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I got a response from @Reverant "Yes, the circuit in the picture above will work fine since in this ECU version, the flex input is actually used for VSS."
However, he did not answer as to what the incoming input would be set when enabling Flex Fuel? PE0/JS7? Something else?
Luckily a 30mm socket fits on the end of the sender over the spade connector.
Well, I feel like I have two choices. I can either say, ya, I knew that but was worried it could damage the sensor. Or, I can say, duh, not sure how I missed that...
I have had an interesting couple of weeks. I procured all the parts I need to get the flex sensor hooked up, but have been waiting to hear from Reverant on the best way to wire this thing into my MS3. It looks like there are two possible circuits, and he has confirmed that either should work fine. So, I just need to decide when I want to dig into that... Soldering the resistors in will not be an issue, but then I also will need to figure out the best way to get the sensor lead out of the unit.
After running the MKTurbo for the past couple months, and putting over 2K miles on it, I decided that I really should have had Lars put a catalytic converter on it for me. It is always hard to remember that all cars smelled like that back in the day. So, based on Lars's recommendation, I bought a MagnaFlow 59959, and took it to Mandrel Bending Solutions in Pasadena to have them weld it in. MBS supplies the piping to Lars for his kits, so it seemed like a good option, especially since they are relatively close to where I live.
I also decided to have them weld in a bung for me to install a Vibrant slash cut. I know folks on here have had mixed success, so I am not expecting much, but will be pleasantly surprised if it works. I bought psyber_0ptix’s old catch can, and plan on hooking it all up at some point. It was nice of him to drop it by my office, and I got to check out his 400hp Smurf.
With the car on the lift it was nice to get some pictures of the full MkTurbo exhaust, it really is sweet. The guys at the shop made quick work of cutting the pipe and welding up the cat and bung. I was a bit concerned with how they were insuring that the cat was welded back on with everything staying lined up, and unfortunately it did come back to bite me.
After we got the car off the lift, I paid them and headed out. I made it about 100 yards away before it was obvious that my previously perfectly quiet exhaust was now banging against something. Back it went on the rack and the guys replaced the v-band at the top and using a crow bar moved the exhaust while tightening it back up. There is a reason I usually don’t let anyone else touch my car…
Off the lift again, and away I went. The car sounded fine, but by the time I got home 30 minutes later, it was banging against the steering column again. Not what I was hoping for. I finally got the car up on stands on Monday, and as I was loosening the v-band at the turbo, the bolt broke. Of course no one in the area sells them, but Amazon Prime came through, until USPS failed me. I finally got my package today and was able to get everything realigned. It looks good so far on a couple quick rips around the block. Lets hope it stays that way. On the plus side, I now have a cat, so everything smells better, and the slash-cut is ready for me when I get to installing the catch can.
You're going to have to route the slash cut post cat, right?
Actually, I didn't... I read lots of conflicting advice, and it did not seem as if anyone had the winning secret for a slash cut. Some folks said that running pre-cat would clog the cat, however this thing is post catch can, and the amount of oil it will be digesting should be minimal. If it clogs, I swap in another $100 cat, and I did some science.
After the disaster with my downpipe, I was able to focus on dialing in my EBC, and just enjoying the car. Everything was running great until my clutch started slipping on hard pulls in the upper gears. Well, I am actually shocked that it has lasted as long as it did. When I swapped in the VVT (30K miles ago), I choose to keep the stock clutch rather than upgrade at that time. So, the whole time I have had the turbo, I have just been waiting for the slip. I tend to have a lot of mechanical empathy, so I was able to make it last a bit, but at some point, they just can't hold the added HP.
On Lars advice I went with the 949 Racing Organic. However, I was dreading installing it... When I moved, I lost my big garage, and my engine hoist. And, my bones are getting old enough that I did not really want to spend my weekend bench pressing the transmission in. So, I wimped out and threw $400 at York Automotive in Mt Airy, MD. These guys are the Miata specialists in the area, and while I rarely let anyone else work on my car, this felt like a good opportunity to break that rule.
Turns out it was the easiest clutch job I have ever done. Dropped off at 7AM on Saturday, picked up at Noon. Everything works, and the new clutch feels great. I highly recommend York, they did a really nice job.
Today was spent opening up my MS3 and adding the extra wiring that I needed to get my flex sensor up and running. I added the circuit, and cleaned up a bunch of wiring going into the db37, and added some water-proof electrical connectors to make everything work a bit better. The flex sensor is installed, however I still need to finish wiring 12v and ground to the sensor, hopefully will get to that later in the week.
It has been a while... Between the pandemic, and folks in the world forgetting how to drive in a sane manner, I have put about 2K miles on the Miata in the last 6 years. Still runs like a top, starts right up, and pulls strong. Been toying with getting rid of it, but have no idea what it would actually fetch. What does a 94 Brilliant Black with a crappy paint job, but a fully sorted Revenant M3 MKTurbo with a 3.6 Torson go for nowadays?
08-11-2017, 05:35 PM
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