I was idly perusing for cars I don't need, and the thought that 3-400 reliable bhp would be something that would be very nice to have. Preferably without having to crack the engine open for lots of expensive forged parts outside of my budget and skillset, or running something highly strung I'd worry about breaking in use as a daily. Whether it stayed in its original body or not is another question... BUT a lot of the well trodden routes are getting on a bit and becoming harder to find (Especially down here in NZ). What're people suggestions on an easy reliable 3-400 BHP, preferably on the lower end of the cost spectrum? I'll cover the well trodden below, but any newer suggestions or links to builds/projects using something newer and plentiful would be excellent;
Saab:
Everything from the B204 to B235 seem to make 300bhp with the right turbo, 3" downpipe, decat, and tune.
B204's can be taken to nearly with injectors, map sensor, fuel pump and bigger turbo.
The last of the B235's went to 2010, so not too old to get hold of, and still pretty plentiful. Obvious sludging issues to be addressed prior to mods.
But RWD gearboxes are rare for these that handle the power I believe, so i'm watching the LivingMyBoostLife threads with interest
Mercedes
OM606's with an om603? or 605? mechanical injection pump, with ~7mm elements, a big Holset HX30 or HX35, intercooler and maybe custom headers good for 3-400bhp, and good economy. Sprinter single mass flywheels and HD Clutches put the power down well. BUT, they're a ~22 year old engine at newest, getting rare in the UK and non-existent over here. Does anyone know much about the newer CDI engines and tuning them?
Cummins 6bt.
Lift pumps, and ve tuning and these seem to get 300bhp pretty easily. whitz was aiming for 450/500 in his excellent supra with added mods including injectors and timing bump kit and more. Still relatively plentiful and cheap in the UK thanks to the DAF45, and I assume the later ISB's are just as tuneable?
Lexus
1UZFE's still seem to be around in the uk (albeit not as cheap or plentiful as previous), and there's a few in NZ too. an ECU, intake and exhaust, a turbo and you can see 400bhp.
Ford
the 4.0 litre 6 cylinder barra engine (specifically the 07-2011 turbo version) is cheap and plentiful over here. A full ford territory turbo can be had for $6-8k (NZD), and an exhaust, intercooler upgrade and a tune will see 400bhp without further work.
Vauxhall
C20LET's and XE's are all getting on a bit now, and thin on the ground, but an intercooler and tune will see 275bhp easily, and a turbo and fuelling mods 300-350 reasonably cheaply.
Holden
LS1's, 3's and 7's are a well trodden US and Aussie tuning route, less common in the UK because of lack of donor cars. Horrific fuel economy, but big power cheap.
Nissan RB's are off the chart expensive nowadays, and seem to need to go forged for big power
Toyota 2JZGTE's and 1JZGTE's appear to all have been snapped up, and gone the same way as RB's in price
Saab:
Everything from the B204 to B235 seem to make 300bhp with the right turbo, 3" downpipe, decat, and tune.
B204's can be taken to nearly with injectors, map sensor, fuel pump and bigger turbo.
The last of the B235's went to 2010, so not too old to get hold of, and still pretty plentiful. Obvious sludging issues to be addressed prior to mods.
But RWD gearboxes are rare for these that handle the power I believe, so i'm watching the LivingMyBoostLife threads with interest
Mercedes
OM606's with an om603? or 605? mechanical injection pump, with ~7mm elements, a big Holset HX30 or HX35, intercooler and maybe custom headers good for 3-400bhp, and good economy. Sprinter single mass flywheels and HD Clutches put the power down well. BUT, they're a ~22 year old engine at newest, getting rare in the UK and non-existent over here. Does anyone know much about the newer CDI engines and tuning them?
Cummins 6bt.
Lift pumps, and ve tuning and these seem to get 300bhp pretty easily. whitz was aiming for 450/500 in his excellent supra with added mods including injectors and timing bump kit and more. Still relatively plentiful and cheap in the UK thanks to the DAF45, and I assume the later ISB's are just as tuneable?
Lexus
1UZFE's still seem to be around in the uk (albeit not as cheap or plentiful as previous), and there's a few in NZ too. an ECU, intake and exhaust, a turbo and you can see 400bhp.
Ford
the 4.0 litre 6 cylinder barra engine (specifically the 07-2011 turbo version) is cheap and plentiful over here. A full ford territory turbo can be had for $6-8k (NZD), and an exhaust, intercooler upgrade and a tune will see 400bhp without further work.
Vauxhall
C20LET's and XE's are all getting on a bit now, and thin on the ground, but an intercooler and tune will see 275bhp easily, and a turbo and fuelling mods 300-350 reasonably cheaply.
Holden
LS1's, 3's and 7's are a well trodden US and Aussie tuning route, less common in the UK because of lack of donor cars. Horrific fuel economy, but big power cheap.
Nissan RB's are off the chart expensive nowadays, and seem to need to go forged for big power
Toyota 2JZGTE's and 1JZGTE's appear to all have been snapped up, and gone the same way as RB's in price
