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Smoothing out power delivery...?

SimianWonder

Guest
As you can likely tell by my low post count, I'm a relative newbie to the world of cupranet, having had my 2004 LCR for a matter of weeks. I bought it as a high-mileage relatively quick run around, a replacement for my much loved modified Ford Focus ST, and while it's a perfectly serviceable and reasonably quick car, I find the way it delivers its power a touch frustrating.

It feels a bit like a turbo diesel, in that you put your foot down, wait a few seconds then get thrown up the road by a wave of turbo charged torque. It's nothing like as progressive as the delivery of the Focus, which is making it a very hard car to love.

That's the problem; I love cars, I love fast cars, and I love hot hatches, of which the LCR is generally a pretty highly regarded example, so I should love it, but I don't. It feels very one-dimensional, not helped by the fact that as standard it sounds so anodyne.

I don't expect the 1.8T to match the five cylinder lump in the nose of the ST for aural pleasure and I realise that comparing a stock LCR to a modified ST is unfair - with that in mind I need some advice!

Firstly, what's the best way to improve the sound of the engine? Exhaust is obvious, but is there any particular induction kit that'll add a bit more character?

Secondly, would a remap of some kind help smooth out the power delivery, or would it accentuate it?
 
Hi,i had the same sort of opinion when i road tested a stock 210 lcr ...was dissapointed .The lcr is quite heavy and really does neeed a remap.I bought a remapped 225 with milltek exhaust and filter ,still doesnt sound as good as a ST but it now shifts :).
 
Before modding anything get the car checked over and have full data logging sessionwith a boost leak test carried out i no a company that will do that but can't say the name because im not aloud by forum rules. i mate a mapped st 225 look sill in my cupra r while it doesn't sound as good as the st in stage 2 form it keep an rs on its toes
 
It's all in the tune/remap: you need to find a good tuner/mapper to give you what you want with regards to power delivery. A good tuner can tailor your needs to your car.
 
I know exactly what you mean. When I bought my car it had a nuespeed p-flow and forge DV fitted but was otherwise standard. One of my first post was that I was disappointed with how laggy the engine was. Also for a relatively big turbo the boost dropped off at the top end. The power also came and when as I excellerated in spikes and drops in boost.
I was also disappointed with the car. I felt like I had to drive it as I would expected you would a big turbo Cossie from back in the day. As in having to think a head a few seconds and spool the turbo up in advance.
I then came across the B5 TIP and bought one. This made a huge differance to the character of the car. Smoothing out the power delivery and increasing the pull to the red line. I would highly recommend one. I couldn't belive the differance to a largely standard car. Have a look on the Badger5 section in the sponsors section.
 
Double-6s said:
If you're waiting a few seconds there's something wrong I'd say.
Click to expand...

I was perhaps exaggerating a touch. It's not literally a few seconds, but there's a definite and noticable pause before the power comes in. Good old fashioned turbo lag.

Before modding anything get the car checked over and have full data logging sessionwith a boost leak test carried out i no a company that will do that but can't say the name because im not aloud by forum rules
Click to expand...

Indeed. Can you PM the details?

It's all in the tune/remap: you need to find a good tuner/mapper to give you what you want with regards to power delivery. A good tuner can tailor your needs to your car.
Click to expand...

There's a Revo Technik dealer about three miles from home, I was going to pay them a visit. Revo are quite well regarded, yes?

When I bought my car it had a nuespeed p-flow and forge DV fitted but was otherwise standard...
Click to expand...

P-flow?

I was also disappointed with the car. I felt like I had to drive it as I would expected you would a big turbo Cossie from back in the day. As in having to think a head a few seconds and spool the turbo up in advance.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I can relate. Not to driving like a Cossie, I've never had the pleasure - though I did do part of my early driving in a tatty XR3i! - but having to work around the turbo lag.

I then came across the B5 TIP and bought one
Click to expand...

B5 TIP?

Oh, and thnks for the replies guys, its very much appreciated.
 
Yes, that slippery slope is what forced my hand to let the Focus go - I spend thousands on it, despite promising myself I'd keep it standard!

Thanks again for the pointers, that's exactly what I'm looking for!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
seatcupramad23 said:
Before modding anything get the car checked over and have full data logging sessionwith a boost leak test carried out i no a company that will do that but can't say the name because im not aloud by forum rules. i mate a mapped st 225 look sill in my cupra r while it doesn't sound as good as the st in stage 2 form it keep an rs on its toes
Click to expand...

Could you also pm me the company details. Thanks
 
a lcr k04 turbo should not be laggy, its a fast spooling turbo, i get no lag even with a massive intercooler, sounds like you have something wrong.
could be a faulty maf, n75 valve or good old fashioned boost leak.
or if the car is mapped then its a pikey map and in which case should have a new map asap.
 
SimianWonder said:
Yes, that slippery slope is what forced my hand to let the Focus go - I spend thousands on it, despite promising myself I'd keep it standard!
Click to expand...

lol, Sounds like My LCR. Only a map, intercooler and exhaust I promised myself.

Within 6 months, Its got KW V3's, Rear ARB, Braided lines, 3in turbo downpipe, WMI, and sat beside me I've got a GT2871r to fit...
 
sambryant said:
a lcr k04 turbo should not be laggy, its a fast spooling turbo, i get no lag even with a massive intercooler, sounds like you have something wrong.
could be a faulty maf, n75 valve or good old fashioned boost leak.
or if the car is mapped then its a pikey map and in which case should have a new map asap.
Click to expand...

Thats the response I got when I asked about the lag but it was deffinatly was there. Was your car standard when you bought it Sam?
 
yes i bought my car standard, 1 lady owner. when it was standard it was very smooth power delivery, cant say it had a big kick tbh.
 
I can't say mine had a big kick but but it took what seemed like seconds to spool up. The boost was far from smooth then dropped off. I remember regreting buying it as the power was on or off all most. I could get my head around how to drive it. Which I why I rave about the B5 TIP. It turn my car into what I was expecting it to be and more.
 
Remember though, I'm coming from a modified Focus with another 700cc, and an extra cylinder. The LCR, as stock, is around 75bhp and a whopping 140lb ft down on the car it replaces - I can't hold that against it, because the LCR cost me less than I spent on mods alone for the Focus! Yes, it was bought as a moderately entertaining run-about, but if I can do something to get a smoother drive then I'll do it.
 
But the focus is a heavy mother!!!!! I have never had a problem with turbo lag with my car. Car felt quick standard and feels quick now.

Depends how much power the focus had but I've been in one and it was a let down tbh. The LCR is deceptively smooth. The engine is bullet proof too.


Sent from my iPhone
 
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