Get more hp on 208 Turbo Intercooler

Good evening everyone,
I’m Lorenzo from Italy and I own a 1987 208 Turbo Intercooler.
The car goes very well, but I’d like to have some extra hp.
Somebody told me it’s pretty easy get more hp from this engine, because it has been limited compared to its true potential.
In your opinion, it would be a better solution work on car original turbo and wastegate, adding some pressure, or change turbo and intercooler with bigger/better ones?
I think also an oversized radiator could help.
If anyone could share his opinion it would be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

Add boost and more fuel. Not sure what the stock turbo can put out but I would certainly find out if it was my car and go from there. Alternatively put a 308 engine in it and transfer the turbo parts

 

Thank you for your suggestion.
I would be intrigued to convert my car in a 3 liters turbocharged, but it would be no more original.
I’d prefer to work on turbo and intercooler, because in any case would be something reversibile and car will remain original.

 

If I were to do a modification like that I always make sure the original parts remain and that its reverseable. And originality only really matters if you plan to sell it. I have a 77 308 GTB Im going to extensively modify because why not? Im not saving it for the next guy, my kids can fight over it when Im in a jar on the mantle.

 

It makes sense.
I have no plan to sell the car.

 

Parla con Alberto-Lp. He is the euro turbo guy

 

Hello,
I have also a 1988 Turbo intercooler for 12 years now!
Great cars!
Before thinking about making any modifications to the engine, you must be sure that your engine/turbo/waist gate is working correctly.
For example in the first 4 gears, how much boost do you get? (under full acceleration) and what is your boost in the 5th gear? (under full acceleration)
Many of these cars over the years had their waist gates tempered!
Because of this, some cars boost lower, and some cars boost very high putting their engines in danger.
I drove different cars (of this model), and the results varied greatly!
In the first 4 gears, a boost around .9 is good! and in the fifth gear a boost of 1 (or 1.1) BUT never 1.2. (The light in the boost gauge must never light, if it does don't drive the car at high boost for long and visit your mechanic).
If your car boosts lower then you can adjust the waist gate to get the above numbers (that I believe are the original factory setup)
Thanks
Dinos

 

Hello Dinos,
boost is very similar to your description.
Gauge arrives very easily at 0,9/1,1 in all gears.
Wastegate is ok, it has been checked during last service.

 

Hi Lorenzo,
It seems that your car is fine!
We are lucky that we have one of the most reliable Ferrari models (pre-2000s) and my opinion is that we should not sacrifice the reliability that we have for a few more horses......
I drove intercooler models with around 300 hp (around 1.3 boost) and they have a little kick more at the top end than our own....... but I believe that Ferrari had a perfect ratio of Power vs Reliability with this model ! and it does not worth to risk it!
Ciao
Dinos

 

I agree with you.
I drive my Turbo once at week outside the city (highway or similar) and I always treat her very well.
I would say 90% of my drive is under 3000 rpm, so turbo is not involved, remaining 10% I drive her pretty hard, because I enjoy it and I know the engine need also a little of drive at high rpm.
So…I enjoy my car very much, but on the other hand I would like to know how it’s possible to make 10% of my drive more fun

 

If most driving is lower rpm then displacement is you friend. Maybe consider fitting bigger bore liners and a 360 crank or similar. Or maybe switching to a modern twin scroll turbo which should get you boost a bit sooner.

 

My BMW have a twin scroll sistem and boost is good since low rpm. And no turbo lag. However I think to install twin scroll I need to change a lot of things, first of all I think it would be necessary to install an ECU.

 

[QUOTE="Lorenz80, post: 149537000, member: 285897" However I think to install twin scroll I need to change a lot of things, first of all I think it would be necessary to install an ECU.[/QUOTE]
Why? The CIS uses a mechanical mass flow sensor so if you bring the boost in sooner it should do the right thing. Personally I think step 1 is remove the cis, but if you want to keep it stock looking it should would.

 

Why? The CIS uses a mechanical mass flow sensor so if you bring the boost in sooner it should do the right thing. Personally I think step 1 is remove the cis, but if you want to keep it stock looking it should would.[/QUOTE]

I didn’t know that. I thought for a twin scroll turbo ECU was necessary.
Good to know.