PUMA ENGINE TUNING

[Defender Patron]

Hello everyone,

I've been a long time reader of the forum and only a recent member as I would have felt like a fraud commenting on anything without being an owner of a Defender. I inherited an early 80s ute about 20 years ago that I kept for five of the best driving years I ever had and I've only now returned to the faith with a Puma 110 wagon. But enough of an introduction, this is a question about tuning.

Like many of you I have often seen the videos and stories about JE Engineering in the UK and wished that someone offered similar performance gains in Australia. I'm sure there are a million places that do it who I don't know about but I found this company called landrovertuning.com.au who offer a tuning package for the TD4 Defender.

For $2825 they have a chip and intercooler that they claim take power from 90kw (121hp) to 127kw (170hp) and then on top of that for another $450 you get a K&N sports air filter and silicone hose tubing. They don't claim power improvements with the filter or tubing but I think it's generally accepted that both of those improvements (the hose being thicker and not crushed or caved-in in places) increases power a little.

All up we're talking $3275 for perhaps 135kw (180hp) and 440nm plus

So what are people's thoughts? No of anywhere who can offer the same for cheaper or have any different ideas for adding power? I believe exhaust and muffler changes could also add power but I don't know a lot about that so anyone with experience your advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Defender Patron

[5teve]

i think a search on here about tuning the puma would help... and a word with tombraider.. i beleive he now supports the puma?

as for the K&N .. another search will open your eyes about these.. im sure its been discussed plenty of times... and even testing done on them...

Steve

[one_iota]

I guess that very few Puma owners will have taken the plunge with regards to the aftermarket upgrades that you speak of as most are still covered by the manufacturers warranty....and if they had wouldn't be prepared to declare it in public.;)

I think that in a couple of years these things will be spoken about a great deal.

Having said that most Puma Defender owners with the need for speed also own an Alfa or for off road a highly modified Land Rover of the older variety.

I guess for me it's not an ambition to get more from my Defender as it does what I need to do very well as is.

As for the mob selling the upgrade the K&N filter option kills their credibility for me (much has been written here on that subject).

Like most upgrades in power and torque there is a price to pay beyond the initial cost....fuel consumption, stresses on components that they don't upgrade like the axles, transmission and so on. Good fun at someone elses expense though :)

[Defender Patron]

So thank you for the heads up on K&N, it seems all opinions on them point to a negative.

[Allan]

So thank you for the heads up on K&N, it seems all opinions on them point to a negative.
They dont work on Subaru's either, goose the air flow meter (1000 dollars+)
I now stick with the standard fillters.

Allan

[Grockle]

chipped or tuned Puma's have been known to end up with cracked turbo manifolds,so beware :o

[Bush65]

Definitely talk to tombie, or find one his posts, where you will find his web site address, which has good info on the chip re-mapping he offers (http://web.mac.com/rovertech/TRT/LR_PUMA_ECU_Upgrades.html).

As others have indicated, stay well away from K&N air filters for our dusty conditions.

[Loubrey]

Same warning! In the UK those upgrades run the exhaust gas extremely hot. This causes a whole list of heat related problems around the majoroty of exhaust components. Aussie ambient temparatures might agrivate the whole issue as well.

I don't want to cause any losses for the guys tuning Pumas locally, but beware of the massive power upgrades the UK ones offer. Any damage caused by overheated exhaust gas will be suspect enough for Land Rover to put up a fight when it comes to waranty.