Discussion
Following on from John Halsteads thread about installing the new SC Power supercharger to my 400 sx, thought I should tell ya what its like. ITS absolutely NUTS!!. The car drives amazingly well, idles at 850 rpm but pulls very hard from low revs all the way to the limiter with no tail off in power, its very very impressive. That combined with the hedonistic soundtrack with fireworks going off every time I lift off has made me into an addict.
The difference over the sprintex so far as I can tell is that there is probably slightly less low down torque but the power keeps on going up the rev range. I can still drive around at less than 1000 rpm in 4th though and it pulls smoothly away. Considering Sean (megasquirt expert) who mapped the megasquirt ecu to do the on road mapping for a very fair price, its very very good. John and Sean also did the mapping on a very wet day.
On another note, the SX is fitted with Gaz Gold coilover shocks and the ride comfort has always been very impressive since my ownership. Turns out they were pretty much on their least firm setting, which did give a surprisingly limo like ride. I decided to test a more sporting setup and tuned all the shocks two whole turns on the firm side - not a good idea, probably great on a racetrack but on the road smooth roads were not! Turned down one turn towards soft and its a great compromise, supple but responsive. The GAZ shocks for the wedge are not that expensive and anyone who says their wedge suspension is harsh should give them a go, seems like they can be adjusted to suit all tastes. The underside (and the rest) of the car is amazing - Previous owner Martin Chapman clearly went to a lot of effort, its truly stunning!
Apart from a leaky power steering pipe connection which just needed a tighten the SX has also been 100% on the button and I feel like I could drive anywhere with confidence. The only other issue I have is that there is a vibration at speeds over 80mph which I have identified on a private road that it continues beyond that point!. I think it may be the propshaft (wheels have been checked for balancing), I have a feeling that its been refitted slightly out of alignment which apparently can cause vibration at speed, the whole car shakes, not the steering.
Best
James
The difference over the sprintex so far as I can tell is that there is probably slightly less low down torque but the power keeps on going up the rev range. I can still drive around at less than 1000 rpm in 4th though and it pulls smoothly away. Considering Sean (megasquirt expert) who mapped the megasquirt ecu to do the on road mapping for a very fair price, its very very good. John and Sean also did the mapping on a very wet day.
On another note, the SX is fitted with Gaz Gold coilover shocks and the ride comfort has always been very impressive since my ownership. Turns out they were pretty much on their least firm setting, which did give a surprisingly limo like ride. I decided to test a more sporting setup and tuned all the shocks two whole turns on the firm side - not a good idea, probably great on a racetrack but on the road smooth roads were not! Turned down one turn towards soft and its a great compromise, supple but responsive. The GAZ shocks for the wedge are not that expensive and anyone who says their wedge suspension is harsh should give them a go, seems like they can be adjusted to suit all tastes. The underside (and the rest) of the car is amazing - Previous owner Martin Chapman clearly went to a lot of effort, its truly stunning!
Apart from a leaky power steering pipe connection which just needed a tighten the SX has also been 100% on the button and I feel like I could drive anywhere with confidence. The only other issue I have is that there is a vibration at speeds over 80mph which I have identified on a private road that it continues beyond that point!. I think it may be the propshaft (wheels have been checked for balancing), I have a feeling that its been refitted slightly out of alignment which apparently can cause vibration at speed, the whole car shakes, not the steering.
Best
James
She sounds like a real beast now James well done bud ! When I bought the Gaz shocks I actually spoke to the guy that did the development work for the kit, he said they found 18 clicks from 0 for the front and 16 from 0 for the back were a good compromise between track and road driving.
I always found Shaun a great guy to deal with regards tuning the Megasquirt, I still have a dyno of 274 bhp 300flb graph from the last time Shaun worked his magic , with your set up though I think it will be considerably more going by John's work on the Chimera, you can thank Shaun for the Gatling Gun Orchestra which always brought a few looks hehe.
I always found Shaun a great guy to deal with regards tuning the Megasquirt, I still have a dyno of 274 bhp 300flb graph from the last time Shaun worked his magic , with your set up though I think it will be considerably more going by John's work on the Chimera, you can thank Shaun for the Gatling Gun Orchestra which always brought a few looks hehe.
