Originally Posted By Hamwich
Originally Posted By Gambalunga
I would imagine that it would not be that easy to get 250bhp out of the sigma 1.6. My feeling is that you would finish up with a track day or race engine that would not be that practical for road use: not much torque at low revs. Also to cope with that output you would need to upgrade the wheels and tyres.


I quite agree, Peter. My 4/4 doesn't have a Sigma engine, but at 165bhp I feel it gives plenty of usable performance that doesn't overwhelm the chassis and tyres.

I prefer a car in which I can drive enthusiastically and in which I can provoke a power oversteer when I try, rather than a car in which I'm always having to be careful and might power oversteer if I'm inattentive.


To get interesting power from the Sigma engine, one would have to use the Eco boost option, but good power from these starts at 268bhp @ 6250 with 257lbs/ft @ 3000 going up to a massive 354bhp @6500 with 327lbs/ft at only 3300 and even as low as 2759rpm it is producing 235 lbs/ft. As far as I can find out, the Roadster 'only' has 280bhp at 6000rpm and 280lbs/ft.

Those are truly impressive figures. Can you imagine that little engine in the 4/4? Suitably upgraded of course, but not stupidly so. See here: http://www.sbdev.co.uk/EcoBoost/EcoBoost_information.html

Start down the road of heavily tuning a 4/4 and you finish up with something else. It would finish up being the 1.6 litre version of the Baby Doll. That may be what you want, if so have fun.

Actually, because todays modern engines are so far ahead of anything else we've had, more efficient and smaller, I don't think this would be the case Peter, with traditional tuning, such as you've done with your car, you are right, but modern torque strong, small turbo engines are just so different.

With that sort of torque and the low weight of the 4/4, it would be even better than the roadster I fancy, and probably for less money. Ken, how about it?

BTW, I heard a whisper the other day, that the factory were considering a limited run of ARP4 style cars, with coil spring rear suspension, but fitted with the 3.7 Cyclone engine and different trim. This could be way off the mark of course, but it will be interesting to see if this finally materialises.


Paul
[At last, I have a car I can polish]