ScottyP3821

iTrader: (2)

Dang that sucks. Ive never had any issues with the BEGI spacer. I also never put a good deal of torque to it. I just snugged it up nicely.

EErockMiata

Stoked you got your motor back in and up and running so quickly. Thanks for the update. I'll be doing a re-route install with my engine in the car next week.

What track are you headed to?

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

Suspect that most of the problems people have are from over-torquing. BTW, not calling the BEGI spacer defective. It's the size it needs to be to fit in the small area at the back of the head. It's just that people need to recognize that the waterneck bolt holes aren't fully supported by the design and accomodate for that.

I'm a member at MSR-Cresson. Go out whenever I feel like it. Beats golf!

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

I liked my Carbotechs on stock brakes. Bed them properly blah blah blah. Welcome back to Track Club!

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

"Track Club." LOL. Sounds like a great T-shirt logo, along with "Save the Stick."

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

VICS controls with 1st generation MSPNP9495.

I followed Brainy's logical suggestion to use the open loop EBC function for VICS control. The idea is that this would let me make use of the built-in RPM settings. This is how I set that up:






By setting my targets more than 20kPa away from what a normally aspirated car would ever see, the MS forces open loop and reverts to the duty cycle table. The duty cycle table is setup to switch the VICS at 5200RPM per the OEM specification.

Unfortunately, when I logged some pulls I found that this wasn't working. VICS was always deactivated above 5200RPM as desired. But below 5200RPM, VICS only turned on if MAP was above 90kPa.

In this pull, I keep MAP well above 90kPa and get a nice switch at 5200RPM:


In this pull, I generally keep MAP just below 90kPA and the VICS stays deactivated the whole time (except for one small noise blip above 90kPa):


And here's a picture of the kind of havoc that was being created with the VICS output in normal driving:


Looking at the MS firmware, I found code that disables the EBC output whenever you're not in boost. The comment in the code indicated it was meant to keep the EBC solenoid from wearing out. Whatever. Bottom line, on a 1st generation MSPNP, using the EBC function for VICS is not workable without a firmware change.

So I decided to use the "Output 1" function instead of the EBC function. Here's what that looks like:

X4/JS2 is changed to Output1 instead of Boost Control.


Then you setup the parameters for Output1. When you select RPM as the parameter, the numbers you specify are RPM / 100 (i.e., 52 is 5200RPM). You can also specify a hysterisis (I used 1 or 100RPM) to prevent the VICS solenoid from oscillating. Select inverted operation. With these settings, the VICS deactivates at 5200RPM on an RPM increase and activates at 5100RPM on an RPM decrease. Proper operation was confirmed by observing the "Output1" icon on MegaTune/TunerStudio and by physical observation of VICS actuator movement.


YMMV.

TL;DR - MS1 EBC function can't control VICS correctly.

Jeffbucc

Thank you for posting all that about the VICs. I just realized I haven't run any logs to check and see if mine was functioning correctly with MS3x. Need to check that. Sucks you can't get the output to work correctly.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

I did get it to work correctly. You just have to change the function from "Boost Control" to "Output1" and then use RPM.

Plus, if I really couldn't get it to work correctly, I would have rewritten the firmware. You know how I am. In fact, that's one of the things I like about MS1 . . . open source.

Jeffbucc

I have jealous hatred that you know how to do that and say it offhand so easily, "sure, I'll just rewrite the code!"

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

Been driving my non-AC track car all week to put break-in miles on it. Managed 600 miles. Time to change the oil.

Unfortunately found an oil leak. Passenger-side front. Expecting the worst (oil pump O-ring) or at least medium bad (camshaft seals). Got lucky. The pipe plug on the oil pump outlet is loose.

Picture:


With black light:


Thank God for dye and thank God for luck. Track tomorrow!

18psi

iTrader: (76)

seriously, dye FOR THE WIN!!!

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

Ahhhh . . . back on track.

Hot friggin day. It was 102. I was about 1 second off pace. Considering a month and a half lay-off and the temps, I guess that's OK. Vid (some clean laps then start playing with traffic around 5:30):


Temps were good. Water temp stabilized at 205 and oil temp (measured at the sandwich plate, which measures a bit hotter than the oil pan) stabilized at 240. Oil pressure stayed up nicely, around 50psi. No cooldown laps mid-session were needed -- pushing full time. This was on Rotella T dino oil (using for break in). So, I hereby declare my oil cooler upgrade a success!!

I could use a breather/catch tank though. My breather was making a bit of a mess during a 30 minute session. That'll be my next project.

Going back out tomorrow. Looking for another 2 seconds.

EErockMiata

Watched the video. Is there a reason you're diving deep into the t1 right hander? It seems like you're driving a line that would set you up for a straight away launch when there is none. Never driven the track... no idea on corner entry conditions but that strikes me as one where the SPM guys here in socal would preach, compromise and shortest distanced = all.

Car looks and sounds fast.

Jeffbucc

Wow, that looked really civilized and fast. Glad to see the red rocket running again.

Are you running a water temp gauge or using a reading from TS for you coolant numbers? Reason I ask is I am not liking the OEM gauge...seems a little inaccurate. I'd love to put a digital oil/coolant temp gauge in the cluster.

Loving your video overlay of the speed/time/track. Seriously cool.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

I've driven that both ways. Used to get up a lot tighter to the apex (more of a racing line to protect the turn). Friend of mine (instructor) recommended this other line that focuses more on keeping speeds higher and going for rotation. His style is more auto-X though (he's a solo nationals type) and a lot rougher than my style. Bottom line, I'm still experimenting with that one. Seems to be a wash time-wise.

I've got separate water and oil temp gauges where the radio used to be. That's where I get the real temp numbers.

iPods for the win. Having vid/data/time has really helped me improve.

Did four sessions today. I've got some cool video to post up. Unfortunately, it was so darn hot that my iPod actually shut itself down! So, only 2 and a half sessions of video. MUCH faster groups today. Darn near kissed a GTU Viper after he lost it in front of me. I get lots of compliments on the car from pretty much everybody. They're all impressed that I can push it without cool down laps. A McClaren MP4 couldn't do 2 laps today before the ECU went into limp home mode.

I'm loving this car. Bulletproof and 0 oil consumption with the rebuild.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

As promised, more vid.

I'm trying not to be a pest to the big power GTU cars. I sort of keep up in the curves, but they soon make the HP difference evident. LOL.

Some excitement at 4:40!

The yellow Miata at the end is a 250RWHP turbo example being driven by Keith Verges. Don't stand much of a chance there either.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

Problem . . . oil mess from the breather. This is about 2 hours of track time's worth:




Over the lunch break, went to the speed shop at the track (PST) and bought one of these for sub-$60.


Mounted it to my famous air box. Installed pix:






Did another hours worth of track time after the quickie install. Success . . . no oil.

Lawn mowing ! Too fun!

Chilicharger665

iTrader: (2)

Props for making me re-read the whole thread and enjoy it all over again. You have come so far in such little time! I am budgeting to start building my car early next year. Until then I am in savings mode.

I will budget for a visit out to your track too. What track is it again and how much does it cost?

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

MSR-Cresson in Cresson, TX. About 30 miles SW of Ft. Worth on US377. I'm allowed to bring out 1 driving guest every month (seems like I do this every other month or so). The cost is $20 per 30 minute session. Really can't beat it. Way better than a golf club membership.

Jeffbucc

That is a pretty nice looking breather tube for $60. I wish I would have done a little more research before I bought my catch can. Would have gotten a dual catch can to vent both side of the crank, rather than just the passenger side single I have.

You can mow the lawn as long as you down try to rake the gravel!