1.2 Tuning

[Jayz Nova]

I've looked at the thread about tuning the 1.2spi engine but would like to know if a sr cam and vernier would fit along with up rated valve springs and platforms ect, and also does anyone know if any coloured hoses off the sr,gte or gsi will fit onto the 1.2 as I want to tidy the bay up and get it looking better and were do I get coloured ht leads from or do I just get sr magnacor ones.

Jay

[Connor]

Just get a 1.6 in there mate :thumb: i'll give you a hand :)

[Jayz Nova]

Just get a 1.6 in there mate :thumb: i'll give you a hand :)

I don't have a 1.6 engine?

[Connor]

Get one :)

[GRUNT 16V]

as above dont bother with 1.2

[mowgli]

spend all that money on a 1.2spi & possibly make 2hp..

for most of the cost of a vernier, you can get a 1.4 or a 1.6

[paul james]

Even a 1.3 is a big upgrade over the 1.2, and if you have you heart set on tuning its a much better base to start from. I really wouldn't bother trying to upgrade the 1.2i, you're never likely to be happy with its performance.

[Jayz Nova]

Is it easy to stick a corsa sport engine in like the 1.6

[mowgli]

yes, all the small block engines fit. you need to fit an mpi pump (and modify the intake pipe to fit the nova tank) and the wiring isn't too difficult.

[turbojolt]

no, and if anyone trys saying any engine conversion is easy (when you dont have a mechinacal back ground) there lying, but that said its not impossible but dont expect it to be a walk in the park.

[mowgli]

tj. undo wiring.
undo pipes
undo engine
fit new engine
reconnect pipes
refit wiring.
once you've done one, it becomes easy

[turbojolt]

MATHS
-adding
-subtracting
-multiplying

http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr119/turbojolt/Purchased-Math-Mania-Image-Fotolia_18850077_L1.jpg

[paul james]

Yeah its only simple if you have access to a nice garage or driveway to work on, all the tools required and a decent chunk of time where you don't actually need the car for driving to get it done without rushing.

[Brocky]

hi, i tuned my 1.2 and thought that the power was good, and it is alot cheaper on insurance than an engine swap. (for me anyway)

[mowgli]

Yeah its only simple if you have access to a nice garage or driveway to work on, all the tools required and a decent chunk of time where you don't actually need the car for driving to get it done without rushing.
i once fitted my e16se on a sunday afternoon into a 1.2 carb on my own on a lawn with no crane, just ramps, a trolley jack & some wood, and drove it to work on the monday morning.
i suppose my opinion is skewed by that a bit

[Jayz Nova]

hi, i tuned my 1.2 and thought that the power was good, and it is alot cheaper on insurance than an engine swap. (for me anyway)

What have you done to yours, i just want to fit a cam,full exhaust system,air filter ect untill i decide what engine to go for at a later stage

[turbojolt]

What have you done to yours, i just want to fit a cam,full exhaust system,air filter ect untill i decide what engine to go for at a later stage

if your thinking of going for a bigger engine in the future, why dont you spend the money on the suspension and brakes mate, that way your not spending out on parts that your going to get rid of, just a thought

[turbojolt]

unless you just want to do it for the fun of tinkering a engine

[Jayz Nova]

unless you just want to do it for the fun of tinkering a engine

Yeah just want a play really

[burgo]

read the spi tuning guide, it proves that good gains can be had very very cheaply so dont listen to all the idiots saying its not worth it.

[Brocky]

What have you done to yours, i just want to fit a cam,full exhaust system,air
filter ect untill i decide what engine to go for at a later stage


its got 1mm overbore, skimmed head and block, ported and polished head, piper valve springs, piper fast road cam, vernier pulley, facet fuel pump, f15 gerabox, 4 branch, and straight through sportex exhaust. oh and a K&N :)
the cam has a wide power band though so is still good in traffic
hope that helps

[mowgli]

/\ and is it a carb or an spi???

[Brocky]

its a carb. why can he not do the same kind of thing?

[mowgli]

no. you need a lambda sensor, the 4-1 works better with a high revving engine, and the 1.2spi is not that revvy , the injection unit isn't quite as easy to play with as a carb.

[paul james]

The SPI is down 10bhp on the carb model to begin with, just getting that 10bhp increase will cost good money. The cheap upgrades like cone filter, ditching the cat make no real difference, been there done that.

[_Jake]

i wouldnt bother with the 1.2 myself, i have one in my mk1 and admittedly its nippy (even if its a 4speedlol) but it tops out at 100 and its not exactly quick getting there.. also i wouldnt bother with a 1.3 unless you get one cheap (like i did :d) as ive found there making silly money on ebay and such like now, more than some 2.0 16v's are making...

[mowgli]

but 1400's are rather cheap these days.

[_Jake]

but 1400's are rather cheap these days.
what he said ;) so cheap i weighed one in last year lol

[Brocky]

no. you need a lambda sensor, the 4-1 works better with a high revving engine, and the 1.2spi is not that revvy , the injection unit isn't quite as easy to play with as a carb.
Ok, but you could fit a 4branch for a 1.4 or 1.6 that has the fitting for the lamba? point taken though about suiting a revvier engine

[Stuart]

do you have a real spec for that piper cam, rather than their BS marketing of 'fast road'

[Brocky]

it's this one stuart http://www.pipercams.co.uk/pipercams/www/product.php?pid=A13BP270H put the power is more from 2500 than 2000rpm

[Stuart]

looks like a slightly softer AST2... not bad.

[marc69]

I had a 1.2i and tried de cating it etc, it was still no faster than my standard 1.0 ohv despite the fact it is suposed to have more torque. The 1.0 is more free revving and has a closer gearbox.

If you want to stick to small block engines (some people say you loose some handling with the bigger blocks) then the 1.3 and 1.4 carb engines are good for the small increase in cc. This won't make a huge difference to your insurance.

You will need to get the ignition system from the engine and fuel tank. Basically get the fuel connected, a solid feed to the ignition, timing set and off you go. My 1.4 is giving out 81+bhp with only a mild cam and exhaust extra (tested, not down the pub figures) when compared to the 1.2i of 45 bhp....

If you are going to the bother of removing the head etc to put a cam in a 1.2i, it woudln't be a lot more work just to change the engine. If you are changing the cam in your 1.2i, would it be more worthwhile to put the carb head on with the carb, ignition system etc, you will instantly gain 10bhp?

[marc69]

i once fitted my e16se on a sunday afternoon into a 1.2 carb on my own on a lawn with no crane, just ramps, a trolley jack & some wood, and drove it to work on the monday morning.
i suppose my opinion is skewed by that a bit


If ever your in scotland give me a shout, you can pop by mine for an afternoon and do the same....... That would take me ages if I didn't muck it up!

[burgo]

The SPI is down 10bhp on the carb model to begin with, just getting that 10bhp increase will cost good money. The cheap upgrades like cone filter, ditching the cat make no real difference, been there done that. no car has ever liked a cone filter so you went wrong there for a start.

I am already noticing gains by just doing simple things. I cant wait to get the cam changed and inlet and TB changed as per the guide

[turbojolt]

would love to see some before and after power graphs, i know its not all about figures, more about how it feels but would still make interesting reading

[blue_peg_16v]

Meh stick a let in lol

Being serious though I modified a 1.2 years ago and found it a total waste was never going to be quick enough so binned it and fitted an xe £ to bhp a conversion is the way to go and since your already considering it I'd save the money towards that

[burgo]

It's not that simple for everyone though rich, some people can't get insured on a 2L