[s-cars] Tuning review - Mihnea's software & RS2ing an urS6

[Robert Myers]

Hi Y'all,

A while back Mihnea and I were "talking" about doing some mods to my 
urS6.  The conversation turned to RS2 and all the usual things that are 
done to accomplish these mods.  Mihnea said something like "I don't think 
you will really need a different MAF or cams or FPR,  just the turbo, 
injectors and possibly the exhaust manifold and, of course, proper software 
to make them all work together.  Also, the quite expensive RS2 injectors 
aren't 100% necessary.  Less expensive injectors will work just fine."

OK, I decided to put him to the test.  I purchased a nicely rebuilt RS2 
turbo, an RS2 EM, and a set of Lucas/Delphi 37#/hr injectors (only $200 for 
the set).  I also bought a chip programmer on Ebay (well under $100) and a 
supply of chips and Mihnea and I went to work.  The turbo, manifold, and 
injectors were installed and I became quite expert at swapping chips in my 
ECU.  After a number of software iterations I'm ready to give an interim 
report.  ("A number of iterations" because mine was the prototype for this 
specific setup.)  I also got and installed an EGT which provided exhaust 
temperature data to prevent running mixtures too lean and burning valves.

The car:  1995 S6

Changes include:
RS2 turbo
RS2 EM
Injectors
Stromung exhaust (already on the car before we started this project).
Mihnea's software (which we have extensively worked on together through 
numerous iterations)

Also new but not essential:
Forge BPV
Samco Hoses - hmmmm - maybe actually essential.

I kept stock:
Cams
MAF
intercooler
everything else engine related


"So how's it going?", you ask?  Well, I've taken up smoking.  I smoked a 
911 while at Sebring last week.  :-))))


My impressions?  YEEEEHAAAAAA!!!!!  Holy Cow, 
Batman!!!!  Whoooopeeeee!!!!  Katy, Bar the 
door!!!  YaaaaHooooooooo!!!  Plus at least a dozen other superlatives.

I ran solo back from Sebring, ~900 miles, maybe a little less, didn't reset 
odometer and should have.  The trip took 11:09 from the Orlando airport to 
my home in Fayetteville, WV.  I cruised 80-95 all the way and into triple 
digits occasionally except where I was forced by traffic or encouraged by 
my V1 to slow down some.  Fuel consumption while cruising at a nearly 
constant 80 mph was a bit over 24 mpg.  Not too shabby, considering.  Zero 
to 60 times are in the 5.2-5.4 second range.  (Now don't quote me on those 
times.  The measurements were taken under difficult conditions.)

Uh, I hope I give the impression that I like the changes in my ride.  ;-)

I was asked about boost levels by another lister so I took some 
measurements a day or so ago.  In 5th gear and at WOT I was getting about 2 
psig at 1400 rpm.  That's coming on a LOT earlier than I thought.  I got 
9-10 psig at 2300 rpm and 28 psig (maximum for my setup) at about 3200-3400 
rpm.  I could "feel" the boost commencing at about 2200 rpm and it really 
kicks you in the back starting at about 3000 rpm.  All this was in fifth 
gear.  You really almost have no need of lower gears when passing another 
car starting at highway speeds.

Oh - nearly forgot.  My wrench is also George Grubr's wrench on this side 
of the pond.  He told me that George's 400hp Lehmann S6 avant feels no 
stronger than mine.  I guess you can take that comment for whatever you 
might want but I found it interesting.  BTW, I've driven George's avant and 
can attest that there isn't a whole lot of difference between the two.

This old retired college professor gives Mihnea an "A" on his test.  :-)

_____

Tax cuts for the Resident's cronies.  $87 billion for Iraq.  School 
libraries are closing.  Yep - no child left behind.

Bob
*****
  Robert L. Myers 304-574-2372
  Rt. 4, Box 57, Fayetteville, WV 25840 USA WV tag Q SHIP
  '95 urS6 Cashmere Grey - der Wunderwagen  ICQ 22170244
  http://www.cob-net.org/church/pvcob.htm
*****