RE: On the Rollers

[HarryW]

M@H said:

johno said: Just to clarify ..... Paul's gains were after having .... 3 angle valve seats Heads skimmed to raise compression That's it ! No new cam .... a good cam would have pushed that figure higher. Yep.. you are right.. I was thinking of steve b.. he got 186 BHP at 5386rpm and 219 lbft torque at 3350rpm using a Kent cam and no ECU re-map. My mistake. Cheers, Matt.

Thats impressive, I assume that the V6 is much like the V8 where the ECU map is pretty much a standard OEM one.
With all these mechanical 'upgrades' I wonder what could be achieved with matched ECU mapping on top .

If you draw a direct parallel with chims, griffs et al, improving the RV8 mapping alone can be a revelation. Those that then go onto do some mechanical bits as well induction, wild cam, porting etc get even more . However quiet a few just have the ECU done and are more than happy with that.

After all, as I said, with a standard engine AFAIK the ECU map is OEM, so it can only be improved upon in most cases, if you assume podies was 'not right' from the day it left the factory as the OEM map never suited the car then the power/torque 'released' is a great improvement. As he has already said the manifold is leaking so you can safely assume there is more to come.
I still maintain that as a stand alone 'upgrade' tweeking the ECU is the easiest and probably most cost effective (assuming you don't do major DIY) upgrade available.
ALL IMHO as per usual.

Matt I would love to see the results for that car with a ECU remap as I think it would be a revelation.

Feet back on the ground time, I know the S4Cosworth around is probably putting out more power than most 500's but that has taken a 24V sprint/hillclimb hand built Cossie lump amongst other upgrades to achieve. Don't go away thinking that getting much over 200hp/torque is going to be achieved by spending a few nights in the garage with a file, a suction cup and some grinding paste IMHO.

Harry

>> Edited by HarryW on Friday 7th November 11:19

[Ren Dao]

Podie said:

Hmm.. some seriously interesting stuff here guys... give it another year and I should have the S sorted.. ... now, who wants to polish and port my heads...?

You had to put a nob gag in didn't you

[Podie]

Ren Dao said:

You had to put a nob gag in didn't you

[Podie]

HarryW said:

I assume that the V6 is much like the V8 where the ECU map is pretty much a standard OEM one.

read the report!


To clarify the ECU provided is the STANDARD one used on the orignal car. In my case, the ECU was from a Falcon - some South African car...!

In other words, not set up for the TVR. Standard ECU's were set up for an air box (rather than the induction system on the V6... which in the TVR has diffeent manifolds and exhaust. The Ford would have been designed to be quiet, whereas TVR drivers tend not to be too bothered by this.

My understanding is, that the Rover V8 ECU is a similar jobbie.

[Paul V]

The cost for doing my heads was similar to what Podie spent, I took them off when replacing the exhaust manifolds as I snapped about 6 bolts in the head, the was cost £240 inc post and packaging to have them sent to Ferriday engineering to be skimmed and fitted with new guides, 3 angle valve seats, a few other bits and they also got the snapped bolts out.
I then paid about £100 for the new head set and bolts, then £80 to san speed to set it up on the rolling road.

[HarryW]

Podie said:

HarryW said: I assume that the V6 is much like the V8 where the ECU map is pretty much a standard OEM one. read the report! To clarify the ECU provided is the STANDARD one used on the orignal car. In my case, the ECU was from a Falcon - some South African car...! In other words, not set up for the TVR. Standard ECU's were set up for an air box (rather than the induction system on the V6... which in the TVR has diffeent manifolds and exhaust. The Ford would have been designed to be quiet, whereas TVR drivers tend not to be too bothered by this. My understanding is, that the Rover V8 ECU is a similar jobbie.

Ah probably the basis for part of my assumption then . Just trying to point out that IMHO it is the easiest upgrade that can be done and normally the start of many more

Harry

[Podie]

HarryW said:

Ah probably the basis for part of my assumption then . Just trying to point out that IMHO it is the easiest upgrade that can be done and normally the start of many more Harry

only pulling yer leg Harry!

You are of course quite right... downward spiral for the wallet

Paul V - as I've said, when I replace the manifolds, half of me wants a bolt to snap... but then the wallet says otherwise...

[Paul V]

I know that feeling, I hadn’t really planned to send the heads away, just sort of happened as they quoted similar money to recondition them as others did just to get the bolts out and a basic skim, they also measured the combustion chamber before skimming, this was good as mine were already 0.010” lower than expected, this was done so it could be put back together without changing the ECU, with yours you may be able to go more compression as you have a programmable ECU.

[HarryW]

Paul V said:

I know that feeling, I hadn’t really planned to send the heads away, just sort of happened as they quoted similar money to recondition them as others did just to get the bolts out and a basic skim, they also measured the combustion chamber before skimming, this was good as mine were already 0.010” lower than expected, this was done so it could be put back together without changing the ECU, with yours you may be able to go more compression as you have a programmable ECU.

Paul what compression did you go up to in the end , any pinking problems encountered .

Harry

[Paul V]

Not sure what the compression was but was enough to give more go but without problems with standard fuelling and timing, so no pinking etc.

[Podie]

Bit of an update for those who are interested...

Car is still running extremely well... still pulls strongly and I don't regret the decision one bit. SO much more fun to drive, fuel economy doesn't seem to have suffered, and pick up is still sharp too.

Pulls in every gear and every speed, although I have found a slight flat spot, but when I go back I'll get Austec to have a look at that... not a biggy, and easy enough to drive round to be honest (in the short term). Car is also a lot happier when VERY cold... and doesn't stutter like it once did...

.. in short, worth every penny. Looking forward to getting the manifolds replaced (small crack in the right one) and "finishing" the job off.

[M@H]

Podie said:

Bit of an update for those who are interested... [Vivian from the The Young Ones "Cornflakes Competition" Episode Stylee"] Austec, Austec, Austec, Austec, Austec, Austec, Austec, Austec, Austec, Austec, Austec, Austec, Austec, Austec, Austec.. [/Vivian from the The Young Ones "Cornflakes Cmpetition" Episode Stylee"] Podie.

>> Edited by M@H on Thursday 11th December 13:48

[Podie]

very funny... should have gone for commission... d'oh!

[bridgdav]

Did you get paid for that bump...??

only joking

[Pies]

bridgdav said:

Did you get paid for that bump...?? only joking

I know Podie's a bit of a cross dresser but getting preggers now that is something

[Podie]

no... didn't get paid... didn't get asked... thought people MIGHT be interested, but obviously not.

[Pies]

Your be surprised

[bridgdav]

Pies said:

Your be surprised

Seconded

[Podie]

Pies said:

Your be surprised

Evidently not...

Bar-stewards, the lot of you...

[Pies]

Podie YHM