Tuning 1.2 8v Tuning Tips

[tjetface]

I understand the principles of tuning, and that isn't a sensible money/gain ratio. But putting that to one side, as money (not that im rich by any means) doesn't mean very much. Rather spend it on my car than any thing else. It's going to be a long project so need to get the basics done correctly so i am after your guys advice on a couple of things ive read up on and come across. Basically, my major goal is squeeze as much potential from my engine as i can, and strip down a lot of the weight.

First one is a Power Boost Valve, one that increases the boost pressure. Heard it gives you a better throttle response and kills some of the flat spots when driving. They don't make one specific for the GP but pretty sure i could get one that matches up.

Secondly, really wanted a GSR kit as ive had a k&n57i and it makes a sweet noise, but just wanted to make sure my engine is getting cold air not warm. Can't be got hold of now the GSR's so any ideas because i seem to of misplaced part of my standard airbox, the sort of inlet little pipe for it so thats rendered useless and its like £80 for a complete replacement then id want a less restrictive filter on top of that. So might aswell get a good cold air induction for the money

Please construction advice as oppose to dismissive "whats the point".

Cheers

 

[Booth]

How much you willing to spend?

 

[GymJunkie]

why do you want to increase the boost pressure on a 1.2 8v n/a engine? when there is no turbo.....?

 

[jimboy]

In all seriousness you will not make much difference to the power in a small engine as the 1.2 in question.....FACT

What you can do is make it a wee bit more responsive.

Please do a search.

 

[Booth]

Ignore the haters.

It is possible. Try fitting something like this:

http://tinyurl.com/bqjhgzf

 

[Magic Johnson]

Power Boost Valve.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

power boost valves or any other magical tuning fix that costs under £100 is generally a specially designed device only good for separating a fool from his money, they over fuel the car and cause injector damage bore wash and a number of other problems, so don't waste your money. (they increase the fuel rail pressure not the 'boost' as you say)

being 100% serious punto's really are a throw away car if you want something that goes a bit quicker then buy something that goes a bit quicker. and before the old argument of "i can't afford to buy a new car" rears its ugly head. you have to consider that what you spend on any modification is probably going to cost you that x2 on your insurance.

if you still want to modify it then i suggest you stick to things you can easily take off again at least then you might get some of your money back on ebay

 

[Booth]

 

[jimboy]

Oh dear is this meant to make the car go faster.... All be it by me to be proved wrong..........

 

[PuntoHowTo]

I understand the principles of tuning, and that isn't a sensible money/gain ratio. But putting that to one side, as money (not that im rich by any means)

It is possible. Try fitting something like this:

http://tinyurl.com/bqjhgzf

when the OP is talking about £35 power boost valve and a £80 induction kit i don't see what use a £1500 Turbo kit for a Vauxhall Astra GSI is to him?? the GSI was a 2 litre engine with 150ish BHP a 1.2 punto has less than half that. a 1.2 8v would struggle to spin that turbo let alone get anything from it.

for £1500 you could buy a huge number of cars that would be much faster than a 1.2 punto and still be able to keep your punto for when you want to be sensible.

as the old saying goes "a fool and his money are easily parted"

 

[Booth]

when the OP is talking about £35 power boost valve and a £80 induction kit i don't see what use a £1500 Turbo kit for a Vauxhall Astra GSI is to him?? the GSI was a 2 litre engine with 150ish BHP a 1.2 punto has less than half that. a 1.2 8v would struggle to spin that turbo let alone get anything from it.

for £1500 you could buy a huge number of cars that would be much faster than a 1.2 punto and still be able to keep your punto for when you want to be sensible.

as the old saying goes "a fool and his money are easily parted"

*Facepalm*

 

[tjetface]

Like i said, i know im not going to make this into a really fast car. my engine has flat spots and is a bit luggish on the throttle. i read about the adjustable fuel pressure valves or in particular the "fse power boost valve" so its not me calling it that.. This supposedly irradicates my problems. But wanted to ask about them on here. So far, only a loada rubbish from people sat in their chair who actually dont know the answer but really wanted to make a smug comment anyway, bar a few. Its a project for me that is teaching me as i go along... "buy a faster car..." i would if that was what i wanted.

 

[tjetface]

Search for adjustable fuel pressure valves. They say that the standard is about 3.0psi but even the slightest increase could sharpen everything up. anybody actually used one of these before, the valve is never intended to increase power. Its a direct replacement for the non-adjustable and it isnt a 30 quid ebay job. Also read up on all cold air inductions, not paying 200 quid for a bmc when its generic would pay it for the gsr. Should i have a go at building my own cold air intake?? Pipercross filter + samco hoses??

 

[T14086]

*********************************************

Forum members, the OP is asking a question and in his first post gave a valid explanation for this question.

If you don't want to or cant answer then please don't.


***********************************************

 

[jimboy]

OK, something you could do for free would be to clean out the throttle body & fit an oil catch tank with a filter. I did this on a wee punto I used to own. Multi earth makes good use of the electrical system & fit an after market panel filter.

These will help the car a bit more responsive. Just for the record there are some very helpful members on here, coming across with having an attitude aint going to help your quest. Just an observation by the way.

 

[GymJunkie]

Like i said, i know im not going to make this into a really fast car. my engine has flat spots and is a bit luggish on the throttle. i read about the adjustable fuel pressure valves or in particular the "fse power boost valve" so its not me calling it that.. This supposedly irradicates my problems. But wanted to ask about them on here. So far, only a loada rubbish from people sat in their chair who actually dont know the answer but really wanted to make a smug comment anyway, bar a few. Its a project for me that is teaching me as i go along... "buy a faster car..." i would if that was what i wanted.

