Successful turbo conversions

[car.crash]

how many on here have done a successful turbo conversion that's stood the test of time.
I know there's been issues with certain builders but that's not what this is about.
Reliability and track abuse is more the key on the low boost kits.
What are the failings too? Gearboxes etc.

 

[barnesautos]

Low boost is reliable upto 230bhp kits . They fair well to abuse , any more pushing for numbers that's when it goes wrong .
We all know the gearboxes are weak , but if driven and used well , will last .

 

[imprezaworks]

@Cub.

 

[Cub.]

Mines boosted, but supercharged and not turbo'd.

It's as reliable as standard, and has had a fair degree of track abuse / driven hard. I only ever really use it on track nowadays. Think it is coming up three years since I boosted it.

250 bhp and 220 lb ft. I don't think I'd go much higher as I don't think the box would take it.

It's like most modifications, scrimp and cut corners and you're likely to have reliability issues (tuner specific horror stories aside).

 

[car.crash]

I've seen scoff sells a ecu kit to work alongside certain parts. Anyone tried that?
Turbo aside it all seems cheap and easy to obtain.

 

[Cub.]

I've seen scoff sells a ecu kit to work alongside certain parts. Anyone tried that?
Turbo aside it all seems cheap and easy to obtain.

I'm on a gen90, which works well as it's literally plug and play.

But Scoff knows what he's doing, so I'd certainly trust an ECU kit from him.

I just checked, I've done roughly 8k miles since the charger, probably half of those on track. I'll regret saying it now, but it's never let me down. No matter if I leave it 3 days or 3 months.

 

[car.crash]

The supercharger would be less hassle to fit too I'd have thought?
Was it off the shelf parts you used?

 

[cjgower]

As above I wouldn't go any higher than 250bhp if you want reliability. I've seen a few clios running that or above that eat gearboxes and constantly seem have issues - if the moaning Facebook statuses are anything to go by.

I've been running low boost 230bhp/235lbft for about 14 months now and so far I've had to have an uprated clutch fitted because it started slipping. Other than that it's been brilliant.

As for track days I've only done one so can't comment on how they hold up on regular outings but it's used and abused regularly on the road and hasn't let me down yet.

 

[robmuns]

Track work will always be difficult for boosted cars due to the extra heat generated more so with higher boost, if you're doing a conversion and taking it on track cooling upgrades are a must imo

 

[Mini182]

As above, extra cooling is a must. I would say an oil cooler is essential for a boosted setup and track work.

Also a supercharged conversion will put less strain on the gearbox than a turbo due to the gradual/linear increase in power/torque.

 

[Cub.]

The supercharger would be less hassle to fit too I'd have thought?
Was it off the shelf parts you used?

Yep, basically the k-tec kit, but I was lucky and bought it second hand. They rarely come up second hand, so when it did, I was in there like a tramp on chips. 😂

The other benefit of low boost, and not messing with the internals, is if something does go pop engine wise, just buy a new engine for a few hundred quid, unbolt everything, sling new engine in, bolt everything back on. Away you go again.

 

[marinemackay2003]

And it's a job you can do on your driveway with fairly basic tools,

 

[marinemackay2003]

I will also have a set of brackets for sale soon

 

[bloke]

I will also have a set of brackets for sale soon

give me first refusal on them if you don't mind

 

[Matt555]

Mines now working but is a 225 swap with gearbox and Megane electronics. Had a fair bit of grief getting working but it was all down to a shite flywheel off eBay with the wrong trigger pattern that's still being sold as suitable for 225s. Mapped by Rs tuning to 275bhp, left rich at the top end as not chasing power figures (cars less than 900kgs) only weak spot I've found so far was the welded driveshafts which snapped after mapping. Now have a set of custom hardened ones from berrisfords.

 

[incy-spider]

Mine has been mega reliable, 245bhp/230ftlb... I have extra bits to keep it safe such as boost control, oil cooler and fuel swirl pot system. It's my daily driver as well as a track toy. Mine was mapped by chris@efi as well think it's around 3years since I did the conversion [emoji106][emoji106]

 

[masekwm]

I've an engine dynamics conversion and it really does drive and feel like it left the factory this way.

I'm adding an oil cooler for track use but on road it's done 8,000 miles

 

[andy335touring]

I've an engine dynamics conversion and it really does drive and feel like it left the factory this way.

What's the power delivery like on the ED conversion ?

Is the MPG still reasonable ?

 

[masekwm]

What's the power delivery like on the ED conversion ?

Is the MPG still reasonable ?

.
Current mpg reads 35.9 which includes a few 4 or 5 local trips less than a mile each way.

 

[andy335touring]

Thanks, nice power delivery and MPG !

Is that with the stock cat'/exhaust ?

