Supercharged AJP8. one last step!

[a1rak]

Thought it might be worth updating the thread with my winter additions. This winter I decided to wire ring the block and fit copper head gaskets. The standard composite ones had not failed but if driven hard then they would begin to seep. I think this is common on the AJP. The car appears to have a failed gasket when driven hard but on a strip and inspection the gaskets are fine. In discussion with some specialist it would appear the standard gasket can lose its seal if the engine gets hot and is pushed hard.

The gaskets were ordered from Ferriday engineering and are extremely well made and fit perfectly. They do need annealing which cost another £120. I also fitted new cylinder head studs. These gaskets need re-torqueing after an initial run which is a real pain as you need to remove all the intake again. Was really surprised that with a hot engine virtually every bolt turned around 1/3rd of a turn before the correct torque was reached, so was well worth doing.
engines now in the car and running but no supercharger back on yet. will get some more pick up when finished.

[a1rak]

Thought I would bring the thread up to date. Just fitted and tested methanol / water injection on to the Cerb. I used the Devilsown kit made in the States which was well made and had good reviews. Its a single nozzle system that I have modified to trigger via the Emerald ECU. Its set to trigger at boost levels above 3.5psi and 4000rpm although this is easily changed. I logged the results on the laptop and without the Methanol. Inlets temps rise with boost so at 2psi I had 32degrees today and this would risewith boost to about 45deg at 7psi today.
Turned on the Methanol and temps started at 32deg, started to rise towards 40deg but then the injection started and there was very quick drop back by a to about 35deg, if I pushed the engine hard the inlet temp never rose above 39deg which is much better than it used to be. I have seen over 60degrees before and it would regularly go above 50degrees. I will get the car mapped again as I have done a fair amount of work on the engine since it was last setup by Emerald about 2 years ago. Couple of pics to show the install.



Mounted the pump and bottle in the boot. Its quite easy to install, ran the pipework inside the car then through the bulkhead into the engine bay.



The nozzle is mounted just after the Supercharger and before the plenum. You can just see the injector and black pipe before the bend on the inlet pipe. If you use the 50/50 mix then apparently it increases the octane level to around 116, Inlet temps, exhaust and combustion temps also drop significantly. Hopefully with a re-map it should be a safer engine with a bit more power.

[Cerberaherts]

Thanks for the update, next time you get it on the dyno I'd love to see the figures!

[Boosted Cerb]

Looks good Paul, I thinking of fitting it to mine, my brother has had great results with his on the Chim,

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I'd like an over ride switch so I can cool the charger down while queuing for the 1/4 mile, or control it via revs, otherwise it pulls timing cus everything gets heat soaked.

Rich.

[HarryW]

Superb stuff.

[macdeb]

Epic work

[Skellz]

Any update on this? I'm interested to know how it got on, especially the dynio. Cheers Steve

[a1rak]

Winter upgrades. Replaced the old rad with an aluminium unit from Arron. They made some thicker cored units for Topcat Racing so decided on this as the best option. Not a perfect fit, sent the first one back. Second unit better but still needed minor modes to get the fan cowls to fit. Old rad must have been partially blocked because the running temps are significantly cooler.
Engine temps in heavy summer traffic have always been a worry and have spoilt some journeys. Hopefully now a thing of the past.
Also removed the aircon condenser rad so the airflow now hits the main rad straight away. Off to Castle Coombe on the 13th Feb for an early season trackday ! anyone else going.

[Cerberaherts]

Has it been on a dyno since the latest engine work was carried out?

[a1rak]

No not been on the dyno since Austec when the ACT exhaust was fitted. Hoping to get back to Emerald in the next few months so they can trim the map to allow for the water injection, may try a slightly smaller charger pulley at the same time, not looking for more power but maybe the same power at slightly lower revs. Will update the thread as work continues.

