corozin

I don't disagree. But a K&N 57i give you around 5bhp so the difference between that and a BMC is only a couple at best. Of course the point of this wasn't to re-ignite a flame war, but more to simply set up a punchline (which is) that if your "bum dyno" can feel the difference that 2bhp makes, then you must have a sensitive bum (har-har-har). I hear you can get ointment for that kind of problem :D

That's really helpful - thanks for the links & info guys. Out of interest I don't actually have my 6-branch manifold exhaust wrapped. In part tthat's one of the reasons I'm seriously looking at the heat shielding issue. I think just a nice bit over the PS pump shrouding and a bit near the bulkhead will help me sleep at night a bit better. Nothing's melted yet since putting the car back on the road 1200 miles ago, but the temperatures coming from it's track day use next year might be a different matter. Cheers John

Oh it wasn't a row. Using words like "cobblers" is just friendly banter on this forum. Of course "you're talking bow-locks sunshine" is a bit more confrontational but I havn't seen that in a long while. We're all friends on here... probably LOL

Right, I have a lovely new engine in my VR6 which includes an unwrapped stainless 6-branch manifold. Now although I haven't had a problem with it yet, I'm a teeny bit concerned that where the new engine has gone in there is only minimal heatshielding compared with what was there before. What I do have in place is the bulkhead shielding, but I'm concerned : a) About heat from the manifold affecting the wiring loom and hoses on behind the throttle/inlet, particularly if the car is "hot" and stationary b) The manifold passes within about an inch of what I think is the power steering pump (which is made of plastic) Can anyone recommend some good products or materials from which to manufacture some additional heatshielding so I can protect these areas from the 6-branch? I need a combination of solid/firm panels that I can bracket up, but will also need some flexible, reflective, heat resistant material/panelling that I can wrap/attach to countoured areas Thoughts appreciated., John

I'm sorry but that's just a load of cobblers. I've run both a 57i and a BMC and frankly there's hardly a bit of difference in performance. If you run a 57i there is loads of air circulating through the engine bay when the car is moving so heat soak will never be a practical issue. Not only that but frankly you'll never feel the difference in performance between "cold" air (which in the UK is around 10-15deg C and "hot" air (which will be around 35deg C) in something with a Corrado's power - it's just a housewife's tale. If you're really stressed about it then a simple heat shield cut from a piece of 22x32cm will shield a K&N almost for free. If you've never had a big engine note before then just chuck the 57i under the bonnet, save the money and have lots of fun. Who cares if it's 1bhp less (or whatever)? Hell if you want to do it economy style, just drill the bottom of the airbox out - you can always tape over the holes if you get bored. John

I think the second set look better. At least they're black (which is every fule no is the best colour for wheels) even if you havn't quite got the satin finish bit right, ha ha

There's some orange peel on the paintwork of that 2-tone car if you look closely....

Where have you guys been the last two years? LPG ?? LPG...? Previously attractive LPG prices have already been shunted up skywards by Gordon Broon. Still better than petrol I'll grant you, but the days of 27p litres are a long way behind us. The future for a sports car like the VR6 is E85 Bio-ethanol. Cheap, green, and with a monster octane rating. Stuff LPG!

Time for some Top Gear Top Tips I think : If you're worried about the price of fuel as it pushes past 111p a litre for super unleaded (which let's not forget is actuallyover £5 a gallon: a) Don't fit sodding great 276 cams, as they like to slurp a bit more than your average VR6 b) Or a supercharger c) Or a turbo... This tip is free )

My comment on this is that whilst it's not probably as "survivable" as a brand new car it was/is a pretty damned safe place to be compared to the majority of cars built around the same period. More sturdy than the MkII in a shunt, and definately preferable to similar Fords, Vauxhalls and French cars from the same era. For my part I survived an accident which involved an oncoming truck bouncing off the drivers side of my last Corrado with a combined speed of well over 100mph. The car was trashed, but I walked away without so much as a bruise.

Yeah I'm hoarding lots of late headlight switches. That's a sure fire investment, LOL

That looks like a neat one Andy. Out of interest, have you found Guy's selling lots of his old models off right now at http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZvwcstorm

{ G R O A N }

They're made by Ronal, and my local tyrefitter apparently sells the odd set to young ladies. Now I wouldn't have a set myself but you have to admit they're quite fun, and at least a bit different. John

I've got an idea. Try telling them that you want a motorcycle instead. That will probably do the trick.

Well I can understand your arguments, but it might be a bad thing to mention turbocharging if you're in the middle of a slanging match over how much money you're spending on it.

Frankly Phil when a car already has the best part of 200bhp in the front you're hardly going to notice the difference performance wise. Because of all the noise they make it will seem a lot quicker but that's mostly all it is. Of course if you start doing other bits of the engine as well then having the filter helps. As an alternative you might also want to look into the Pipercross VR6 kit (if it's still available) as it's all finished in nice shiny aluminium. They're not that common, but make a similar noise to the RamAir as they both have a sort of vortex-swirl piece in them to pre-swirl the are as it goes into the engine (or that's what the blurb used to say) HTH John

I'd like to say that frankly there is no crime too big for an Allegro IMHO. I'm actually impressed that you even own up to having had one

If it makes you guys feel any better about the costs of running a Corrado, I knew of a guy who trashed a gearbox on an Audi RS4 (B5) through hammering it up the drag strip at Crail. The car was only 6 months old at the time (2001) and Audi quoted over £14,000 for the parts alone. Ouch. And... because he's chipped the engine it wasn't under warranty....

For a guy who supposedly owned a Ferrari, his grammer is just appalling. .... just an observation - "caveat emptor" I think is the phrase

What you might want to consider is simply replacing the element inside your airbox with a K&N panel filter. You get a nice increase in "grumble" from the front, albeit not as much as with a full induction kit, but you also get a few bhp out of it as well. It's certainly a nice way to find out if you want to go down that path, or to improve the engine noise without going barmy about it. Other than that I've used both a K&N 57i, a drilled OEM airbox (with K&N panel filter), and a CDA filter at one time or another. All decent enough, all delightful in thier own ways (the loudest one was the drilled airbox solution) HTH John

I don't think im far behind you mate, but not adding my bills up :lol: Let me up the stakes a bit by adding that I was already almost £2k into the car already this year BEFORE I incurred the one I mentioned on Page 1. I am clearly mad and in need of help...

Refixing the end plate of my old K&N 57i filter with Blu Tack. It stayed put for 4 years !

Well so far it looks like I'm still in the lead on this one. Do I get a prize? Better still can I have a donation towards my poverty fund? :D

I've just spent over £6k of my own money in one go. No bodywork either. Beat that. Come to Stealth on Sunday and you'll see where it all went ;)