Power boost valves"
The good news and the bad news
These devices are basically adjustable fuel pressure regulators; of course if they called
them that, they wouldn't sell any! Having said that, they are useful for the purpose of
enriching part load mixture, but only on cars built before 1993. Anything built after that
will have a Lambda sensor, which is an oxygen sensor fitted in the exhaust down pipe.
This device controls the mixture via a closed loop system, to very fine limits, which means
that your fuel pressure regulator will be trying to enrich the mixture, while the oxy sensor
will be making sure it does no such thing. The net result is a waste of money;
so don't fit one on your post '93 car…..
On the power increase front, it's worth mentioning the principle behind virtually all
performance improvements. Basically, the engine sucks! …it's a big vacuum pump,
which sucks in air, mixes it with fuel, ignites the mix with a spark, and uses that
rapid gas expansion (combustion) to drive down the piston…(.suck-squeeze-BANG- blow…out
the exhaust … )
Now, if you can allow more air to flow through the engine, and then add the correct mix
and spark timing, you can get more power. The trick is to identify those areas where the
gas flow is being restricted by design failings, and then modify them to obtain an improvement.
i.e. stronger suck, tighter squeeze, bigger BANG, faster flow out the tailpipe….
The quick tweak is often air filters, where the manufacturer finds it hard to design a
good flowing air filter that isn't noisy…. if you don't mind the noise, you can change
the filter…. sometimes…you get more power. Also modified fuelling and timing can yield
improvements over the original figures due to emission regulations and fuel consumption
requirements - which is where superchips come in. Apart from the above, you are into more
radical tweaks to cam timing and head design, which will invariably cost you flexibility
in return for more power further up the rev. range. Turbos are a different story!
On the offer front, we have a selection of Stainless exhaust systems, built specially for
Turbo Technics, for various vehicles, including Peugeot 205 gti's and Escort RS Turbos.
I can't believe we haven't sold these, as they are inexpensive, and very well made. We also have
a big selection of intercoolers, for those who like a challenge on the Turbo-it-Yourself front.
We have now taken on a UNICHIP dealership, ideal for those whose cars are radically modified,
and need to bring the timing and fuelling back into line. These very clever devices can do an
amazing range of tasks, including controlling ignition retard and boost fuelling for turbo cars,
just ring for details.
ALAN JEFFERY
Tel: 01752 345880
