24 replies to this topic

[paulb]

As some of you are aware, AmD have been developing their tuning packages for the NA using my car. I collected my VX back from them this evening, ready for Hethel. It's not quite finished as they have had trouble finding some cams that provide any real gain. So, at the moment it is still awaiting some cams that are being developed to AmD's specification. We were hopeful it would be ready for Hethel but it wasn't to be. It looks like the cams will not be in the car for a couple of weeks (so could be just before or just after Christmas).

So, my car is best described as a stage 2.5 at the moment. This consists of:

• Milltek full exhaust system
• Gas flowed cylinder head
• Lightened dual mass flywheel
• Custom remap, taking into account these mods

I had the exhaust on before, so the changes I am experiencing now are from the other additions. I have to say that I am chuffed to bits with the work done so far. The lightened flywheel changes the engine from a slow, lumbering, reluctant to rev beasty into a blippy, responsive engine that the car really deserves. Engine braking on road is improved, pickup is massively better, and the blip on a double declutch downchange is just sublime...

The gas flowed head has certainly helped with the engine pulling freely to the rev limiter (currently set as standard) without the normal slowing down you get at the top end. Add to that a remap that seems to be a superb balance between torque and power and you end up with a strong package. The car is currently producing 170 bhp and pulls strongly from 1500 rpm right the way through to the red line. When I was testing the flexibility on the way home, it was quite comfortable at 25 mph in 4th. It's nicer to change up as the car sounds so nice with the Milltek.

Once you get to around 2800, you realise that the old dip in torque that has been removed and the pull of the engine continues with no let up. Hit about 3200 rpm and it really starts to fly and revs really well to the limiter.

I am looking forward to getting the cams in which should further boost power and end up with more pull at the top end of the rev range. I believe AmD are going to offer a lightened flywheel for the turbo as well and can heartily recommend it to anyone. The current flywheels are designed for propelling 1.5 tonne cars, not the 0.9 that we have. If you want that zingy 'sports car' feel, it is really going to help.

So, after Hethel, AmD will have the car back for a couple of days at some point to fit the cams and then custom map the car on their rollers again. When that is done, I think it will be close to turbo performance, but with the fantastic linear power delivery of a well sorted NA.

Having been without my car for a few weeks, I had been considering sticking my name down for a new Exige or getting a VX-T. Having just blasted through the middle of Milton Keynes in my VX, I can't think of another car on the market I'd rather have for that perfect balance between pace, poise and practicality...

[rubber]

glad to hear you are happy with it paul, will be good to see it at hethel. Shame about the cams, but sure it will be worth the wait I know i can't wait Ian

[Thorney]

Cams thing was a pain in the arse, AmD tried a couple and found little or no gain so are having some others made up and trying another set and picking the best. I have to say when I test drove it I was surprised how sprightly it felt, certainly a World away from standard and 'zingy' is a good word for it. I'm certainly going to get a lightened flywheel whacked into mine now (still needs better suspension and stickier rubber though )

[Ricky2772]

I think the no-gain cams employ the 256° duration...pipercross, Dbilas, moto-concepts are all like that....and those who tried'em ain't happy.... ...would be interesting to hear the numbers of the AMD choice.... otoh mantapart has some massive 288° duration in their competition cams....wondering if it is "the" one...

[Jase_MK]

Sounds great. I've never really been after major power gains in my car but a lightened flywheel does sound like a very attractive upgrade. A throttle blip in a standard na is more like a 5 second vroooooooooom. I thought I heard that the ECU also generates the effect of a (virtual) heavy flywheel by holding on to the revs for a fraction of a second after you release the throttle, presumably this can be changed with a remap.

[cheeky_chops]

lovey jubley Whats the current torque figure?? And have you the standard airbox/manifold? Better start saving now

Edited by cheeky_chops, 11 December 2003 - 09:58 AM.

[paulb]

Don't have the current torque figure. I'm sure AmD do but as this is an interim step to the full package with cams it's not really relevant. I'll make sure I get a plot once the cams are in the car. At present, the car has a completely standard induction system. I don't think AmD will be going as mad as the Mantapart competition cams as the brief it to meet emissions requirements and remain road tractable. I'm sure that whatever the guys come up with, it will be a well engineered and well thought out solution. Just got back from another quick blast and really can confirm that the engine just feels like it belongs in the car so much better now. Better revs and better breathing seem to make a huge difference... Paul

[cheeky_chops]

ahhh, goodie Will have to have a pax round

[minime]

its going to be interesting seeing how the pauls car performs! and what its like compared to mine and paulc s car! need a neutral to drive them both!

