Jump to content

Turbos on a Seven


MichaelD

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 197
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

I am very interested in turbocharging a Zetec or Duratec Caterham , I have been looking for a customer to do this on for a few years

 

Whoos looking ?

 

Tom

 

This thread just turned REALLY interesting! :lurk:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Back in mid-1990s my Seven was being serviced at a shop in Oxford, UK, and they were turbocharging a new Caterham JPE - 250hp was not enough! I heard a few years later that the car had been de-turboed. Personally, I don't think turbos would suit Sevens very well, but I've never driven one.

 

Aidan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have built dozens upon dozens of Zetec turbocharged engines and turbo kits , I can tune the stock ECU with no issues and have built many Caterham Zetecs as well that run pritty good even some in SCCA

I have an inhouse dynojet dyno and machine shop with the ability to build a custom turbo kit for the Caterham or anything that comes along

 

I would like to do this on a Caterham with a stock Ford ECU as I think there better then any ECU out there for less then 2500.00 -3000.00

 

Any HP isnt an issue I have taken my Zetec Focus built engine to 723HP daily driver stock ECU and my SVT Focus all stock origonal engine to 326HP and 331TQ also stock ECU

 

Lets do this ?

 

aidanparte curious why you dont feel a turbo will suit Sevens well ?

 

Tom

Edited by 1turbofocus
Link to comment
Share on other sites

aidanparte curious why you dont feel a turbo will suit Sevens well ?

 

Tom

 

I think a revvy normally-aspirated motor probably suits them better. Maybe modern turbos would work better than the all-or-nothing affairs that were available years ago.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

aidanparte curious why you dont feel a turbo will suit Sevens well ?

 

I can't speak for aidanparte - but I had one in my Hayabusa 7 and it's darn hot and no matter what, I can't dissipate the heat out of the engine bay. Hayabusa seems to produce more heat, add a turbo you have a furnace. i added a spal fan but quickly drain my small lightweight Odyssey battery. Heat is my issue.

 

As long as you know how to factor or size a turbo, intercooler & piping (no more no less), It's not the turbo installation issue.

Anyone can produce big number hp in the turbo trim. ...but are you gonna be happy & functional the way you want it?

I have millions of turbo & i've been there.

Edited by BusaNostra
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Like you said you have to know what your doing , If some one wanted to make 250HP (I only talk HP to the wheels) then I would NOT do piping , IC and turbo that would make 500HP , I would do a turbo that would be quick spooling and good to about 300HP and maxx out about 330hp

 

It comes down to knowing what the customer wants and its the combination of things that work not just throwing parts/money at an engine

 

Tom

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please let us know how everything turns out with the original OP, because he may have found his man! BTW, even tho I wouldn't pick this engine combo again, I am not taking my turbo off. I was out the other day with it... need I say more?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please let us know how everything turns out with the original OP, because he may have found his man! BTW, even tho I wouldn't pick this engine combo again, I am not taking my turbo off. I was out the other day with it... need I say more?

 

Leave the turbo on, and post a few photo's so we can check it out.

 

Tx

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have built dozens upon dozens of Zetec turbocharged engines and turbo kits , I can tune the stock ECU with no issues and have built many Caterham Zetecs as well that run pritty good even some in SCCA

I have an inhouse dynojet dyno and machine shop with the ability to build a custom turbo kit for the Caterham or anything that comes along

 

I would like to do this on a Caterham with a stock Ford ECU as I think there better then any ECU out there for less then 2500.00 -3000.00

 

Any HP isnt an issue I have taken my Zetec Focus built engine to 723HP daily driver stock ECU and my SVT Focus all stock origonal engine to 326HP and 331TQ also stock ECU

 

Lets do this ?

 

aidanparte curious why you dont feel a turbo will suit Sevens well ?

 

Tom

 

 

Because a Caterham only weighs 1200lbs and doesn't need that much horsepower.

A Caterham is about the balance of power, cornering, and braking, not drag racing or top speed. An appropriate amount of power can be found without the complication and power delivery of forced induction

If you need big horsepower in a Caterham you are doing it wrong and need to find better suited roads/track :D

 

 

.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Because a Caterham only weighs 1200lbs and doesn't need that much horsepower.

 

Yes Caterhams are light and I think NA engines are nice, but I'd love to have the HP to blow by a GT3 on the track. It will not happen with a NA engine.

 

Terry, I love the sound of your Rotrex & Hayabusa powered seven. Please post more videos! How is it's drivablity compared to the NA Hayabusa?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Because a Caterham only weighs 1200lbs and doesn't need that much horsepower.

A Caterham is about the Because a Caterham only weighs 1200lbs and doesn't need that much horsepower.

