I join the 300bhp club next week.

Princey · 26 Jan 2010 at 17:12

Well I found out that I'll be getting a 5 door company car next month. So that means I'll be keeping the VXR. It's currently running 285Bhp with stage 2. It'll be going in to Courtney Sports for an intercooler, LSD and stage 3 remap which should see around 300-310bhp and over 350lb/ft. Sure it’s not a massive gain but looking at the ST3 power curves its much smoother and more consistent that the ST2 curve. Mine peaks very early and trails off.
I know what everyone is thinking but the LSD helps immensely with getting the power down and keeping it under control.

MrSix · 26 Jan 2010 at 17:14

Uh oh...didn't we just have a horror story about VXR remapping?

Princey · 26 Jan 2010 at 17:15

Yes it was caused by a faulty o2 sensor on the exhaust. It's been sorted and I've tested the crap out of it and its fine. Courtney will also test the car before hand to make sure it can take it.

[TW]Fox · 26 Jan 2010 at 17:41

Why not go for 600bhp then you can really wheelspin everywhere.

Honestly, at this sort of power output isn't it time you sold the front wheel drive Vauxhall and bought a proper performance car that can take this sort of power properly?

peterattheboro · 26 Jan 2010 at 18:03

[TW]Fox;15826014 said:
Why not go for 600bhp then you can really wheelspin everywhere.

Honestly, at this sort of power output isn't it time you sold the front wheel drive Vauxhall and bought a proper performance car that can take this sort of power properly?

This.

However, drive it for a few thousands miles and really give the clutch a good kicking and then sell it before it needs replacing

-Neil- · 26 Jan 2010 at 18:27

[TW]Fox;15826014 said:
Why not go for 600bhp then you can really wheelspin everywhere.

Honestly, at this sort of power output isn't it time you sold the front wheel drive Vauxhall and bought a proper performance car that can take this sort of power properly?

Agreed! Company car is the perfect opportunity to buy something interesting!

Neil.

Gaygle · 26 Jan 2010 at 18:31

Have you uprated the clutch?

If not, MrLOL's Vectra VXR thread should be a real eye opener.

Coco · 26 Jan 2010 at 18:43

In terms of drivability, I assume in the wet its part-throttle for all of the interesting gears & in the dry once your beyond 50mph you can give it the berries, anything less & the clutch/tyres melt. And thats before we get to the hot-hatch playground of B-roads, even the Focus RS is reported to get a bit funky running that many horses once the tyres begin to show some wear and of course that has the magical suspension.

Out of interest, other than the LSD & engine mods have you removed any weight or fiddled with the brake or suspension setups?

As above though, experience would recommend that once a company car enters the stable a more 'focused' fun car can be had. But each to there own & all that jazz!

MikeHiow · 27 Jan 2010 at 09:33

I don't see the big issue with 300BHP in a FWD car, sure, it demands some respect at times, but you don't jump in a 300BHP RWD without showing it a lot more respect, either.

Making 275BHP and silly amounts of torque (325lbft!), I can easily floor it in second, from 15MPH and maintain traction on a near-freezing evening (1c last night!). That's without LSD!

That changes in the wet, but you have to take due care in the wet when driving a similarly powered RWD car, let alone a turbo example!

The difference is, if you fail to take care in a powerful FWD car, you end up spinning wheels and looking like a **** - yet, if you fail to take care in a powerful RWD car, you end crossing into the opposite carriageway and taking another car out, if you're lucky

For those of you that think you have driven a powerful FWD car and think you understand the issues, how many have tried a powerful FWD car with LSD? When LSD is introduced into the mix, it becomes a whole different ball game, I don't see why a 300BHP FWD car with LSD couldn't be effective. I didn't even have any slight issues with getting the power down out of corners with either my Rover 220 Coupe Turbo or my 620Ti, both making around 220BHP, FWD with a torsen diff.

Matt82 · 27 Jan 2010 at 09:56

clutch should be fine. its fwd, if he attempts to put a shed load of power through, itll just wheel spin harmlessly.

merlin · 27 Jan 2010 at 10:00

350lbft is a lot to go through the front wheels.

( |-| |2 ][ $ · 27 Jan 2010 at 10:01

Matt82 said:
clutch should be fine. its fwd, if he attempts to put a shed load of power through, itll just wheel spin harmlessly.

You need to understand that a clutch is before the gearbox and that what ever gear you're in, including 5th and 6th the full torque of the engine is going through the clutch and gearbox.

However i'm sure the OP is fully aware that by going to stage 3 his clutch will need upgrading sometime soon.

LiE · 27 Jan 2010 at 10:05

Buy an Impreza instead.

jaybee · 27 Jan 2010 at 10:09

[TW]Fox;15826014 said:
Why not go for 600bhp then you can really wheelspin everywhere.

Honestly, at this sort of power output isn't it time you sold the front wheel drive Vauxhall and bought a proper performance car that can take this sort of power properly?

You've driven in his car and experienced how it drives have you? It will be a damn sight more fun than your car, not to mention quicker. I love the amount of people that put down any FWD car that has more than XXX bhp just because in their little minds on paper it does not compute. Oh no it will understeer and drive horribly. I've driven a FWD car with 300bhp on tap and it was absolutely awesome. Open your mind haters.

sovietspybob · 27 Jan 2010 at 10:23

I've got an Integra DC5 with about 230bhp and an LSD and tbh i don't think i'd want any more power in a FF car, its crazy enough as it is in the wet. I'd spend money on suspension and brakes long before any power increases.

I've got Ohlins coilovers on my car with a fast road setup, upgraded brake lines and uprated pads (as my car already has 4pot brembos) and i'd chose them in a heartbeat over any BHP increases.

PMKeates · 27 Jan 2010 at 10:29

MikeHiow said:
I don't see the big issue with 300BHP in a FWD car, sure, it demands some respect at times, but you don't jump in a 300BHP RWD without showing it a lot more respect, either.

Making 275BHP and silly amounts of torque (325lbft!), I can easily floor it in second, from 15MPH and maintain traction on a near-freezing evening (1c last night!). That's without LSD!

Do you have much experience with similarly powered RWD cars? I mean, you have to give any car with 275 hp a degree of respect, but I'd wager that the ability of a RWD car to put the power down is significantly better and moreso than you'd think.

I'm certainly in the "swap it for something else" camp. The VXR is not exactly praised for it's handling prowess or ability to easily cope with the power it starts off with, at 300 hp it's going to be pretty mad. The LSD, while offering some grip, is just going to make it even lairier.

ryder · 27 Jan 2010 at 10:31

I say do it! Will be hilariously fun.

Duke · 27 Jan 2010 at 10:34

jaybee said:
You've driven in his car and experienced how it drives have you? It will be a damn sight more fun than your car, not to mention quicker.

Whats his car got to do with it?

Rhyzz · 27 Jan 2010 at 10:34

msm722 said:
Buy an Impreza instead.

So he can look like even more of a boy racer? Urgh, rather keep the Vauxhall!

Sell the VXR, take a small loan and buy a T350C.

MikeHiow · 27 Jan 2010 at 10:38

PMKeates said:
Do you have much experience with similarly powered RWD cars? I mean, you have to give any car with 275 hp a degree of respect, but I'd wager that the ability of a RWD car to put the power down is significantly better and moreso than you'd think.

Actually, yes.

I don't dispute that a RWD car will put the power down better, I simply dispute people who say that 300BHP can't be put down via the front wheels.