 

[masekwm]

It's got a ktec stealth with no middle box and ktec sports cat fitted but I believe they went on after mapping.

It's quick and will be alot of fun when it's finished over the bank holiday as currently it's got brembo pads, ktec shocks and standard gearbox. Can't wait for it to have my LSD & billies fitted to it.

 

[Sparkyp23]

What mileage was on your cars when you turbocharged or supercharged them?
is there a certain mileage where it would not be worth it?

 

[masekwm]

Mine is on 86k, but I believe there is one which was done at 140k

 

[Stay Puft]

I consider doing mine all the time on 111k!

 

[masekwm]

I consider doing mine all the time on 111k!

If you intend to keep it, do it, it's a lot of fun. I'm glad I didn't swap mine for an R26 now

 

[Sparkyp23]

My 182 has just hit 99k gearbox and clutch seam solid
I would love to charge it as i wanted to with my 172 cup but sold it
I won't be happy till IV had a charged one i think, just to see what competition it can keep up with or beat nowadays
I like the understated weapon type cars

 

[cjgower]

Actual mpg on the ED kit is more like 26/27. Works out at about 250miles to a tank on average for me.

 

[masekwm]

Jesus Chris do you go everywhere flat out?

 

[cjgower]

Not really. I'd say I'm pretty relaxed driving it these days. It's always been really bad on fuel. Hence why I now daily a DCI.

I assumed 250 miles to a tank or a little more was normal from speaking to a few others

 

[incy-spider]

Do you guys have standard fuel systems with no regs?

 

[cjgower]

I believe so. Mine seems to run very rich. Is there anything I can get to help improve mpg then?

 

[masekwm]

From ED

· Low maintenance costs with no major decline in Fuel MPG for daily sensible driving

My Cup always did 39mpg on the road, so I guess what I'm seeing from the turbo is normal.

 

[T.Trophy]

Mines still going strong, apart from a snapped hose joiner I've never had an engine problem and that's at Low pressure on standard comp, 260bhp low comp, 341bhp and 374bhp. Only issues Ive had were gearbox related on the JC5 which varied from spitting the cv clip out to stripping complete gears.

Current set up is Meg block, clio 197 head and ND0 gripper'd box. So far it's been spot on at 441bhp and 390lbft.

Car is a one owner from new with 42k on the clock, it's been turbo'd since 2009.

 

[cjgower]

From ED

My Cup always did 39mpg on the road, so I guess what I'm seeing from the turbo is normal.

Perhaps, however I was under the impression your mpg reading will be way out because of the larger injectors. Mine reads 38 too but that's sure as hell not what I get when I add it up myself.

 

[dann2707]

Just about to get mine on the road which is a Megane 225 engine and box.

Opted for that box as they're much stronger than jc5. Seemed a little pointless boosting an engine if the gearbox is going to s**t itself.

Upgraded the turbo to the Megane 250 one and should be good for around 300bhp but I don't want that. I'd prefer less power with the engine not being as stressed. If I wanted a super fast car I'd buy a different base to start with.

I'd be happy with 270bhp, the car is fully stripped too so either way it'll be quickish!

 

[Sparkyp23]

IV looked at both the ktec ktr charger and the low pressure 230 turbo for both around 4k but think supercharger for me
As alot cheaper to fit i think and bolt on remap and go
However anyone know where you could maybe get the same supercharger for cheaper than 4k?
Can't find any 2nd hand ones either

 

[masekwm]

Perhaps, however I was under the impression your mpg reading will be way out because of the larger injectors. Mine reads 38 too but that's sure as hell not what I get when I add it up myself.

I think you're right, I did Flitwick to Taplow today, round trip of 92 miles and have used loads of fuel!

 

[plees]

IV looked at both the ktec ktr charger and the low pressure 230 turbo for both around 4k but think supercharger for me
As alot cheaper to fit i think and bolt on remap and go
However anyone know where you could maybe get the same supercharger for cheaper than 4k?
Can't find any 2nd hand ones either

I don't think there are any other companies offering a full clio supercharger kit apart from k-tec. As above you would have to get lucky and get a 2nd hand kit off someone which usually go for about £2.5k. Or put a kit together yourself which would still cost over 3k

I bought a full kit inc' gen90 ecu with a damaged charger a few months ago for £800 not knowing whether the charger could be repaired and usuable. Luckily, after buying a new housing and pulley from rotrex, i've bolted it all on and had it mapped, its running sweet. It was abit of a gamble because I could have ended up having to buy a brand new rotrex!

Fitting was straight forward enough, did it all on my driveway, plugged the ecu in and off it went!

It drives ace now, it drives just like an n/a but with more power throughout the whole rev range

 

[Christopher]

The irony of this thread title and the OP's username isn't lost on me. 😂

 

[car.crash]

I should change it really.
10 years no claims now. The max power days are long gone.