track day activa

davoxx · Unread post by **davoxx** » 05 May 2011, 22:14

on my dream car lists - a seriously fast well handling car - but can it be an activa??

(i know a stiffer lowered car would be faster on track - but i hate having to slow down for speed ramps

)

so my question is say on a 10k limit can i get a wickedly fast track day car out of an activa (which weighs in at 1420kg)?

i probably won't do it (money and all) but i'm trying to come up with a mental plan of what i'd do and how.

so first of i'd convert it to rear wheel drive (messy wielding) and stick in a bmw m5 or other fast engine. - 7k-ish

but then i'd have to stick the pump on ... so i was thinking an c5 electric pump. - < 500quid

wider wheels at rear - and brake upgrades - 2k-ish

but i'd still use the activa ecu.

ideas and comments please

(also i could get this for 10k i'd imagine

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 05 May 2011, 22:20

While I would very much like to do a track day or two with my Activa, and I probably will, it wouldn't be my overall choice for a track day car.

Though it would be an interesting choice if you could pull it all off. Not sure about swapping it to a RWD mind

davoxx · Unread post by **davoxx** » 05 May 2011, 22:25

Citroenmad wrote:While I would very much like to do a track day or two with my Activa, and I probably will, it wouldnt be my overall choice for a track day car.

Though it would be an interesting choice if you could pull it all off. Not sure about swapping it to a RWD mine

not my first choice either, but damn it, it would be funny to race around an xantia

also seeing as how i have not won the lotto, i won't get my first choice either

i was thinking rwd for weight balance - also allows bigger engine to be place into car. thinking logically i'd have to destroy two activas for this one for front suspension and one for rear (gasp!!) the rally xantia was 4x4 and looks freaking awesome

davoxx · Unread post by **davoxx** » 05 May 2011, 22:33

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 05 May 2011, 22:41

I'm sure someone can dig out the youtube vid of the Activa spanking the pants off a classic Ferarri on a bend during a race day.
The squealing may be from the Activa's tyres, but then again, it could be from the driver out of sheer delight

Bigger intercooler, bigger turbo, remap etc (speak to Gareth as I believe he turned one of Jim's ex-activas into a rather sportier version).

Or convert it to a V6 and remap.
Add a NOX kit too.

Remember, the V6 Activa has yet to be beaten in the Moose test.

davoxx · Unread post by **davoxx** » 05 May 2011, 22:46

Xac wrote:I'm sure someone can dig out the youtube vid of the Activa spanking the pants off a classic Ferarri on a bend during a race day.
The squealing may be from the Activa's tyres, but then again, it could be from the driver out of sheer delight

Bigger intercooler, bigger turbo, remap etc (speak to Gareth as I believe he turned one of Jim's ex-activas into a rather sportier version).

Or convert it to a V6 and remap.
Add a NOX kit too.

Remember, the V6 Activa has yet to be beaten in the Moose test.

so you reckon the original engine is better? what about fwd vs rwd?

any idea the hp Gareth got?

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 05 May 2011, 23:07

Gareth changed the turbo on his S2 Activa to increase performance. I don't know the ins and outs but its all in his blogs thread. Though I seem to remember him commenting that the one I have now (another of Gareths) is just as quick without that mod.

Dean has done a good few performance upgrades to his Activa, might be worth seeking out his blogs thread.

Obviously as close you can keep the car to a standard configuration the lower costs are going to be.

Ive not looked into what can be done to an Activa to make it quicker, its not something im too interested in, but I hear it can exceed 200bhp without bother.

They handle well as a FWD, RWD might give you some advantages but its a massive undertaking to make it RWD.

I guess you have watched the youtube videos of virtually standard Activas on tracks?

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 05 May 2011, 23:09

Take a look at this:

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 05 May 2011, 23:15

This is also a good one, watch how far round the speedo is and listen to the tyres, its still on course though and the dash is level with the road.

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 05 May 2011, 23:18

Here's the moose test list, Activa passed at 85Km/h

http://www.teknikensvarld.se/algtest-sn ... /index.xml

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 05 May 2011, 23:29

Xac wrote:Here's the moose test list, Activa passed at 85Km/h

http://www.teknikensvarld.se/algtest-sn ... /index.xml

Quite astonishing

davoxx · Unread post by **davoxx** » 05 May 2011, 23:43

i know

seen the footage now i'm a believer!!

i want to be fast on the straight so i'm guessing rwd is the way to go ... but i'm just guessing tbh.

i suppose if i was being realistic - then wider tyres and engine upgrades wold be doable.

maybe i should be realistic?

i'll read the mods he done if i can find links - it will be worth a read

but i just have the hankering for a fast xantia to wipe that smug grin off bmw/mx5 drivers!!!

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 05 May 2011, 23:53

Gareth's blog
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... 18&start=0

Remember, with regards to the suspension, you must make sure it is in tip top condition so things to check:

Height and roll corrector linkages not seized (the engine gets blooming hot and can dry out the front ones leading to corrosion and stifness).
I'd be tempted to also remove and dismantle the actual correctors and clean them so they're more responsive.
The control rods which go from the roll corrector linkages to the wishbones are guided by two plastic bushes which wear, and can wear the rods too, so the corrector doesn't get accurate information, often leading to the Activa shuffle at traffic lights.
Rear ram bush failing, open a door and rock the car with it, if it clunks at the back then it's most likely this bush has gone. It's actually a rose bearing or something, but a replacement bush can be made up on a lathe (you did know for Activa ownership you need a lathe right?

)
The roll correction too, Activas often lean due to the above parts being worn, or the roll not being re-adjusted when the parts are replaced.
You need a proper full length ramp or pit so you can safely get under to adjust the roll, Jim's got details of how to do it should you need to.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 05 May 2011, 23:55

Have you driven an Activa? Sorry, I dont know what car(s) you have so not sure if you have one.

In a straight line you wont notice if its a FWD or RWD, so long as the power can be put down.

Deans Activa wears larger wheels, 17" possibly, which will have wider and lower profile tyres than the standard spec Activa wheels. So it should give more grip, more feel and increased cornering abilities.

I find the Activa an easy car to drive quickly, getting around B roads is excellent fun but also quite comfortable too, no bouncing around like most cars which can take a bend at reasonable speeds. Getting the car to corner on the throttle very enjoyable!

I think you have a good idea, but certainly start with a toned down idea and go from there.
Increasing BHP & Torque, getting sticky tyres or/and different sized wheels etc etc is the best place to aim for.

However, an Activa needs to be working right before you can bother with any of that. (edit - see above)

davoxx · Unread post by **davoxx** » 06 May 2011, 00:11

i was more think hypothetically to be honest - i'm waiting on a hdi activa for day to day driving

i suppose realistically:
(after ensuring the car is 100%)
i'd strip it to make it lighter - manual window/no central locking ... etc
i'd get lighter wider wheels
i'm not sure how much power the drive shafts can take ... i see/hear them/they go all the time ...
i'd stick in a superchager and better turbo if i was keeping engine, but from what i understand you can only get 300 from the block.

so in my dream world:
i'd convert it to rear wheel drive, stick in a m5 engine (or similar 400+ engine)
i'd use a c5 hydraulic pump as it is electric and only runs when needed (though that might be all the time with the activa)

tbh this is a dream now .. i might change my mind in a bit when i get some cash together ... but if i have a good idea and i see a good cheap engine - i'd jump on it and gather parts bit by bit ...

and yes i've been in an fully working activa!!!