RR Vogue 4.6 & Tornado Chip?

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Hanoverian

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Hi All,

I've got a 2000 X Reg Vogue, currently unmodified in any way, with 76K and no (touch wood!) problems, I had considered LPG converting it, but I'm curious about investigating installing a Tornado chip. I've seen them priced around £600, I wouldn't say cash is no object, but I'm happy to invest the money if I get the results.

I've seen a few posts on here but no one's really said that they've had one fitted, and how they've found it, whether it was worthwhile. I've not made a concerted effort to work out the MPG as I've done fairly mixed driving...according to the trip its 17.5 mpg.

I will be spending quite a bit of time towing a horse trailer, if that makes a difference.

Any suggestions?
 
I have fitted a pair of tornado chips and I am very happy with them, they are more like 800 quid though.
 
Your 2000MY is a Thor engine. These can't be chipped unfortunately.

I've had a set of performance Tornado chips in since about 2005. You can make up a mile to the gallon or so with them, and power delivery is slightly better, but to be honest, you may be better initially spending the 800 on a pair of modified heads. Then consider the Tornado modification combined with a set of the Bosch performance injectors. Then you will see a difference.

Well actually, you won't, because you have the Motronic 5.2.1 engine management.
 
WSLR said:
Your 2000MY is a Thor engine. These can't be chipped unfortunately.

I've had a set of performance Tornado chips in since about 2005. You can make up a mile to the gallon or so with them, and power delivery is slightly better, but to be honest, you may be better initially spending the 800 on a pair of modified heads. Then consider the Tornado modification combined with a set of the Bosch performance injectors. Then you will see a difference.

Well actually, you won't, because you have the Motronic 5.2.1 engine management.
Click to expand...

So basically nothing can be done with it? Do you have any suggestions or advice? Much appreciated as I know little about the P38 full stop.
 
On the engine management side - no. As far as I am aware, I don't believe the Thor engine can be modified. Just the earlier GEMS or the Lucas systems.

If you wanted to raise the torque, firstly make sure the car is running properly (i.e. the sensors are working, HT leads are working) and make sure the car is serviced and greased properly.

Then consider modified heads if need be. Turners do standard gas flowed heads offering a mild improvement in power. If you are flush, there are the Merlin F85 heads from Real Steel or call V8Developments to see what they can offer. Problem is that once you start modifying one area of the engine, you need to start modifying the rest at some point. This gets expensive (but can be loads of fun!)

You should have plenty of torque available with the V8 petrol anyway. If you have problems towing, then maybe there is an underlying issue elsewhere.

And don't LPG it. That has its own set of problems. Keep the money for repairs in the future or spend it now on a replacement set of airsprings or replace the cooling system.
 
WSLR said:
On the engine management side - no. As far as I am aware, I don't believe the Thor engine can be modified. Just the earlier GEMS or the Lucas systems.

If you wanted to raise the torque, firstly make sure the car is running properly (i.e. the sensors are working, HT leads are working) and make sure the car is serviced and greased properly.

Then consider modified heads if need be. Turners do standard gas flowed heads offering a mild improvement in power. If you are flush, there are the Merlin F85 heads from Real Steel or call V8Developments to see what they can offer. Problem is that once you start modifying one area of the engine, you need to start modifying the rest at some point. This gets expensive (but can be loads of fun!)

You should have plenty of torque available with the V8 petrol anyway. If you have problems towing, then maybe there is an underlying issue elsewhere.

And don't LPG it. That has its own set of problems. Keep the money for repairs in the future or spend it now on a replacement set of airsprings or replace the cooling system.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice...I've no problems with it towing...it pulls steadily and effortlessly pretty much regardless of slope. Without the trailer attached it sits happily at 90 on the motorway and accelerates well, about the only only thing wrong is the aircon, and I'm pretty certain that's just a case of re-gassing, I'll get it looked at when I next get the chance.

At the moment its spending a fair amount of time parked up (I'm outside the UK at the moment), but I've got a friend giving it a regular run out to keep it ticking over.
 
if you are gonna lpg it you must get a multipoint system, the older singlepoint ones are crap. i bought a gems 4.0 with lpg. the singlepoint it came with strangled the car of power. and caused backfiring. the air intake is reduced from 70mm to 45mm to mix the gas! -took it off, and it went better. retro fitted a secondhand multipoint zavoli system and it went better. fitted a pair of RPI chips, and it was better. even better after a freeflow stainless exhaust, and k+n and it was as quick as a 4.6. easy -- not kidding. the chips take their time to learn the engine's readings and adjust. unlike the standard chips that fight against any expensive improvements. you should use them on a non converted car too. but yes, they cost £700. also reworking a pair of secondhand heads will just make things superb, match the ports to the gasket holes, (they are ridiculously overcast) grind out the intakes, the car will be giddy on air! the chips will smile at you.
 
I have a 4.6 which was converted to LPG 50k ago and not a problem but as was mentioned make sure you get a quality multipoint system if you do it - you will find that on this forum every topic has those for and against do your research and make your own mind up
Good luck
 
sandyt said:
I have a 4.6 which was converted to LPG 50k ago and not a problem but as was mentioned make sure you get a quality multipoint system if you do it - you will find that on this forum every topic has those for and against do your research and make your own mind up
Good luck
Click to expand...

Thanks Sandy..I had posted previously about whether to LPG or not, realised that there were very strong opinions about it. I had looked into it via this and a couple of other forums etc. I was/am considering a Prins or OMVL multi point sequential system, although I haven't yet found anyone who's had the conversion done on the same Y/M as mine (X Reg)
 
On the LPG front I have got a Y plate 4.6 running on a Zavolli system for about 18 months and runs well, not had any issues with it as yet, also got a friend running a 4.0 on a Zavolli setup he has had that 4 or so years and other than regular servicing he hasn't had any issues with it.
 
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