etc?

Leads can be upgraded to Magnecor examples and plugs are a matter of preference. My weapon of choice is NGK, tried and tested. Other than that the best aftermarket ECU out there is the Emerald (they can now run VVC too which no other ECU can) but this isn't really neccesary unless you're taking the engine a lot further.

Looking ahead to when I need to sort out the head gasket, is there much to be gained from porting and flowing the head etc?

The holy grail of the K-series, the head. You've got the best start with the VVC head, but its restricted. Porting will open it up to unleash its full potential, there is so much that can be done inside the head (have a look in the TDR section..).

As well as when the head I off its probably worth swapping the exhaust cam over for a re-profiled Piper jobby just to capture a few extra horses.

Then there's items such as the PRT remote thermostat to aid cooling, mls gasket, new oil ladder, etc.

I do realise that looking at the various manufacturers/suppliers websites will give me much information. but experience has shown me that it's better to get information from other users if I want to know the truth!

Questions on the above, ask away.....

Also, what are the warning signs for head gasket problems?

Overheating, mayo in the oil, lack of power.

[Poledriver]

Thanks for all that Adam!
I'm not trying to turn it into a trackday car, I've got the TVR for that, just want to get the best out of the engine as is. I'm going to be fitting an Emerald to my TVR so I'll see what's involved then.
Janspeed exhaust looks a good prospect, I'll call them later.
How much difference is there, in performabce-gain terms, between the full ITG induction kit and their replacement panel? There's a BIG difference with price. While I am trying to get the best from the engine, I mustn't lose sight of the fact that I really bought this car for economy reasons!

I checked both oil and water for mayo when I picked the car up, all clear! Temperature stayed around middle all way home!

Cheers

Karl

[Adam]

Well fingers crossed you should be ok on the head front. Basically just keep an eye on your levels, regularly check for leaks, let the engine warm up fully before abusing the loud pedal. Basically just treat her nicely and she should be ok.

With regards to filters, as you'll still be keeping the VVC and wanting the best in terms of a performance/economy compromise i'd suggest the ITG panel filter. Induction kits tend to lead to high fuel bills as well, so the panel is better in that respect too.

[Jon_A]

I have carried out the 52mm throttle change, this is worthwhile over the plastic rubbish that is on there currently.

ITG panel filter is fine, I have changed this but no noticible gains just that it lasts longer than the standard paper filter and is quite cheap. I fitted a BMC and K&N briefly but in the end removed them due to heat soak and in the BMC's case it fitted so badly in the bay.

[The Mole]

I think you have covered it rather well Adam well done

[Poledriver]

OK, I'm going for the full Janspeed system, 52mm TB, ITG panel filter and Magnecor leads.
Does anyone have any of this for sale, or know of any discounts going before I go and blow all of my hard-earned?

[Adam]

I think you have covered it rather well Adam well done

I learned from the best ;)

OK, I'm going for the full Janspeed system, 52mm TB, ITG panel filter and Magnecor leads.
Does anyone have any of this for sale, or know of any discounts going before I go and blow all of my hard-earned?

Personally i'd point you in the direction of TDR Motorsport, but then again I am biased (01474 854754 ask for Peter) :D

[Poledriver]

OK, I've ordered the TB off e-bay. £119.00 for a brand new one!

As for the exhaust system......
I e-mailed both Janspeed and PTP and have had absolutely NO response (I guess that they are makingfar too much money to be bothered with my trifling order!)
I phoned Peter at TDR on Wednesday, he came back yesterday to say that the pricing he was getting was not good and suggested I may do better with one of the bigger suppliers. He then called back later to say that he had managed to negotiate a better deal! Full marks for honesty and pereverance!
Guess who I'm buying from?

[Adam]

Good stuff. Glad your getting it all sorted Karl.

I'm up at the unit tomorrow to 'hopefully' get the track BRM back on the lift :mml:

[dst]

i run my brm on s/s custom half exhaust system pipercross viper induction kit but neither are cheap options

[RoverBoi]

I found Blueflame to be the best stainless exhausts around, have used janspeed, powerflow, and mongoose in the past n none of them measure up. Blueflame Warranty and customer service is excellent as well. £350 for a complete cat back system, less mid box..

52mm throttle body is well worth a shot at along with a 7000 series pipercross filter, does make a diffrence, along with a decat pipe, noticed a huge power gain when removing mine.

have bin told aswell changing the vvc time is also a gd way to gain performance but not sure how true this actually is, suppose in theory it wud improve economy as u wudnt be going up and down through the gear box as much, but like i said i dont know how true this is..

:smile2:

[Adam]

De-cat is not worth it at all on a mildly tuned VVC engine. It has been proven to lose power as the lack of back pressure reduces the exhaust scavenging of the engine. Unles you're really going 'balls-out' with the tuning then the de-cat simply isn't worth it, especially as come MOT time you have to change the pipes over again.

[Poledriver]

Well I've just had the full Janspeed system fitted. 5 hours labour! :w00t:
Had to drop the front cross-member to change manifold and couldn't get old oxygen sensor out!
Hope it makes a difference!
Throttle-body and cold air induction going on at weekend!

UPDATE

Well, she pulls much better from low revs, definitely more lively and she sounds good, but not too loud!

[brmatty]

5 hours to fit an exhaust system.LOL....who did it the man or his golden retriever!! thats crazy...even if the o2 sensor was seized its nothing the old oxy bottles shouldnt be able to free up....hope it goes well!

[Adam]

Wow! 5 hours, that's.........really long!

I can understand if they come across a few seized bolts it taking a while, but that's ages.

[Poledriver]

They only charged me for 3 1/2 hours though!
Evidently they wasted a lot of time with the manifold before deciding they had to move some other parts out of the way first!

:offtopic: Does any one have the wiring details (colours) for the connectors to the headlight assembly?

[Poledriver]

OK, so after the exhaust I've fitted the larger (metal) T.B. and a cold-air induction kit! Far more lively and responsive now!

Because the headlights were so pathetic I decided to fit a set of the black "Angel eyes" lights on. Not because of the angel-eye bit, but becuase they have good projector style dip and main beam. Now I can see the road at night! I thought that these were pretty cheap at £105/pair.
I wasn't going to bother withthe rear lights until I went into Brown & Gammons last week, they had the matching rear lights advertised at £49.95/pair, they came out even less because of the VAT change! So I really look like a Chav now! :sorry:

Got a problem with the rear wiper! Once switched on it has a mind of it's own! Sometimes it wipes 3 sweeps, some times half a sweep and it parks wherever it feels like!! Do they "all do that"?

[Adam]

Sounds like some big changes, you'll have to put some pictures of her up!

Not had a problem with the rear wiper myself. The default settings are that when you turn the rear wiper on it automatically does 3 sweeps. Automatically comes on as well if the fronts are on and you select reverse.