EFI R16

[Daryl Smith]

Happy New Year!
Newly finished ITB project ready for testing/tuning. Since I am new to the ITB's and thier tuning issues, I did not want to make the mistakes on my stroker engine. I have a low milage R16 sitting in the garage for more than a few years and decided it was the engine to use to get to know the ins and outs of ITB tuning.
This engine was built with flat top U20 pistons (heavy) and an otherwise stock bottom end, including the cam.
ITB's are from a Honda motorcycle and are 38mm throttle plates, tapers to 36mm (same size as ports). 72mm centre to centre (vs 90mm for DCOE's)
The head has been shaved and ported (myself) with a 4 angle valve grind and some other changes I'll get into after it's running.
Also running the 4-2-1 header 1 1/2" - 1 5/8" - 2" and crank fired ignition and "C" transmission.
No idea what it will make for power, but hoping for a good gain over a stock engine. The main thing will be learning to tune the ITB's.
Going into the car today/tomorrow, hopefully we'll get some breaks in the weather to get it on the road.

[Habitat.pat]

Looking good! I’m not familiar with FI but will be following.

Peace, Pat

[Nissanman]

Nice conversion, very neat and factory looking

Just a suggestion from my experience with EFI: you might want to consider a cool/cold air intake for the air collector.
Divorce the air supply from the engine bay completely and you will feel the difference, literally.
My IAT reading dropped markedly by doing this (P510 4 door with FJ20 factory EFI using Haltech F9 ECU).
I made a snorkel to pull air from the lower radiator panel area to the air cleaner box.

I realise that we all have to start somewhere but keep this in mind

[Solex68]

You didn't want to change the cam to match the other performance upgrades?

[Gregs672000]

You know I love this Daryl! Such a great and functional set-up in every way. As you know Andy Whittle has a useful post on YouTube about how to use ITB mode in Micro or megasquirt, and I'm happy to help. The header is wonderful.

[Gregs672000]

Oops, duplicate post!

[Daryl Smith]

Thanks Greg, I'll be going over everything I can on the ITB tuning very soon.

Solex68, I'm not really too concerned about maximizing the performance of this engine. It is a tuning mule above all else.
I was given a head which was shaved too much for the standard domed piston and thought it work well with the flat top pistons in this engine. Static compression is about 9:1.
Tho the pistons and shaved head will change the dynamics of the engine somewhat, this should give an idea of the possible gains without changing the cam.

Nissanman, The filter will be moved, definitely for the stroker, I don't have a 2 1/2" 90* bend on hand to do it right now.....Actually curious if it will fit under the hood as is, think it will be close.

[Solex68]

Good to know Daryl.
I am a fanboy of yours BTW. I follow everything you write about headers and tuning so I was just wondering why. Got it.

[Pjackb]

Love this build ,
what's your ECU selection ?

[Daryl Smith]

Pjack - I'm running the Megasquirt II. Essentially the same as Greg's Microsquirt, which I will be switching to eventually because it's smaller and easier to hide. I started using the MS 1 on the 1800cc engine and was really impressed with the ease, simplicity, and results achieved. Of course 'more is better' disease happened and I went to MS 2....More settings, more complications, not necessarily any better....for me anyway...so far.
On my 3rd and likely final ignition setup:
1) Ford Edis wasted spark - Worked great, but wanted to eliminate 'pieces'...
2) GM D585 coil near plug - Did not make any difference to how it ran and 'clogged up' underhood space, as well as extra wiring with 4 wires to each coil.
3) VW golf 'intelligent' wasted spark coil. Clean. Simple. 4 wires to the coil which is mounted to the block where the dizzy used to be.

The benefits of a coil per plug system, to me, is not worth the extra hassle. Wasted spark is already miles ahead of any dizzy system, and individually timed coils don't add very much in comparison, or for the cost.

Solex68 - Thanks...I think. I'm really just trying to put theory to work and see if it all works out. There is a cost to it....but my head won't let go of the ideas.....
I do think a cam would make a significant difference, but with the porting, ITB's with long runners, and possibly(??) the 4-2-1 header, it should breathe much better than stock - which still pulled to 6000 rpm easily - so I'm hopeful....
Did I mention it has a significantly lightened flywheel?

[Pjackb]

3) VW golf 'intelligent' wasted spark coil. Clean. Simple. 4 wires to the coil which is mounted to the block where the dizzy used to be.
The benefits of a coil per plug system, to me, is not worth the extra hassle. Wasted spark is already miles ahead of any dizzy system, and individually timed coils don't add very much in comparison, or for the cost.

100% agree , I'm doing the VW wasted spark option also on my build as you say clean and simple , the one the ECU manufacturer sell is rated for 400HP so I guess it should work for me lol.

[Gregs672000]

Yep, I've since switched from the Ford EDIS to the same smart coil... Daryl knows how much fun I had with this during the summer! I believe a loose timing wheel, settings adjustments and taking away the authority of the autotune to adjust things before I review/approve them helped a lot. It was during this time that I think I began to see in the datalogs what I think is the effects of reversion and that has led towards this anti-reversion exploration. Only one way to find out... mess with it! Lord help me... it's an illness. Good thing my self worth is not wrapped up in this!

[GeoffM]

Cool Daryl! Looking forward to learning the ins and outs as you tweak things

[Daryl Smith]

Engine is in the car…just…..had to take a few days to go spend a bit of time with a very good friend, and say goodbye. Guess I’m getting to that ‘age’ where we start losing friends….

Motivation is a tad low, but, I’m back in the garage today.

I found that my header mock-up, while the space is there for it otherwise, it needs to go in on an angle to clear the studs….and the steering shaft prevents it getting to that angle. I have to reduce the space between the header and the block by about 1/2” at the midpoint of the header….

[DAC21]

Engine is in the car…just…..had to take a few days to go spend a bit of time with a very good friend, and say goodbye. Guess I’m getting to that ‘age’ where we start losing friends….

Motivation is a tad low, but, I’m back in the garage today.

I found that my header mock-up, while the space is there for it otherwise, it needs to go in on an angle to clear the studs….and the steering shaft prevents it getting to that angle. I have to reduce the space between the header and the block by about 1/2” at the midpoint of the header….

So sorry, God bless. Ditto, lost my Brother in Law last week.