Real Big Turbo's - Anyone done it to their Leon?

[Colonelk]

I noticed on the JBS website today that they do huge turbos that give the 1.8T between 400 and 450BHP for lots of dough

Just wondering if anyone here has actually spent the £11650 to get something like that done, and whether they can keep the Cupra from taking off .

I know some people here have got over 300 BHP in their Leons which must be an awesome experience behind the wheel, but has anyone here been extreme enough or had the money or inclination to do a JBS turbo nutter conversion?

 

[RobM]

Do a search for IHI

 

[Colonelk]

Ok, but thats not 400Bhp+ is it?

 

[LiCkWiD]

I really don't find the search tool very useful :< I whack in IHI and then get a load of posts that don't seem to ever even mention big boost, let alone IHI :<

 

[RobM]

Ok, but thats not 400Bhp+ is it?

No, but there was a very good post recently about the story of somebodys big turbo conversion that had a massive amount of information about the various options, experiences, setups etc that will answer most general questions about this subject

 

[Colonelk]

Songman has an IHI powered LCR that has around 370bhp is that the one you mean RobM?. There is an excellent thread about it where I defy any LCR admirer to stop drooling

370Bhp is pretty extreme, but surely there must be SOMEONE that has done the JBS mega conversion and is running upwards of 450BHP?

I thought SC.net would be where I would find said turbo nutter

 

[RobM]

Yeah, that's the one. Was a very interesting and insightful read. I appreciate it's not the exact method you were referring to, but the basic principles are the same and more importantly, the life with the car after such a conversion is going to be similar

 

[Ruddmeister]

Songman has an IHI powered LCR that has around 370bhp is that the one you mean RobM?. There is an excellent thread about it where I defy any LCR admirer to stop drooling

370Bhp is pretty extreme, but surely there must be SOMEONE that has done the JBS mega conversion and is running upwards of 450BHP?

I thought SC.net would be where I would find said turbo nutter

Nobody on an LCR AFAIK

However why stop there (400-450bhp) I think Bill's 1.8T Ibiza has 480bhp plus with further mods to come.

 

[Ruddmeister]

370Bhp is pretty extreme, but surely there must be SOMEONE that has done the JBS mega conversion and is running upwards of 450BHP?

Caney has a big turbo on his Audi TT but uses NOS to break the 400bhp barrier

Danger of cars over 450bhp is that they turn into GT35 running 'dyno queens' with stupid amounts of lag and power only in about a 2,500rpm range.

With £11k to spend I wouldn't use JBS I'd be looking to source bits myself and spec my own motor......Badger5's option for manifold and downpipe looks awesome for example.

A few ideas for bits for your ultimate 1.8T here http://www.qedpower.com/

 

[Colonelk]

I don't think I could ever get that extreme in an LCR or any hatchback. I just don't think its the right kind of car for that kind of power. If I had to have over 450BHP I'd be looking at a more aerodynamic car better suited to it, or something big and heavy like an american muscle car. A Saleen Mustang maybe. (Gibbo on the OCUK forums has a Saleen Mustang with over 535Bhp now and I must admit it looks the mutts nuts).

Sigh, I can dream can't I

 

[DPJ]

I really don't find the search tool very useful :< I whack in IHI and then get a load of posts that don't seem to ever even mention big boost, let alone IHI :<

You have to use a bit of imagination with your searches. If you put in "IHI turbo leon" for instance, the post about Songman's car is virtually at the top - as are other relevant threads.

 

[RobM]

I'd quite happily have that sort of power in a hatchback. But I'd not want it in a FWD hatchback.

If the Leon were 4WD/AWD or even RWD I'd be all for it though

 

[Ruddmeister]

I don't think I could ever get that extreme in an LCR or any hatchback. I just don't think its the right kind of car for that kind of power. If I had to have over 450BHP I'd be looking at a more aerodynamic car better suited to it, or something big and heavy like an american muscle car. A Saleen Mustang maybe. (Gibbo on the OCUK forums has a Saleen Mustang with over 535Bhp now and I must admit it looks the mutts nuts).

Sigh, I can dream can't I

Max-torque's Ibiza will be well over 500bhp but that's a slightly different beast (Not a VAG engine) also running plenty of WRC bits, RWD, anti-lag etc etc

Bill's ibiza is more a racing car these days but ~500bhp is what he is aiming at (I think), if it can race round Castle Combe in competition then it's more than a (Dyno Queen or for use on drag strips) so these cars can use the power.

Why have ~500bhp in an Ibiza or Leon well you should see the faces of Porsche, Ariel Atom, Caterham and Radical drivers when you go by them on a track day .......driver skill plays no small part in this as well

The power to weight must be awesome in an 1100kg Ibiza with over 400bhp

 

[Colonelk]

How could you get the power down quickly though with that much power in a light FWD car? Surely you would be spinning the wheels even in 3rd gear from a standing start !!

 

[Ruddmeister]

How could you get the power down quickly though with that much power in a light FWD car? Surely you would be spinning the wheels even in 3rd gear from a standing start !!

Use something like the Apexi boost controller to limit boost in gears selected, ATB Diff's etc

Light FWD cars will struggle on 0-60's but can be made to deliver power through the gears