[s-cars] My car, the whore.

[jimk at spotgraphicsinc.com]

Jeez, does it really seem like my car has been driven by half the
list?   I guess so, but she can be a harsh mistress and seems to cost a
pretty penny to keep happy and somewhat faithful.  That's why we added a
little sister to the stable, a 90CQ which I am told can be even
harsher.  I love a challenge.
ANYway (to quote Paul), my observations in regard to RS2 stuff are:
1. Originally Hoppen screwed up my ECU (fried it) and gave me a loaner
with MTM 1 software (2.5bar).  Pretty good, I was happy with it.  Better
than stock.
2.  Then they got me a new ECU with the 1+ that I wanted (and paid for)
(3 bar sensor).  VERY happy with it, going from stage 1 to 1+ is a
bigger jump that going stock to stage 1.
3. I ended not being happy with the MTM 1+ longterm.  It caused
drivability problems for me especially once California went to 91 Octane
Super.  Yes, others here also only have 91, but most of you guys are at
altitude, not sea level.
4. I then installed the RS2 turbo, EM and switched to Lehman 3.0
Software (calibrated for stock MAF and FI's etc.)

This last combo is better than anything else I've had.  The lag is NOT
an issue as within 200 miles you change your driving style (as in
cruising around 1 gear lower, not just perfecting the "Detroit lean")
The car does pull all the way to redline instead of petering out around
5500 as the stock one does.  Also, in gear on the freeway the
accelaration is better than before at practically all points unless
you're lugging it.  Just around town though, going to MTM 1+ from stock
made a bigger difference than going from MTM 1+ to RS2 turbo and EM if
that makes sense.

All that being said, here are the bummers:
The car still retards its timing due to the crappy gas.  Feico drove the
car with 100octane in the tank which helped (a lot).  Jim Bonnet drove
it with 91 octane + Octane Boost which is good but not as good as it
could be.  I ususally drive it with 91 octane and choose my battles
somewhat carefully.  As far as bang for the buck goes, just the MTM (or
Lehman software for $100 extra) is the way to go as long as your gas is
good quality.  The RS2 turbo and EM cost a lot for the extra gain they
give.  (I got mine at half-US-price in Germany which made my decision a
lot easier.).  Of course just changing the chip will cost more than the
chip itself.  You still need the better hoses and many say the EM should
be changed too long-term.

On another note, I drove Bill Mahoney's car in IL  a few weeks ago and I
wish my car were that smooth.  However, that's a LOT of cash to spend
and it's not THAT much faster than mine from what I could tell what with
traffic, cops, Bill's empty soda can rolling around in the footwell :-),
etc.  But it IS smoother.  A lot of it must be the gas but it is a VERY
nice package.

Hope that helps,
Jim K
93S4
90CQ


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[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
In a message dated 7/25/02 8:01:06 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
jimbo at sysdump.com writes:


> uh, maybe jimk can comment on this because he has this setup.. he does

> have lehman chips though.. but I tell ya-- He'll be lucky if he can
get
> my butt indentation out of his seat.. Put it this way, its faster than

> stock no doubt. got more lag than my stock rig it seems but pushes you

> into the seat more.

I have driven jimk car! It is fast. I have had MTM 3.0 bar, stock,
Lehman
stage 1, Tap stage 1. If you don't like accelerating above 5000 RPM the
MTM
will feel probably feel the fastest (less lag etc.), but if you love
pulling
to 7K RPM the RS2 is the only way to go.

Best regards,
Feico van der Laan