Installed Sal Carceller MAF & Injector System

[J-Mac]

Just installed the S-Car MAF.

Why? Having just completed an engine rebuild I felt it made sense to upgrade the fuel/air system. The existing AFM and stock airbox 'worked' but I could tell it was the weak link given all the new parts. Start up from cold had revs bouncing until some heat was generated, then it settled into a lumpy idle. AFR's were hopping around a lot at idle (I have a wide band O2 sensor installed). There were no air leaks (smoke tested) and fuel pressure was within spec. Drive-ability was ok, but at low revs/car park speeds not smooth. Also my car is far from stock, its a '75 Carrera with an '86 3.2l with 964 cams, SSIs and Dansk Sport 2i2o muffler.

What do you get? A fully refurbished 28 pin DME, six Bosch 4 hole injectors, MAF and air filter, spare DME chip, comprehensive installation instructions.

Installation is pure plug and play. Took about 1 hour 15 minutes to remove old injectors/AFM/DME and install new injectors, MAF and new DME. I have back dated heat and no AC so that helps.

What are the advantages? In no particular order-
1. 6lbs lighter than stock system
2. Improved idle control, no more idle dipping
3. Optimized coil dwell times
4. Improved fuel atomization at low loads
5. Significantly improved cold start
6. Significantly improved altitude fuel control and ignition timing adjustment
7. Improved intake air temp fuel control and ignition timing adjustment
8. Dyno tuned ignition at part throttle and WOT
10. Improved throttle response
11. No moving parts, all electronic
12. Primes fuel pump for 3 seconds when you turn the ignition key

Post install feedback.
First turn of the key (you can hear the fuel pump prime) and the car settled into a steady ~ 1200 RPM idle that gradually and smoothly lowered to ~ 900 RPM idle over a minute or so. Nice. Let the car warm up to check the AFRs. AFRs match Sals recommended #s of 14.5 to 14.7 at steady 2500 RPM. So time to take it for a drive. With the old setup I had to give it some revs to take off without stalling. With the new set up I can put the car in 1st gear, let the clutch out slowly and the car will take off smoothly like a modern car, with zero throttle input. Talk about enhanced idle control and better fuel atomization at low loads! I went for a 40 minute run. Car ran flawlessly, very smooth with noticeably improved throttle response across the rev range. I wont go as far as to say it increases HP but the improved throttle response makes the car feel like it has a few extra ponies. I am very happy with this system and highly recommend it.

[dyerkes]

Welcome to the growing number of converts. Sal's system is worth every penny, and comes with his expert process of validating the general health of your engine. I have had mine installed since last October, and it has been working flawlessly.

Regards

[strudelwagon]

This sounds pretty good and from what I've been reading, the best upgrade for my 87 coupe. My car came with an early MAF attempt from AutoAthority. Idled like crap and was running way rich.
I was going to go back to the stock barn door but that seems like a step backwards.
What's Sal's package worth?

SW

[dyerkes]

It is worth every penny Sal charges for it when you consider the benefits of having all key components replaced with a modern fuel management solution that is plug n play, and that has been fully optimized and tested as unit. If your fuel system is all original you likely have components that are running less than optimal, and/or that will soon be failing. Additionally, Sal will first walk you through validating the health of your current setup before you begin your upgrade to his solution. Cosmetically it cleans up the right-hand side of the engine bay. I have had mine installed for a year and a half, and I have been very pleased with the results. The solution is fully tuneable to whatever configuration you are (or will be) running. Sal has done terrific follow-up me over my ownership of the system, both to receive feedback, but also to provide me free fuel/ignition mapping updates when he has come across a setup that he feels would provide yet better performance/Drive ability.

Regards

[hoss4659]

I will second Dyerkes on all counts. My install did show that the engine needed attention in a couple of areas. Valve guide seals were shot, the valve guides themselves were worn and needed replacement. So we did the top end valve job and had the heads flow benched. Of course UPS dropped the package and bent most of the studs. The fuel pressure damper was tired so it got replaced. We had installed a second bung on the right side SSI collector (for 02 info) and used a data logger for recording test results. Prior to replacing the fuel pressure damper there was about a 1 point difference in the AFR readings between the left and right cylinder banks. Assembled with a pair of Bob Farmer's 964-ish cams. Net result is a car with great low and mid-range torque that is very smooth and very satisfying to drive. Sal's support throughout the teething problems was first class.
'88 coupe, Guards Red, polished Braid wheels, Tartan plaid interior, GTS Monte Carlo seats.

[livetopedal]

Recently installed an AEM WBO2 with a plan to go with Sal's chip and injectors. I'm not sure the full MAF is in the budget but, the more I read about it, the more I think I may need to find a way..... sell a kidney maybe?

[Tippy]

Sell the AFM, they bring good money alone.

[Duc Hunter]

Sounds like a cool system. I wonder how Sal's systems stacks up vs something like this with a Steve Wong Chip (since this has a MAF that mimics the stock AFM final to the DME, meaning your SW or other chip work just fine).

DMEShop MAF Conversion

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by Duc Hunter

Sounds like a cool system. I wonder how Sal's systems stacks up vs something like this with a Steve Wong Chip (since this has a MAF that mimics the stock AFM final to the DME, meaning your SW or other chip work just fine).

