Project CT9-Advanced

[scientist]

Ok so over the next few months I'm going to document a few choice modifications to the lancer evo 7-8 platform and explain some of my choices and their benefits backed up with data logs and side by side comparisons.

Now the updates may be a bit slow working on the budget we have at onlydom, tied to the fact we don't own the test mule.

Most of these upgrades apply to other 4G63 platforms and the methods slightly defer to the evo 4-6 and airtreks.

We also aren't recommending them for he evo 9 since my philosophy on putting those cars together differs greatly.

I will also document costs associated with it, and while our forms of measurement will not be as accurate as a Dyno, it should be used as a basis To document the car.


Will post the baselines later today after I record the first logs.

[scientist]

Ok First order of business. A car makes its power on simple principles, Air + Fuel + Spark = Power. With that said, the first area of attack is the means by which this principle is controlled.

Now the test mule, being an Evo 7, has less options available ecu wide. We could end it there and stick to the basics with the default map mitsubishi provided us with and only tweak fuel and spark. But where's the fun in that? Thankfully...the interwebs is filled with amazing talented individuals. Enter Tephra and JC Banks. Explaining the background of this would take me all day, but maybe I can do an article on the intricacies of flashing mitsubishi/subaru ecus some other time.

So moving forward, I will be flashing a tephra rom to the ecu. I have not decided yet on the route I will take with this as there are a few options. We can either go the Map sensor/Speed density Conversion route, or keep the Airflow meter. Both directions have their merit, the factory maf can be used on cars making well over 400whp, a power level way above the goals for this car (300whp by the way). While maf allows us a few more options (no stumbling when using Vent to atmosphere blow off, PSI based target boost, and no issues with a blown coupler), but regardless we plan on changing the intake on the car.

Now the tephra roms for the 7 ecu come with up to version 5.10 in speed density or v7 on maf. Both versions add: Launch Control, No lift to Shift, Check Engine Light on knock, Valet mode, and More control of the intercooler water sprayer among other things.

[scientist]

Took the car for an alignment today as the rear wheels did not look straight to me. The technicians confirmed that both the front and rear were out together with one of the inner tie rod ends. So those have been ordered.

Tonight I loaded with 5.1 rom onto the ecu and setup a few of the options. Took the car out for a drive to see how it responded. After the first quick pull while logging I could definitely tell something was off. Did another to confirm and the same issue resurfaced. A quick glance at the logs pointed to the ecu not receiving a speed input. This is a problem as the launch control requires this input to know when to disengage.

Power was at 190whp at 5400rpm as the car would not rev higher

Will work on resolving over the weekend

[scientist]