New Logic

Back when I first tune my Camcon using the one-the-road tuning style, I got a drop of 4 wheel horsepower (whp) looking at my dyno graph. This time, after my EM-CON plus Camcon tuning I went for a dyno session to know how is my engine doing. After the last dyno power run, I was shocked at the low power level and came up with many reasons why dyno testing is not accurate. This time it further prove my logic regarding the dyno tuning style versus the on-the-road style. It seems there is a negative relationship between these 2 styles.

Max. Power & Max. Torque compared to stock

The hypothesis is that the more power and response you feel driving on the road using on-the-road style, the lower the power figure will be shown on graph. The last time I tune my Camcon on the dyno machine, I had a power of 149 whp with 15.5 kg-m of torque and when I switch to on-the-road style, I only got 145 whp with 14.53 kg-m of torque. This was a surprise and the response and power felt while driving is better than the last tuning. This time feeling the fastest response and highest power while I drive, I only got 142 whp with 14.81 kg-m of torque.

Power comparison with Stock

It seems to me the more power I feel, the lower my whp number would be following the evidence. There is no way that after spending a lot to mod my Celica and my power is getting lower. I can see there is an increase in torque which is a good thing and also there appears to be a gap between the previous dyno graph and the current one in the mid rpm range. The power in the mid range has increased around 11 whp. This is really amazing and given the car more power while remaining a low max. power.

Power comparison with first Camcon tuning

In conclusion, I see the benefits and the disadvantages of using the on-the-road tuning style. To many enthusiasts, the max. power is always crucial but to me the most important part is actually the feeling when you drive the car. Does it really pull and feels faster ? Some car might have a high power but feels sluggish but some car light mine, has a low power but feels light and nimble. I'm happy with how my car drives and that is most important. I also have to say goodbye to car modding as this is my last big project for the time being. I will still continue to update this blog. Who knows I may start a new project soon.

Strapped and ready for dyno testing

TRD Parts

Being a Toyota car owner, it is very normal to want parts made by Toyota Racing Development (TRD), a company who makes racing parts for all Toyota cars. This is also similar to Honda owners who craves MUGEN parts and Subaru owners who wants STI parts. Due to very less parts was developed for the Celica and most of those is discontinued, there is not much part I could get my hands on.

Up till now, I only have 2 TRD parts that is originally from the highest production spec Celica, the TRD Sports M Celica. One is the yellow anti roll bar and the other one is a suspension tower plates. Now I have acquired another TRD parts that have been eluding me not only once. Retailing at RM400 new, I have always waited for a cheap used one to appear in the market. Many times there were one that appeared but got sold very fast.

When I saw one selling, I quickly contacted the merchant and bought it. It arrived last night and I quickly inspect the good. It was cleaned but filled with my scratches and does not really look to be in good condition. However, it is still a beauty in sight. The TRD engine oil cap looks great in my engine bay and I can finally say I own one more TRD part.

Up and Operating

After a week, it was time to head back to my tuner, TopSecret to solve my previous problem with the EM-CON. My tuner started to remove the EM-CON and open it up to check whether is there any component that is malfunctioning. He then proceeded to change the wiring setup to my ECU. We were hoping that the error light or engine check light won't come on. When I start the car and there was no error, we knew that finally it is working right.

He setup the tuning tools on my car and we went out on the road to tune the car. This time there was a few agenda for the tuning which includes increase of power, increase of response and also trying to achieve a setup where after each gear change the rpm does not drop to much. This is so that power could be achieve right after gear change without delay.

So long story short, after the tuning there is a big difference. First of all, the Camcon now uses a base map that is developed for the 2zz-ge engine that makes the lift in each gear to be not so noticeable (without a pull) but the sound and power can be seen. Secondly, now the rpm does not goes down easily and a small pump on the acceleration, the car would just go. Overall the car feels light due to the extra power. However, the downside is if I stay on high rpm and not shift gear, the fuel consumption is very high. It is only suitable for occasional sprint.

There is still much to be tested for this setup as I only drove it for a day. I now can use the cheaper petrol available but still have this power. One could only imagine the power it will make when using the higher ron petrol. There will be more testing when I drive it on the road and I will be going for a dyno test to see the power figure it is making now. Hope to be near the 160 whp made by manual models.

EM-CON paired with Camcon

Shaken

I have written a post regarding my good friend's Celica who had a 3S-GTE transplant being the first 7th  generation Celica with the original turbo engine. I have driven it once when I came back from UK and I remember my review was it is a great car that is easy to drive because of a light clutch for a turbo car. The acceleration on all gears have great pulls and there seem to be no turbo lag. A very fine car suitable for both daily drive and the occasional sprint.

That was when I took it out on a spin with its natural boosting of 0.6 bar. Last night, he peaked his boost to 1.0 bar with his Blitz boost controller but due to a leaking intake manifold, the boost is unstable and drops to 0.8 bar. I anticipated the same ride as my first go but I was wrong. The power was much more powerful at this high setting. After 10 minutes of driving, my arms and leg were shaking not of fear but I was filled with pure ecstasy and adrenaline was rushing through my body. It kept me wanting more.

The car just go as I want and power could be achieved easily without the need to downshift or be on a specific gear. However, because this engine is from a 4WD car, it is too much for the FWD of his car to handle resulting the difficulty of keeping the car straight when you step it all to redline from a complete stop. While I was driving, I was smiling and kept saying that this is what it is all about. I had a great time driving it and it really make me wanting to have a turbo car myself. When I return to my not only NA car but an automatic car, I totally felt a a hole that needs to be filled. I guess this is why turbo car is always a favorite among enthusiasts.

SARD Boost Gauge

ST205 Cluster

Controller

Initial Stage

The harness for my EM-CON has arrived and I sent my Celica for installation and tuning. I left my car at 1 p.m. and was told I could pick up my car at 6 p.m.. When I went to pick it up it was not ready as my tuner just install all the wiring. I continue waiting there and we went out for tuning on a highway. As the tuning went on, I faced situations like engine dying and many settings that caused my car to underperform. After an hour, we head back to the shop.

AFR Gauge used in Airflow tuning

My tuner was very very unsatisfied. He told me that my Camcon is crashing with my EM-CON causing the full potential could not be achieved. The EM-CON could be malfunctioning too. I was not happy as it already cost me extra for a new harness. My tuner said it could not use usual setting and could not set the ignition timing to advance but could retard (error light is always flashing). He said he has never encounter such a case. In the end, it was getting late and I have to return next week to solve this problem.

When Glowing

Now, I am currently using Camcon to set the cam angle and EM-CON to monitor the airflow. Seems like a waste of the EM-CON to just monitor airflow while I can do this 2 with Camcon alone. The only good thing is I can save up on petrol. All the time I drive my Celica, I used Ron97 petrol (RM2.60/ltr) which is a burden. So, I asked to be tuned by using the cheaper Ron95 petrol (RM1.90/ltr). Now, I can achive a higher power and better response than before while using cheaper petrol. At least there is an addition of 5% increase in power.

Tuning  Laptop

Next week I have to check whether is the EM-CON damaged or not. I hope not as my tuner considered removing the Camcon and just run on EM-CON since these 2 is not working well together. I do not want to waste the Camcon and lose the ability to set the cam angle. Buying a secondhand EM-CON is turning to a horrible experience rather than a blessing.