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Crazy night tonight!
Been spending too much time coding and not enough behind the wheel. It's probably been 5+ years since I've dropped the clutch at the strip. Some co-workers were heading out and the weather was absolutely perfect for racing. Mid-50s at 320ft above sea level!
The purpose of this visit was to find out just how much you can get from a chromed ECU. My car is 100% stock with just under 100K on it. Airfilter, BOV, fuel pump.... All emissions equipment is in place and functioning! The last time the car was serviced was 7 years ago at the dealer for the 60K and they used all OEM parts! The only thing the previous owner did to this car was regular fluid changes and detail jobs. AFAIK, the trans and clutch are still original. The tires are also 6 years old. They are flat spotted, cracked and barely passed inspection.
All I've added to this car was a wideband (which isn't tied into the stock ECU in any way yet) and an EVOX map sensor for logging boost. Absolutely everything else is as it is from the factory.
Anyway, how well does a properly maintained completely stock VR4 perform? At the recommendation of the WRX guys, all I did was inflate my tires to 48psi.
I got in 2 runs. Nothing special. Rev bouncing launch around 5500rpms and quick shifts around 6800rpms:
13.79 @ 99.8mph with a 1.86 60ft
13.82 @ 100.9mph with a 1.88 60ft
About spot on with what you would normally expect. Nose pointed to the sky in every gear.
After the second run, all I did was flash Chrome V2 with my every day tune then get back in line. Little back ground with what's to come for all you flash ECU guys!
Launch control settings were 5500rpms with -15 degree timing retard. Car makes about 6psi of boost with these settings.
NLTS is set for 5000rpms. I may change this to just subtract rpms instead of just a fixed set limit for when the clutch is depressed. This setup works, but you can't flat shift if you're shifting under 5000rpms....
Fuel map is tuned for 12:1 ratio in the mid rpms and tapering to 11.5:1 in the upper RPMs. Timing has as much as 7 degrees over stock in some areas but a few degrees taken out in others. Gives the car a flatter torque curve with no knock!
Boost control is maintained by the stock BCS and hasn't been modified in any way! Simply maxing the duty cycle gives 16psi spike which tapers to about 11psi at the red line. Removing the restriction pill will give more boost, but I am limited by the stock BOV, stock fuel system (fuel pump is NOT rewired) and the age of the ignition system.
Anyway, eventually it becomes my turn to stage. Foot to the floor, motor bounces off the limiter, car pops and shakes as it should. Stage turns green and I drop the clutch!
Massive wheel spin all the way thru first and the clutch seemed sloppy grabbing second. Right foot never left the metal the whole way down the track! Clutch in, RPMs automatically fall and the next gear comes so fast, the pressure in the intake hardly drops. Third gear comes and the dreaded spark blow out peaks out to say hello... Still cleared up above 6000rpms and the knock Check Engine Light never made an appearance! Crossed the line just under redline.
I knew I had a great pass and couldn't wait to get my slip!
Pull up to the booth, received the paper and before I had a chance to look at it, another gentleman comes up and tells me I need to exit the premises for no helmet.... I asked if it was okay to borrow one and he told me no. I had to leave.
As I'm pulling back into the pits to get my tools, I about jumped out the window when I glanced at the time slip!
I'm still in shock and awe! SO DAMN CLOSE to a 12 and I know the car can do it! With a little tweaking to the launch control settings the 60ft could have been better and I have a fresh set of OEM wires with copper plugs waiting to be installed. Next visit...
So here's a glimpse with what a flash ECU can do for you! I see no reason why another completely stock VR4 with a tune like this can't put down this kind of power. Assuming it's well maintained of course!
***Update below!***
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Originally Posted by HilbillyHomeboy
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