Progress Thread Nicholase "lights out" build- TKX install

[nicholase]

The FMU tuning is coming along great. Still tweaking. I'll post some stuff when I get it totally completed and dialed in. I came up with a pretty cool invention to make the signal supply to the FMU adjustable in different pressure zones which removes the original design limitations. The butt dyno approves.

As far as the larger 80mm MAF I was able to pick up better than 2 PSI. I'm not so much about the maximum boost numbers, more about the extra grunt down low that feels great.

As for fuel pressure I've made significant strides. I'm estimating fuel pressure was 120 PSI with the factory 19lb injectors. Thats just how FMU's work. I can only estimate because my guage stops at 100..... it would go out of limits around 5 psi of boost....That's what prompted the calibrated MAF and 24lb injectors.

With the 24 lb injectors I was able to reduce fuel pressure to 90 psi with the standard operating FMU and a custom made calibration set.

With my FMU invention I was able to keep a nice steady AFR and maintain 11.5:1 AFR (or whatever I want it to be) at maximum boost with fuel pressure ceiling of 65 psi. So I've managed to shave off an estimated 55 psi from where I started. Which is significant.

This got me wondering if I really need the T-Rex fuel pump? So I temporarily bypassed it and took it out for a few runs. I had no problem keeping it as rich as I wanted at max boost with out the TRex. I'll give it a few more runs, but I don't think I need it. The Walbro 255lph HP pumps seems to be fine alone.

When I installed the TRex it calls to cut the factory fuel line (tank to filter) and re use the fitting. So I need to replace the line. I found one at at a company called Classic Tube that makes all sorts of fuel and brakes lines for our cars in the USA. Pretty neat it's just around the corner from me.

 

[nicholase]

While this is a pretty mild build perfomance wise, it's just a stock motor with a Vortech. Traction is a problem. First gear was always a little wild, but now that I'm getting the tune dialed in, second hear is pretty slippery too. Even just rolling slow and lugging it in second at 1200 RPM and mashing it by 3500 RPM the tires are completely broken loose until it's time to shift to third. Third it pretty manageable. The tires are churning, not spinning.


I'm still planning on the big disc brakes at all four corners over the winter. But my long range goals are shifting little.


With the traction issues I think more attention to the suspension is order.
A MM torque arm and panhard bar are probable while it's in hibernation. I definitely need to address this before any other performance upgrades.

The torque arm looks like a difficult install with the Bassani X pipe. MM had instruction and there is heavy fabrication involved (on the X pipe). So I'll have to cut up and re weld. I'm comfortable with it, but it's going to be pretty involved.

So I'm thinking this winter do brakes and MM suspension.

The FMU is working great for now, so I'll stay on that the rest of this summer and all of next. Then my plans are an Anderson top end kit (HCI) with their blower cam. At that point I'll swap over to a management system. I'm liking the Pro M. But that's a ways out yet.

 

[gkomo]

The FMU tuning is coming along great. Still tweaking. I'll post some stuff when I get it totally completed and dialed in. I came up with a pretty cool invention to make the signal supply to the FMU adjustable in different pressure zones which removes the original design limitations. The butt dyno approves.

As far as the larger 80mm MAF I was able to pick up better than 2 PSI. I'm not so much about the maximum boost numbers, more about the extra grunt down low that feels great.

As for fuel pressure I've made significant strides. I'm estimating fuel pressure was 120 PSI with the factory 19lb injectors. Thats just how FMU's work. I can only estimate because my guage stops at 100..... it would go out of limits around 5 psi of boost....That's what prompted the calibrated MAF and 24lb injectors.

With the 24 lb injectors I was able to reduce fuel pressure to 90 psi with the standard operating FMU and a custom made calibration set.

With my FMU invention I was able to keep a nice steady AFR and maintain 11.5:1 AFR (or whatever I want it to be) at maximum boost with fuel pressure ceiling of 65 psi. So I've managed to shave off an estimated 55 psi from where I started. Which is significant.

This got me wondering if I really need the T-Rex fuel pump? So I temporarily bypassed it and took it out for a few runs. I had no problem keeping it as rich as I wanted at max boost with out the TRex. I'll give it a few more runs, but I don't think I need it. The Walbro 255lph HP pumps seems to be fine alone.

When I installed the TRex it calls to cut the factory fuel line (tank to filter) and re use the fitting. So I need to replace the line. I found one at at a company called Classic Tube that makes all sorts of fuel and brakes lines for our cars in the USA. Pretty neat it's just around the corner from me.

Sounds like you’re getting into the weeds but in a good way. Do you know what your car puts down with the stock engine and the Vortech?

When you say you want to put ‘big’ disks on all 4 corners are you still running stock brakes at the moment? What kits are you looking at?

I think your plan of the panhard bar and torque arm is a good one. Can’t beat that combo.

 

[Noobz347]

@nicholase @gkomo

Over 100 posts and 90 posts respectively yet, neither has loaded an avatar and both still look like Noobs


But doooooooooooon't you guys worry (this generally means that you should worry)

Next time I'm bored, I'll pick you out some [good] ones!