[Brummmie]

a1rak said:

Winter upgrades. Replaced the old rad with an aluminium unit from Arron. They made some thicker cored units for Topcat Racing so decided on this as the best option. Not a perfect fit, sent the first one back. Second unit better but still needed minor modes to get the fan cowls to fit. Old rad must have been partially blocked because the running temps are significantly cooler.
Engine temps in heavy summer traffic have always been a worry and have spoilt some journeys. Hopefully now a thing of the past.
Also removed the aircon condenser rad so the airflow now hits the main rad straight away. Off to Castle Coombe on the 13th Feb for an early season trackday ! anyone else going.

I have one of these too, old rad had been re cored twice, and sprung another leak. I had to put some rivnuts on it for the fans, but other than that it has been great.

[a1rak]

Update on the recent work completed. Original BTR diff was getting noisey and clanking when braking and accellerating. I manage to borrow a 4 poster ramp so took the oppotunity to complete a lot of work.

Removed the diff and had a Quaiffe ATB LSD diff fitted whilst having the diff fully rebuilt by Competition transmission services. Also replaced all the diff mounting bushes at the same time which wear totally knackered.|https://thumbsnap.com/xJM2QT9H[/url]. I have no idea why this image keeps loading upside down so you will have to stand on your head to look at it.


I try and treat the chassis each year carefully with a wax based rust preventor so decided this year as I had a ramp to clean all the old stuff off and put new on. I was really pleased with the condition of the chassis, there are no signs of rust anywhere including the dreaded outriggers.

I also have upgraded the engine breather system to a twin outlet setup, the last single pipe one was too low on exiting the front timing cover so used to get quiet a bit of oil travelling up the pipes. This time I have taken the outlets from the top of each cam cover box and feed to a central tank. There is also a feed back to the sump that can be open and close with a valve. Looks much better and hopefully will work better too.


Fitted a genuine new clutch master cylinder and heat protected the pipe with thermal wrap all the way down to the gearbox.
serviced the whole car, new brake fluid, oil filter and supercharger belt. Removed the exhaust had it repacked and a couple of cracks repaired under warranty.

I have had a few short drives and diff is great no clunks and bangs. Clutch seems a bit lighter. Just need the weather to improve and take it out for a good spirited run.

[Byker28i]

Is that last image at Castle Coombe?

[a1rak]

Yes castle coombe last year. I will be going down there for a track day on the 10 March, anyone else going?. Depending on the weather dictates what car I will take out. I usually take 2 cars for a whole day on the track as its to harsh on 1car. I will probably take the Cerb and the my Peugeot which is much better in the wet.

[a1rak]

Long time with no updates on this thread so just to keep the thread up to date as I like it to reflect the work an issues ive had owning this car. Joolz dyno shoot out made me get my finger out of my arse.

So, Completed a full engine service and compression test on the 04/12/2019 very health numbers all reading 10.5:1. fitted new plugs, new supercharger belt, smaller pulley and engine oil and filter. Attended the recent RR session , Thanks again Julian. Engine has had no issues but does not get much use so did not know what to expect, obviously pleased.

figures taken on the 07/12/2019

[rev-erend]

Epic project.

Nice to meet you on Saturday and see it on the road.

[a1rak]

Another update on the supercharged Cerbera. I posted earlier about lack of rear end traction and grip, its not a handling issue its just lack of grip. It may have just been the Pirelli P Zero tyres, I'm just not sure.

I was at Snetterton a few weeks back and still suffered the same problem so decided to go to town on sorting the issue.

1. Had a full geometry check and set up with 1mm toe in and 2 degrees camber on front and back.

2. Full brand new set of AR1 track tyres 255/35/18 Rear and 235/40/18 Front.

3. Full carbon rear wing. On a spare boot so have not used the original for the purists amongst us.

4. Disconnected the Rear ARB.

I'm down at Castle Coombe tomorrow the 24th so WEATHER PERMITTING will let you know how I get on.

[Byker28i]

Drying up but the track will be greasy at the start. Have fun...

[Mr Cerbera]

Good Grief, Paul.

Do you get through rear tyres on a regular basis ?

Edited by Mr Cerbera on Thursday 26th May 13:23

[Byker28i]

Also - how was Coombe?