Matt's Evo VI - 380Bhp/415 lb/ft

[matt_vtr_15a]

Bought a new black intercooler and made myself a ralliart stencil at work, gave it a spray of matt white and red to just livin the front end up a bit as it looked really bland before.. still got to get round to sorting the cold air feeds...



Happy with the result in the end but need to get some better pictures of it.

[matt_vtr_15a]

As I have been added to the company insurance policy site visits etc. are no longer a concern as I will jump in one of the company cars.

I am therefore now in the process of shedding some weight from the car, It weighs around 1350kg from the factory which gives me a power to weight of just under 260bhp per ton.

Looking to get this up to around 290bhp per ton through weight reduction which will require shedding 100-125kg which is not too hard in these cars and involves no lightweight panels etc. and no hacking away dashboards etc.

As I live on my own I have plenty of space for the parts and can store them all in the smaller spare room out of the way where they won't get damaged or tatty.

So over the evenings if I get chance but definitely at the weekend, the following will be removed....

Air Con & fit rs belt to bypass aircon (weekend garage job)
Rear seats
Rear Wiper & Motor
Rear Window Mechanisms
Rear Boot carpet
mdf spare wheel cover
spare wheel & jack etc.
Rear door cards
Intercooler water bottle
Parcel shelf & speakers

Mainly quick easy to remove items for now.

Will look into battery relocation to help with weight distribution a little and it will help with the cold air feed also, but polycarbonate windows, lightweight seats etc. are not in the pipeline just yet just a cost effective approach for better performance.

Realised I have saved some weight from standard due to some of the modifications.

Weight Saving already done:

Current modifications have had very little effect on current weight of the car but i'll keep a log of all the bits and bobs anyway.

Front Foglights & Brackets removed for rs covers. (-1.8kg)
3 Inch Catback SS Exhaust & Decat replaced standard system and cat. (-8.5kg)
Tommi Mak Wheels (+2kg weight) - Will change wheels in future
Replaced Double Din with single and a shed load of wiring (-2kg)
Standard Suspension replaced with coil overs (-11kg)

So far saved just over 20kg from standard just based on the current mods without even trying to weight save.

[matt_vtr_15a]

Quite a big update (it is to me anyway)...

Work Xmas Bonus has been confirmed and something I had in the pipeline for 2015 is now achievable this summer. Been speaking to a highly rated Evo specialist that is within 15miles of my location and plans have been made for this summer coming.

To run anymore power safely I need a rod job or drop in so the following is now going to be supplied, fitted and mapped for 2014 as it's one of their drop in deals they offer...

Drop In Job

85mm CP Forged pistons
Bridgeway H Beam forged rods rated @ 600hp
ARP Head stud kit
Mitsubishi MR Head Gasket
ACL Race Big end bearing set
New Timing Belt
New Balance Shaft belt
Genuine Top End Gasket Set

Engine Stripped, bores measured and inspected.
Block Deck checked.
Piston clearances checked.
Piston Rings Gaped.
Cylinder head Stripped & Chemically washed
Sump
Oil Pick Up line
Sump Baffle
Cylinder head pressure tested, skimmed.
Valves lapped and new stem seals fitted.
Engine rebuilt and will go through 4 oil changes through its break in period.

Extras I'll be having as part of the work:

Kelfords 272 Cams
Beehive Springs & Retainers
Ported Intake Manifold
Ported Exhaust Manifold
Ported & Polished Cylinder Head
750CC injectors
Remapped with switchable maps (HI/LOW Boost)


I will also be having the apexi power fc and the electronic boost controller removed (which I will sell) replacing them with the evo 6 standard ecu and fitting a 3 port boost solenoid and switchable maps for high and low boost.

The evo 6 ecu is so versatile now and has many more features. Knock control, launch control, pops & bangs, switchable maps etc.

The set-up will see me easily over 400/400 on the standard turbo but be ready with everything in place for a bigger turbo in the future along with a more efficient intercooler to see much bigger power gains.

