Re: Bypassing the fuel pump relay...

["Janet Scruggs" <scruggs@mbay.net>]

I guess that I'm going to have to have both my lawyer and my copy editor
review my submissions to the qlist.  If one tries to limit the scope of a
comment to a particular area then someone will inevitably take offense at
something from an area not covered.  If one tries to cover all possible
contingencies then no one will read the post as it will be very long
whereupon all will complain.  What's a body to do?

My post which precipitated comments by Jeff and Orin, regarding my apparent
insensitivity to personal safety issues, was one of those intended to
address only the narrow performance and not the larger societal issues.  I
have, as Orin suggested, been on the lookout for a way to keep the ECU
involved in the personal safety function.  The addition of a 2.5 bar sensor
to the ECU is certainly a way to keep it out of the way of my HKS unit yet
on alert for high g deceleration shut off of the fuel pump.  I do not know
of any of these sensors that are yet available for rational dollars.  

Re Orin's comment: I continue to run manifold pressure to the ECU to ensure
the ignition retard function is retained at high boost.  I don't have a
feel for the ability of the ECU to retard the ignition commensurate with
boost levels superior to OEM but it is certainly better than nothing. 
Alternative control methods are being investigated.  Also, I'm quite aware
of the potential inefficiencies and excessive heat gain when running high
boost levels.  The pressure ratio at 2.2 bar is exactly... 2.2.  I don't
know where the K26 begins to loose efficiency but, again, my goal is to
minimize all sources of detonation through the reduction of heat to the
combustion chamber including a better intercooler, enriching the mixture,
and a bigger turbo.

Re Jeff's comment:  One of the joys of the qlist is the opportunity to
learn from smart people.  The addition of a non-OEM inertial switch to the
fuel pump relay very neatly addresses the personal safety issue.  Thanks,
Jeff, I'll do that.  Also, the MSD is working nicely due completely to the
insight of Orin, who figured out that I was connecting the unit to the
wrong end of the coil.  Thanks, Orin.  Who knew that Bosch would build a
coil upside down.  

So then... uncaring ogre I am not.  Seeker of knowledge through the
manipulation of physics, I am.

Regards, Gross

----------
> From: Jeffrey J. Goggin <audidudi@mindspring.com>
> To: quattro@coimbra.ans.net
> Cc: scruggs@mbay.net
> Subject: Bypassing the fuel pump relay...
> Date: Saturday, June 27, 1998 7:25 AM
> 
> >This unit is adjustable such that two boost levels are available and
> >selectable by switches.  I have them set at 1.8 and 2.2 bar or about 14
and
> >18 psi.  And, yes, I've grounded the fuel shut off relay.  A word here
to
> >those struck with horror at the idea of defeating a factory initiated
> >'safety' device.  These cars are carefully designed by engineers and
> >lawyers to be successfully driven by idiots.  And these idiots may
> >encounter a vast array of conditions and failures which may escape their
> >notice.  Those of us who are more in tune with the physics of our
> >surroundings will no doubt notice the difference between normal
> >acceleration and if our car should suddenly accelerate like an F-18 on a
> >catapult shot.  If it does, then something in the system is behaving
> >abnormally,  _take appropriate action_!  If you are modifying your car
for
> >increased performance then take responsibility for same.
> 
> While I agree with you in principle, there are other, safer ways to
> accomplish the same thing.  Personally, I LIKE the idea of having the
fuel
> pump relay functional to protect me in those instances when I'm NOT aware
of
> my surroundings ... say, for instance, when I've been knocked unconscious
in
> an accident.
> 
> As such, I bypassed the ground to my fuel pump relay through an inertia
> switch that I salvaged from a wrecked Ford Mustang ... cost me all of $5
> from a local salvage yard.  You can also rig up a switch that is
triggered
> by oil pressure, tach feed, etc. and shuts off the fuel pump when the
motor
> stops running ... they won't give you quite as much protection in the
event
> of an accident -- there's no guarantee the motor WILL stop running! --
but
> either one is definitely better than nothing.
> 
> Gross, do yourself and your family a favor and do something about this
ASAP
> ... after popping for an HKS box, MSD ignition (did you ever get that
> working?), et al., spending a few more bucks to complete the job properly
--
> and more important, SAFELY -- shouldn't be a problem.  :^)
> ________________________________________________________________________
>     _                _
>    / |      _| o    | \       _| o  Jeffrey Goggin
>   /__| | | / | | __ |  | | | / | |  audidudi@mindspring.com
>  /   | |_| \_| |    |_/  |_| \_| |  http://www.mindspring.com/~audidudi/
> ________________________________________________________________________