Big Power 205s ?

[CaptainK 11]

I was on the forum for my other car (FTO) and noticed posts about big powered FWD cars and their dragstrip times and so forth. The fastest FTO the club has does a 10.55 second 1/4 mile time, still being FWD but using a 2.5 Turbo engined from a VR4 Galant (an easy engine conversion for FTOs).

 

It got me thinking, how many really BIG power 205s (that are still FWD) does the club have / know about ? We do seem to have a lot of around 200bhp 205s on the forum, including my own GTi-6 on ITBs. But do we have any that are, say, 400bhp+ ? And do any of you do drag strip racing etc ? If so, what kind of times are you doing? I had a quick look down the subject titles in the "Project" sections, but couldn't see much from my brief look around.

[Doof 11]

Doesn't "Magic" or whatever his username is have a 400+ bhp CTi? I just did a quick google and over on AussieFrogs he's still building a monster to top his 441bhp from last time!!!!

 

http://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/showthrea...163&page=15

[205*31* 0]

Doesn't "Magic" or whatever his username is have a 400+ bhp CTi? I just did a quick google and over on AussieFrogs he's still building a monster to top his 441bhp from last time!!!!

 

http://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/showthrea...163&page=15

 

thats wow amazing!!! attention to detail is truely epic

[danpug 1]

Eric Yellow's s16 turbo is 477bhp iirc. Soundsofsilence's was 370bhp i think, looks handy on track, his video's are on youtube. Theres a couple of people running supercharged 6 lumps, garry posted a speedo video up a while back.

[Richy_cti 0]

a good friend of mine is currently building a Mi16 turbo and is expecting around 330-350, and with the work and parts he got i cant see it being under 300 at all

[CaptainK 11]

Owww... interesting to see some big power 205s being developed. They must be a lot of fun to drive 8)

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

Whilst impressive, how the hell do these 205s put all that power down?

[C_W 3 1 Cars]

Over 400bhp in a 205 sounds unfeasible (as in unuseable) but I'd like a go! I dunno but I think about 260bhp would be a nice balance, lugging only 900kg around would still be very quick with half a chance it can still handle it too.

[brumster 135 1 Cars]

We've got about 250 (more importantly, torque is the traction killer) with 180ft.lb's and, on a cheapy Tran-X diff, it's just about the limit I think... I could probably do 200ft.lb and put it down but any more and I'd need a much more trick diff like a ZF or something mated in a sequential. At least being naturally aspirated, it comes in smoothly and it's all nice and useable at the moment. These turbo nutter things with wads of torque coming in all at once, I can't imagine they make for a very nice, driveable car unless you're drag racing or just into point-and-squirt stuff.

 

Doesn't make them any less impressive to watch though front tyres are evil and must be punished!

[Sandy 191]

What you do suspension wise makes a huge difference. Several of Colin's bespoke chassis running around 270-280bhp and 200lbft with great traction and driveability, but on standard wishbones/subframe etc, nothing like as wieldy.

[danpug 1]

I think a lot of it is (along with good suspension and tyres of course) being sensible with your right foot. I mentioned it on another thread before but a friend of mine has a saab thats pushing 450bhp and providing he doesn't plant his foot to the floor its grips decently and goes like stink! Its nothing like what i thought a fwd car with that power would be like.

Edited October 7, 2010 by danpug

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

I was thinking about this earlier and how it relates to some of the previous torque and horsepower threads.

 

Naturally, in certain circumstances a 400bhp 205 will walk all over a 200bhp 205. BHP being a rating of how much work a motor of some kind can perform in a certain amount of time. Therefore it's quite obvious that in some circumstances, more will definitely deliver more. So yes, more power when you want it is usually always desirable and I too would enjoy a blast in a super powered 205.

 

But - and you knew there'd be a but - this is where tractability comes into it again. Having something and being able to use it, easily or with extra skill is very much part of the battle.