Started with the stripping of the car also... I think this car has got to my head

[hard_corejoeboy]

I really don't want to sound like an asshole but you crashed the car due to inexperience yes?

So instead of adding say a cage or some nice brakes or something like that, you've decided to add more power??

[matt_vtr_15a]

Originally Posted by hard_corejoeboy

I really don't want to sound like an asshole but you crashed the car due to inexperience yes?

So instead of adding say a cage or some nice brakes or something like that, you've decided to add more power??

Don't sound like an asshole, it's a valid point.

Brakes/suspension are already upgraded sufficiently for now and i'm not putting in a cage anytime soon.

It doesn't take a great deal of time to become familiar with a car, I feel very comfortable and capable in it now and know exactly the feedback i'll get when taking a corner or how it will drive in the wet etc.

It did use to scare me at first and that was the issue, not saying i'm over confident as that is reckless but lack of confidence in this is asking for trouble...which is exactly what i got as I shit out and had an accident.

The above work is mainly to increase reliability of the engine as it is in fairness close to limit anyway and running anymore power without the work could see the engine let go. The work will bring power gains along with it to and allow a bigger turbo and proper power gains in the future.

Also the switchable maps are a reason I'm switching to the standard ecu, for general day to day driving I will mainly be using the low boost setting which will probably be the same power if not less than what it stands at now.

The higher setting will be over 400/400 which won't be used a great deal on the road anyway but mainly for track sessions etc.

WEIGHT SAVING:

Took out a few bits last night that I weighed also which has shed an additional 38kg without even trying really almost 60kg from standard in total so far. Which is pretty much like lugging around a passenger I guess.

Rear Seats & Seatbelts (13.5kg)
Jack, tools, spare wheel and carpet (18.5kg)
Rear Floor Mats (1kg)
Rear Speakers built into parcel shelf (5kg)

Still Plan on taking out the following which I have found out the weights for:

FMIC Sprayer Bottle (2.5kg dry weight)
Air Con (15kg)
Boot Plastic Trim (4kg)
Rear Door Speakers (1.5kg)
Rear Wiper Assembly (2.2kg)

This will all be done over the weekend, saving a total of 85kg over the standard weight.

Still plenty more items to remove to shed weight for free unsure about the sound deadening just yet so i'll leave that until a much later date:

[hard_corejoeboy]

Fair one. It is your car so its obviously your choice but not sure I would strip out a daily especially one witb ample power as standard. That said I'd probably do it especially if its going near a track

[Brettles1986]

I don't understand the idea of buying a car for the amount you have and then removing parts. Surely something like aircon (although 15kg) would make minimal difference with the BHP you currently have.

I know if it was me I would be keeping the weight as it is and concentrating on power and reliability. Having said that I would probably leave it standard.

[matt_vtr_15a]

Originally Posted by Brettles1986

I don't understand the idea of buying a car for the amount you have and then removing parts. Surely something like aircon (although 15kg) would make minimal difference with the BHP you currently have.

I know if it was me I would be keeping the weight as it is and concentrating on power and reliability. Having said that I would probably leave it standard.

Stripping the aircon apparently makes the engine 3% more efficient when using the rs belt that bypasses the system. Not much but every little helps and i never use aircon anyway. Everything i'm removing is being kept safe and can easily be returned to the car if I so wish.

Although it's a daily It's not something I commute in as such it's just for social use and enjoyment, and there is something about a raw ride that I really like.

Performance wise my plans are above, but there's not really any minor tweaks I can do to it at this point except crank my boost up which is just asking for trouble without the supporting mods. I either leave it or do a rod job/forge it and uprate cams and turbo and run higher boost that way.

It's not cheap so one of the main reasons i'm leaving it until spring/summer is to ensure I definitely want to go ahead with the work and plough a substantial sum of money into the car or whether by that point I have bigger priorities.

