My Corolla Now Makes 198 Bhp

[ae111sr]

Picked my Rolla up from Owen Developments on Friday after they had installed a Motec M4 EMS. It's got rid of that very annoying problem I've had since the engine was transplanted with the stock ECU retarding ignition at 5500 rpm. Other recent "investments" have been the installation of Aquamist water injection and having the cylinder head port matched and the valves re-ground.

So how does it drive now? I'll quote Mark Harrison (the tuner at Owens) who said "We've had all sorts of cars in here, but nothing I've ever driven pulls so well so low down the rev range as your engine. Obviously it's not the most powerful car we've seen but, it is the most fun to drive" - this from the man who deals with Mitsubishi Evo's on a daily basis. Now that can't be bad. :D :D

Now where can I get another 2 bhp? :shutit:

More detail on my website

[Scottish_SR]

........So you are going to sell me it then John!? Cheers mate! :D

oooo, 2bhp more for 200 + club!!

Congratulations though!!

[G6AArgh]

great stuff

[Bass junky]

Hi

I was going to put a GT4 engine in the Rolla but now don't have the funds so am going to put the supercharged lumpt in

Can I ask how much it cost you to get to 189bhp? as I'm looking at doing the same thing as you but to an older car

I want just over 200bhp out of the GTI

Cheers

[ae111sr]

Hi

I was going to put a GT4 engine in the Rolla but now don't have the funds so am going to put the supercharged lumpt in.  Can I ask how much it cost you to get to 189bhp? as I'm looking at doing the same thing as you but to an older car.  I want just over 200bhp out of the GTI.

Cheers

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You will need deep pockets for this sort of thing. Not everything I've done was absolutely neccessary - just the way I wanted to do it. Take a look at my TOC Garage to get an idea of what I've spent and my website to see the work I've done in greater detail.

John

[siu16]

Great stuff SR, Can i ask what they actually did with the ECU? Settings etc.

[ae111sr]

Great stuff SR, Can i ask what they actually did with the ECU? Settings etc.

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Took the stock ecu (and Unichip) off and replaced it with a MoTeC M4 standalone engine management system. Mapped from scratch on dyno.

[knowlson]

You had 187bhp before you spend over 3k and end up with 198bhp.... Not to be funny john but thats crazy

[ae111sr]

You had 187bhp before you spend over 3k and end up with 198bhp.... Not to be funny john but thats crazy

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I know what you mean but that damned ignition problem has gone which has been bugging me for over 18 months. The stock ecu just kept going into safe mode and retarding the ignition so not giving anything like the proper power. The only way to fix it was to go standalone - so I did. Just shows how good the Unichip was for the money, even though it was unable to control the ignition timing on the DLI system.

[knowlson]

I know what you mean but that damned ignition problem has gone which has been bugging me for over 18 months. 

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Is that the weird hesitation thing that happens at 5500?? it backs off then goes again? I get that every so often Thought that was just my car

[nathanfreke]

198hp, what engine is that out of??? AGE GZE or 20v?? Thats good power!!

I have made 204 hp out of my N/a AGE

[philjones1978]

Well done John, a real labour of love but I'm sure it must be really satisfying. Can I take her for a quick spin up the A48?! :D

[dawesy]

nice one john . personaly i dont think your crazy. the motec has cured a problem that spoiled your enjoyment of the car, and you have laid foundations for future mods (twincharge etc) good on ya mate. keep searchin for that extra 2 bhp

[andy_twincams]

manifold,cams,bigger injecters-unless you havent stated them on the site.

very nice ride thought :D

[ae111sr]

Is that the weird hesitation thing that happens at 5500?? it backs off then goes again? I get that every so often  Thought that was just my car 

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Yep you got it. Here's a thread on the MR2 forum in US about it clicky Happens with stock 4a-gze as well as modded versions - lots of fixes tried but no success unless you take out the OEM ECU and go standalone. Toyota's over conservative way of making sure the engine stays together.

[ae111sr]

Well done John, a real labour of love but I'm sure it must be really satisfying. Can I take her for a quick spin up the A48?!  :D

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As long as I'm the one at the controls mate :P

[knowlson]

Yep you got it.  Here's a thread on the MR2 forum in US about it clicky    Happens with stock 4a-gze as well as modded versions - lots of fixes tried but no success unless you take out the OEM ECU and go standalone. Toyota's over conservative way of making sure the engine stays together.

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Cheers I will have a look at the link, I only get it in 3rd every other gear is ok.

[ae111sr]

manifold,cams,bigger injecters-unless you havent stated them on the site.

very nice ride thought :D

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Stock exhaust manifold is pretty good gas flow wise - inlet could do with some work on it but it's a bitch to do - the worst bit is to #1 cylinder bit of an tight elbow for the air to Cams might be the next thing but you have to be careful no to increase the overlap between the inlet and exhaust valves - all that boost that you've spent so much time and money can just end up going stright through :shutit: Bigger injectors will only be useful if I can get more air in as well otherwise you just end up using more fuel and losing power with a too rich mixture.

[ae111sr]

nice one john . personaly i dont think your crazy. the motec has cured a problem that spoiled your enjoyment of the car, and you have laid foundations for future mods (twincharge etc) good on ya mate. keep searchin for that extra 2 bhp

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Cheers Dawsey but there will be no twincharger - much too complicated to try to work out the plumbing :P I've seen Nad's engine bay and it's a nightmare trying to figure out what goes where

John

[philjones1978]

Well done John, a real labour of love but I'm sure it must be really satisfying. Can I take her for a quick spin up the A48?!  :D

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As long as I'm the one at the controls mate :P

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Isn't she still on the standard brakes!? How does they cope with an extra 89bhp?

[ae111sr]

Isn't she still on the standard brakes!? How does they cope with an extra 89bhp? 

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There are uprated disks waiting to be fitted and uprated pads are on order.