Daz34

RS Grant

Ok, a friend of mine is thinking of upgrading from his VTR Saxo to a VTS.

He has been offered a LAD converted VTS, claiming 160bhp with upgraded brakes, suspension etc.

What I want to know is how good/bad are LAD conversions?

I have heard bad things, but were they isolated incidents or are they widely known for having "optomistic" power claims?

Reliability wise how are they?

Thanks in advance...

Cheers,
Grant

LG John

No direct experience but LAD conversions are known to be waaaaaaaaaaaaaay off in terms of the power! www.saxosportsclub.co.uk - The guys will know for sure. If he is going to buy it don't pay much if any extra for the mods.

pugoetru

maybe 140 hp dought 160

Daz34

Have read some reviews where LAD converted Saxos, Clios etc actually have less power than standard models. They have a reputation for being way off the mark with figures.

Eatpies

im aiming to have my VTS around 170bhp very soon, rough spec below

Omega High Compression pistons
Extensive headwork (including dual valve springs)
Kent PT52 cams
Jenvy 40mm throttle bodies with special trumpets and airbox
Omex management
BTB 4-1 manifold
BTB full tuned exhaust system

Im hoping with the above ill hit a REAL 170bhp or 140bhp+@wheels. LAD basically provide headwork and other basic mods, which are good in quality but cannot give you huge gains

Eatpies

Infact, if you all remember MAX POWER a few years back, it had one of the first LAD 160bhp saxo's, he then went to another well respected tuner and went on rolling road, to find he only put out 96bhp @ wheels, which is a low standard figure (mine put out 106bhp@wheels standard at same place)

Daz34

Why don't you sell your saxo & get a Clio Sport? You get 170bhp to begin with then

LG John

why do that when a standard saxo can pretty much keep up with the clio sport A legit n/a 170hp vts would batter even a cup so a 172 sport would have no chance.

<can of worms now open>

Patt@firstime

PMSL @ Saxo Boy

Is your flame suit done up tight mate?

LG John

You all know I can back it up so lets not even go there

Eatpies

lol i have your back Saxoboy!!

LG John

Lets move down river eatpies, I think I can see a few rises over there

LG John

The Saxo figure is old and if I remember autocar originally figured the clio 172 at something stupid like 8.3s to 60......do you want me to quote that or will we accept that the clio they tested was somewhat tight.

*cough*15.3s*cough*

P.S. That's a nibble eatpies........wait for the swallow before striking

Eatpies

LOL
try a 15.0s 1/4mile standard whoaaaaa
at the end of the day were comparing a 1.6 to a 2.0l remember....
im more than happy with the 1.6's performance

Daz34

And Saxo's are so common....every baseball cap wearing,max power reading(pics only obviously) wideboy has one nowadays. Clio Sports are Soooo much more exclusive

LG John

By who and where? This had better not be a 'back seats removed' jobby!

I knew I should have kept that car to try for the 15.0 mark! I actually saw it the other day and I was sooooooooooo tempted to pull the guy over and ask to buy it back. The only downer is that I remember him checking out the ashtray because he'd smoke in the car

LG John

Ever get the feeling the fish just stuck a hook through a tasty kabab and a bottle of bud then tossed it up onto the shore

Daz34

Nah. I am the one holding the rod mate

LG John

That what I'm saying We are both fishing...I think there might be a Farside sketch with what I describe above

Eatpies

lol York race way mate, yes backseats were out lol but they way all of a packet of crisps (build quality)!
i know every young baseball cap driver has one, but so do i, and im currently saving for my new car (which ill be buying mid next year) so i want something fast for now, but with the money ive spent on it so far (Grp N tarmac spec Bilsteins and 4 pot brakes) it seemed stupid to sell now and get sumthing slightly faster.
oh and i think craggy got a sub 15s 1/4 standard lol he's now running 14.5 with full exhaust and green enclosed filter!!

LG John

15.0 is quite common with the seats, etc out. George did it for one (prior to NOS'ing). Last time I talked to Craggy on MSN I'm pretty sure I raised the 15.3 and he hadn't beaten it when standard. I really don't believe that my car or Craggy's is any different from other Saxos'. They certainly aren't bad examples but the do show what can be acheived if you REALLY thrash the car. It doesn't have a lot of torque to hide bad gearchanging or changing at the right time. You need to drive it 100% right to get the performance and you also need to resist the temptation to put 200kg of audio equipment and baseball hats in it

Eatpies

agree completely, keep it in the power (ie. above 5000rpm) and you fly

Rich and Mini

Mine goes alright for a 1.6

Would a Green induction kit add any BHP? As in just a £90 jobbie, not a £150+ one. Mine's an '01 VTS, just want a bit more poke and noise really...

Showed a Clio 16v how it's done the other night, not come up against a 172, yet.

Rich

Eatpies

go for the £150 enclosed one mate, thats what i had on my car. Much better with the cold air than the open one sucking in all that hot air around engine bay