DMEShop MAF Conversion

I've had that MAF setup on my 964 3.6 in my '80SC with a C2 Cup chip for three years. Am very pleased, it really flies from mid RPM to redline plus it idles great. Part throttle transitions also are much crisper and smoother.
Sal's 3.2 system seems to have much more engineering to it, with an ECU rewrite/remap for MAF vs AFM
and new injectors. BUT, he so far hasn't tackled the sequential injection ECU for a 3.6. Wish he would!

Grant

[scarceller]

I'll add this: trying to make a MAF pretend to be a AFM is not a good idea, it can be done but yields less than optimal results. Few pointers:
1 - A MAF can sense a change in airflow in under 10milliseconds while the AFM takes a bit longer at around 100ms
2 - MAF already compensates for air density, no need for IAT or Altitude comps. So this means you will have to back out those comps if you want the MAF to act like a AFM. Ask any vendor who's selling a MAF to replace a AFM about how they handle this issue? I re-wrote the entire air model to properly support the MAF.

Then you have the fuel model, to build a proper EFI system you MUST get both the fuel and air model correct. I spent considerable amount of effort on the fuel model also. That's why my MAF system comes with brand new modern day injectors. It's not magic, first you meter the air correctly then you match the fuel to the air. If the components for metering the air and fuel are accurate and top notch then it's just MATH to get the desired AFR. This is why I use nothing but the best MAF device and fully speced injectors.

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by scarceller

I'll add this: trying to make a MAF pretend to be a AFM is not a good idea, it can be done but yields less than optimal results. Few pointers:
1 - A MAF can sense a change in airflow in under 10milliseconds while the AFM takes a bit longer at around 100ms
2 - MAF already compensates for air density, no need for IAT or Altitude comps. So this means you will have to back out those comps if you want the MAF to act like a AFM. Ask any vendor who's selling a MAF to replace a AFM about how they handle this issue? I re-wrote the entire air model to properly support the MAF.

Then you have the fuel model, to build a proper EFI system you MUST get both the fuel and air model correct. I spent considerable amount of effort on the fuel model also. That's why my MAF system comes with brand new modern day injectors. It's not magic, first you meter the air correctly then you match the fuel to the air. If the components for metering the air and fuel are accurate and top notch then it's just MATH to get the desired AFR. This is why I use nothing but the best MAF device and fully speced injectors.

Sal,
That's great info, but when are you going to help out us 3.6 guys with a MAF/injector system. I know your test bed has been your own car for the 3.2 system, you just need to pick up a 3.6 car and get busy. (folks always give THEIR suggestions
on how to spend YOUR money, don't they) LOL
Regards,
Grant

[scarceller]

Grant,

You hit the nail on the head! I'd need a 964 for at least 6 months to create a MAF. I can't build the solution without a car! Plus I do this stuff in my spare time it took me like 4 years to get the 3.2L system perfected. It's a hobby/passion not really a job plus I don't have the $$$ to purchase a 964 at this time. Maybe in the future? I do know the 964 code somewhat as I already started to disassemble it and play with the code some.

Sorry.

Originally Posted by uwanna

Sal,
That's great info, but when are you going to help out us 3.6 guys with a MAF/injector system. I know your test bed has been your own car for the 3.2 system, you just need to pick up a 3.6 car and get busy. (folks always give THEIR suggestions
on how to spend YOUR money, don't they) LOL
Regards,
Grant

[DaveMcKenz]

Hi Sal,
I am enjoying your injectors + chip system with my AFM. If I ever wanted to upgrade to your MAF system, could I keep your Ford Racing injectors and just buy your MAF + DME? What would be the cost?
Thanks for everything,
Dave

[scarceller]

Dave,

Not that simple, the MAF system uses 30lb Bosch injectors now, actually all my products now use the Bosch units. As a returning customer I could possibly offer some sort of discount on the MAF. I could possibly build a MAF setup to be used with those FORD injectors but it would be a 1 off, I'd rather deliver you a MAF with 30lb Bosch units.

These injectors are not that huge of a cost to me, I buy them in bulk at discount price. What you are really paying for is not the injectors it's my intellectual property and service. It does not make sense to try and save a few $$$ on injectors.

Bottom line is that you really need to decide what system is best for you, it's not that easy to go from one to the other. I'd be happy to discuss an upgrade if you like, I'm sure I could work something out.

Originally Posted by DaveMcKenz

Hi Sal,
I am enjoying your injectors + chip system with my AFM. If I ever wanted to upgrade to your MAF system, could I keep your Ford Racing injectors and just buy your MAF + DME? What would be the cost?
Thanks for everything,
Dave

[DaveMcKenz]

Thanks, Sal.
That makes sense.
Dave

[DaveMcKenz]

Hi Sal,
Remember, I'm just spitballing, but it would be neat to make your products upgradable from the injectors + chip to a MAF + DME (with an upgrade chip). It might allow customers to ease into your full system.
Dave

[frankoporsche]

Hello
Where can I get or buy Sal Carceller MAF & Injector System kit for my 1986 Carrera
and how much are they?
PM to me to Okay...Thanks

[gomezoneill]

Originally Posted by frankoporsche

Hello
Where can I get or buy Sal Carceller MAF & Injector System kit for my 1986 Carrera
and how much are they?
PM to me to Okay...Thanks

PM him