Chapter 26 - The C4s Thunderous Turbo
Yuka arrived at Luis shop alone. Hitomi stayed back at the hotel, still catching up on her sleep. Luis already had the entire turbo kit laid out on the floor for Yuka.
Hey Luis.
Hi Yuka. Wheres your cousin?
Still sleeping. She did a lot of the driving on the way here so its understandable. Its me whos racing tomorrow anyway.
I see. Anyway, this is all the stuff we need to turbocharge your car. The whole kit costs 4,500 Euros off the shelf, but I managed to get one at trade price.
Which is how much?
Im not telling. I dont want repayment for this. I know this game too well.
You kind old git. Where did you get one so fast anyway?
I have a friend who makes a living out of boosting cars. Turbo boosting I mean, not grand theft auto.
I was going to say, if it was car theft, Id have to kick your ass.
Yuka stuck her tongue out at Luis.
I take it youve been a victim of theft before.
Yeah, how can you tell?
That look in your eyes, its the same look a friend of mine had after his Camaro was stolen a few years back. He still hasnt recovered the car though. Poor John. I wonder how hes doing these days. Anyway, how about you? Did you find your car afterwards?
Yeah, it was trashed though. I got it rebuilt even better than it was though.
Its things like that which strengthen your bond with the car, so Im happy for you.
Thanks.
Anyway, put this on.
Luis threw an overall to Yuka.
Before you ruin your nice clothes.
Thanks! I shouldve thought twice before coming here with shorts and a shirt huh?
Haha. Its quite nice here so I dont blame for you the summer attire.
Yuka put the overalls on and joined Luis under the bonnet of the C4, stripping parts from the engine bay to make room for the turbo kit.
I didnt realise so much work had to be done in order to convert a car to turbo!
Haha! I didnt realise theres young girls willing to get their hands dirty with a car!
Yeah. It annoys my friends endlessly.
I can imagine. They want to shop and you just want to race, right?
Yeah!
Luis removed the final components in the way before starting to install the turbo kit into the C4.
Help me with this. Just get under the car and bolt it in place.
Okay.
Yuka got under the C4, ready with the spanner.
Is it in yet Yuka?
Nope. Lower it a bit more.
How about now?
A little to the left.
Now?
Hold it there.
Okay.
Yuka bolted the part into place.
Thats great Yuka.
Yuka rolled out from under the car and started giggling.
Whats so funny?
You!
What did I do?
Is it in yet? Now? Is it in now? Dont tell me you didnt get the same thoughts I did!
Oh! Well
It crossed my mind
Hah! I knew it!
But youre too young for me. It would be wrong.
Well at least youre a gentleman about it.
Yuka got up and brushed herself off.
How much power do you think the C4 will have after this is done?
Around 230 Id say. Its only a small turbo but turbocharging a naturally aspirated engine usually gives good power gains.
Better than the 190 it apparently has.
Much better. In any case, lets get this turbo fitted.
Yeah.
Luis and Yuka worked through the afternoon into the late night, installing and safety testing the C4s new turbo.
Later on
Finally, its done. Give it a rev, Yuka.
Yuka gave the C4 a light rev, listening out for the turbos whistling.
Higher.
Yuka gave the C4 another rev, this time harder. The spool of the turbo was louder this time, with a satisfying whistle from the blow-off valve.
Thats it. Give it a good hammering now.
Are you sure?
Go for it. The engine is warm now.
Yuka started revving the C4 like crazy, bouncing off the rev limiter, letting the turbo get up to maximum boost before letting off to listen to the loud whistling and exhaust popping afterwards.
It sounds so great like this! Thank you Luis!
Its no problem. Im glad to help.
Yuka hugged Luis.
Thank you thank you!
Youre welcome! Really!
Yuka let go of Luis and turned back to the C4.
Tomorrow, were going to win.
The next day
It was race day at Eiger, the first round of the European Hot Hatch Championship. Yuka and Hitomi were sitting in the pit lane, surveying the competition.
Its just a load of Volkswagen GTIs. I dont see much competition here Yuka.
Yeah but it is the Hot Hatch Championship, we have to assume these guys have modifications too.
Still, do you think any of these cars look like theyve got more than 200 horsepower?
Maybe its a European thing. You know how flashy we like to be in Japan, its probably made us used to seeing dressed up cars. Anyway, whilst you was snoozing the day away, I managed to do a few modifications to the C4 myself.
Really? I barely remember anything after we stopped and you started talking to that guy with the Wagon.
He helped he install a turbo in the C4.
A turbo? So thats what I kept hearing.
Its only a small one and we did have the radio on so I forgive you for not noticing.
How much more power do we have then?
According to Luis, 230.
A 40 horsepower increase? Thatll be handy.
Yeah. No lag too so its not going to hurt us here.
See thats why I prefer superchargers. You can go as big as you want without any lag.
Thats what twin turbocharging helps with though. So youve got minimal lag and more power than what a supercharger will give you.
