Post by Tim Kerr on Oct 29, 2009 19:46:23 GMT
Just an update on the latest mods to the Rocket. Spent the last few months getting the Fast Road Cams, De-Cat Pipe, Throttle Bodies and M-Tech V3 ECU fitted. I also had a Quaife LSD fitted to the IB5 box and decided to fit a Push Button start and do-away completely with the need for the Ford Key. Also decided to swap to MEVs new style engine cover. Whilst I liked the scoop of the original the new style was going to be a lot easier and neater to cut out for the Throttle bodies.
After getting everything fitted and wired up the car was rough as hell and wouldn¡¦t even drive properly, but a few tweeks on the ECU software whilst on the phone to Matt at M-Tech got something that was at least driveable to enable me to get the ferry and undertake the 200 mile trip to M-tech to get the car on their rolling road.
We had a good trip over on the ferry and the car completed the 200 miles perfectly with no over heating problem (unlike Stoneleigh when I had to push the car into the show!). The mods Stiggy recommended to the plumbing system have obviously worked (I think there is an alternative thread on this so I wont bother you with the details).
We arrived at M-Tech and after a welcomed cuppa, Matt from M-Tech set to work getting the car on the dyno and everything strapped down. His first job was to balance the throttle bodies and as soon as he managed to this the car sounded instantly better. Then it was on to the dyno for the first of many runs to set up the ECU. I don¡¦t know exactly what he was tweeking on the computer but from a first run of about 135bhp M-Tech managed to get 175bhp out of the car and expect that to rise to 190bhp+ once the engine is run in (it was a new 2.0ltr engine). Attached is the final dyno print out!
As the M-Tech V3 ECU has switchable maps I had them give me a second map for Economy which should help the fuel bills but also get me through MOT without needing to change the de-cat pipe. Another few runs on the dyno and it was all sorted.
Finally Matt took me out to their dedicated test track ;-) to set up the launch control and see the grin factor as he calls it. A few runs up and down with Matt sitting beside me with his laptop tweeking things as we went and the Launch Control was set. And it is very impressive (and highly addictive!), especially the flat shift (which we decided to disable to save the clutch . We managed a 0-60 mph time of 5.0 seconds which wasn¡¦t bad considering there was two of us in the car and Matt kept telling me I was shifting too early! We then went for a small test drive around the track. The response on the throttle was amazing with no flat spots through the rev range.
All in all I would highly recommend M-Tech and their V3 ECU. The support received from M-Tech has been excellent and the results of the final rolling road tuning was fantastic. The journey home was certainly fun (or at least the first 30 miles was!). I snapped the throttle cable and with no mission of fixing it we concluded that the only way to get back to the ferry was to jam open the throttle at the engine end to 5000rpm and continue the 170 miles to the ferry which we missed by 10 minutes! The ferry company transferred us to the morning ferry and told us we could either sleep in our car in the car park (yeah right!) or get a guest house. We choose the guest house!! So car is now home awaiting a new throttle cable. Once that¡¦s fitted I am looking forward to a few dry days and playing with the launch control!!!!! Will hopefully get a few more pics and videos to post up.
Next few mods I plan to do are in preparation for the track next year. I have been following Matts MEV¡¦s track days with interest and have decided to upgrade my clutch to a Helix Sports Clutch and Organic Clutch Plate following his problems. I also have a small oil leak around the baffled sump to fix and am going to swap the brake pads for a more track orientated compound (any suggestions Matt?). I also plan on investing in a set of 16¡¨ rims and Toyo R888 tyres.
Also going to take it to a specialist Motorsport Competition Company to get the tracking, suspension, Castor, Camber set up. I think I have not done a bad job using my old kart laser system, levels, and bits of string!!! But I want to get it checked over as I believe the handling will be the key to getting the most out of the Rocket. Matt (sorry to keep picking on you but you seem to have done the most in terms of track day set-up work on a Rocket!!), you mention the new adjustable rear wishbones from RTR. How much are these? I noticed my rear tracking was out slightly. Can you post a few pics of these when you get them? Also, regarding the Balance Bar Adjuster. Yes this definitely helps. Although I have not had the chance to set up on track yet I have mine adjusted that the front wheels will lock just slightly before the rears. My suggestion however is to mount it on the centre tunnel somewhere! Mine is on the bonnet face and when I am strapped in I cant reach it!!!
