1.4-litre van: from 68HP to over 200HP.

1.4-litre van: from 68HP to over 200HP.

The build uses a large turbo, front-mounted intercooler, external boost controller and heavy-duty clutch. Boost is set at 42psi. With the turbo alone, strong boost arrives close to the rev limit.

A compressed-air system, inspired by Volvo's Power Pulse approach, helps spool the turbo earlier. Tanks in the rear hold air at up to 200psi; a button on the gear lever releases a controlled charge into the exhaust. Both the activation point and the quantity of air can be varied.

During the dyno run we activated a limited charge at 3,000rpm. The graph showed earlier spool and a stronger torque curve. Peak power was over 200HP, with the result dependent on boost settings and fuel quality. The build requires premium fuel and monitoring of intake temperatures during sustained boost.

This is an ongoing project for an owner able to maintain and repair a heavily modified vehicle. The turbo lag and additional air system make it a more involved setup than a routine daily-driver tune.