 

To finish, it's dawned on me that when you turbo or supercharge an engine you are not typically actively looking to increase its ability to rev, you are merely attempting to produce more torque at a given rpm by burning more charge of air and fuel. The increased power (bhp) such as 350+ is only achieved via more turning force i.e. torque.

 

If your suspension and tyres and even your right foot can't get that down, there is perhaps arguably a point for not having it.

 

Likewise, if you're n/a and making your power at 8k rpm, perhaps 250bhp, you also stand a chance, perhaps less though of getting it down too.

Edited October 7, 2010 by DrSarty

[kyepan 291]

To finish, it's dawned on me that when you turbo or supercharge an engine you are not typically actively looking to increase its ability to rev, you are merely attempting to produce more torque at a given rpm by burning more charge of air and fuel. The increased power (bhp) such as 350+ is only achieved via more turning force i.e. torque.

am i missing something here or are you just stating the obvious.

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

It may be obvious to you, but I was making the point clear that rpm and or torque can be manipulated to generate more power.

 

As the revs aren't changing in a forced induction car, then all that's raising the overall power to these large figures is huge scoops of additional torque which is not necessarily useable.

 

Quite obvious perhaps, but other high hp engines 270+ n/a may use billet cranks, ARP bolts, expensive pistons and rods to rev higher, which is a different approach, may produce lower figures but be ultimately faster by being more accessible or tractable.

 

And that's only talking about the engine itself, as other factors will limit how much of that power you can get to.

Edited October 8, 2010 by DrSarty

[j_turnell 137 3 Cars]

Recently had a 300bhp n/a 205 in at work

[oli-pug 6 2 Cars]

Recently had a 300bhp n/a 205 in at work

 

ooo fruity

 

I take it you're down at Northampton Motorsport?? You would have had my mate's olympic blue Mk1 Escort on the rollers the other day too.

[James_m 0]

Recently had a 300bhp n/a 205 in at work

Any more details?

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

I forgot the power of the one I;ve driven, but it was around 350 I think and it was fine even in the wet

 

the 300bhp N/A 205's are common a mate of mines got one

[j_turnell 137 3 Cars]

ooo fruity

 

I take it you're down at Northampton Motorsport?? You would have had my mate's olympic blue Mk1 Escort on the rollers the other day too.

 

Wasnt a 1700 cross flow by any chance?

 

Any more details?

 

Based on a 306 maxi lump, rev limit set to 9600, power still climbing. I certainly wouldnt say they are common, but there are a few around!

[oli-pug 6 2 Cars]

Yep, that's the one. Goes well actually, a bit grumpy under 3.5k but revs nice and sounds the tits!

[JamieTonks 1]

i would say my old 205 turbo was the most fun car ive ever owned. Yes you can think of better ways of putting power down however not as fun

[CaptainK 11]

I've gotta agree with you guys that in a 205 you don't really need that much power. I'm perfectly happy with my GTi6 on ITBs running around 190bhp. Just interested to see about really big power 205s, and if there were any colossal powered ones used only for drag racing.

 

I'd still like a go in the 300bhp and 350bhp powered 205s mentioned above. Sounds like fun.

[Stevo309 0]

As is so often the case it depends on application. I was lucky enough to drive an Ecosse built 205 T16 which was 350 bhp a few years ago. It was shocking how quick it was but the problem was predictably putting the power down. It would happily break traction in any gear if you provoked it. Too much power and probably more importantly too much torque delivered too quickly in a little 205 to be honest.

 

It was damn good fun though and on the drag strip with a disciplined right foot, lower tyres pressures etc it was still very good.

[Batfink 201]

pug1off one has 550bhp or so..probably fun if you can control your right foot.

[GLPoomobile 958]

I was lucky enough to drive an Ecosse built 205 T16 which was 350 bhp a few years ago.

 

Was that by any chance a totally stock looking G reg in Cherry Red?