Acquired a few parts over the last couple of weeks, getting ready for the completion on the build.
Fuel system:
Oil cooling:
AiM EVO4S + GS-Dash
I have been considering one of these for quite a while now, so finally got around to making a decision and buying 🙂 I thought about the new AiM MXm coming out but decided that this would be more flexible and tidier for the wiring on install. The are both essentially the same, trading a couple of features here and there, however the GS-Dash is also an alloy chassis whereas the MXm is plastic, and crucially it is just slightly smaller in its physical dimensions (from I presume being a stronger material and therefore can be thinner). This will allow for a better installation in the OEM SatNav dash unit – the GS-Dash being an almost perfect size. Currently I’ve got the 52mm gauges in there but these will be replaced by the AiM as I have also bought oil pressure, oil temp & fuel pressure sensors to run to the analogue channels. The EVO4S also supports a CAN feed from the ECU for logging all its parameters, so plenty of good data will be available. The AEM wideband will remain for now, and is moving over to the drivers dash vent (where once the SPA gauge lived) and I will try to take the 0-5v output from this into the EVO4S for logging – it’s easy enough to do with only a couple of wires.
Hopefully (given the cost especially) I will choose not to ignore this display and it might well save an engine (or 2!), I should be able to program the EVO4S based upon the sensor readouts to actively protect the engine, I’m thinking via the CAN output (which the MXm didn’t have) switching maps kind of thing?
It also of course has the GPS module and three-axis accelerator with gyro stuff built-in, and with the RaceStudio software has tons of track analysis and graphing options etc, far more than I need to be honest! But the nice thing is the GS-Dash will show lap times and sector info, with the ability to use the RGB warning lights as lap indicators. It will be interesting to see what sort of times I can run, not that timing is allowed on UK track days…! 😮
New year, (another) new engine
Picked this up just before Christmas, currently fitted in the car but awaiting a few more bits to arrive and a few changes to the installation before it will be running once more. Changes from the previous spec engine is that it is basically going to a standard bottom end, however with the addition of ITB’s (Spec page updated). I no longer have the appetite for expensive forged builds as the cost of rebuilding is too high Vs. the actual performance gains, and with the ITB’s it will still make I guess about 220-ish, albeit with just less torque in the mid-range I suspect. Crucially though the cost and time involved for replacing the engine should the worst should happen again, will be far far less. This frees up the budget for doing some more interesting things on the car as I’m frankly bored of replacing engines now! 🙂
It died, on track, again!
Track day at Castle Combe back on May 8th 2017 saw another engine failure! Other than that the car performed fantastically well, power and gear ratios spot on, handling balance with the new B14 kit and Compbrake topmounts and their respective geo and ride heights – spot on too. Very adjustable, rotating nicely on trail braking and the diff hooking up well etc, couldn’t have been more pleased….until! I basically forgot to check the oil level all day and right at the end of the day I got starvation around Folly and spun the bottom-end! Total idiot and expensive lesson to learn, but won’t be making that mistake again!
HOWEVER, on stripping down the engine it is clear that my old friend detonation had been savagely having it’s way. Whole engine is basically scrap and for now no immediate plans to “build” another high power engine…
Carbon heat shields
Built some carbon fibre heat shields recently to just add a little bit of a heat soak barrier to the filter. The rear is lined with DEI gold tape and also edge sealed against the bonnet, however the main air feed will come via a carbon Evo NACA duct – which will hopefully get fitted in the coming weeks.