[paulb]

need a neutral to drive them both!

There's no such thing when it comes to tuning Steve and you know it. I expect you to be quicker round Hethel than me because of the rubber/suspension mods as well.

Right now I dunno which would feel quicker off the line. The flywheel makes a big difference. Once I've got the cams, I'd hope to have a bit more power than you've got now - but for how long?

[ddpunter]

steve how did you get on with that rolling road the other day? cheers d

[VIX]

Just got back from another quick blast and really can confirm that the engine just feels like it belongs in the car so much better now. Better revs and better breathing seem to make a huge difference...

D'ya hear that noise? That's the sound of my excuse to upgrade to a turbo disappearing out the window ............!

[minime]

hmmm....well......hahahaha! interestingly enough though i have 171bhp at 6200rpm but the car is still producing power upto 7500rpm! the guys at g-force only tested it to rev limit shown on the dials..... will have to get it tested again sometime! but based on the graph from gforce and the regal one it would suggest somewhere in the region of 190bhp/170lbft ! still would like more.. i have heard some stories about cams for this motor...not much real improvement has been achieved! i think another really good modification would be to change the final drive as this will be able to provide the much needed acceleration! but for me i am concidering some options at the mo... 1. do i change the car for a vxr.... 2. do i keep the car and do further mods to the head ,cams, final drive, clutch wheels, tyres, throttle bodies 3. do i get a turbo fitted along with a mass of other work inc gearbox! decisions decisions!! stu harris is going to be telling us all about the vxr and its option package over the weekend!

[paulb]

Why did GForce stop at 6200? Seems strange since they normally measure revs independantly, and not through the rev counter. Mine has no marks on it to indicate a red line either. Seems strange for an RR operator to cut short a run when power is still rising. I would've got them to do the run again and properly test my car! Interesting also that power is still rising above that figure without any changes to the cam profile. I'd be really interested to see the Regal and GForce plots for comparison. Are you able to bring them on Saturday Steve? Certainly concur on the cams. That is why AmD are getting some ground to their own specifications. I worry about losing top end if the final drive is changed. The NA is geared shorter than the turbo to start with, but I wouldn't want to run out of revs on the long straight at Donington... Fun decisions to have though!

[ddpunter]

so when will anyone be satisfied with their level of tune? what is anyone chasing...a bit faster, turbo pace, quicker or what?? good hunting cheers d

[Ricky2772]

so when will anyone be satisfied with their level of tune?

easy answer...NEVER!!

...or, at the most, for few months....

I bet my virgin rear clam that pretty soon VXR owners will start major fettling, so to hit the 300hp mark....exige's in the dust already, Enzo will be the aim.......

it's just an addiction, like any other, smoke, dope, booze...always looking for something different, better, more thrilling, more satisfying....21st century, isn't it?

[BogBrush]

so when will anyone be satisfied with their level of tune?

We'll stop when we're faster than those poxy turbos

[Thorney]

so when will anyone be satisfied with their level of tune?

We'll stop when we're faster than those poxy turbos

Good luck













*cough*279bhp, 260llb's *cough*

[minime]

hi paul! with your changes/mods the boys at amd should be able to provide you with a higher rev limit...especially with the new cams! and if you have a higher rev range with the power at the top end changing the final drive should bring the cars acceleration in all gears to a more acceptable level for track days! your car sounds really brill! did amd remapp the chip or use a piggy back? reason for asking is that i have been told that the na ecu is a real bitch to tweak! what have you done as far as the induction side? k&N / viper? an upgrade that i think maybe worth looking at is the dbilas inlet/exhaust manifold/ and i think software comes with this too! they have quoted an increase of around 22bhp and all for about 1500 euros! i shall try and remember the graphs this weekend!

[Thorney]

Rev limit wasn't changed as cams didn't go in and car will be remapped when they go in ahead of Christmas. As I said, current cams basically are crap, so AmD are trying their own. AmD's view on the rev limit is that they're raise it if it means access to useable power, if not then no point. All remapping on the VX and VXT is done via serial port and can be loaded and reloaded via the OneClick unit. No problems had with remapping the ECU, mine is on number 23 at the moment Went back through all the graphs this morning - its like watching a scan of your baby grow Inlet manifolds and throttle bodies are next but again, AmD will only look at these if the gains are there. Oh, and you'll be amazed who makes the flywheels for AmD.......I can't post here but happy to share off the record.