Re Turbo Conversions
I thought I’d leave you a couple of comments on
the article "Engine Management for Turbo Conversions - Part One" with regards
to Honda engine management systems... It is quite correct that just about any
fuel-injected Honda has a MAP sensor which is capable of registering boost up to
a certain point; in most cases up to about 0.6 Bar (8 to 9 psi). But the
original ECU programming will recognize this as a faulty sensor and bring itself
into a "limp-home" mode.
Luckily, Honda ECUs take very well to tweaking and
tuning. A number of free and semi-commercial software solutions make it possible
for anyone with a bit of knowledge and some basic tools to achieve "stock-like"
results even on highly modified engines.
In fact, this works so well that modified Honda
engine management systems are finding their way to non-Honda engines and cars.
"Self-learning" and countless other features rivalling those of expensive
systems are available to anyone interested in learning how to tune their own
car. Have a look at www.pgmfi.org -
this is where it all began!
Allan Binderup
Denmark
AFR Meter Hunt
On your homepage today
(In-Car Air-Fuel Ratio Gauge Buyers' Guide - Part One) there are
pictures of air-fuel ratio gauges and I was wondering where I would be able to
buy them. They would look good in my car. Do you know of anyone who specialises
in the 'cool look' meters with lights all over them?
Justin Smith
Australia
Availability details are included in the
article.
Words from a Proud Soarer Owner
I was just reading you article on the Soarer
(
Toyota Soarer Twin-Turbo). I own a factory
five-speed TT Soarer and, let me tell you, the power in my car (as stock) comes
on way before 3000 rpm. The turbo starts to spool up around 1800-ish and by
2000-2200 rpm you’re away. Also, the handling of the factory five-speed is
tremendous - keep your foot into it and she sticks very well. Just letting you
know these things as I am a proud owner. Also, my Japanese user manual also
tells me that the weight of the car is 1865kg total weight - 1600kg is the
chassis weight. I hope this is some info for you.
Huns Goellner
Australia
CHT Gauge Hunt
Could you please give me a contact where I can buy
the cylinder head temperature (CHT) gauge kit that VDO make? You mentioned it on
your website for around AUD$165 including sensor.
Branko Gracanin
Australia
That particular article -
Playing Instruments - Part 1 - is from 2000 so
it is likely the price has gone up. For up-to-date pricing and your nearest
outlet, see http://www.siemensvdo.com.au/home
Laurel Link to 300ZX
Hi guys. I love your work, especially all the
reviews on the "unknown performers" like the 850 Volvo T5s, Galant VR4s, Liberty
RS, etc. Great stuff.
I know I shouldn’t be asking you this but I’ve
searched high and low... I’m looking at buying a straight 1984 Nissan Laurel for
AUD$2000. It has a 3-litre V6 in it and I’m wondering if this is the same motor
that went in the 300ZX of its time?
David
Australia
Yes, we believe it’s essentially the same
engine – both are RWD. Interesting car!
DPA Multi Injector Application?
I want to know about the digital pulse adjuster
(DPA) and setting it up for extra injectors. How well will it work running extra
injectors (as you state it can)? I haven’t seen anything that talks about
it.
I want to use it as a micro-fueller. I’m assuming
it will use the existing duty cycle in as the input and then output to the extra
injectors. But how well can it be tuned?
Say I want to double my fuel output - I have six
standard injectors and add another six (mounted to each runner). Let’s say I get
the extra injectors to kick in at 70 percent duty cycle (in the standard the
injectors) and then, by 90 percent, the extra injectors are also at 90 percent.
Is this possible? The engine is a RB30E converted
to a turbo but still with the non-turbo ECU. Thanks for all your help.
Trevor Jones
Australia
The DPA should have no problem firing one extra
injector but we’re not sure if it can cope with the load of driving six injectors.
However, you shouldn't need to add six extra injectors - the DPA is really designed to run one or two extra injectors that then flow their fuel through the standard manifold, ie the xtra injectors are mounted immediately after the throttle body.
Dearth of Duratecs
I wish you would do articles about the Ford
Duratec engines - like the 2.0/2.3 litre four bangers. They may not be popular
in Australia but they are everywhere else!
Bill Box
USA
MPS Coming to AutoSpeed?
I was wondering if AutoSpeed has any plans to test
the newly released Mazda 3 MPS. Looks like a great car on paper - 190kW, 380Nm,
1400kg kerb weight, traction control, front LSD... Love to see it tested
Adrian Wortley
Australia
We are currently trying to arrange a test
of the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 MPS models. Stay tuned!
Monday Morning Wake-up!
'Explaining sex to a Virgin' –
Eh??!!! Not the bold type
heading I ever thought would greet me logging into the office on a Monday
morning!
Matt King
Australia
Insight Load Runner?
I am impressed with what I have read about the
Honda Insight. However, I am wondering if it has the storage space under the
hatch for two mountain bikes with their wheels off.
I have not been able to locate any meaningful
information on the ability of the Insight to carry more than just two people. I
believe it does have a cubby hole where bike helmets, etc may be stashed. Any
ideas? Photos?
I look forward to AutoSpeed every day - well done.
Please also keep up the high quality honest and varied journalism!
Robert Lawrence
New Zealand
The Insight’s cargo area measures 106cm wide,
93cm long, 27cm high at rear and 49cm high at front. The cargo
bin is about 60cm wide, 30cm deep and 30cm long.
Missing Sippers?
Was just wondering if "Fuel Sippers - Part 2" is
going to be published?
Lawrence Griffiths
Australia
A production error
resulted in this article not being published as planned. We'll remedy that soon.
Intake System Testing
I have been trying to conduct testing so I can
find out what is causing the biggest restriction in my air intake system. One
thing that I am unsure about is how fast I should accelerate during the test.
Should I steadily accelerate to maximum revs or should I just floor it?
Edward Kelly
UK
You’ll need to floor it. You don’t need to
floor it from low revs but you will need to have the throttle wide-open through
the higher revs –this will give you the peak intake restriction at maximum
power.
Ford Diet
I am looking at buying a Ford BA XR6. Looks like
an awesome car all-round, except its weight... Do you know how its weight could be
reduced? Love your mag - keep it up.
Steven Brown
Australia
There is a carbon fibre bonnet on the market
and you might save some more weight removing the factory body kit but, other
than that, there’s not a lot you can do. Lightweight wheels are another option.
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