T5 engine tuning help needed urgently!

**Rydell** · Thursday 5th January 2012, 17:29

Hi Guys.

As dome of you may know, I am currently in the middle of preparing my 854 T5 for circuit racing.

When it comes to turbo charged engines, however, I am a complete novice and am finding it difficult to get to grips with all the acronyms flying around the forum like PCV, RIP, MBC etc etc.

I really need some advice on what I need to get more reliable power out of the T5.

My shopping list at the moment is:

Bigger intercooler with appropriate ducting in aluminium to maintain boost pressure.

Cold air intake.

New/uprated head gasket.

Inspect bottom end and possibly replace main shells and replace main bolts with ARP?

Uprate all bushes with proflex equivalent.

Cat free exhaust system from turbo back.

A manual boost controller, whatever one is and however it works!

Oil cooler.

I think that is everything, but I welcome any and all advice. I'm looking for around 280-300 bhp at the flywheel initially.

Look forward to any help.

**Dan850r** · Thursday 5th January 2012, 17:49

Is it going to be used in a racing series or track days?

**Rydell** · Thursday 5th January 2012, 17:53

Racing series.

Usually 20mins qualifying and a 40min race with one compulsory pit stop.

**Al115** · Thursday 5th January 2012, 17:59

Do some searching on here and you'll help yourself.

Suggest you could read this thread that was posted up just a couple of days ago:

http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39872

**Dan850r** · Thursday 5th January 2012, 18:13

Originally Posted by Rydell

Racing series.

Usually 20mins qualifying and a 40min race with one compulsory pit stop.

Just seen your build thread, looks good! As for bushes, i think you should get some made in a harder compound than powerflex ones for a circuit. What brakes are you going to run?

**Rydell** · Thursday 5th January 2012, 19:35

Originally Posted by Dan850r

Just seen your build thread, looks good! As for bushes, i think you should get some made in a harder compound than powerflex ones for a circuit. What brakes are you going to run?

As im on a budget, the brakes will be 302's with suitable mintex pads.

On that subject, which carriers do I need to accomodate the 302 discs? From what I gather you use the same calipers?

**Volvostorm** · Thursday 5th January 2012, 19:47

Originally Posted by Rydell

As im on a budget, the brakes will be 302's with suitable mintex pads.

On that subject, which carriers do I need to accomodate the 302 discs? From what I gather you use the same calipers?

You need 302mm carrier, off the later V70's, yes, the calipers are the same

They often come up for sale on the forum, I would also suggest braided hoses, I have 302's at the moment, I used the hoses off a V70R, as the front lines are slightly longer.

Best upgrade is a AP Racing kit, or such like.

**Rydell** · Thursday 5th January 2012, 19:59

Originally Posted by Pault5estate

You need 302mm carrier, off the later V70's, yes, the calipers are the same

They often come up for sale on the forum, I would also suggest braided hoses, I have 302's at the moment, I used the hoses off a V70R, as the front lines are slightly longer.

Best upgrade is a AP Racing kit, or such like.

If money were no object..............! Will be making my own brake lines with goodrich hose and suitable ends so the whole system is goodrich.

**Alan M** · Sunday 8th January 2012, 11:57

If your going to the point of new shells and considering arp bolts while there you should change the rods. You can re use the pistons if they are in a good state of repair and new piston rings would be a must especially on a older/tired used engine. Rings come in at around £130 from Rufe but I'm not sure if you can still get standard 850 rings as they may have been discontinued. Are you on /face any engine modification restrictions in the series your entering? If not you could use a later model bottom end and that way piston rings are easy to get from the dealer still and more parts are easier to obtain also from aftermarket providers. When changing the main shells only use genuine items as there is a matching process needed going by what markings on the block andcrank you have as you may need bearings which are not identical to each other and matching them properly is key to a good build. I think I know of an engine still available with H section rods and B5244T5 head from a late car with the VVT system disabled and VVT pulleys removed for solid items so to make use of High lift cams if thats a better alternative for you? drop me a message and I'll point you the right way.