Does anyone know what they do with the engine in an esseess kit to get it pumping 160bhp?
The kit should include, a new larger Garrett turbo to replace the tiny IHI one and fuel rail with bigger injectors from the Punto Abarth, BMC drop in air filter and a remap to suit. Plus drilled discs, lowered spring, wooden crate etc etc
Yes you can replicate the power output by simply remapping, but you don't have the benefit of the larger turbo and long term durability testing that Fiat would have done to construct the kit.
The cars are to new at the moment to see what, if any, premature turbo failures happen from the increased boost and therefore heat that they are producing.
Larger turbo will not have to work as hard to produce the power as a smaller turbo will. The smaller turbo by virtue of working harder may produce more heat and although can replicate the power of the larger turbo, may not sustain it on long hot summer drives, or track work etc as the induced heat causes power to drop off.
The turbo also needs to be matched to the intercooler.
Too much pressure across the intercooler will cause the temperature to increase (gas laws)
We ran into this problem with Group N racing Escort Cossies. Fit the homologated larger turbo and they went slower as the larger intercooler wasn't homologated.
Cheers
D