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DOLBY's LCR...AKS Tuning Forged 14/07/2013.

DOLBY

Active Member
Jun 24, 2006
2,934
98
North of London
www.facebook.com
FULLY FORGED ENGINE 14/07/13.

Ok, so just got the car back after AKS Tuning having it for a couple weeks to forge it all up for me. Have to say i missed the old girl, and if im honest was wondering why i spent so much money on her when these cars are so damn cheap now...nevermind, the car has always had the best (to the laugh's and cusses of mates and family alike).

The actual waiting process of the rods was a long one to say the least, probably close to a year i would say haha, but im totally happy with how the car acts and responds these days.

From last time, Alex dialed back the boost to 5 (to prevent any damage with standard rods) and the car still pulled very well. Still holding 1.5 bar boost and higher sometimes. I have DEFI gauges so i know this is quite accurate. Well, the boost is still at 5 but the car pulls so much better.

I had read up on various horror stories with the V3 manifold, and so i asked Alex if he could do anymore welding on it to protect from cracks etc. Apparantly there were a few fitment issues around the bolt area, but everywhere else lined up perfectly which was a bonus. Not too sure if im gonna need any heat shielding atm but only time will tell.

I went the whole hog with the car:

- DM Forged H beam rods
- Headgasket kit
- Big End Bearings
- Head bolts
- Piston Rings
- Head Build
- Modify and fit Relentless Manifold
- High Temp K nuts & Studs
- Phenolic Inlet Manifold Gasket
- Pipercross CO187 Filter
- Full Cambelt Kit
- Millers CFS 5W40 NT Performance Oil and Filter Service
- Running in oil and filter.

On idle now i have a lovely new burble, and a slight prod of the throttle i get a sound that tells the world the car means business. 2nd gear? Oh my days, it revs so quick and nearer the top end of rev range i get a good roar. I would say the torque hasnt improved but the pull of the car is improved higher up the rev range.

It feels great knowing i can put my foot down and not worry anymore. Im still shocked at the gearbox still being ok and clutch too. I mean the car is 8 years old.

Will post build pics when i get them back from Alex and also a few videos if i have time. One things for sure the engine bay was filthy as fook, so that will need tidying up soon, alongside a paint repray and wheel refurb.
 

ReDBull

Every day's a school day.
Nov 21, 2006
2,991
14
Lincoln
Glad you're happy with it after the wait!

Sounds like you've been lucky with the V3 and got a good one. Most people that have had them fitted haven't notice much if any improvement over standard.

When are you getting the map tweaked?
 

vroomtshh

Full Member
Sep 11, 2005
4,222
3
Dreghorn, Scotland
Bit harsh mate, none of the v3 have failed and tbf bret doesn't know forsure that this is the issue.

V2 yeah there a risk but v3 is solid.

Assuming you can modify it enough to make it fit in the first place? Or like in the case of mine, where they just missed welding a bit?
Just because they're not failing doesn't mean they're better than the v2

And I actually don't think they're as bad as made out on here :lol:
 

DOLBY

Active Member
Jun 24, 2006
2,934
98
North of London
www.facebook.com
Alright Sam,
Was a bit harsh of me to just blabber that the mani had "blown" so i apologise. The Mani actually pulled very very well indeed and gave a lovely burble when driving around. I was chuffed with it tbh.

Alex did do a couple more braces for it just to make sure, but tonight i decided to go for a blast and whilst out on a **private road** i was holding 1.5 bar well past 3 figures so was happy as larry. Came to a halt at a roundabout and im getting massive hissing from the engine. Checked all vacuum pipes and DV and they're intact. Im not in limp mode at all, but there is nothing power wise.

Wild Willy said its probably the turbo to charge pipe (pipe) that may of perished due to the heat? So i need to buy a Relentless heat shield thngybob.

I have no idea what a blowing Manifold sounds like but according to Vroomtshh it sound like i have no exhaust....luckily thi isnt the cae. The car sounds normal, just LOTS of hissing when on accelerator.
 

sambryant

RoadRunner meep meep
Mar 26, 2009
4,848
2
Bristol
Alright Sam,
Was a bit harsh of me to just blabber that the mani had "blown" so i apologise. The Mani actually pulled very very well indeed and gave a lovely burble when driving around. I was chuffed with it tbh.

Alex did do a couple more braces for it just to make sure, but tonight i decided to go for a blast and whilst out on a **private road** i was holding 1.5 bar well past 3 figures so was happy as larry. Came to a halt at a roundabout and im getting massive hissing from the engine. Checked all vacuum pipes and DV and they're intact. Im not in limp mode at all, but there is nothing power wise.

Wild Willy said its probably the turbo to charge pipe (pipe) that may of perished due to the heat? So i need to buy a Relentless heat shield thngybob.

I have no idea what a blowing Manifold sounds like but according to Vroomtshh it sound like i have no exhaust....luckily thi isnt the cae. The car sounds normal, just LOTS of hissing when on accelerator.

That's ok mate, no worries. If the mani was blowing then it would sound like a tank. Sounds like a hose has come off somewhere or split as you said.
Also just to inform others, the v3 mani does make more power over stock, still a upgrade over stock. Might not live upto the v2 in terms of flow but has proven to last. The v3 has managed 300 bhp on a certain heartbreak dyno. R*tech. Have branded the v3 as a 290bhp manifold.

Bret as you can already tell your car is feeling the effects of the manifold with its increased power :)

Hope you sort the issue out