We run a thorough diagnosis to ensure the car is performing as it should. Once we're happy, we re-map the ECU.

Our enhanced engine management code is the result of hundreds of hours of testing on road and track to gain the optimum performance for the car whilst still well within the realms of safety and longevity for the engine.

Specifically for the VX220 NA, we have raised the rev limit to 6800 rpm (from 6250) which allows greater use of the wider power band (and you can get to 60mph in 2nd rather than 3rd if you like to measure your car that way). Each gear ratio has been specifically mapped to generate maximum torque throughout the rev range and as much linear power delivery as possible. The difference to a standard car is dramatic.

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TMS Stage 1 Re-Map: £250

We designed & developed the Milltek Sport Exhaust System. Our design aims were to gain more power throughout the rev range, reduce weight and produce a more aggressive noise.

The exhaust is supplied with a pre-cat replacement pipe, mated to a 200 Cell sports cat, then a lighter, stainless steel rear silencer completes the system.

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TMS Stage 1 Re-Map: £250
Milltek Sport Exhaust: £1,135.00

The next stage for the NA VX220 is minor engine work. By fitting higher duration/higher lift cams along with a gas flowed head the engine is transformed. It spins up much, much faster and revs far more easily. The good news that this kind of tuning is still relatively straight forward and is relatively un-invasive for the engine and associated parts. Both torque and peak power are increased extensively but not at the loss of engine durability or driveability.

We only use the Schrick kit which includes cams, valve springs, caps and collets as the performance gains are a clear improvement over a simple cam swap, which we used to offer.

The addition of the double valve springs and complete re-build allows us to run a higher rev limit without fear of buzzing the engine (which we found to happen with just cam upgrades). Whilst the addition of the full top end does increase the cost, it also increases the longevity and reliability of the conversion. We can still do this conversion without this kit but would advise against it. Time in workshop – 4 days.

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Schrick Racing Camshafts: £POA

Developed over two years in conjunction with Webcon this is the ultimate progression to enhance power from the 2.2 engine and still keep the perfect power delivery that only normally aspirated engines can give. Replacing the single throttle body assembly with separate throttle bodies is the time honoured way of increasing power without affecting natural normally aspirated power delivery. The car is literally transformed, low and mid range torque and power remain similar to the standard car but 4500rpm (where the standard car starts to tail off) the throttle bodies literally drive the power ever further; driving a throttle body car is a very different experience to a standard VX220.

Stage 4 at the Wheels

Stage 4 at the Flywheel

Being blunt, if low down grunt and lazy power is your aim then look elsewhere, the throttle body conversion is about high revving stupidity, if you thrash your car then this conversion is aimed exactly at you. The electronic throttle is removed and replaced with a cable throttle and mirrors identically the throttle feel and travel of the Elise (it should do, we borrowed the design) so former Elise owners will be well versed in the feel. The cars ECU is retained (to run the rev counter) but otherwise is completely replaced by the Alpha N unit which comes complete with its own loom and is 'plug and play'.

Here is our first Throttle Bodied car lapping Croix circuit in France, April 2009.
(The car was lapping the circuit 2 seconds quicker than it's supercharged counterpart!)

Of course there is also the noise, nothing sounds like a throttle body car, at low rpm the car barks and rumbles like a pure race car and you'll find yourself blipping the throttle everywhere just to hear it. At high rpm the sound is simply intoxicating and you'll be holding higher gears just to hear it (let alone the linear power delivery). The cars rev limit is programmable but we raise it to 6800rpm (with a hard cut at 7000) so basically you can finally say you got the car off the clock as the VX220 rev counter only goes round to 7000 anyway!

Installation typically takes 3 days but we like to have the car for a week to make sure, however the kit is also available as a self instalation with complete fitting instructions, a decent home mechanic could fit it in a a weekend.

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TMS ITB Kit: £2,749
TMS Eq. Length Mani.: £1,049
Schrick Racing Camshafts: £POA

The Schrick racing cams are well proven in the excellent power increase and drive ability and whilst the 2.2 head is hardly poor a proper gas flowing and decent porting will exploit every available hose power. The combination of these two attributes already grace our stage 3 conversion so add the throttle body kit makes a tremendous difference.

The Schrick cams are a complete top engine re-build with double valve springs, caps and collets so we're able to raise the rev limit further to 7400rpm and even then power is still climbing all the way over 8000 (where frankly we bottled it). Driving one of these conversions is like sailing, you don't get the harsh push that you get with forced induction as akin to a motorboat it's more a wave of effortless drive that feels endless and encourages you just to keep going and going.

Oh yes, they also sound stunning, think of the nicest sounding Caterham and you're about right - thats throttle bodies.

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Currently our ultimate level of tuning for the VX220 NA and still in testing. All we're doing now is strengthening the bottom end and we'll be going for 250-275BHP - whatever is possible.

The four branch manifold is a work of art and on its own generates 8-10bhp on even a bog standard car. Developed in conjunction with Primary Designs who are best known for their work on F1, F3000 and GP2 cars the design brief was simple. The 2.2 already had decent torque levels (it was designed with torque in mind) but to gain upper end power more akin to a sports car a 4 into 1 manifold is needed. The crucial concept is that each branch must be of identical length to maximise power and airflow which is no easy feat considering the lack of space to work in.

The design is perfect, it bolts straight onto a Milltek cat section without modification, requires no cutting to the clam in any way and has shown to be one of the best ways to gain power on any configuration of VX220 NA, in fact we're kicking ourselves we didn't do this earlier! On a standard NA it gained 12bhp, on a stage 2 it gained 10bhp on a stage 3 it gained 8bhp - this is one of the most consistent methods of gaining power we've ever seen.

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