Not at all - I have had FI'd cars in past years - including 280 and 300Z's. This car was initially meant to be the NA beast and that was it. I had the car pulling over 340WHP NA.

FI wasn't a power bug - more of a bling thing - and a nudge thing I really wanted subconsciously. Tony at Fast Intentions decided to redo his entire drive train one day, massive Vortech and all, on his Mustang, a few weeks ago, and I decided to jump aboard. A few days later - Fast Intentions also decided to do the Group Buy on the Vortech.

It was purely a buddy to buddy SC club build, if you know what I mean ...a last minute why not thing! I really put ZERO thought into it.

Now I begin a whole new chapter on this car. The car was maxed as far as NA can go on these cars anyways...not that it mattered.

Now we'll see how it goes. I'm looking at how my car will do with the standard kit and general tuning, then test different tuning options on the kit to see what it can really do without pulley and other mods, based on my other mods already.

Rick

 

Wow 340whp NA? What mods did you have? What kind of dyno and do you have the dyno sheets?

 

second that

 

Wow! I'm hanging around for this.

 

OK - without going into too many details:

The top end are married customized Cosworth heads and stainless valvetrain and custom grind billet Tomei Cams.

The bottom end - can't discuss - sorry.

Rick

 

All of my past interest in the Cosworth heads and you never saw fit to mention they were the basis for your custom heads? Booger!

And with all of these secretive specs, I certainly hope you know someone who is planning to market an NA package, heads, or something. You can't just blaze a path and then cover your tracks behind you without having good reason.

 

Booger, huh...

Lets just say.....ummmm...yyyyyyyyeeeeaaaa.. someone.....hmmmmm

Rick

 

OK - I just got back from Vortech - I love living in SoCal!

As far as I am concerned after what I have learned, and I will let you all in, I will be keeping the Vortech SS box and MAYBE my Apexi SAFCII and tune from there - nothing else.

Now - what I learned to make this decision:

With the R4 software, which is only $50 from Split Second (www.splitsec.com - you have to call to order and they will give you the link to download from), a laptop and serial cable and a dyno...you need nothing more...HONESTLY!!!

If you are buying UTEC's and Emanage, etc...your throwing your money away. Even my $300 Apexi is a waste - but there is a reason to keep it, and I'll get to that in another paragraph.

The SS box will adjust for Timing, and A/F mixture - as well as other settings. You can get a few PDF's from the site that layout those settings and screen shots as well.

With all that said - what else and why would anyone need any other piggy back or other management system for a Vortech install? It is included in the full kit, has full managed knock and ping sense and cancellation, etc etc etc. Everything a UTEC can do, more than Emanage, etc.

The only reason I can see using another piggy back, would be to get a finer tune for the A/F. From what I understand, and I have not gotten my software download yet, the A/F intervals are at 500RPMs. Honestly, this is more than enough for under 400HP applications. If you where planning massive power and beyond, perhaps a tighter map would be needed...it all depends on what your dyno shows to begin with.

For me, I am keeping my Apexi installed for now. It will be unused - but left installed. I am going for the first tune on the car tomorrow - if I need to adjust settings at 250RPM intervals - then the Apexi comes into play for me.

I placed my order for the R4 software just before typing this and they just called me back with the download instructions...GREAT SERVICE!!!

Anyways...ta ta for now.

Rick

 

Sounds good. Can't wait to follow the rest of the story.

And I'm definately interested in more NA options, when someone is ready. Please encourage them for us.

 

where in socal are you? Ive never sat in a vortech before.. can you show me a good time sometime?? I really want to hear the squeal and whatever that people talk about. I just want to sit in a damn car with the vortech! let me know!

 

well this has been discussed to death, but the UTEC (after a configurable point) completely takes over timing *unlike* a piggyback which alters the ECU signal. That means better, more predictable timing control... I think it's the #1 reason for UTEC's popularity (besides being user tuneable).

Would love to know what you dyno going from 340 NA.

Also if Fast Intentions has some #s with Vortech + their exhaust vs. stock exhaust - would love to see that comparo... (been debating 2.5" vs 3" for future turbo)

 

There are going to be a few caveats with my numbers as well - the NA BEAST bottom end is not on the car - too much compression for FI applications. A different bottom end is on the car now...

I understand the UTEC advantage with timing settings as well. The bottom line though, if you use the SS box, is that you have VERY good control over detonation from Vortech.

I think the bottom line for me in this first phase of tests and dyno's will be to see what the KIT can actually produce with it's built in tunability.

AS many of you know - I am a product test ***** - and this is the best place to start.

Rick

We'll all see...

Rick

 

San Fernando Valley...

 

Paypal and shipping addresses sent!

I had just come to terms with the fact that I'll be waiting a while before I get into internals/heads, etc. to make this thing bullet-proof for high-rev, NA fun. Fortunately, I've chosen not to define 'a while' any further at this point.

 

Yea - got that It's already been re-appropriated back into R&D for wear and tear analysis.

Rick