CommodoresPlus

I’m surprised that with all the suspension gear you have on it, it doesn’t feel pretty good.

It may be that the expectations need to be managed by keeping in mind that it is a 20yr old commodore 

Have a solid think about the questions you’re asking first before I start typing out more information….

Gary,

I think your first port of call is a wheel alignment. Something a little more suited to your application, not just a ‘minimise tyre wear’ approach.

Ok I’ll elaborate.
The reason for longer runners is due to resonance within the pipe during airflow. In naturally aspirated form, when the airflow hits a harmonic the resistance to flow is mildly reduced, which assists the charge air making its way into the cylinder.

For example, on my manifold I have a 10″ runner from bellmouth to valve head.…[Read more]

No.

Slow355 – Best time was 12.67@108mph, 1.80 60ft. That was at Calder. I could match the mph at Heathcote but never hook up. Spin city.

So I spoke to the old man and it’s all systems go – He’s stoked to take the car off my hands.

I’ll probably drive it around a little longer to get more experience with the tuning side of things and let a few…[Read more]

OK So I did a bit of a stock take of the garage. It seems I’ve got quite a lot of parts for the 304 to suit boost.

On The Shelf Parts
GT4088 1.34 rear
3 x cranks
A set of resized A9L’s with ARPs (3 x sets of stockers)
Speed Pro 30thou over Dished pistons (A copy of ACL Duralites) – massive ring lands
A set of ACL Race/King Bearings
ARP Head…[Read more]

I’ve essentially wanted a Turbo 8 for about…. 9 years?

Time to actually do something about it I think. ATM I’ve got the VQ, the VN and a station car. Want to pare that down to 1 toy car and a motorbike for commuting.

I do love the 304 and the sound, and I know them back to front, but I’ve got to be realistic on what I can achieve. In an ideal…[Read more]

So in an unexpected turn of events, I’m kinda thinking of getting rid of this, for a couple of reasons.

1. My old man is about to start building a VQ. I haven’t spoken to him yet, but he was planning on starting from scratch (paint and panel etc.) from 2 cars he has in his yard to make one good one. I was thinking of sorta ‘paying him back’ for…[Read more]

I think you mis-read my post. I only wanted you to paint the rocker covers, not add a solid cam 

Do me a solid and paint the rocker covers! 

I went out tuning the other night, had some opportunity to give it a decent hit or two.

It feels good at heavy throttle – still some fine tuning of the mixtures to make it a bit more stable, as it varies between 12.3-12.9 under power. Once I get that sorted I’ll just be playing around with mid-range stuff. I’d really like to know what I should be…[Read more]

The 12P software on the delco allows you to make fully customisable maps for each output, so you can have 3D mapping on the output from almost any parameter.

For example, I could setup a 3D Map of RPM vs MAP, or 2D map against Injector Duty Cycle for PWM on a fuel pump.

For use on the thermofans, I can setup a 2D map against coolant temp, or a…[Read more]

Thanks Gary. The Tunerpro software is actually really good for free software. They guys at delcohacking have really put some time into making the product. I’m very happy.

Below is a history table from a MAF equipped car (just random off the net) but it gives you an idea of the history tables. So for example, when you drive around it populates the…[Read more]

Connected the Wideband to the ECU, works a treat. Logging with this input in now is a very powerful tool. It’s quite easy to see when and where it needs more or less fuel through history tables, running averages etc etc.

Having fun playing around with all the data.

Cool – Will keep this in mind for the VN!

Numpty question: Can you print them in the same/similar colour plastic to the factory surround? (i.e. soul crushing grey?)

OK, I’ve been tinkering here and there with the tune on this.

I now have it idling in a pretty stable manner at 700-750rpm. It actually sounds like it has a non-standard cam in it now! (It’s only been in there for 7 years…)
Target spark advance is 26* at idle, with 50kPa manifold pressure and ~13.5:1 AFR when warmed up. Smells a lot less…[Read more]

That actually looks pretty awesome.
You must be getting a fair bit of rubbing on the front guards though?
Be very careful cutting off lock stops – if you turn the wheel too far you’ll either bottom out the rack or get steering bind. Essentially you physically won’t be able to turn the wheels back from heavy lock. Not the greatest result.

A better…[Read more]

After consulting with the gurus on delcohacking, it turns out that my idle manifold pressure isn’t really all that unexpected. Still, I’ll have a look at what I can do to make it a bit better.