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All,
Ok, after months of me teasing you with juicy tidbits here and there, it's
here. Tim from ND has posted his announcement on all relevant lists. I now
have consent to stand on my soapbox and tell everything (thanks Tim, I was
wondering if you were ever going public...).
As per Tim's post, he will offer the VR6 Eaton kit built and designed by
Rick Rimmer from Colorado. Rick has done many engines with the Eaton unit,
and has done kits for many OEMs (Chrysler/Jeep/GM/Rover/etc.). His Rover
kit is reviewed in Four-Wheeler magazine, recently. He is currently
involved with OEMs in doing concept cars and many other projects.
The Eaton unit is bulletproof, and is designed to self-lubricate for over
100,000 miles. The kit will utilise the Model 62 (62 c.i.) , and will make
good use of Eaton's vacuum operated by-pass valve. The by-pass valve is
beautiful in function. When off throttle, the valve is open and the engine
operates as normal (blower consumes about 1hp). Stomp the throttle, and the
valve slams shut...hang on for the instant power. NO LAG. High boost levels
are found at low rpms (due to the design of a positive-displacement Roots
type blower like the Eaton). Centrifugal blowers compress the air charge
using inertia. As the impeller spins, it flings air particles outward due
to centrifugal force. This increases the density as rpms increase. Result?
Max boost at max rpms, but....boost is in direct proportion to rpms.
Example: let's say a centrifugal blower makes 8psi at 6800 rpms on the VR6.
At only 3400 rpms, the boost will be 4psi, at 1750 rpms..boost is a dismal
2psi. How does this affect you? A flat bottom end...until about 4k rpm,
then a peaky hang on rush of power. No peaky power band with the Eaton,
just steady hard pull from the start.
No irritating whine. More like a 'whire' sound. The helical swept rotors in
the Eaton reduce excessive noise levels, but it's just loud enough to
remind you (and other stoplight warriors) where the power is coming from.
Rimmer Engineering will be performing mods to the intake manifold to allow
for proper mounting of the blower (it will sit close to the back of the
engine above the exhaust manifold). This will be a core-charge item done on
an exchange basis. This also ensures both OBD I & OBD II are supported.
Brackets will be CNC machined to allow for timely inventory of kit items.
An intercooler is the next stage, but is not included at this time. This
will be designed after initial release of the kit. Boost levels are
currently being tested as I write. Starting from 5-7psi, and possibly
higher. This should gross output between 250-280hp at the crank. We'll see,
it's in testing. The throttle body will be moved about 10" from the stock
position. Side draft air filter will be the intake.
Other options include custom headers included with the kit. As with Rimmer
Engineering's Rover (already approved), and Jeep kits(pending approval),
CARB Exemption is expected. Like Tim said, $3995 for the VR6 kit. Testing
is being done in a GTI currently. Corrado testing will be done by yours
truly, in the near future.
Install time should be about 5-8 hours with average hand tools. I will
install my own kit, and provide ample feedback to ND, and Rimmer
Engineering, and you will benefit from my experience. As things develop,
and more data comes up, I will post it.
Rimmer Engineering is also developing the Beetle SC kit exclusively for ND.
So there you have it. Rimmer builds it, TT distributes the 4-cyl kit, ND
distributes the VR6 kit, and Rimmer is doing a Beetle kit for ND as well.
Rimmer Engineering's web site is posted in Tim's announcement. An article
about the 4-cyl kit will be published In European Car magazine (written by
Mr. Sly of course) in an upcoming issue.
Jason
'93 SLC
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