That is of course, unless something else exist when that happens.

 

[gkomo]

@nicholase @gkomo

Over 100 posts and 90 posts respectively yet, neither has loaded an avatar and both still look like Noobs


But doooooooooooon't you guys worry (this generally means that you should worry)

Next time I'm bored, I'll pick you out some [good] ones!

That is of course, unless something else exist when that happens.

Done!

 

[nicholase]

Sounds like you’re getting into the weeds but in a good way. Do you know what your car puts down with the stock engine and the Vortech?

When you say you want to put ‘big’ disks on all 4 corners are you still running stock brakes at the moment? What kits are you looking at?

I think your plan of the panhard bar and torque arm is a good one. Can’t beat that combo.

Deep in the weeds is an understatement lol.

The Vortech kit which mine has evolved into is rated at 331 hp / 358 tq on a completely stock engine. Maybe with the headers, high flow cats, and exhaust a little more than that. Somewhere around there I'd guess anyway.

Yup. Stock brakes all around. I was looking at some kits from Baer. I have SN95 spindles in the garage but not sure what I want to do. They make kits for sn95 spindles or fox in 4 and 5 lug. Lots to think about there. Probably go with 4 piston front 13" rotors and 2 piston rear 12" rotors. Just not sure what lug setup I want.

 

[Noobz347]

Now, you're tempting fate. LoL

 

[nicholase]

Over 100 posts and 90 posts respectively yet, neither has loaded an avatar and both still look like Noobs

Next time I'm bored, I'll pick you out some [good] ones!

Now, you're tempting fate. LoL

Lol. I picked your Avatar to look like a Noobz. Now I can't upload anything else. Yours just keeps popping up no matter what I pick. So pick me a good one!

 

[Noobz347]

Lol. I picked your Avatar to look like a Noobz. Now I can't upload anything else. Yours just keeps popping up no matter what I pick. So pick me a good one!

It will. Just upload it and it will take some time.


The rapid changes probably tripped a security measure. It will update over time. If not, I'll look at it again tomorrow.

 

[Cheapskate207]

Tell us more about this invention.

 

[Noobz347]

Lol. I picked your Avatar to look like a Noobz. Now I can't upload anything else. Yours just keeps popping up no matter what I pick. So pick me a good one!

I think I have it fixed.

 

[nicholase]

I think I have it fixed.

I can roll with that!

 

[nicholase]

Tell us more about this invention.

I will. There will be more about FMU's than anyone wants to read


I'm gonna wait until I'm totally finished with it and tuning is complete. I'm probably 2/3 there. When I'm done I'll write something up, include part numbers and how to build it so anyone can copy it. I'll provide a detailed way on how to dial it in without blowing up as well.


I'll probably put it all in a different thread so it isn't buried in my ramblings here and easy to find. Then I'll put a link to it here. I think most guys w/ an FMU will want to do it. It works great actually. Night and day difference. Hopefully before the snow falls.

 

[Noobz347]

I will. There will be more about FMU's than anyone wants to read


I'm gonna wait until I'm totally finished with it and tuning is complete. I'm probably 2/3 there. When I'm done I'll write something up, include part numbers and how to build it so anyone can copy it. I'll provide a detailed way on how to dial it in without blowing up as well.


I'll probably put it all in a different thread so it isn't buried in my ramblings here and easy to find. Then I'll put a link to it here. I think most guys w/ an FMU will want to do it. It works great actually. Night and day difference. Hopefully before the snow falls.

Back in the day, I "tuned" my FMU with a small brass shutoff valve for fish tanks, installed in the vac line to the FMU.

 

[nicholase]

Earlier I mentioned coming up with a interesting idea to tune the FMU. I wrote up a bunch of stuff and posted it here in better detail. https://stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/tuning-vortech-kit-with-fmu-discs-question.927914/

The short of it is i installed a mini adjustable air pressure regulator between the vacuum line and FMU top make it better adjustable. It works great. It's made by air logic in the USA.

 

[nicholase]

Order in for my winter projects!

This winter I'm going to try and address my traction issues, convert to 5 lug, and install big disc brakes front and rear.

Ordered:

5 lug 17" pony's 8"/10"
Ford front hub and accessories for my 94 spindles that I restored earlier in the thread.
Dust shield for the spindles
Moser 5 lug fox length axles with 94+ flange
Ford performance carbon traction lock kit
Axle seals
93 brake booster
94 master 15/16" bore
Brakes line and prop valve kit

Then ordered the brakes:

Baer 13" Pro+ 6 piston calipers w/ two piece slotted rotors

Baer 13" SS4+ 4 piston caliper w/ two piece slotted rotors

I really like the e brake set up / backing plate of the Baer setup. From all the info for I've gathered the rear rotors should fit the 94+ rear flange axles I ordered without any hubcentric rings. I'll update if there are any issues. The front rotors are direct fit to the SN95 spindles.

