Have now sorted my engine after many months trial and error modding for extra power. Thanks to all you guys that helped along the way. Concept, for saving me the money on expensive induction kits.
Anyway wanted to share with you what i now consider the best set up for an 2.0 8v.
First, i had this dodgy idle, occasional rev drop off stalling thing that many of you have reported on mk3s over 50k. Mine has done just over 50k. It is damn irritating. Anyway, after many recommended solutions, including new sensors valves ete... it turns out a bloody good clean solves it for the cost of a good can of carb cleaner and a Saturday afternoon away from the bird! I recommend everybody have a throttle body clean if your car has done over 50k. It dramatically transforms performance, fuel consumption and just makes everything feel new again. I was shocked at the difference. Like driving a new car but better!!! Of all the money i have spent a simple cleaning job has had the biggest affect on my cars feel by far! Do it, can't say it enough, do it! The main dealer will only charge about 40 quid if you can't be arsed to leave the bird and the shopping for a Saturday afternoon in the garage.
Moving on... Custom powerflow system inc. manifold in largest bore, mine is 2.5" (tis like having a digery doo under your crouch). Magnex twin DTM back box and sports cat for good measure. Again can't sell this combo enough. I have heard alot and this just sounds so low and tight! 3 times now, car enthusiasts at local pubs have asked me if i just pulled up in a TVR, when entering the bar!!!
Induction... Don't bother with induction kits unless you have serious cash to spend on a viper or BMC carbon box. A much better and cheaper alternative to to make several modifications to the existing system. Doesn't look as good as a big cone filter but sounds great and gives a noticeable change in performance. Cone filters create a vortex of air but suck in hot air from the engine if not properly vented which is hard to do on the 8v. The standard air box has a huge surface area (most people don't notice it extends right into the wing!). It is also nicely shielded from the nasty, bhp killing, engine heat! However its intake is less than the diameter of a 2p piece. Of course you can vent the wing, i guess this works great and looks quite mean, but, i couldn't go to this expense and i like my car looking clean and standard from the outside. That is to excuse the 17" TT 9 spokes! Simply drop in a K&N panel filter. Cut off the intake pipe on the front of the air box and run a cold air feed pipe up from one of the vents in the front skirt to the hole in the box. I used 70mm diameter aluminium ducting with nice anodised bells on the end to pull in the air, fixed in place with some home made anodised brackets. I have also drilled some holes in the bottom and wing side of the box. This was really to improve the sound and works well. This custom induction job works a treat, costs next to nothing and is a fun project to escape being dragged round Dorothy Perkins on the weekend!
Got some nice Flamethrower ignition leads from Bigboys Toys and some Splitfire split-V spark plugs for better burn. Again i think this has contributed to the engine feeling alot smoother on the pick up! The flamethrower leads are excellent quality and cheaper than the other more known makes. They have twin magnetic suppressed cores.
A piper cam set is also a relatively easy mod and again a noticeable power gain was felt.
I am due to have the engine chipped in October. This i have left to last as the rolling road test will give me the final output for all my effort! Plus i can synchronise travelling to Oxfordshire for the chipping with a weekend at the NEC motor show! Nice. The bird likes these weekends coz at the NEC they have alot of Micra's and Ka's and we get to spend a weekend in the nice Oxfordshire countryside in a B&B!!!
On the horizon... Bilstein PSS suspension kit. And big ass brakes! That is if i don't by a VR6 first, or do something crazy and try and mate a 20v Turbo S3 engine with a Mk2. Saw that in the new "The Golf" Mag... Wow!
Anyway hope you liked my advice on modding your standard 8v. Comments please...
