My FM level 1 clutch has been splendid and is rated up to 318 ft/lbs. Low pedal effort, no chatter.

 

That's the clutch I was eyeing up originally, as everyone seems to love them, but they were out of stock at the time. Just got an email today about FM's "black November" sale, with $50 off an in-stock Happy Meal. Just ordered one up.

 

I've got that clutch...you'll be happy.

 

I also haz FM1 clutch and, ahem, many torques. It seems to be holding up well.

I hate you.

 

You're welcome!

 

Update:

I flashed the MS3 with 1.4.1 beta2, and the primary improvement is the new closed loop boost controller code using the Bias Table. It actually works like it's supposed to now! Critically damped boost target is achieved from boost threshold to redline, no overshoot, no undershoot. Finally.

Over-Run fuel cut still has two separate bugs in it like 1.3 did, as does MS Lab's SD card reader, so neither feature is usable yet.

 

Every time I try to go from 1.3.x to 1.4.x it destroys my tune. I'm jealous you even got that far.

 

That's strange, I wonder why? Did you start a new project like it asked you to? I did that, imported my tune, fixed the errors, and it started first crank.

 

Probably because I need ELI5 instructions and have no faith in my abilities.

But seriously, I'm glad to hear they at least got the closed loop boost stuff working

What's this SD card thing then? I've not used mine yet

 

What's the issue with the SD card datalogging?

 

If you plug in a card [not even datalog], It appears to overtax the MCU and the engine generally runs like crap, to the point it won't make power and won't rev over 5k-ish RPM. I haven't made any real effort to figure it out and just use my laptop to datalog.


I finally decided to sign up for MSEXTRA and just submitted a thread asking if they can help figure out the Over Run Fuel Cut problems. My hunch is that since nobody else with MS3's appears to be having related issues, it might be Miata 36-2 code related. Or there's something flagrant in my settings that was never caught.


In better news, with Over Run Fuel Cut and the SD card out of the picture, I'm pretty happy with the smoothness. Here's a quick couple second WOT screen-cap for fun, fully zoomed in on MegaLogViewer.

WOTpull by Ryephile, on Flickr

 

This is a very cool build! Shows dedication and proper research.
You could have kept that beautiful Exige S for not much more money though

 

Ok, I just want to make sure that you understand that the SD card hardware is the common MS3 hardware on the MS3 daughterboard, which is not something that we make. Ie it's not an MS Labs feature/product.

For all intents and purposes, treat the SD card logging facility like the ECU is an MS3x.

 

I understand. Thanks.

 

Based on MSEXTRA's recommendations I started re-tuning the car using EAE instead of X-Tau. It turns out the MSEXTRA guys have literally no clue how the X-Tau code works, so they refuse to support anyone trying it. The only help they offered was whatever my X-Tau settings were, were probably causing the fuel pulsewidth to go irrationally negative and create the perceived over-run fuel cut problem I was seeing.

With EAE, I ended up getting the enrichment's during actual driving about perfect, but for whatever reason the EAE code really messes with the cranking and ASE during starts. It didn't affect cold-starts too much, but hot starts turned into a catastrophe, which was something I had flawless with the X-Tau code. I had to retune the temp corrections and the idle valve cranking and initial values, and it still wasn't as good as X-Tau. In the end I went back to X-Tau and improved the tuning on it. The transitional AFR's during driving are about as good as I had it with EAE, but my hot starts are back to being amazing.

So basically, I improved the tuning on my X-Tau and the car is now running better than ever. I definitely need more rear tire; as soon as this gloomy "spring" we've been having clears up I'll order a new set of tires. Planning on 225/45-15 Rival S's on 15x9 Storm's.

Here's a pic of how it sits now:
Miata 2016 by Ryephile, on Flickr

 

I removed the hood so I could install the Singular hood vents. Note the secret non-conductive sealing tape for the radiator.

IMG_8272.jpg by Ryephile, on Flickr

I chose to top-mount the vents to A) hide the cut edges, B) minimize how much hood structure needed to be removed, and C) retain the stock hood prop rod socket

IMG_8284.jpg by Ryephile, on Flickr

Swapped out the 205 Rival's on 15x8 for 225 Rival S's on 15x9. It's a nice improvement in grip.

IMG_8299.jpg by Ryephile, on Flickr


Then this past weekend I took to the car to Grattan. Some big improvements all around:
*Between the man-size radiator and the hood vents, coolant temps are finally under control.
*The alpha code I'm running in the MS3, in particular the relatively new (circa February?) bias table for CL boost control, is a revelation. CL boost control prior was a joke, now it works pretty well. I'd still like adjustable PID's by gear, but that's unlikely to happen given how lazy and stubborn the Megasquirt code writers are.
*The Blackbird spoiler is legit. The claim of 1.5 to 2.0 seconds improvement per lap feels spot on. Cars/drivers I was on-par with last year I'm now several seconds quicker. Actual improvement. Massive thumbs up to Moti. Something I noticed washing the car after the weekend is there are witness marks where the spoiler support hardware was digging into the rear panel, yet at rest there's a notable gap between the panel and the hardware. It takes most of my body weight to hang off the spoiler supports to deflect the trunk lid enough to create this movement. I'm surprised the spoiler gives this much down-force, but in retrospect it's believable given how much sooner I was able to roll into WOT everywhere on the track. Awesome.


IMG_8376.jpg by Ryephile, on Flickr


IMG_8374.jpg by Ryephile, on Flickr

 

Huh. I'd have never thought of top mounting the vents. I might have to try mounting mine that way, I don't like how the trim looks on mine. Thanks for the idea!

 

Any chance of a pic from the underside of the hood? I'm curious as to how much less structure you cut.

 

Here you go. To keep the hood prop rod socket intact, I had to chamfer a corner of one of the vent slats. When it was all complete with the vents bolted up, the overall rigidity of the hood seems similar to stock.


Underhood by Ryephile, on Flickr

 

Thanks!