More Power

[ChasesDragons]

I had an email exchange with "Diesel Bob", a wee while back. He actually makes ECUs/Piggy backs for our Surfs. Very polite person.

I was thinking of dragging my lunk in for a complete engine tune/Injector check by him, as he is practically over the river from me.

I would love to hear your experiences wih him.

Udhi

[andy_enuff]

Also thinking of this - anyone had any experience of Bob ?

[Micky B]

Diesel Bob.

I am in talks with this chap, very helpful and polite. He does'nt make the piggyback boxes for the Surf himself (the LN130 anyway) and apparantly his supplier is giving him greif over the pricing of them. I will contact him again this week and let you know the outcome.

BTW, Van Aaken do not do an upgrade for the Surf LN130.

[AndyLala]

My experience of Van Aaken (with the LN130 - 2LTE) was that they were rather arrogant...

They swore blind it (LN1230) didn't have an ECU and so they couldn't do very much... Mind you, in their defence, they weren't quite sure what a LN130 (Surf) was... "Oh, an import... Hmmm"

Very disappointed with their customer service... or lack of it.
Parhaps "Diesel Bob" might be more receptive...

andyL

[ChasesDragons]

Van Aaken were quite helpful with me. The guy who I spoke to spent about 15 mins explaining the different kinds of fuelling beween the different Toyota big 4s. He also described how to identify an electrically controlled injection pump and manual etc.

This was for the 3.0l KZN130 version, though.

The killing point was the price at about 600 fitted for their modules. Bobster quoted almost half, although the company doesnt have the same high profile as VA (Journals and reviews).

There is another Diesel Performance centre in Chorley, Lancashire who I spoke to. They were advertising in a diesel car magazine. Any experiences?


Udhi

[Micky B]

Just been on the 'phone to Diesel Bob and he is sending me a performance upgrade box for my 2.4td efi Surf for the princely sum of £275+VAT including delivery. Watch this space for a report on the box when it is received and fitted.

[dirtydog]

good going micky b - let us know how it goes.

[UKWolf]

good going micky b - let us know how it goes.

Indeed

Ali

[Forest Pete]

there is no need to go more than 2-2 1/4" exhast as this will handle up to 600 BHP as long as its free flowing.

[Snoop]

Has anyone tried Stealth Systems in Southampton for a stainless exhaust quote? We've used them in the past for custom systems and their work is absolute quality without costing the earth. For her 306 I bought Lottie a 3" full stainelss system for her birthday last year with the tailpipe customised in the shape of a 5 point star (5 point stars are her thing!) and it was about £340. It looks I haven't got the number to hand now but if anyone is interested I'll find it and post it.

[Micky B]

Got my upgrade box from Diesel Bob yesterday (Fri). Fitted it as per the enclosed instructions but it doesn't work. I was in contact with Bob several times during the day, but we can't work out why it won't go. He is trying to contact his supplier but they are not being very co-operative at the moment.
Will keep you posted.

[Micky B]

Diesel Bob is a God.

Bob rang me this morning and now the power upgrade is sorted. The difference in power/torque is amazing. The upgrade is adjustable, so you can set it up to your needs, eg. after fitting an intercooler.
I cannot thank this man enough for his help in fitting the upgrade.
www.dieselbob.co.uk

He can also upgrade your injectors to cope with the extra fuel being pushed through under heavy pulling (next item on my list).

[Steadi]

Upgrades

Hi

Just replaced a particularly loud boy racer exhaust with a 2 1/2 inch Stainless from Longlife exhausts www.exhausts.uk.com

You take the car in... tell them how loud or quiet you want it, then a whole load of stainless pipe bending and welding goes on, they even make up their own freeflow silencers on the spot to match the available space under the truck.

Two hours later and you drive out with an exhaust that will last longer than the Surf... for just £253 + VAT at the moment.

I then sold the loud exhaust on ebay and got £80 back!

regarding engine upgrades I have been talking to Andrew Graham at Allisport www.allisport.com who is offering a similar Intercooler/ecu/turbo tweek deal.

They are being a bit more conservative in their power estimate at plus 40% which works out at 182 BHP for my SSR-G (from 130 BHP). The price they have quoted me is better than other quotes on this thread so its worth talking to them even though they dont claim that magic 200 BHP.

Looking at the Australian article on the first posting and the Allard related postings there seems to be little difference in what Allisport are offering so maybe I'll get lucky.

I'm dropping in tomorrow on the way to a job to have the upgrade done... They are even letting me play with their Landrover Discovery for a couple of days while I'm at work..... will let you know how they get on.

Mike

[dirtydog]

excellent stuff, what silencers did they put back? 2.5" all the way through? any pics mate cos I was thinking about them but have heard mixed reviews.

[SmurfX]

Mounted at the front. Hopefully with the big bore exhaust the lag should not be too noticeable! I am off to powerflow tomorrow for a quote on a big bore exhaust - I'll let you know the damage!
Cheers,
Tim.

Hi guys, interesting thread... just popped over from the Aussie site.

With a front mount intercooler you are going to get turbo lag regardless of the size of the exhaust which is not what you want on an offroad beast. A bodylift will give you the room needed for a top mount intercooler, which will do great things for your power.

In my opinion there's nothing wrong with the power coming out of the 3LTD, it's perfect for the size of the car... after a couple of small mods that is. I've fitted a 3" mandrel bend system right through my Surf recently and it has made a BIG difference to power... plus the obvious improvement in the exhaust note. Don't suppose it's relevant to you guys, but as an indication I paid AUD$600 for my custom system (about £250 I think?)... took a full day to be made.