Forum:
I have been approached by a regular customer to modify his Hi jet van. The customer spent a small fortune with us tuning his Subaru. Now he wants more poke from his work van. I would usually avoid this sort of job,but I am kind of commited now. Does anyone know if it is possible to fit a larger/more powerful engine to the existing drivetrain? Is it worthwhile trying to tune the vans existing lump? We have the facility to remap the ignition and fuelling. Are tuning parts available from anywhere? (ie. camshafts and stuff)The van is a 1300efi. We could also do with some information on alloy wheels,what sizes fit,where from etc. PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY> WE NEED HELP! D
Tricky!
Modifying anything of the hi Jet as you can guess is tricky to say the least :). From what I gather from looking about the 1300 efi engine in the Hi Jet is also in 1 or 2 Charade and Mira (Cuore) models and people do modify and tune. However the downside is that those people are mainly in Australia, and thats pretty much the old place that sells the addon bits. What is the customer willing to spend? As it could be easier just to have custom everything, or to bolt a Turbo on and run it at 10psi without replacing lots of parts or run it higher and start replacing gaskets and pretty much anything else which moves.
Thats all i can help you with. Could just fill the back of the van with ICE equipment, and have underbody lighting
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N-Reg Daihatsu Sportrak Midnight. A-Bar, K&N, 100Watt Spots, Custom S/Steel Wheel Cover, S/Steel Sillbars, more to follow!
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Hi Jet Mods
it all depends on how much your client wants as serviceable space in his van. A small V6 would squeeze in behind the cab and between the side doors an auto box for drive and that would be quite quick in a straight line but the first corner taken at any speed would be entertaining!!
The more sensible move would be to turbo and nitrous inject but again only for a straight line dash. There is not enough space to fit wider wheels all round unless the side doors are made removable. It might just be possible to fit 14" wheels and 60 section tyres but these would probably foul all the suspension members and steering gear.
The conventional tuning method of adding a beefier cam profile might be the only move that is feasible as long as the engine is blueprinted and balanced to allow higher revs.
You could look at fitting a motorcycle or Subaru "flat" engine but the torque from a bike motor might not be up to moving a ton of working van, although it would be a very interesting project getting the transmission to work could be quite protracted.
There is a Hi-Jet pick up running around the Torbay Area in Devon with wide wheels and tyres and possibly a bigger engine but it has nothing left of the original pick up bed just a custom checker plate deck and wheel arch set.
Good luck with your proje
I have seen a hi jet running
I have seen a hi jet running a fireblade engine- the problem you would have- as has been expressed here is the handling.
My first port of call would be someone to sort the suspension out- I would look at the possiblity of air bags or a light hydraulic system- Ray Verne Hydraulics would be able to do a job like this, I'd bank on a grand for the work at least.
I would also contact Z-cars who would be able to walk you through the fitting options availiable to you for a bike engine. Do not worry about the torque figures- I can assure you that if a single 'blade lump can push a hijet to 60 in 6 seconds... i would figure it would be up to the task!
If you want to stick with the standard engine I would forget about tuning it to hard - I would consider lightening the van, eg. plexiglass windows etc with a lowered center of gravity unless you want this sort of thing to happen- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osv3KiArXCI