1.4 Max Performance?

[MR_N]

Right people, i'm wanting to get as much horsies out of my 1.4 as i can, but im not too sure where the best place to buy parts is because the majority of parts i can find are only avalible for you vtr/vts boys.
I know the sort of work involved, i.e. High comp pistons, new conrods, a head skim, new leads wires etc. probaly a bmc induction kit, 4 - 1 manifold, s/s exhaust (mabey just a catback).
Also im fitting 50mm springs and the torsion bar to match combined with a strutbrace.
What else is really needed for the engine and suspension (dont want turbo/supercharger or nitrous(yet)).
And where can i get the parts for a 1.4 from.
Ohh and i was also thinking of throttlebodies instead of the induction kit, but then will i get problems with the strutbrace fitting?
Wow soo many questions.

[Danr]

What you are saying is a good start matey, i'd go for decat aswell though. Take a look for Foggie's progress thread. iirc correctly thats a 1400!

[MR_N]

Well its standard at the moment, so anything will be a good start.

[mardon]

Strip it out. The lighter the better!

[VTS_16v_Boy]

Best thing to do is look around at other 1400 members car and see what they have used.

To be honest tho I think your be best starting with the simple items. Mainly breathing mods, have a look on www.kam-racing.com and look at their RaceLand enclosed induction kits, 4branch manifolds etc

A decat and decat/cat back sports exhaust will also compliment the airfilter and manifold.

Also look at www.cituning.ltd.uk as they do some very nice items, not always the cheapest but nice stuff all the same.

Talk to people like myself and James-Bristol as he has a 1400 about stripping as this will greatly improve the cars power to weight ratio.

Check out James progress thread your sure to pick up a few pointers :clapping:

Decent clutch and tyres are also a very good step in the right direction - can have all the power in the world but if you cant put it down its a waist :y:

[AXracing]

Right people, i'm wanting to get as much horsies out of my 1.4 as i can, but im not too sure where the best place to buy parts is because the majority of parts i can find are only avalible for you vtr/vts boys.
I know the sort of work involved, i.e. High comp pistons, new conrods, a head skim, new leads wires etc. probaly a bmc induction kit, 4 - 1 manifold, s/s exhaust (mabey just a catback).

The specs you are looking at are quite odd. You will not require a pistons or rods for the mild tune you are looking at. The leads and wires will be fine to. Why do you want to skim the head as well? You may wish to look in to this a lot more before you starts. The early 1360cc bottom ends you can get over 140bhp out of the normally aspirated with out to much work. The biggest problem on the Saxo 1.4 is the induction setup is appalling. You can spend a lot on one of these engines and struggle to get 100bhp. How much cash do you have to spend and what are you going to use the car for?

[MR_N]

The car will be used as a daily driver, nothing too heavy motorsport wise, but i will be using it on some track days. My budget dosnt really come into it at the moment as im just looking at what will need to be done and what sort of prices im looking at. Yes i am looking in the region of about 140bhp.
The reason why i said about the head skim is because im not sure the condition of the engine but i was just making sure, same with leads.
ok whats got to be done with the induction and how much am i looking at to convert to throttle bodies?

[AXracing]

For 140bhp I would start off by getting a 106 1.4 XSI or AX GTI engine. Or failing that as there getting hard to get hold of if you don’t have early rods get a set and a set of new pistons from these engine or if you can get them cheap forged ones. Then get a big valve head off any black top 1.6 MPI engine. A VTR one is good.

Then individual Throttle body setup. I would recommend using the GMC manifold and any small ish throttle bodies. You can pick them up very cheap used and even new there not a bad price. Or you could go for motorbike bodies but that often ends up more expensive and I often think then tend to end up not working as well.

Then a stand alone ECU. You could get a early ECU fitted and remap that but it ends up costing as much really and does not work as well. I would just keep a eye out or a cheap used ECU. But the KMS ones are going cheap new if you cant get a used one. Or you can go DIY but then its gets really complicated.

Then get your head professionally ported. With these engines the head is critical! Only get a good porting job. Best I would say would be GMC or longman. I may consider a QEP one but the other two would be preferable in my eyes. Basically spend as much as you can on it.

Then a good exhaust and manifold. None of this boy racer rubbish. You ill have to go for proper motor sport items.

Then your cam, preferably a cam kit with springs and rockers. If you go vety wild on the cams and are using standard pistons you will have to cut them to clear. But you should get away with a super stock cam fitting ok. You also have to consider MOT and passing a cat test. I just run mine on 3 to pass though.

Then there are a normal odd and sods to get it all on and then a fair bit of mapping time.

You could also do with a shorter gearbox with the sports cluster in after you have done all that.

Good luck with it and hope you have fun.

[VTS_16v_Boy]

Can I just ask why do you want 140bhp?

If your looking to push that much power why didnt you start with a 1600 16v lump? 120bhp straight on tap, the extra 20bhp would be very easy to find from there to be honest.

The money you would have to spend to get 140bhp from a 1400 just doesnt seem to make sense, I mean good luck to ya if you do plan to go for it just not sure why your starting with a 1400.

If its insurance that is keeping the 16v unit away then the money you gona be spending would easy pay to insure a VTS straight outa the box.

[Tobs]

y dont you just buy a more powerful enigned car tho :S

[AXracing]

That argument can go on for ever though. Why tune any Saxo when there are far more powerful cars out there. Some one I know is turbo charging a 1.1 just for the fun of it. Why perforce tune anything. If its not for class racing its just for the fun of it. Its one or the other or some times both. There is nothing wrong with that.

[VTS_16v_Boy]

Yes and I totally agree with that 110% but there Does come a point when the overall value of the car is totally out weighted by the money spent on engine/wheels/suspension/stereo

I dont disagree with tuning the 1400 just engine internals, is it worth it?

If its a pure track beast I say go for it but if you intend to keep any kind of missconception that you still want to use it as a daily drive seems silly.

In my eyes

[MR_N]

Basicaly this 1.4 is my first car and i didnt really want to try and fit a vtr lump in it because it probaly wont go very well, plus im only 17.

[Tobs]

if you cant afford anything biggerthen mate good one ya for getting more power out of it

turbo it mate never seen a turboed 1400

[mardon]

Wont the insurance go right up anyways. You wont be able to get a decent quote with companys like flux and HIC (due to your age) who dont rack up insurance prices too much with power mods.

i.e. With HIC to add full exhaust, L/B fly wheel, 4-2-1 and induction kit they charged me a wopping... £20 admin charge cant be bad. I also get track day cover with that.

In my opinion it'd be very cool to do but at 17 how much spare cash do you have?