A Caterham is about the balance of power, cornering, and braking, not drag racing or top speed. An appropriate amount of power can be found without the complication and power delivery of forced inductionbalance of power, cornering, and braking, not drag racing or top speed. An appropriate amount of power can be found without the complication and power delivery of forced induction."

 

That's what all the folks say that have dont have big power. I'm actually installing a steering wheel in my new car so it can go around corners. I guess the next upgrade will be a brake pedal so it can stop too. I only hope to be as great as a Caterham some day. Until then I will stick with my 1400lb 400hp Ultralite and just pray I keep the all mighty Caterham in sight at my next track day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

That's what all the folks say that have dont have big power. I'm actually installing a steering wheel in my new car so it can go around corners. I guess the next upgrade will be a brake pedal so it can stop too. I only hope to be as great as a Caterham some day. Until then I will stick with my 1400lb 400hp Ultralite and just pray I keep the all mighty Caterham in sight at my next track day.

 

:rolleyes: I've driven my share of big horsepower cars, and sure the acceleration is fun but you spend more time and effort trying to stay out of the power than actually using it

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes Caterhams are light and I think NA engines are nice, but I'd love to have the HP to blow by a GT3 on the track. It will not happen with a NA engine.

 

 

Track days are not a race, so why do you need to blow by GT3's on the straight? What does that prove?

Make them give you a point by in the corners, that is much more impressive

Driver > hp/money :)

 

 

 

NA duratec Superlight beating Lamborghini Gallardo

 

Caterham Superlight versus Lamborghini Gallardo

 

NA duratec R500 w/265hp beating Porsche GT2

 

 

175hp NA R300 blowing past GT3's, Corvettes, etc

 

 

 

 

:driving:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've never had a really outrageous HP car. But I don't think 300hp is too much for a 1400lb car (mine). I'll never use my current 216hp to it's fullest, like those videos, but I think it would be fun to feel a bit more G-force accelleration when I want.

Now Kevin's S2K with close to 400 was something else... he could barely shift fast enough to keep up with it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

:rolleyes: I've driven my share of big horsepower cars, and sure the acceleration is fun but you spend more time and effort trying to stay out of the power than actually using it

 

But Westtexass2k has linear horsepower --->>he has supercharger not a turbo -- it's like an instant coco mix. Power is always there ---fr low to hi.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

SC on the Zetec make no TQ and its TQ your after

 

I am really shocked at what I read here

"MoPho Track days are not a race, so why do you need to blow by GT3's on the straight? What does that prove?

Make them give you a point by in the corners, that is much more impressive

Driver > hp/money "

Lets all just go to the track in Kia`s then if power isnt needed and what fun is it to only be... fast in the corners ????? please tell me you dont believe this how is only being fast in the corners impressive and please tell me that you dont think those Caterhams could out run the GT2.GT3 if they had proper tires and were not scaired os scratching there cars on track day

 

My 326HP 331TQ Turbocharged SVT Focus 3200lbs will pass GT2 , GT3 at VIR but I have no dreams that with a proper driver and good tires that I could come close to running with those cars in competition

 

I have built 180-190 HP to the wheels Zetec and yes I know what thay can do , I will never understand people that say they dont need that much HP , nice thing about turbos is you can lower the boost if you dont need it , remote switch on my steering wheel drops mine from 24 to 16psi 500hp to 280 hp at the flick of my thumb

 

Turbos that make 300HP can spool at 2800 rpm now add trip ball bearing to that and drop it to 2500rpm sence most dont go below 4000 on the track where is the lag

 

I think 270-300HP would be a perfect compliment to the Caterhams ability to get around the track

 

For those with the Duratecs turbo works even better on those and I am playing with getting things working so the 2.5 Duratec out of the Fusion will bolt into the Focus and the Caterham

 

As you can tell I am passionate about the Zetec/Duratec and turbos , I dont mean to come across like a dick

 

Tom

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tom-No apologies needed. We are all (OK, mostly all) hp junkies searching for a fix but trying to stay in our 12 step program and not go overboard.

 

I do think there is a legitimate debate over whether the balance of a car is upset by too much hp.

 

I once started a thread called something like: Is slower funner? Having moved to a new 7 w/well over double the power of the previous one, I am still on the fence. It does go faster, but that means more chances to overdo it everywhere: In to the corners too fast and you slide off, too much power mid-corner and the rear wheels spin and the car is instantly sideways. So I think the power forces a more precise driving style. I did NJMP in my 95 hp Caterham and never put a wheel wrong. I came back w/my 200 hp Birkin and went off 4-5 times, even tho I knew the tracks much better.

 

But, none of that means I haven't thought about a turbo for my Duratec: once a junkie always a junkie:).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...