I doubt it. To match a superchargers power, you need a huge turbo and that means lag, even if you have two of them.
Whatever! Im not getting into a fangirl fight with you before a race! Were up anyway, lets go.
Starting Grid
1. Black Peugeot 206
2. White Mercedes Benz A160
3. Silver Volkswagen Golf GTI 76
4. Green Volkswagen Golf GTI 01
5. Silver Citroen C3
6. Yuka & Hitomis Red Citroen C4
7. Grey Mini Cooper
8. Silver Volkswagen Polo GTI
9. Blue Volkswagen Lupo
10. Lime Renault Megane
Peugeot are kings of the hot hatches!
No one will suspect that this lowly A-Class Mercedes actually has a two litre turbo swapped into it!
The car that started it all, the Golf GTI!
Even though its a GTI, the five door body style makes it a true sleeper on the street.
This C3 may look plain, but in actual fact Ive swapped the same two litre motor that the C4 behind me has! Power to weight ratio is key!
Thisll be the last time I race the C4. Im kind of sad to be honest with you, Hitomi.
Awwwww Yuka, you softy.
Its not the size, its how you use it! Oh who am I kidding here
No realises this Polo is twin charged. Thisll be fun.
I was so lucky to find this car so cheap! Its better than a Golf I reckon.
I hope my sister doesnt mind me borrowing her car, my own Megane broke down as per usual
Go! C4 turbo!
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
I love this track already!
Im officially jealous.
Of me?
Yep! I want to rally too!
Haha!
I love these hairpins, it reminds me of running the mountain passes in Japan.
This C3 ahead of pretty fast!
I told you they have modified cars!
Come ere!
Lets see that turbo work Yuka!
Woosh!
Now for the Golf brothers.
Take him down the tunnel Yuka!
Ew!
More turbo action!
Damn the suspension is taking a beating here, Im worried Hitomi.
Probably why Eiger is better suited to rally cars. Dont sweat it.
Move out of my way!
Second lap Yuka, were making good progress.
Three more to go!
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
Oof! That wasnt as soft as last time!
Crap Yuka! Careful on those jumps!
Well be fine, dont worry!
Arent you braking a bit late?
Oh f
!
You overshot the corner!
I got this!
See! I got this!
Now to overtake this Merc!
Too wide!
Are you stealing 2Fast 2Furious quotes?
So what if I am?
That film was terrible!
I liked it!
Youre not normal!
Im in second place already? This race is mine!
Now youre done for.
This race was easier than I thought Yuka. I guess we didnt need the turbo that badly afterall.
Thats it! Weve practically won it now!
We can relax for the final lap after this. Phew.
Gutter run!
Initial D is it now?
Final lap! Take it easy now Yuka.
Wee- Oh crap! The suspension! Were not straight!
Ahhh!! Yuka! Stop the car!!!
Were spinning mid-air Yuka! Were spinning!
Yukas instincts kicked in, using her quick reactions to attempt to save the C4 from a fatal crash. The sound of metal crunching against metal was clearly heard over the sound of the engine, as the suspension struggled to deal with the massive force acting on it.
Yuka yanked the wheel to the left, trying to straighten the car.
The C4 snapped in the opposite direction, into an even steeper slide.
Damn where did all this smoke come from? Is that the C4 ahead?
Yuka locked up the brakes and slide backwards, frantically trying to stop the car.
The front end of the car came round, attempting to point the car in the right direction. Yuka held on tight.
Dont move into my lane, dont move into my lane
The front end of the C4 straightened up, Yuka put her foot to the floor, hoping the momentum would straighten the car before the corner.
Who is this girl? She just saved herself from a near fatal accident. Amazing.
Bloody hell Yuka! You crazy girl!
Yuka was speechless, but kept her pace up, immediately going back on the attack against the 206.
Are you okay Yuka? I think the suspension is KOd. Its so rough now.
Yuka remained speechless.
At least were alive eh?
Come on Yuka, say something.
I dont know whats scarier. You not talking, or you gently brushing this wall with my wing mirror.
Were going to win Yuka, its okay.
Weve won Yuka! We survived that crash and we won!
Yuka brought the car to a steady halt in the pit lane, before bursting into tears. Hitomi began to comfort her.
Awww Yuka! Its okay! Dont cry!
Im sorry Hitomi!
Hey! Its fine! We didnt die, its all good!
Im really sorry!
Yuka
Hitomi held Yukas face up towards hers.
Its fine. Stop crying now, okay?
Okay
Ill try
Hitomi wiped Yukas tears away with a tissue.
You go limp the car back to the hotel, Ill go collect our winnings and meet you at the hotel.
Okay. How much did we win?
7,380 Euros. Its plenty for new suspension, dont worry.
Okay.
Yuka dried her eyes as Hitomi got out of the car.
Ill meet you at the hotel then.
Yeah.
Yuka drove off towards the hotel. Hitomi watched until the C4s taillights disappeared into the distance, then made her way up to get the race winnings.