April 2011:
The Big trip to BR developments......
Over the last few months I have been toying with Idea of finishing off the P1 with a Simtek accompanied by features such as L/C and A/L, which I felt would go nicely with the rest of the engine modifications the car has
.
I wanted something within a reasonable budget and something that would be future proof.
So Thursday evening I left for Swindon and booked into a travel lodge with a friend whom also was having his ECU tweaked by Bob who fitted it in Feb. (MR2 Rev 3 with a Link G4 ECU)
Friday came a quite frankly I was bricking it as I have spent the last 4 months slogging away in the ****ing hard rain and cold weather getting the car ready. We met Bob at around half 10 and he quickly started getting on with the Subaru. His professionalsism and knowledge is vast and he is a really friendly bloke too.
The old ECU was taken out replaced with the Simtek and the switches for Hi/Lo boost and A/L were installed, after another 40minutes or so of checks and mechanical checks we were ready to go and map...............................
By this point I am really worried all I can think about is how long a walk it is back to Kent from Swindon if the car goes POP
. Bob gave clear and concise Instructions of what he wanted from me and how the mapping session will pan out.
We started at low boost and gradually worked our way up.... with no hick-ups all was 100% as the boost was increased so were my nerves as eventually we were hitting 1.4bar of boost and the car feels like a rocket. The only small glitch was the fact that the turbo was wanting to spool really hard due to I believe some sort of uprated actuator.
It was then time for the L/C and A/L setup which was EPIC I loved it and the noise it made..... But I still have not tried either out as Im to much like a girl
.
He then spent another further 40-45minutes checking / doubkle checking and then getting me to simulate different driving scenarios.
We then took a nice drive back to his and it was time for Ben to get the MR2 mapped to around 1.3bar of boost on the Link.
Again Ben's experience was much like mine and the car is a different machine.
On their return Bob unhooked the equipment we had a 5-10minute chat and then we were off to try and beat the Friday rush.
Journey home
With huge smiles on our faces we head home and also I could have a proper drive of the car and see how it was..... Well I am over the moon the car drives amazingly she's smooth off boost, it's responsive and pokey in lower gears and on boost, just point and squirt , it's awesome. Completely different to when I first bought her both in terms off drivability and responsiveness and I know it's not forged or running a huge turbo but it feels fookin mental
.
Bens Mr2 again is the same story the 3sgte's are regarded as good engines but with just an Airfilter/ Intercooler/ Link ECU Exhaust system it's quick .... I mean very quick.
On the way home we got a little playful as you do and rolling in 3rd 50mph there was a knats **** in it between the P1 and the MR2 literally half to 3/4's of a car length.
Just a big thanks to Bob whom has made the last 4 months of my project worth while and to everyone on P1woc who has followed my progress aswell and helped with advice and what not.
A few pics Ben took while mapping her
April 22nd 2011:
Decided to finally fit my Roger Clarke Oil cooler and next week my RCM catch tank and drain back kit.
Here's some piccys
After a clean
Hopefully this will be it now as far as big mods go the underneath is done. All that is left is tidy up the engine bay, which I'll be putting up progress on here in due course.