MightyMike Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 http://i46.tinypic.com/qpnqxf.jpg Just got some new paint on my Birkin. It was BRG and yellow; now Storm Titanium. My carbon fiber fenders and rear diffuser are en-route and I hope to have them by the end of the week. I would like to install a set of throttle bodies and ECU. I'm somewhat mechanically inclined but want to know if this is a DIY install. Engine is Ford 2.0 ZX1 out of '97 Contour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 That looks good. I like the no fender look but the color is outstanding and makes the car but that is just my belief. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 (edited) Just got some new paint on my Birkin. It was BRG and yellow; now Storm Titanium. My carbon fiber fenders and rear diffuser are en-route and I hope to have them by the end of the week. I would like to install a set of throttle bodies and ECU. I'm somewhat mechanically inclined but want to know if this is a DIY install. Engine is Ford 2.0 ZX1 out of '97 Contour. Great color! I really like it. Installing the throttle bodies is easy enough. Assuming you have carbs? You just need a high pressure pump with regulator, proper plumbing, a surge tank and a return line to the tank. As for the ECU that is a different story. Not really difficult but much more involved electrically and you may need qualified help to get the mapping right. I did it on my own with a wideband lambda system but that is a a pretty tedious process. I have a ZX1, too and used Weber compatible Jenvey/Raceline throttle bodies with a pump/regulator/filter kit from MSI (not sure if that is still available). The ECU is Emerald, which I can highly recommend but there are surely other choices. Once you are at it and have money left over you may want to consider higher compression and more aggressive cams (KentCams, Piper or the like). I can give you details about part numbers etc. But it is a slippery slope.... Edited June 9, 2010 by slomove Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slimjim7 Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Is a car without fenders street legal ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted June 9, 2010 Author Share Posted June 9, 2010 Slomove: Car is fuel injected now. It appears to be the stock contour EFI and ECU. At some point I plan to do a full rebuild on the engine and will likely put all the fun stuff. My project this winter is to install a new wiring harness. That ought to be fun as I am rather color blind. Slimjim7: Fenders are en-route from Texas Motor Works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 I have the Emerald K3 and can highly recommend it. A lot of guys with Westfields in the UK run a Zetec with the Emerald, so finding a starting map for that combo that was created on a dyno should be pretty easy unless you are using uncommon cams, pistons, or headwork. Having a starting point is particularly important for the ignition map which is pretty difficult to get right on your own unless you really know what you’re doing (I don’t). Mapping the fuel table though is pretty easy. Chris Good created a really cool little app for the Emerald that uses the native datalogging capability and a wideband O2 sensor to fine tune the fuel map. Simply input your target AFR and do a number of full throttle runs in higher gears and then it does the analysis to tell you which cells you should tweak and by how much. It also shows you how many data samples it has at each point to help you interpret the accuracy of the suggestions. I used this on my car and after playing around with it for a couple of weekends it was almost spot on. In fact the dyno operator I took it to afterwards for final tuning was really surprised at how close it was to optimal – it saved me a lot of expensive dyno time. The K3 also has a self-tuning feature that is similar to what Chris Good’s app does, but it actually creates a new table with the recommended changes. When I did my initial mapping I had the older version of the Emerald which didn’t have the self-mapping feature, so I can’t comment how well it works for mapping full throttle. However, I now have the K3 and can confirm that it help in light throttle situations. I just keep it on and over time it recommends changes to the parts of the map where I do the bulk of my driving. As for difficulty, if you are already plumbed for fuel injection, the only hard part is creating the wiring harness. Even that isn’t hard, just time consuming. BTW if you are making a lot of engine changes to increase power, you should ensure that the fuel pump already in the car has sufficient headroom. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Is a car without fenders street legal ? Not to high jack the thread but in California if the vehicle weighs less than 1500 lbs you can run without fenders. As for were you live they most likely have different rules so check with your department of motor vehicles to make sure you do not get in trouble. :auto: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted June 9, 2010 Author Share Posted June 9, 2010 I have the Emerald K3 and can highly recommend it. A lot of guys with Westfields in the UK run a Zetec with the Emerald, so finding a starting map for that combo that was created on a dyno should be pretty easy unless you are using uncommon cams, pistons, or headwork. Having a starting point is particularly important for the ignition map which is pretty difficult to get right on your own unless you really know what you’re doing (I don’t). Mapping the fuel table though is pretty easy. Chris Good created a really cool little app for the Emerald that uses the native datalogging capability and a wideband O2 sensor to fine tune the fuel map. Simply input your target AFR and do a number of full throttle runs in higher gears and then it does the analysis to tell you which cells you should tweak and by how much. It also shows you how many data samples it has at each point to help you interpret the accuracy of the suggestions. I used this on my car and after playing around with it for a couple of weekends it was almost spot on. In fact the dyno operator I took it to afterwards for final tuning was really surprised at how close it was to optimal – it saved me a lot of expensive dyno time. The K3 also has a self-tuning feature that is similar to what Chris Good’s app does, but it actually creates a new table with the recommended changes. When I did my initial mapping I had the older version of the Emerald which didn’t have the self-mapping feature, so I can’t comment how well it works for mapping full throttle. However, I now have the K3 and can confirm that it help in light throttle situations. I just keep it on and over time it recommends changes to the parts of the map where I do the bulk of my driving. As for difficulty, if you are already plumbed for fuel injection, the only hard part is creating the wiring harness. Even that isn’t hard, just time consuming. BTW if you are making a lot of engine changes to increase power, you should ensure that the fuel pump already in the car has sufficient headroom. -John John - thanks for sharing! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiBirkin Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Mike thats a great colour really suits the car its going to look pretty awsome with carbon fenders, did you also paint the back panel or leave it ali ??. Make sure you tak some pics when its finished. :drool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted June 10, 2010 Author Share Posted June 10, 2010 I will definitely post some photos. Back panel is still aluminum. Thanks for the compliments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted July 10, 2010 Author Share Posted July 10, 2010 New carbon fiber fenders and dash arrived. Also got a cool rear diffuser. Problem is broke my back riding my mountain bike last Monday and I'm laid up for the summer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 New carbon fiber fenders and dash arrived. Also got a cool rear diffuser. Problem is broke my back riding my mountain bike last Monday and I'm laid up for the summer! "Broke your back".....hope your ok and heal up good....when I first read your post I just glanced at it and saw the word borke and carbon fiber and figured you were saying you were now broke but then re-read it and now I am hoping you are OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted July 11, 2010 Author Share Posted July 11, 2010 Specifically, I fractured my T12 thoracic vertebra. I'll have my brace on through the end of September. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 Glad to hear no permanent damage... going to miss the best of Colorado weather I assume. Take care Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 Specifically, I fractured my T12 thoracic vertebra. I'll have my brace on through the end of September. Mike, I pray you have complete recovery. My sister fractured her C3 & C4 vertebrae and she's been a quadriplegic 31 years. Hardly anybody wore their seatbelt in 1979. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share Posted July 12, 2010 Thanks! Could have been much worse. As it stands, I am in a brace for the next 12-weeks or so. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancylad Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Heal quickly my friend. God bless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiBirkin Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Mike sorry to hear about your back hope you recover pretty fast, I have a suggestion hang the 7 grill above your bed and it will aid in a speedy recovery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share Posted July 12, 2010 Lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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