tom7 Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 I have mentioned on another thread that I will shortly have the funds available for a DVA upgrade. Starting with a standard 1.8K (plastic inlet manifold and Caterham 4-1 Cr@ppy exhaust manifold) I intend to go for the 145bhp pack. I will attempt to get hold a 52mm throttle body to try and liberate a bit more bhp, but funds dictate that DTHTB's and 4-2-1 exhausts will have to wait. ☹️ Does anybody have experience of this upgrade on a standard engine, will I get 145bhp given these restrictions 🤔. To add an extra element to the equation, I have available a VHPD head and although a full porting job is out of budget, have I enough 'kit' for 160 bhp or will I be strangling the engine through inadequate breathing? I havn't spoken to Dave Andrews yet, will do so if positive feedback to this post. 😬 Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 Why not speak to Dave anyway, he will be readily able to answer all your queries in a 'no Bull****' way I am certain. Brent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V7 SLR Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 Tom, I note you're based in Solihull, in which case you really ought to pop over to my place in Redditch to discuss this. Dave Andrews is a friend, and has already ported my VHPD head for me last year. I understand quite well what DVA's options are and what works with what. In addition, I am one of the Worcs L7 club's AO's. You should come to our meetings (2nd Weds) where you'll meet a few people who have had various different DVA or DVA-inspired conversions. Call me on 07973 347791 any time. Nig. Worcs L7 club joint AO.//Membership No. 4379//Azure Blue SLR No. 0077//Se7ens List Tours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 The best bang for buck initial spend would be on an exhaust. All other mods will be seriously compromised without sorting that out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinwhitcher Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 agree with PC, the exhaust must be the first upgrade Martin MW 51 CAT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberts Wallet Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 Also have to agree with Peter. I had a standard 1.6K and fitted a 4-1 caterham exhaust which greatly improved the midrange (IMHO). Blue and Carbon Supersport T561 LKJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V7 SLR Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 What about selling the VHPD head (I'm interested) and using that cash to sort out your current engine? Worcs L7 club joint AO.//Membership No. 4379//Azure Blue SLR No. 0077//Se7ens List Tours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 VHPD (and VVC) heads are valuable. I'm also going to be looking for one for purchase in a few months. The last VVC head I saw (brand new) went for nearly 500 quid... HOOPY Membership Number 4136 R706KGU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V7 SLR Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 You pillock Hoopy. Are you trying to push up the prices? ["tut" with eyes raised emoticon] A source gave me info about brand new VHPD heads at around £600... Obviously I'd like one for much less. £250 anyone? [hopeful emoticon] Worcs L7 club joint AO.//Membership No. 4379//Azure Blue SLR No. 0077//Se7ens List Tours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 hey.. I'm just quoting the market price. which has just fallen to ten quid. tell you what, I'll give you 20. Everynody's happy Is the VHPD head fundamentally better than the VVC head 🤔 HOOPY Membership Number 4136 R706KGU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 that was for a brand new head. I'd imagine second hand heads would be a fair bit less... HOOPY Membership Number 4136 R706KGU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilyhands Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 Fundamentally from the waist down the VHPD and VVC heads are the same casting so all the important bits .. ports/chambers etc. are the same. The VHPD heads are of course available bare so the cost of the head furniture (valves, springs, collets, caps, cams , followers, bolts etc.etc.) needs to be factored in when comparing the cost of a secondhand VVC head which normally comes fully dressed. OTOH with a new casting at least you know it's provenance. The cams will be £30 cheaper for a VHPD head and you dont need a £90 blanking kit, nor do you have the complication of remounting the distrubutor cap/converting to wasted spark as you do with the VVC head. The potential of the heads is the same, Peter Carmichael's engine used a secondhand VVC head bought for a disgustingly low sum, he was talked out of buying a £1300 bare VHPD casting.. If you can acquire a bare VHPD head for £250/300 then it becomes almost as cost effective as a secondhand VVC at £450-500 provided yoiu can source the valves etc. at reasonable prices, valves from Rover are about £21 each for the exhausts and £17 for the inlets. Street price for a VVC head.. £500-550 new, £350 to £450 secondhand depending on condition and completeness. The VVC does have pretty good followers when used as a base for converting to solid. Oily Edited by - oilyhands on 16 Oct 2002 21:58:13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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