Difference between engines in Brabus and standard rodie?

[Miklas]

Hello.

What is the difference between the brabus engien and the 82hp engine?

I know that the brabus one has different turbo, camshaft, injectors, clutch and chargecooler.

Are there any other differences like pistons etc?

Best regards

[bus_ter]

Re: Difference between engines in Brabus and standard rodie?

There's also a larger induction pipe between the filter and turbo (often called a TIK pipe). There's also a different exhaust, but that's not there for performance. The ECU software is different too.

The main engine block (including the pistons etc) is exactly the same as the 82ps version, and also the same as the engine in the Fortwo. AFAIK.

[justrules]

Re: Difference between engines in Brabus and standard rodie?

Main differences are:

Charge Cooler,
Cam Shaft,
Injectors,
Valve springs,
Exhaust Valves,
Exhaust,
Turbo,
Clutch,
TIK.

[miami gulf]

Re: Difference between engines in Brabus and standard rodie?

I heard that the clutch had a different part number but side by side on the bench they were identical with the standard Roadster offering

[Miklas]

Re: Difference between engines in Brabus and standard rodie?

Then how much load can the engine block take? The brabus ones can be remapped to about 122bhp (right?) and the standard roadie can be remapped to 115. So the block couldn't be the weak link for the 82hp roadie.

Is it heat that kills the tuned non brabus ones?

I'm planning on tuning my car and heat wouldn't be a big problem because it will be converted to run on E85 fuel.

[bus_ter]

Re: Difference between engines in Brabus and standard rodie?

I heard that the clutch had a different part number but side by side on the bench they were identical with the standard Roadster offering

I think the actual clutch plate is identical. The difference comes with the springs. The Brabus springs are stiffer, so there is more force pushing the plates together and thus more torque needed before the clutch will slip.

There is a fair price difference between the standard and Brabus clutch, and if the difference is only the springs then it's a rip off! Perhaps someone else can confirm if there are any other differences?

As for the question about engine heat. I don't think that's an issue with the Smart Suprex engine. I've never heard of anyone having to upgrade the cooling on a Smart after doing any performance mods. Even the radiator fan only ever comes on if you sit in traffic for ages (this is the case for the roadster anyway). So no I don't think it's heat that that kills these engines. They are however very stressed engines. Over 100hp from a 700cc engine is pretty mental!

[Miklas]

Re: Difference between engines in Brabus and standard rodie?

As for the question about engine heat. I don't think that's an issue with the Smart Suprex engine. I've never heard of anyone having to upgrade the cooling on a Smart after doing any performance mods. Even the radiator fan only ever comes on if you sit in traffic for ages (this is the case for the roadster anyway). So no I don't think it's heat that that kills these engines. They are however very stressed engines. Over 100hp from a 700cc engine is pretty mental!

I'm not talking about water temperature I'am talking about the combustion temperature that can damage the engine. With the brabus chargecooler you can lower the initial air temperature and this should prolong engine life, am I right? When using E85 as fuel you lower the combustion temperature even more.

Let's say it isn't heat that kills the engine then what is the weakest link?

[bus_ter]

Re: Difference between engines in Brabus and standard rodie?

Some have said the conrods are the weakest link. However a recent thread (I'll try and find it in a moment), suggests that it's actually the pistons deforming that causes the conrods to fail. So if the pistons are the weakest link then it could well be a temperature issue like you suggest. Perhaps one of the tuners can shed some light on this?


EDIT: Link found:

However the testing has only really been done recently. Apparently they found that the weak point of the engine was the pistons and not the conrods. The conrods just go because of the stress from a warped piston.

From http://www.smartmaniacs.co.uk/forums...ad.php?t=41015

[justrules]

Re: Difference between engines in Brabus and standard rodie?

Piston rings are a week point on all 3 cylinder Smart engines, regardless of tuning etc, they will always go in the end.

Conrods / piston etc are only really a problem on cars over reving and again running high boost, they are more resilient that they are made out to be.

The biggest tip is to not skimp when tuning these engines, do everything properly and keep for regular oil changes.

[Miklas]

Re: Difference between engines in Brabus and standard rodie?

Thanks for the link bust er!

So where can one get pistons and rings for a reasonable price in europe?

[a__zed]

Re: Difference between engines in Brabus and standard rodie?

call SAD or Wizards of Nos and they will tell u

[madDan]

Re: Difference between engines in Brabus and standard rodie?

SmartTune in Wales

Probably smartpartsdirect

[HoagieKat]

Re: Difference between engines in Brabus and standard rodie?

Main differences are:

Charge Cooler,
Cam Shaft,
Injectors,
Valve springs,
Exhaust Valves,
Exhaust,
Turbo,
Clutch,
TIK.

I'm confused... Does the Brabus 101 roadster engine have a different turbo than the standard 80 roadster engine?

[RacingSnake]

Re: Difference between engines in Brabus and standard rodie?

yes

[HoagieKat]

Re: Difference between engines in Brabus and standard rodie?

yes

Well I never...