I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with the stripping out aspect, i'm in two minds myself if i'm honest which is why I'm only testing the water and not removing soundproofing or anything permanent

[holdawayt]

Matt have you considered Chris at C1R in Stourbridge? He's an extremely well known Evo tuner who mainly specialises in rally prep (well known for having cars that consistently finish).
He'll build you an absolute beast at a good price and it's not too far from you.

[matt_vtr_15a]

Originally Posted by holdawayt

Matt have you considered Chris at C1R in Stourbridge? He's an extremely well known Evo tuner who mainly specialises in rally prep (well known for having cars that consistently finish).
He'll build you an absolute beast at a good price and it's not too far from you.

He is a very good guy!! I know a guy not too far from me who has a 500bhp engine built by chris that he drives to track in, partakes in the mlr sprint series and then drives it home.

His engine let go earlier this year and then chris sorted him out and built him the engine he's running now!

Seems a very genuine and helpful guy!!
Never thought to contact him, worth dropping him a message to discuss any other options and prices. The work above is with mg autos, there an mlr trader and have a very good reputation and literally on my doorstep!

Cheers though mate worth asking him, as never heard a bad word said about him unlike some of the other traders hah

[matt_vtr_15a]

This is the guy I'm on about... just shows how good a guy chris is.

http://www.lancerregister.com/showthread.php?t=466986

Will look into their rod job service now mate

[matt_vtr_15a]

Originally Posted by holdawayt

Matt have you considered Chris at C1R in Stourbridge? He's an extremely well known Evo tuner who mainly specialises in rally prep (well known for having cars that consistently finish).
He'll build you an absolute beast at a good price and it's not too far from you.

Spoke to Chris at CR1 and he is more into forging the engine rather than doing a 'rod job/drop in'.

Also got a quote for all the parts to go forged and better turbo and it's near on £5k plus then the labour on top i'll be ruling that out, a rod job will suffice for what I need anyway so think i'm going to stick with MG Autos, and there on my door step which helps and have a great reputation as evo specialists.

Hi Mate,
See quote below.
Prices for you are on the right, the other ones are our normal RRP's
This is a good solid set of rods and pistons, but we can do cheaper ones if you prefer.


Oliver I Beam Rod Set (156mm) £720.00 £660.00
CP 2.0LR Piston Kit 85.50mm £459.00 £450.00
ACL Bearing Set (Rod, Main, Thrust) £145.00 £125.00
ARP Main Stud Kit £95.00 £85.00
A1 H11 Head Stud Kit £260.00 £220.00
1000A175 Engine Gasket Set £265.00 £240.00
Balance Shaft Delete Kit £75.00 £69.00
OE Oil Pump £255.00 £225.00
OE Water Pump (Evo6) £115.00 £75.00
Cam Belt Kit (3pcs) £115.00 £95.00
RS 3mm Lash Adjusters £125.00 £105.00
Kiggley Racing Beehive Springs £395.00 £395.00
71HTA Turbo £1445 £1440
E9 Turbo Fitting Kit £125 £95

[Yates]

I get what you are saying about removing weight. But with these cars I don't see point in removing things you wont be able to put back, why air con? Do you really believe you will notice the differ nce with that gone? Ok all adds up but just think it's taking it too far. Your car I know. But once you get it to 400/400 then decide if you want to take out non returnable things.

The plans sound good, what's the cost for All that? Not easier to drop an 8 engine in as won't need hardly anything for 400/400, don't know price on doing that mind. Mine was 390/390 and was ridiculous. Never seen point in weight saving altho was an mr so lighter but that kinda power mate its ridiculous. Wouldn't want a lighter rear end with that power either

[Oli-VTR]

My daily is completely stripped out, running minimal felt audio, buckets, harnesses. Yes it's 'just a saxo' but I've never been sat there thinking, damn I really wish I had some roof lining above me, and rather than finding the noise drones I'd say it I enjoy it. On motorway journeys it gets uncomfy, but that's almost entirely due to seat and suspension, which I can adjust band soften I just never do!
But yes, my 2 pence is that running a fully stri

[Oli-VTR]

pped daily is viable and no harder to live with than otherwise.

