'87 3.2 performance upgrades

[stlrj]

I have studied both Huntley and the Filmstar systems and I can tell you that they are on the right track as far uncovering hidden performance in the 3.2.

What they have done is essentially the same as what I am doing only my system remains totally stock, smog legal and cost effective.

When it comes down to it, I could spend $1500 for there system or set up my own system, which is already in place, to run the way I want for free.

Joe



[This message has been edited by stlrj (edited 10-09-2001).]

[This message has been edited by stlrj (edited 10-10-2001).]

[This message has been edited by stlrj (edited 10-10-2001).]

[gr8fl4porsche]

Could you explain your system or is it in the development stage still?

[VenezianBlau 87]

I'm interested to hear your response, Joe. Especially regarding how you tested airflow meter spring. I like the idea of staying with stock.

However, I've gotten in the habit of shifting when revs drop to below 2k. I'm not sure if this is normal.

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Bob Sauerteig
'87 Coupe

[Clark Griswald]

I can't imagine driving my 3.2 below 2k. Even no-load steady state cruising I will downshift to reach at least 2.5k.

[stlrj]

The only way I could test my theory was to remove my air flow meter, carefully pry the plastic cover off, turn the spring tensioner wheel several notches clockwise (but marking on the wheel beforehand as a point of reference) and taking it for test drive.

Next, I incorporated a mixture control valve that I could conveniently adjust the mixture from inside the car while driving without having to remove the air flow meter to get to the CO mixture screw each time I wanted to tweek it slightly. The Huntley Racing system uses 3 complicated adjustments to make mixture changes, my system only requires one simple knob.

In addition, before I did anything, I wanted to make sure my ignition and fuel injection systems were optimized, so I installed new plugs gapped at .060", removed my injectors and soaked them overnight in carburator cleaner to help keep the spray pattern and fuel volume as consistent as possible and then took my time and proceeded with caution.

What made it all worth while in the end, is a Carrera with a truly addictive low end performance evelope in addition to the rewarding surge at 4000 rpm.

Too bad most of us live so far away because much of what I describe is a bit more complicated than I make it seem and would welcome assisting those interested at my place for anyone local.

Joe Garcia
Redwood PCA since 1976
Novato, CA

[jsmarcus]

Would make a great tech article, though!

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Josh
Black on Black '84 Carrera

[APKhaos]

Hey Joe, We think you might be on to something here......
Sounds like you had to recalibrate the airflow meter, which could be a little tricky. Do you think we could see a decent improvement by simply replacing the spring and cleaning out 10-15 years of gunk from the stock airflow mechanism? As Josh says, this could be a very worthwhile project.
Many thanx for raising this.
Tony K
85 Carrera

[VenezianBlau 87]

Thanks Joe for the advice. And, I agree this would make a great tech article. Definitely worth printing out for future.

BTW, did you replace your O2 sensor as part of this project?
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Bob Sauerteig
'87 Coupe

[89911]

After about a year of research, (and an underlying need to tinker with my car),I am installing a Huntley-Racing 2nd stage mass flow kit along with the calibration adjustment, bored out throttle body and high pressure fuel regulator. I ordered this a month ago but they are backordered in production. They seem to be dedicated to producing an entirely self fabricated system. Did you know the Autothority kit is actually using the parts off a late 80's mustang for their system! I'll try to post it if anyones interested.

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8 9 9 1 1, The last of the line.

[stlrj]

And I thought I had the market cornered when it came to tinkering...

Joe

[ctk]

K-Star for CIS
Has anybody tried the system that AMD is fitting? I would like to hear your feedback.
Thanks.

[masraum]

I have an '88 myself, and don't drive at less than 2K generally. I have enough torque to easily start out in 2nd gear without much more slippage than it takes to start in first. The car's power does build much as the early cars did, but we have it much better with tons more low end torque. How though, everyone can say they are slow is beyond me. the 0-60 times are generally reported as being anywhere between 5.2 and 6.1 secs; I'd say that puts us pretty much in the sub 6 sec range. Granted to get there you have to either dump the clutch or slip the hell out of it, but hey, that's how you do it in any car. Quarter mile times are usually between 14 and 14.5 which is respectable even today.
If you don't want to kill your clutch and someone wants to race you ask them to do a "20 punch" some kid in a Mustang asked me to do one once. You get your cars up to 20mph and then punch it. That save tons of abuse on the clutch and tranny, and puts us at about 3K in first which should give you a pretty good launch.
I know my car will run up to the redline in 5th, and how many of us really need to go 150mph. A great way to make your car feel faster at the sacrifice of topend is to switch the R&P for a 7:31 set. That'll give you more fun in the legal speed range and still allow for decent mileage in our cars. We have an equally low rate of specific fuel consumption from 2K -> 4.5K. I ran my car ~90mph which is about 3800rpms from Houston to the panhandle of FL and with no thought towards good mileage and still managed 23mpg.

And if you are looking for "fast" you should always redline the thing!

[Milu]

No experience with K-Star. But all the work I've had done by AMD has been excellent. If they say it does what you want I'd trust them.

[stlrj]

The FilmStar system looks like a good alternative.

http://www.auto-amd.com/hft.html

Joe