As for the Pony wheels, I really like the look so I replaced my basically new 4 lug 17" pony's with the 5 lug version. Oddly LMR doesn't list the center bore diameter for them. So I called and asked. I was told they are 70.6mm same as all the other sn95 wheel options. Oddly they list the center bore for all the SN95 wheels but not the Pony's. They say they fit either fox or sn95. I was lookimg for a measurement because I really wanted them to be hub centric apposed to lug cemtric. Which from what they told me I believe that's the case.

As for traction I'm hoping the new carbon traction lock set will help. I think that might be some of the problem. I also wanted to better address the supsension. I've been real happy with everything I've gotten from Maximum Motorsports. Currently have their sub frame connectors, rear adjustable LCA's, UCA's, and CC plates. So I called Maximum Motorsprts and had them help me put together a kit.

Based on his recommendation I ordered front coilover kit 250lb spring w/ Bilstiens
Front control arms w/ urethane bushings
Rear road and track springs (for my MM adjustable LCA's)
Rear Bilstiens
All the bushings and little stuff to finish it up.

He suggested trying this first, then if still not happy with it to try a track bar. So we'll see. Maybe I'll just do that this winter too. Time and budget depending.

That should keep me busy for a while. I'll post up some pics as things roll in and I get going.

Really looking forward to the look. I really love the Ponys. Especially when staggered and some modern brakes and suspension tucked behind them.

The only thing I wasn't sure on is studs. I'm gonna with till I get the hubs/ axles and wheels and see what length i need. I'm sure I'll need some smalls to get it all together but I should have most of the big stuff en route.

 

[gkomo]

Sounds like a big undertaking but will definitely be worth it! The 13” front/rear brake rotors are a nice touch, not something you see often.

Didn’t know they made 10” Pony’s. The staggered look will be sweet.

 

[Noobz347]

Earlier I mentioned coming up with a interesting idea to tune the FMU. I wrote up a bunch of stuff and posted it here in better detail. https://stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/tuning-vortech-kit-with-fmu-discs-question.927914/

The short of it is i installed a mini adjustable air pressure regulator between the vacuum line and FMU top make it better adjustable. It works great. It's made by air logic in the USA.

Hehe... That's not too different from what I did. I saw your post in the other thread but I have not read it well enough to get all the details, yet.

 

[Mac131]

Order in for my winter projects!

This winter I'm going to try and address my traction issues, convert to 5 lug, and install big disc brakes front and rear.

Ordered:

5 lug 17" pony's 8"/10"
Ford front hub and accessories for my 94 spindles that I restored earlier in the thread.
Dust shield for the spindles
Moser 5 lug fox length axles with 94+ flange
Ford performance carbon traction lock kit
Axle seals
93 brake booster
94 master 15/16" bore
Brakes line and prop valve kit

Then ordered the brakes:

Baer 13" Pro+ 6 piston calipers w/ two piece slotted rotors

Baer 13" SS4+ 4 piston caliper w/ two piece slotted rotors

I really like the e brake set up / backing plate of the Baer setup. From all the info for I've gathered the rear rotors should fit the 94+ rear flange axles I ordered without any hubcentric rings. I'll update if there are any issues. The front rotors are direct fit to the SN95 spindles.

As for the Pony wheels, I really like the look so I replaced my basically new 4 lug 17" pony's with the 5 lug version. Oddly LMR doesn't list the center bore diameter for them. So I called and asked. I was told they are 70.6mm same as all the other sn95 wheel options. Oddly they list the center bore for all the SN95 wheels but not the Pony's. They say they fit either fox or sn95. I was lookimg for a measurement because I really wanted them to be hub centric apposed to lug cemtric. Which from what they told me I believe that's the case.

As for traction I'm hoping the new carbon traction lock set will help. I think that might be some of the problem. I also wanted to better address the supsension. I've been real happy with everything I've gotten from Maximum Motorsports. Currently have their rear adjustable LCA's, UCA's, and CC plates. So I called Maximum Motorsprts and had them help me put together a kit.

Based on his recommendation I ordered front coilover kit 250lb spring w/ Bilstiens
Front control arms w/ urethane bushings
Rear road and track springs (for my MM adjustable LCA's)
Rear Bilstiens
All the bushings and little stuff to finish it up.

He suggested trying this first, then if still not happy with it to try a track bar. So we'll see. Maybe I'll just do that this winter too. Time and budget depending.

That should keep me busy for a while. I'll post up some pics as things roll in and I get going.

Really looking forward to the look. I really love the Ponys. Especially when staggered and some modern brakes and suspension tucked behind them.

The only thing I wasn't sure on is studs. I'm gonna with till I get the hubs/ axles and wheels and see what length i need. I'm sure I'll need some smalls to get it all together but I should have most of the big stuff en route.

That's gonna look awesome. Your studs should be just fine. I doubt you'll need any spacers...atleast not big ones. I just pulled the trigger on some new wheels. 94-97 cobra rims. I don't know why...but I like them on a fox when the car is dropped a bit.

Appreciate the update!

 

[Mac131]

Sounds like a big undertaking but will definitely be worth it! The 13” front/rear brake rotors are a nice touch, not something you see often.

Didn’t know they made 10” Pony’s. The staggered look will be sweet.

Yeah LMR has them.