On any car forum there are unlimited amounts of threads about 'how can i make my tiny engined car go faster' there was a really good one about the 1.4 n/a on here and many usefull tips could be had if you actually searched and read a few of the old posts first.
So here is a simple list for you

1. Strip excess weight (eg seats/carpets)
2. Reduce unsprung weight (lightweight wheels)
3. Lower it and get uprated dampers (if you can corner faster then you will have a faster all round car)
4. Air intake with cold air feed (or standard filter with BMC etc)
5. Exhaust including manifold to increase torque and top end breathing
6. Larger throttle bodies (more air and fuel)
7. Custom map because unless you get this all the other mods will make your car run rough as!

Stay away from gadgets that claim to increase power by 30% - most of them are a waste of money.

 

[lukemortlock7]

Like i said, i know im not going to make this into a really fast car. my engine has flat spots and is a bit luggish on the throttle. i read about the adjustable fuel pressure valves or in particular the "fse power boost valve" so its not me calling it that.. This supposedly irradicates my problems. But wanted to ask about them on here. So far, only a loada rubbish from people sat in their chair who actually dont know the answer but really wanted to make a smug comment anyway, bar a few. Its a project for me that is teaching me as i go along... "buy a faster car..." i would if that was what i wanted.

Just been reading through this thread and there's not really been one definitive answer. Someone else on this forum who has a 1.2 GP fitted a K&N induction kit, and even though all the hate they get, he says it was the best £60 spent. It's really improved his car by the sounds of it and it hasn't affected anything else drastically etc. If you want to lose the flat spots etc and get a bit more throttle response, do the air intake such as a GSR or K&N induction kit, and a nice exhaust system. Won't cost too much and will improve the car enough that you want hope this helps!
Also, I do motorsport engineering so tuning/performance etc is kind of what I do so if you have any questions just ask

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Search for adjustable fuel pressure valves. They say that the standard is about 3.0psi but even the slightest increase could sharpen everything up. anybody actually used one of these before, the valve is never intended to increase power. Its a direct replacement for the non-adjustable and it isnt a 30 quid ebay job.

their is a paradox with these valves, anyone who spends money on them doesn't want to admit they wasted their money, they will mumble about smoothing flat spots and throttle response but they will not ultimately make a huge difference, but really all it will do is over fuel your car. you will burn more fuel. you risk bore wash, damaging the fuel rail damaging the exhaust valves, lambda sensors etc. when really what the car does need it a really good service. you would probably see more benefit from an Adjustable Vernier Cam Pulley and tweeked timing than from a fuel pressure valve.

I have never used one myself but... I have removed enough of them and looked after enough cars with them fitted to know they are of no real benefit and can cause engine damage. they are no better than fuel pipe magnets or power increasing resistor mods.

the Grande punto is quite a heavy car and the little 1.2 8v is always going to feel a bit slow and sluggish

 

[The Beard]

When I were a lad (waffle, waffle, waffle) most cars that I and friends drove were relatively small and low powered, Mk 1/2 Escort 1.1 and 1.3, Chevette 1.3 with anywhere from 45 to 60 bhp.

One main difference between then and now is weight. Another is the ability of modern engines to rev, both in the rpm they'll reach and how quickly they'll get there.

With the (possible) exception of the Ka, I think all modern car engines are at least SOHC, some being DOHC, or Twin Cam if you prefer. One of the first things we used to do was get rid of the restrictive air filter and replaced it with a pancake jobbie. The modern equivalent is something like the aforementioned BMC or K&N type induction kit. But remember, if you open up the front end you won't get the most out of it unless you can open up the other end, namely the exhaust.

If you allow more air and/or fuel into the engine then you are largely wasting your time and money if you can't get the extra volume out of the exhaust, so if you do get an induction kit think about how you can allow the additional gas out of the rear. When I fitted a pancake filter to my old Chevette it sounded better but didn't go much faster, so I went to Peco (don't know if they do anything for Puntos, but someone will) and bought a bigger bore silencer with a less restrictive silencer. Then, you could also fit a different needle in the carb.

The next move was reduced weight. Nothing daft, just alloy wheels, making sure there was nothing extra in the boot, and if you were really getting radical you could take the back seat out, but remember you still have to live with it, and on a long journey.

One advantage nowadays is the ability to re-write part of the ECU. It may be worth thinking about how you go round corners and stop as well. Getting from one place to another quickly is sometimes about not slowing as much for bends and when you do brake, being able to leave it later before you do.

Most of this has been said by others, but my real advice is to take your time, read as much as you can, speak to as many people (like you've done here) and try and decide how much you want to do. A small engine can be very entertaining, even without much power if it revs cleanly. The old Metro 1.0 litre was always a nicer engine than the 1275. The 1.2 Family 1 engined Nova was nicer than the 1.4 and the 1.25 motor in the older Fiesta was smoother and sweeter than the 1.4.

 

[fingers99]

I can't see any reason why a well set up 1.2 8v shouldn't put out a real 100bhp. Which would put it more or less on a par with an N/A 1.4 16v.

But there are no cheap ways of getting there.

Expect to pay something like 600+ for a decent porting job, around 100 for a induction system, £300 for a manifold, 250 for an exhaust, 100 for a cat to replace the orrible manicat, 100 for a bigger throttle body, 300 or so for a remap, 250 for a cam.

And we've yet to look at brakes, tyres or suspension.

Oh dear. That one with the 1.4 16v already in it starts to look appealing, doesn't it? Until it gets duffed up by a 1.4 16v Cinq with about half the flab to lug around............

But, the Beard is right, the smaller engines (although in this case it'd probably be the 1108) are rather sweeter.

And read all you can. Anything by David Vizard, A Graham Bell (or Corky Bell, if you can find anything of his) is well worth reading.

May the torque be with you.