150 bhp 1.4xe

[phunkynova]

Hi all I'm looking at putting together a 1.4 16 valve XE for my Nova rally car.
What mods wound I need to do to the engine to get around 150BHP ?.
At the moment I'm running a 1.4 8 valve with 110BHP on bike carbs would I be able to use the Bike carbs on a new inlet manifold or must I go TBs for this amount of power ?.
Any ideas on the cost ?.
Thanks for your input.

[matt_vaughan]

You're looking at megajolt to run bike carbs on a small block XE as there's no solution for ignition as far as a dizzy goes etc. (iirc most or all are coilpack anyway?)

I have seen one with an advancable distributor from a Metro being used on a rally engine, went very well, but the distributor was modified by someone with a lot of knowledge and it was still a bit of a bodge.

A small block XE will probably see 115-120 bhp on bike carbs in my estimate (maybe a little liberal that though)

Also look at doing head work (search on google there are quite a few threads showing what people have done) and also hotter cams. High comp pistons may also be required too to raise compression and you might see 150 bhp.

It's definately doable (look at Julian Wilkes 190 BHP machine in the Projects section) but it will be costly.

Good luck.

[mk1nova_rich]

Its achievable but won't be cheap...my C16XE on a Mantzel inlet is 140bhp with quite a lot of work on the head and possibly swapped cams IIRC.

The bike carbs theoretically should work ok, but overall TBs would be better if you afford them. The TBs might not necessarily increase peak power over the carbs but as they are mappable will give a smoother power curve. You will need ignition anyway as mentioned above so its advisable to bite the bullet and go for mappable fuelling and ignition with TBs.

You are looking at fairly extensive head work, and some pretty lairy cams - then probably some high compression pistons

[novarally]

It's definately doable (look at Julian Wilkes 190 BHP machine in the Projects section) but it will be costly.

Anyone got a link to the Julian Wilkes rally Nova? I did a quick search on here and I couldn't see it. I'd like to have a read of that.

[phunkynova]

Yer I think it will cost around £2500 to £3000 for the mods. It's that or try to get more out of my 8 valve but not to sure how much useable power you can get from a 8 valve, I have 110 BHP now from the 8 valve. The engine will be fitted to a rally car.

[MK1_Ben]

Anyone got a link to the Julian Wilkes rally Nova? I did a quick search on here and I couldn't see it. I'd like to have a read of that.

PhunkyNova, As Colin's mentioned Julian Wilkes nova is something you'd need to try find a spec list for. IIRC his is a 1.4 pushing a fairly stable 180+ bhp. I've seen it at several rallies and it's a weapon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv4jHu7PWug

Edit, Here's the spec of his Car:

http://www.wilkes-motorsport.com/8.html

[garyc]

Ive heard of 8v 1.4s putting out 194bhp on class 5 auto grass cars.

[Adam]

Its achievable but won't be cheap...my C16XE on a Mantzel inlet is 140bhp with quite a lot of work on the head and possibly swapped cams IIRC.

On what RR?
My 1.6 16v had cams, inlet box and a decent exhaust and made around 127bhp. 140 is a bit optimistic imo!

[Southie]

Adam it's my old car, the one you filmed at the rolling road two years ago.

[Adam]

Ahh right, so i stand by my comment then.
125bhp is more realistic on that RR