Tuning modified 350i engine

[SuffolkFox]

Hi, firstly I should start by saying the Wedge engine is running OK and sounds fine apart from if it gets too warm when it pinks on heavy acceleration BUT due to the original engine committing suicide on the drive (dropped inlet valve whilst being revved - piston with valve head imbedded at jaunty angle now takes pride of place in glass cabinet in lounge) the engine is as follows:-

- brand new circa 1988 lump out of a landrover 110 armoured car fitted (ex MOD war reserve stock - done about 6,000 miles so far since new - MOT shows it is running at 1/10th of the allowable emmissions)and prior to install fitted with:
- 10.5:1 high compression pistons
- 3.9 cam and followers
- induction and ancillaries from original 350i
- ITG foam intake filter
- oil pressure sits just under middle on tick-over once warm
- ACT Stainless manifolds but standard (3 box circa 1986) exhaust

The question is, is there anything I can or should do to improve the performance or running? The fans keep the engine temperature down and the on-load pinking is on extreme pushing only, but due to the mixed bag of bits, can the existing elements be modified to improve it. Is it likely that an aftermarket ECU upgrade and rolling road would make much difference?

As the car is a Mk 1.5 (Mk2 body, fittings etc but with Mk1 rear swing arm suspension) I am aware that too much load on the rear will just cause different problems.
Ta SF

[adam quantrill]

Aftermarket ECU with adjustable timing advance and a knock sensor. Then you can advance/retard on the fly and get the most out of it.

[chedder]

Engine sounds like it may be running lean (mild overheating, pinking on heavy acceleration and very low emmissions) might be an idea to richen up the mixture a bit, should give a bit more va va voom too.

Chedder

[adam quantrill]

Good idea - rising rate regulator... you can set the fuel pressure on these, too.

[SuffolkFox]

Fitted new fuel pump recently and wondered about rising rate regulator then. Any particular make, model preferred and anything need to be modified (fuel lines?)?

[Transmitter Man]

Rising rate regulator is really only a bubblegum replacement for a fully mapped ECU however I'm the first to appreciate it's a lot less costly than something like a Megasquirt.

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Performance/Fuel_Sys...

Scroll down for your TVR model from FSE: http://www.fuelsystem.co.uk/Power%20Boost%20Valve....

or consider a Megasquirt 2 or 3: http://www.extraefi.co.uk/RV8_Kits.html#pnp

The above Rover V8 kits offered by Phil at XtraEFI include all the little bits and pieces so saving one a bunch of time chasing fleabay.

I've invested in a MS2 kit.

Phil
420 SEAC