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Although the 1.2 8v engine is rated at 65bhp, all the ones we got on the chassis dyno and on other dynos showed more likely 75bhp as standard when run in properly. Since it is advanced over the 176 series engine with 73bhp it is not out of this world with the actual performance figures and the weight.
The 1.4 8v engine in real terms is around 85bhp after run in well.
Both engines benefit from a re-map. The reponse increases, fuel consumption decreases and performance changes noticably.
The 1.2 reaches with above showed induction and re-map about 85bhp and peak torque increases by well over 15%. The low end torque increases even by up to 45%
The same modifications (induction and re-map) increase peak power to nearly 100bhp with a peak torque increase of over 12% and bottom end torque is increasing by up to 50%.
The nice thing on these 2 modifications is that it doesn't take long to do them. And both are easily reversable.
The next step to improve power is to replace the rear silencer or back box with a performance back box. This potentially gives 3-5bhp more peak power. Back boxes are one of the worst performance killers in these days.
This is still fairly easy to reverse if ever needed and is a DIY job.
To change the whole exhaust system things are getting expensive. The gains over the back box might not warrant the expense.
Preferably the catalytic converter should not be in the manifold (or header). But this might not be possible due to homologation regulation.
If homologation requirements force the cat to be where it is in the OE system then things get expensive and compolicated. Unfortunately the cat in the manifold situation is killing as much as 5bhp performance potential.
A cheaper option to gain power is a re-profiled camshaft.
TBC | 
25th March 2010, 15:52