[matt_vtr_15a]

Originally Posted by Yates

I get what you are saying about removing weight. But with these cars I don't see point in removing things you wont be able to put back, why air con? Do you really believe you will notice the differ nce with that gone? Ok all adds up but just think it's taking it too far. Your car I know. But once you get it to 400/400 then decide if you want to take out non returnable things.

The plans sound good, what's the cost for All that? Not easier to drop an 8 engine in as won't need hardly anything for 400/400, don't know price on doing that mind. Mine was 390/390 and was ridiculous. Never seen point in weight saving altho was an mr so lighter but that kinda power mate its ridiculous. Wouldn't want a lighter rear end with that power either

It's all very returnable as I'd always keep the option of returning it to as it is now not going track spec to the point of no return just shedding some needless weight.

I'm hanging fire on the aircon for the sake of 15-20kg for now but it's no massive job to take it off or put it back on again really it's only one belt.

I can push close to 400/400 by mapping with higher boost but it's just a risk of chucking a rod the closer you get and I'd rather run the engine on the safer side.

Replacing the engine is of no real benefit as to push past 400/400 in the future it would still require a rod job, same as mine really.

Got several quotes but looking at the following:

Rod job - £1850
Kelford cams and kiggley racing beehive springs £1100

Prices inclusive of vat and fitting if all work is done at same time. Includes running in map and them hi and low boost switchable maps utilised via the intercooler switch.

That would push past 400/400 and be fully ready to chuck on an uprated turbo and run comfortably at high boost. Seen many dyno print puts running +500 for this spec plus the FP 71HTA Turbo. Which is around £1600 including fitting kit + fitting.

The turbo wouldn't come too soon due to funds and priorities and if I even could benefit from that power on the road.

But I'll have a solid, reliable rebuilt engine ready to take on a better turbo if I so wish in the future as I plan on keeping this indefinately and maybe only running on trackdays/weekends in the future.

It just all adds up, such as I could do with the inlet and exhaust manifold porting and polishing which I've been quoted £500 for. But then the standard mani is only rated to 450bhp... so would need to spend big money at the same time as a new turbo on a new mani.

400/400 is feasible but the real big figures with uprated turbo etc. won't be seen until at least 2015 so that's as good as a pipe dream for now. But at least the engine will be at a spec ready for the upgrade.

[leeroybrown]

What you need is an FP Green whacked onto that engine!

[matt_vtr_15a]

Originally Posted by leeroybrown

What you need is an FP Green whacked onto that engine!

The FP I have been quoted for is an intermediate between the White and Green I believe, everyone swears by those greens though and a lot of guys seem to run them in the sprint series.

Achieve great figures and seem to last to!!!

Worth the extra Dollar, when I eventually get to that stage I think that is the route I'll go mate

[matt_vtr_15a]

Here is a few turbos compared on the same dyno...

I've been quoted a price on The fp71 But the green is fp73... Will be looking into them a bit more as there's plenty of time between now and then.

This is what I could expect with rod job, 272 cams and turbo though.. more if port and polish etc.

[leeroybrown]

Originally Posted by matt_vtr_15a

The FP I have been quoted for is an intermediate between the White and Green I believe, everyone swears by those greens though and a lot of guys seem to run them in the sprint series.

Achieve great figures and seem to last to!!!

Worth the extra Dollar, when I eventually get to that stage I think that is the route I'll go mate

We have a local Evo specialist called EVOtune, been to rather a few of his rolling roads there and they had a Evo 8 260 on the rollers. Not many people watched it the being the small powered one. Soon as it was on the rollers and it came on to boooooost the whole place was watching it lol. Sneaky owner had a FP green on it, what a noise! Looked totally standard to. Hits booost and it literally takes off!