Didnt plan on this turning into a bit of an essay!!!!! Sorry guys!!!!
Tim
After getting everything fitted and wired up the car was rough as hell and wouldn¡¦t even drive properly, but a few tweeks on the ECU software whilst on the phone to Matt at M-Tech got something that was at least driveable to enable me to get the ferry and undertake the 200 mile trip to M-tech to get the car on their rolling road.
We had a good trip over on the ferry and the car completed the 200 miles perfectly with no over heating problem (unlike Stoneleigh when I had to push the car into the show!). The mods Stiggy recommended to the plumbing system have obviously worked (I think there is an alternative thread on this so I wont bother you with the details).
We arrived at M-Tech and after a welcomed cuppa, Matt from M-Tech set to work getting the car on the dyno and everything strapped down. His first job was to balance the throttle bodies and as soon as he managed to this the car sounded instantly better. Then it was on to the dyno for the first of many runs to set up the ECU. I don¡¦t know exactly what he was tweeking on the computer but from a first run of about 135bhp M-Tech managed to get 175bhp out of the car and expect that to rise to 190bhp+ once the engine is run in (it was a new 2.0ltr engine). Attached is the final dyno print out!
As the M-Tech V3 ECU has switchable maps I had them give me a second map for Economy which should help the fuel bills but also get me through MOT without needing to change the de-cat pipe. Another few runs on the dyno and it was all sorted.
Finally Matt took me out to their dedicated test track ;-) to set up the launch control and see the grin factor as he calls it. A few runs up and down with Matt sitting beside me with his laptop tweeking things as we went and the Launch Control was set. And it is very impressive (and highly addictive!), especially the flat shift (which we decided to disable to save the clutch . We managed a 0-60 mph time of 5.0 seconds which wasn¡¦t bad considering there was two of us in the car and Matt kept telling me I was shifting too early! We then went for a small test drive around the track. The response on the throttle was amazing with no flat spots through the rev range.
All in all I would highly recommend M-Tech and their V3 ECU. The support received from M-Tech has been excellent and the results of the final rolling road tuning was fantastic. The journey home was certainly fun (or at least the first 30 miles was!). I snapped the throttle cable and with no mission of fixing it we concluded that the only way to get back to the ferry was to jam open the throttle at the engine end to 5000rpm and continue the 170 miles to the ferry which we missed by 10 minutes! The ferry company transferred us to the morning ferry and told us we could either sleep in our car in the car park (yeah right!) or get a guest house. We choose the guest house!! So car is now home awaiting a new throttle cable. Once that¡¦s fitted I am looking forward to a few dry days and playing with the launch control!!!!! Will hopefully get a few more pics and videos to post up.
Next few mods I plan to do are in preparation for the track next year. I have been following Matts MEV¡¦s track days with interest and have decided to upgrade my clutch to a Helix Sports Clutch and Organic Clutch Plate following his problems. I also have a small oil leak around the baffled sump to fix and am going to swap the brake pads for a more track orientated compound (any suggestions Matt?). I also plan on investing in a set of 16¡¨ rims and Toyo R888 tyres.
Also going to take it to a specialist Motorsport Competition Company to get the tracking, suspension, Castor, Camber set up. I think I have not done a bad job using my old kart laser system, levels, and bits of string!!! But I want to get it checked over as I believe the handling will be the key to getting the most out of the Rocket. Matt (sorry to keep picking on you but you seem to have done the most in terms of track day set-up work on a Rocket!!), you mention the new adjustable rear wishbones from RTR. How much are these? I noticed my rear tracking was out slightly. Can you post a few pics of these when you get them? Also, regarding the Balance Bar Adjuster. Yes this definitely helps. Although I have not had the chance to set up on track yet I have mine adjusted that the front wheels will lock just slightly before the rears. My suggestion however is to mount it on the centre tunnel somewhere! Mine is on the bonnet face and when I am strapped in I cant reach it!!!
Didnt plan on this turning into a bit of an essay!!!!! Sorry guys!!!!
Tim
