I have seen a lot of fast cars with a 13b but whats the max power you can get out of a 12a...........and how fast...ET?

 

685rwhp...run 10s if you catch traction.

 

This one would open up a can off worms. :P

Depends on what you are going to do..... port/turbo, how much money/what you take out/ leave in etc.... did you do a search? there are plenty of previous posts with good info.

 

I was just curious about the potential,,,,,,,for starters im just doing suspension mods,,header and carb............I picked up the car for 50 bucks....and it runs and drives and only has a little rust

 

Turbo'd here, lots of power, lots of effort. You get what you put into it, especially with the turbo setups! I won't be going back now, too much more torque fun for me to consider headers and intake as good enough.

Turbocharged stock-moderate streetports are very streetable power with stock components-steel apex seals, and steady idling and wide powerband. Something difficult to get with more radical porting and no boost. No lowend and loud(if you want power from your n/a) is not fun after a while if you plan to drive more then 2days a week.

 

I have aquired several sets of dyno results for flywheep power. The typical peak hp is as below.

-------------------------

Stock 100fwhp USA 110fwhp European

Stock with modified Nikki carb, street performance exhaust with other bolt on/off mods 150-155fwhp

Streetport with full street mods as above 180-185fwhp

Street port with efi and street mods 220-225fwhp

Bridgeport 48 IDA with street mods 215-225fwhp

Bridgepor 51 IDA with race set-up 235-250fwhp

Jport 51 IDA with race set-up 250--275fwhp

Monster port with 51-55 IDA race set-up 260-300fwhp

PP with 51-55 IDA carb full race set up 280-320fwhp

---------------------

Stockport s4/5 turbo blow thru carb with intercooler 160-185fwhp

Streetport turbo blow thru Weber street trim 190-280fwhp depending on turbo size and boist

Maximum turbo set-up for street/drag 350-425fwhp

Maximum turbo set-up for drag strip 600-850fwhp

---------------------------------------

12AT stock 136fwhp

12AT with upgraded turbo, ecu, ports in street trim
185-280 fwhp.

There is no data available for higher levels of mod

--------------------

These figures are good indicators of peak power, There will always be exceptions. In the case of turbo there is a lot of variation and reliable data is limited.

Of course there will be dispute on these figures so all comment is welcome!!!

 

I have to butt in again and say that the horsepower comparision with n/a and turbo'd is slightly decieving. You sure can get a lot of power from intake/exhuast mods with no or mildporting.

Also the same with radical porting. But the torque peaks and the power band is more peaky and narrow the greater the extent of the porting/combined with the exhuast/intake ofcourse.

Thats the main reason I find boost addictive, its more broad and the torque is much stronger. THIS is only my opinion. But I doubt anyone who's had a blowthrough or EFI turbo'd 12a can easily go back to non-turbo since its a great increase in the powerband across the whole rpm range with a lower amount of noise then the n/a running 12a modified for max power.

 

Personally, If I was worrying about the power potential from a 12a and was going to spend major money on such, I would just get a S4 or 5 13b and a Haltech. It's not much work to swap a 13b in and they had port injection which is widely superior to any Blow/through or TB injection setup. But if your looking to only spend a couple grand, check out www.rotaryshack.com and they can set you up with a good blow/through carb kit.

 

how would one go about getting a turbo on a stock 12a? i have searched the web numerous times and couldn't find a dang thing....HELP!? what else would i need to put on a turbo?

 

You can always make a custom flange and bolt it to a S4 or S5 turbo manifold you can find from someone used. I guess my first recommendation is to go to a weber or holley though and blow through that. Or if you want to spend a bit more, EFI, but there is a bunch of things you need to do for both. A EFI system is not cheaper or easier, but will yield slightly more power and flexiblity. But a blowthrough isn't very hard if you can wield up a plenium to contain your boost. Then you need to upgrade your fuel system to a high volume and higher pressure pump with a Rising Rate fuel regulator to vary fuel pressure with boost pressure, very simple setup and reliable, thats what I run.

 

Shadez- congratulations on getting 50 buck car.

I think you are right starting with suspension, carb and header mods which are all low cost. Just slowly adding bolt-on/bolt-off mods will add up to 50% more power. You will have a great daily driver.

The 12A has a lot of potential, but you have a 20 year old engine. with a limited life.

Adding a turbo has a lot to offer, including cost! Think of an initial budget of $2000+, but the stresses of the new found power could lead to an expensive rebuild if something breaks in an old engine. The alternative at some stage is to drop in a 13B import engine, they are relativaly cheap compared with a rebuild.

What you have to avoid is starting to pour money into a bottomless pit. You have a great bargain, and what you are currently doing is a sound investment both in terms of enjoying the car and improving its value.

 

Thanks for the help.....i'll have to stick with cheaper mods considering my financial status.....college

 

I think its a good college car:- reliable, economical and a touch of class. Good Luck.

 

my 12a bridgeport with 465 holley and rb intake puts 240fwhp. plenty of torque around 4000rpm. Cost $3000 AUD to rebuild and port.

 

heb09-who rebuilt your engine?

 

DAMN, I know, old thread, but 240 hp from a 12a bridgeport with 465 holley?? It is hard for me to believe that the numbers posted above for streetport 12as are accurate. I am running a large streetport (never seen inside though), 465 holley with port matched intake, headers, straight through magnaflows, no fan, no A/C, no power steering, and only a very slight smoking problem (puff when I take it beyond 7k and shift), and I know I am not making even 150 hp. I am in a 1700 lb car and barely keep up with my friends 2000 VW GTI. Only thing I haven't changed is the no-name autozone fuel pump for a holley, but it doesn't fall flat or anything on the top end. It does seem to start missing after 7000 rpm, and I haven't actually watched the fuel pressure while moving, but my holley regulator shows 6 psi strong at idle. I want more power!!
What are other 12a streetports showing in real life?? Real dyno numbers. From my calculations, I would guess I am only making 130 or less. Thanks, and sorry if I rant in other threads, it just annoys me that I can't whoop my friends in my lightass car.

 

Is 1700lbs an acurate weight, you put it on a scale. if so what did you take off of it?

 

don't worry, 12a is in a Triumph, forgot to mention that.

 

OK i just wanted to know what you got rid of cuz damn i doing that to mine makes up for my weight. ah curses foiled again

 

Here is the highest NA 12A that i know off ;its used in a Flat track race car :

Specs:
12A Monster port.
Balanced Rotating assembly.
110Psi oil regulator.3 Window bearings etc.
Electric water pump
Matsuba 7 pound Fuel pump
Weber 52 IDA.(Floatless,enlarged float bowl)
Lightened flywheel
Clearanced rotors

Max Hp : 280wheel hp @ 12000 rpm

I`am hoping the guy will build me one, one day

Karis

Ps: My avatar is a pic of his housing.

 

I'm going to try a blow through turbocharger on a homemade 12a bridgeport, Weber Carberator. See my web page for parts ideas and links for these parts. I'm going to try to get 270HP.