Next Power Step?

[Jolfa]

I've got an AAN engine in my 80q, running around 285bhp. It is stock other than 034 coilpacks, FMIC, chipped ECU, and a screamer pipe + cone filter, current boost is 18PSI.

My question is, what's next? I'm pretty new to these engines but a craving for more power is pretty natural

How much power can the standard internals handle? How much boost can the standard turbo supply? Could I just change the waste gate and gain more power? New injectors? How beneficial are 7a cams? Is there a straight swap turbo? Etc etc...

Looking for a reliable 350+bhp ideally, and as cost effectively as possible... Rather not go for a full engine rebuild if I can up the power safely!

Fire away! And forgive my lack of knowledge and laziness for not trawling the internet deeper for answers

[Rocco]

The million times question

Have you used the forum search tool?

There are many threads asking for the same.

I'd stop boosting stock turbo by 1,6bar
You don't need wastegate unless yours is worn.
Volvo k24 7400 seems a good 350hp choice turbo.
You'll need bigger fuel pump, injectors, software, and if you can exhaust ,IC... I'd not touch the camshafts

[Rusty]

Handle over 400 with the right mapping.

350+ is remapped RS2 spec, which is all bolt on and is heavily detailed on many build threads. Can't go wrong and that's from experience

[K Simmonds]

The standard turbo has run out of puff by 300 BHP and that's also pretty close to the limit of the stock injectors.

RS2 spec is the tried and test route to 350-380 BHP and is all bolt on, however for the same sort of outlay you could go for a K26/7 hybrid which is good for a bit over 400 BHP. Both set up's need to be mapped carefully on the stock internals, there are good generic maps available for both turbos but live mapping will see better, safer results.

You'll need,

RS2 exhaust manifold or better..
Turbo.
Injectors.
ECU upgraded with 3 bar map sensor and the relevant software.
044 pump (can't see the point in fitting a second hand RS2 unit)

Optional but good to have, in order of priority.

3" down pipe, preferably with no or a sports cat.
RS2 intercooler.
RS2 airbox.

And you'll need to do something about the brakes.

[Jolfa]

So having done a bit of looking around, my shopping list is pretty much as above -

K26
RS2 exhaust mani (should those cheap eBay ones be avoided or are they alright?)
Bosch 044 pump
Bosch Green Giant injectors (or will cheaper ones be as good?)


I guess my current ECU can just be mapped? The intercooler I have I think should be up to the job, exhaust is on the to-do list already.

Will my existing downpipe just bolt up the same or will it require modification?

Is there anything else? Is the existing MAF ok? Fuel pressure?

Again apologies for asking, I guessed it would be covered a lot, but I've spent 2 hours shopping and looking for relevant info and builds

[UrS4boy]

Others will chime in but as far as I know, you don't want a K26 at least not a stock K26. It will likely be too laggy.

BTW, not to deter you from upgrades but a chipped AAN with 3.0 Bar MAP sensor, stock K24-7000 turbo and injectors does yield in the range of 280 minimal lag hp. At around 2500 RPM to 3000 RPM, running say in 4th gear, a chippped AAN with 280 hp will beat an RS2'd AAN on a run up to about 5000 rpm. At that point the stock K24-7000 turbo will start to run out of breath whereas the RS2'd AAN with an RS2 K24-7200 (and injectors, etc), will still pull hard up to 7000 RPM.

Bottom line: For a lot of daily driving, a chipped 280 hp AAN is more than just fine.

IMO.

[K Simmonds]

Dave is right a bog standard K26 will be laggy as hell compared to the stock K24, you either want an RS2/RS2 hybrid turbo or one of the K26/27 hybrids that are about. You will still have latter spool up with both of these turbos but from my experience their both very good with the right mapping, you'll need to change down a gear a bit more often though.

If you have a full ABY set up your current fuel pressure regulator is 4 bar and will not need changing, your MAF will also be fine as long as it's working properly. Your boost pipes and small bore stuff all need to be perfect as well as your knock sensors and ignition components.

Your current ECU will be fine but it will need a 3 bar map sensor, I guess it must already be socketed if your running 280 BHP chips.

Some of the eBay RS2 manifolds are fine, others are complete rubbish, I got lucky with mine, be careful and don't go for the cheapest option.

There's a lot of injector options available now, I'd use the Bosch one's as their tried and tested but that's not say there aren't other very good choices. I'd ask whoever is doing the mapping or supplying the software for advice on this.

It will all bolt up to your existing down pipe as long as you use a decent copy of the RS2 EM or a genuine one.

Consider replacing the oil pipes and water to the Turbo if there's any question about their condition.

[Cottis]

Brakes brakes brakes. Stock brakes are almost not fit for purpose on a heavyish car that is fairly quick on stock guise. With an upgrade in power to RS2+ spec it really is another step up. You might stop for the first corner on stock brakes but if you are toeing it, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th corner could become interesting and not in a good way. Would be a shame to waste your money and effort in an altercation with a tree. Brakes and tyres shouldnever be overlooked in my opinion. I would say they are almost essential on a stock car let alone one with an upgrade in power. I guess it does depend on how you will drive it but you dont upgrade the horses for no reason right?

[Jolfa]

Brakes, tyres and suspension are already upgraded, don't worry! I've ran out of stuff I know what I'm doing with, hence now looking at the engine

Boost pipes are all silicone too, so they should be alright

Thanks for all the answers gents, I will no doubt be back for more

[K Simmonds]

forgot to mention the Volvo K24 7400 turbo is another excellent option but is internally waste-gated in stock form so requires work to make it fit properly, I think Andy 'Andy10V' knows about this as well as some other members.

[Cottis]

Brakes, tyres and suspension are already upgraded, don't worry! I've ran out of stuff I know what I'm doing with, hence now looking at the engine

Boost pipes are all silicone too, so they should be alright

Thanks for all the answers gents, I will no doubt be back for more

No probs then. You said it was stock but didn't mention brakes. I will shut up now. Enjoy the extra power when all is done. It will be well worth it and you will smile everywhere you drive

[rynaqui]

Brakes, tyres and suspension are already upgraded, don't worry! I've ran out of stuff I know what I'm doing with, hence now looking at the engine

Boost pipes are all silicone too, so they should be alright

Thanks for all the answers gents, I will no doubt be back for more

Same story with my S2, now that bits and bobs around the car are sorted, we need more power

[Jolfa]

Ok so I bought all the necessary bits, just waiting for my RS2 turbo to come from Germany and I can start bolting it all back together.

Next question - mapping, do I send my ECU to someone? Is a map something I can import onto an ECU myself? Any places in the Southwest come recommended? Cheaper the better, but I guess you gets what you pays for so a happy medium!

[rynaqui]

Always best to get it live mapped if that is available to you, definitely would recommend and would have done it myself but it's not available to me sadly where I live.

I had my ecu mapped @ Will from VRS Northampton who was very helpful and always able to offer up any advice you may need .

Good luck with your car

[martinws]

PM PRJ on here, he is a Wizard!