Featured Car - Mondeo ST
TDCI Tuning
Darren
first called me
up one Saturday afternoon to talk about what we might be able
to build for him to improve the gas flow from his turbo. As
we talked it was apparent that his long term plan was to get
a performance ECU chip. Another ST owner lived nearby and he
had an aftermarket plug in chip and after going for a spin was
really impressed in the difference... After many following conversations
over a couple of weeks he decided he couldn't wait...I worked
out a special price for him and he came up a few days later.
DECAT:
I explained that it might be worth waiting a while and upgrading
the cat back exhaust system, to it being "de-catted".
He was not aware that in the UK there is no MOT requirement
for diesel engines to have a catalytic converter. Here in the
UK there is no emissions test as part of the MOT, just a smoke
test - and his Mondeo would perform much better without it!
K&N:
I also explained that in my opinion if he wanted to also consider
a replacement K&N panel filter (NOT induction kit) - if
the DECAT engine could feed the turbo faster and the exhaust
could blow the gasses out the back faster do to Having a free
flowing exhaust performance exhaust system, really the effects
would be "muted" somewhat by restricting the intake
of air... it would almost be "asthmatic" and would
be the only bottle neck in the system, a bit like pinching its
nose! For an extra £40 it would make all the exhaust changes
come together nicely.
ECU
REMAP. Naturally....at this point I
also mentioned that we COULD, if he wanted perform an ECU REMAP
on his car while it was on the ramp - it would be an ideal time
to perform the 90 minute procedure, and therefore it could be
done much cheaper than if we had to book the garage space just
for the REMAP at a later date (only a small arch!) Our Angel
Tuning ECU REMAP would would take the claimed 155 bhp standard
power up to 190 Bhp and offer a
good mix of smooth power curves loads more torque and even some
fuel saving...assuming you don't drive it harder.
The original map was worked
on at the development centre and sent back to us - this way
any upgrades or updates from Ford already on it would be preserved.
Results:
Well... The K&N Filter,
and free flowing exhaust has been proven many times to add 10%
bhp on a rolling road for a turbo engine... Decat.. Well a conservative
estimate would be 5 BHP extra, so forgetting the REMAP for now
it is not unreasonable to claim 170 BHP.. that is just allowing
for an extra 15 BHP for all those things. Add the REMAP @ 30
bhp and your staring at the business end of 210bhp.
Daren was going to have a much more entertaining drive home.
Or Not.
To be honest with you, he
said it was better but not that noticeable, and over the next
few days reported more black smoke, rough idling when cold and
quite lumpy to drive. A bit of head scratching went on and I
was just organising for the REMAP to be reversed back into standard
when it was discovered that his turbo pipe had a huge split
in it. A quick replacement later and BOOM. Darren is very happy.
A few words from the man will appear below shortly.
This, quite possibly....is
the fasted ST TDCI in Milton Keynes at the very least!
Prices:
> Cat back exhaust (T304
Stainless Steel) = £280
> DECAT=£120
including lambda Boss
> K&N Panel Filter
= £45+vat
> ECU REMAP= £270
Total =
£724 All inclusive of labour, materials and VAT.
Package Price
- thinking of having the lot done at once? I am sure a deal
can be done in return for a feature like this... click
here to get in touch