Edited by chapperssx on Friday 1st April 08:17
Martin, great to hear from you! You must have been a wee bit sad when you decided to sell G692 MEO. Rest assured the cars in good hands and being worshiped as some kind of TVR God 
It is a beautiful beast of a motor which I am really enjoying just driving about in. I have even left my boring but comfortable Lexus company car at the office the past couple of days. Shaun really is a master of the megasquirt, even John was surprised at how well he mapped the car. The previous sessions with him probably helped but the car is producing some serious smooth power..as I said, its addictive. There is still quite a bit of room for more power but I cant say it feels exactly lacking already.
Thanks for the info on the Gaz shocks, might re-adjust to those recommended settings, I think the wedges do work well with a bit of compliance and become more drive-able as a result. Cars like the original Lotus Elise were always been commended for their agility and ride comfort, rock solid aint always best.
I completely forgot to ask John for the mapping vid when I collected the car, the excitement must have got to me.. I will see if I can get it off him as Im also keen to see it after searching u tube 20 times!
I am also planning to get a coupe of decent vids 'on the move'. I already have quite a few that my son recorded, although he's not the best camera man in the passenger seat I will see if any are worth a look...
It is a beautiful beast of a motor which I am really enjoying just driving about in. I have even left my boring but comfortable Lexus company car at the office the past couple of days. Shaun really is a master of the megasquirt, even John was surprised at how well he mapped the car. The previous sessions with him probably helped but the car is producing some serious smooth power..as I said, its addictive. There is still quite a bit of room for more power but I cant say it feels exactly lacking already. Thanks for the info on the Gaz shocks, might re-adjust to those recommended settings, I think the wedges do work well with a bit of compliance and become more drive-able as a result. Cars like the original Lotus Elise were always been commended for their agility and ride comfort, rock solid aint always best.
I completely forgot to ask John for the mapping vid when I collected the car, the excitement must have got to me.. I will see if I can get it off him as Im also keen to see it after searching u tube 20 times!
I am also planning to get a coupe of decent vids 'on the move'. I already have quite a few that my son recorded, although he's not the best camera man in the passenger seat I will see if any are worth a look...
I was going to suggest take the vid on an SD card to the park so someone could upload it.... but as even you don't have it that would be a problem.
Your vibration problems - if the propshaft then these usually get worse if you get it up to speed then knock it out of gear and coast. Mine are quite noticeable at around 80 on a private road.
I have just received my shorter blower belt so hope to fit that this weekend,
Your vibration problems - if the propshaft then these usually get worse if you get it up to speed then knock it out of gear and coast. Mine are quite noticeable at around 80 on a private road.
I have just received my shorter blower belt so hope to fit that this weekend,
Hi James it was a sad day but situations change and all that so had to wave good bye to her . Sorry to see you've had a few problems with her and hope that's all out the way so you can put some miles on her, the more you use these beast the better they get although I can see you having to invest in Shell petroleum lol.
If your going to the BBWF this year I'm sure we can spend a bit of time going over the car with you.
Sooner or later I will be back in a Wedge annoying the neighbours lol.
If your going to the BBWF this year I'm sure we can spend a bit of time going over the car with you.
Sooner or later I will be back in a Wedge annoying the neighbours lol.
Need to get that vid off John! Adam, you are fitting shorter belt? Is that because the last one was too short or are you altering the gearing to the Sprintex?
This is whats making me think its probably the propshaft:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
It would be great to see you at the Wedge Fest Martin, sounds like you had a head over heart decision to make at the time and total respect to you for that, I think many of us have probably had to do the same at some stage. Would be great to see you back annoying the public in a noisy wedge!! You deserve it..
This is whats making me think its probably the propshaft:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
It would be great to see you at the Wedge Fest Martin, sounds like you had a head over heart decision to make at the time and total respect to you for that, I think many of us have probably had to do the same at some stage. Would be great to see you back annoying the public in a noisy wedge!! You deserve it..
The reason for the shorter belt is I think the pulleys have worn a bit over time and 75k miles, mainly the crank pulley, and I can't get the tension set even with a new belt. Luckily the pulleys still have 3mm ridges for the toothed belt - I'll find out tomorrow whether it solves the problem for now.
Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff