How much performance boost for about 2k, and how best to apply it?

**Coupe2T** · 5th February 2013, 14:42

As title in a nutshell, I have a Veccie C 1.9 CDTi 150. Which is pretty much standard, I have changed wheels and brakes but otheriwse all standard kit.

The veccie is good as it gives good performance and decent MPG, as I travel at least 50 miles a day for my job, but I wanted something with a bit more grunt, so to speak.

I have considered spending 2k on something like an old Mitsubishi 3000, just for some fun weekend driving, but then I couldn't help but think that with the likely associated costs to doing that, more maintenance, tax, insurance etc, it may be better to spend the same money making my Veccie somewhat quicker and more fun to drive. I can stand to lose a bit of MPG out of it, so just wondered what options were and how best to improve performance safely for around 2k? This is purely performance improvements I am looking for in terms of BHP/Torque improvements etc.

Any suggestions from anyone? What would be the best mods and any sort of idea on what I could expect back at the end of it?

Cheers

**jonny22** · 5th February 2013, 14:51

From what i gather and i am no expert most people go for a simple remap, this will boost power from about 185-195bhp and 280-300lbft of torque for only £200-£400. Beyond that your options are straight through turbo back exhaust, hybrid turbo, fmic, water meth and some people are now trialing injectors

**Coupe2T** · 5th February 2013, 14:55

Yeah, a remap is defo going to be a part of it, which I would allow maybe £400 for, but wondering where to spend the rest to see the best performance returns etc.

Was thinking exhaust, turbo and FMIC, followed by remap, just not sure if that is the best options!?! Water Meth is a new one on me, no idea even what that is, will have to have a research!

**Signum-Steve** · 5th February 2013, 15:02

Trade it in for a 3.2 or 2.8T My next choice will probably be the 2.8T, these cars can make excellent sleepers.
The 3.2s don't have that much scope for bhp improvements from the standard 211(They do generally run a little higher than this from the factory), I think you could achieve about 250. Where as the 2.8Ts are a different story these are quite tunable. The 2.8T superseded the 3.2 when the range was face-lifted in iirc 2005 both are V6 engines

**Coupe2T** · 5th February 2013, 15:07

That sounds like it's going to hit my MPG mega hard though!?! lol. Going to 2.8 from 1.9 will probably make a fair difference, I will check it out though, not sure how they are from standard in terms of performance etc. Worth a good look though!

**Signum-Steve** · 5th February 2013, 15:13

You can get either a 250bhp or 280bhp iirc in the 2.8T. Its the lump they use for the VXR
your mpg will suffer though. more tax also.
IMO it beats pushing the 1.9s smaller capacity engine/ancillary parts to almost breaking point. I know lots will disagree on this but as said, it is My opinion.

**Teapot** · 5th February 2013, 15:19

Originally Posted by Signum-Steve

IMO it beats pushing the 1.9s smaller capacity engine/ancillary parts to almost breaking point. I know lots will disagree on this but as said, it is My opinion.

I (and probably Nutron) would disagree with that..
Give that 1.9 some stick ;-)

**Signum-Steve** · 5th February 2013, 15:34

Originally Posted by littleteapot

I (and probably Nutron) would disagree with that..
Give that 1.9 some stick ;-)

Yes I know......

If the OP wants to spend 2K on mods then yeah go for it, push that 1.9 to see what can be achieved as Nutron does. However looking at it objectively as I tend to do. I would go for a the tunable 2.8T on a part ex throwing maybe 1k towards the PX and keep 1k for mods like a remap. Thus giving a really quick reliable car.
This is what I will be looking at the next time I PX my 3.2

Ps I don't know what the difference in MPG would be in a 1.9 to get any where near the sort of performance a 2.8 can offer. More power = bigger bang = more fuel.

**dh.dti** · 5th February 2013, 15:38

There's plenty of 16v cdti's out there now with upgraded turbos/intercoolers etc & running water/meth injection along with remaps... this could be acheived with a 2k budget.

**Coupe2T** · 5th February 2013, 16:11

Second person to mention this water/meth injection! Need to look into this, as don't know much about it! Must be a new thing with modding I am guessing as never heard of it before, defo going to have a look though!