Going live!
The Saph goes to MSD for a live mapping session, and a few extra goodies too...
its duties.
On the rollers the car was run up at various boost levels, until it was detected that once again, the car wasn’t able to flow enough fuel for over 300bhp. The fuel pressure had already been checked and seen to be correct, but this doesn’t tell the whole story as flow can still be below the desired level. The 26-year-old original was swapped over for a new Weber regulator, and instantly the fuelling abilities were massively improved.
James and Stewart continued mapping the car at higher and higher boost levels until another issue made itself known. Yes, that disappointing smell of clutch! With an old, unknown brand clutch, I probably should have expected this, especially as the Cossie was now putting out 340bhp and a thumping great 400lb/ft at 30psi! I was told that another 6psi was usually possible from this turbo, but there was no chance my clutch was entertaining that idea! No more boost was going in, so it was time to turn their attentions to some fun stuff, namely activating the anti-lag and launch control. On first witnessing it, I was glad I was wearing ear defenders as the shockwaves of the flaming explosions boomed around the dyno cell!
The drive home confirmed just why so many people like the smaller .48 T34 turbo, as the quick response makes it very drivable, and the huge torque creates a ferocious kick in the back that just keeps on pushing. I know I’ll probably upscale the turbo at some point, but right now it doesn’t feel like it needs it!
The plan this month was to get the new Irmler split rims rubbered up and fitted, but I’ve been distracted with go-faster stuff as you can see. After the T34 started showing evidence of wear, I sent it to CR Turbos who had it sorted out in no time. I’d also bought a bargain .63 exhaust housing, which turned out to be just another .48 when it arrived! The seller quickly refunded me, so no harm done. Although I was quite disappointed to not have the extra capabilities at hand for my MSD live mapping session a few days later.
My previous day at Blackpool was quite a short one, as several issues were spotted which would impair the final results. This time everything was in place, so it was time to see what the Cossie could do!
Despite all my hard work, there was no way I could take it for granted that everything was healthy as James got to work testing several areas, which he suspected, could be problematic. First was checking the preload on the new -34 actuator, (which was wrong!), and testing at what psi it would open.
Next, a pressure test of the full induction tract was performed, and this showed up a huge leak due to the throttle body’s hose clip being fitted badly! The recently fitted grey injectors were removed to make sure the end caps had been cut off – a common mod that drastically alters the fuelling available.
A new idle control valve, which had been modified for anti-lag and launch control had been fitted, but on checking it, James found that this pattern part utilised an overly weak internal spring, which wouldn’t allow a good idle. So the car’s original valve was then modified by James using his proven ‘heart’ shaped airflow modification to provide the best compromise of flow and restriction for both of