Pete L

Just installed Kens chip set in my 86 early. Torque rings as well. I also re- routed the vac lines per Rodgers diagram on his site. Using the NGK 2 range cooler plugs too.

I've owned my car since 1991 and I can truthfully tell all it has never ever ran better or with more power. It is smoother, idles better, has greater torque in 5th gear on the highway and is an absolutely AWESOME transformation.

Thank you Ken - can't wait to see the difference in the HP when I dyno it again (last time was 273 HP). Actually, best test will be seeing the added speed prior to brake zone into turn one at Willow next time.

Pretty good for a 86 with 170K on a motor that has never been apart (except rod bearings)

Iwanna928

Thats awesome! If I had a 32v 85/86 he would be the first guy on my list to call. Always, always awesome results!

Let us know how she feels on the track!

fbarnhill

Yep, I will be ordering mine just as soon as I get the engine broken in. I figure about 1k miles and then I will place my order. I was going to do it during the rebuild but I wanted a benchmark to compare it to.

Do you have the x-pipe and/or RMB?

Pete L

No X Pipe or RMB (my car is early 86 with OB style exhaust). That may be next, or maybe ......... upgrade to Brembo, or other better brakes

jbrob007

Been running Ken's chips in my 86.5 since Version 3.3... Love 'em and they keep getting better with every new tweak! Happily awaiting Version 3.5.1 or 3.6... or whatever he ends up calling 'em - I'm getting 'em!!!

Pete L

Just installed the X pipe and the car sounds great, but feels like it lost power 4000 to 6000 RPM compared to how the car was driving w/o the X pipe. Feels very good 1000 to 4000 RPM. Other issues

I can't get the idle down to 680 RPM, currently idling around 1000 RPM and still jumps to low RPM the back up after rapid throttle press / release. Installed a wide band O2 and its showing 13.0 to 14.0 at cruise and WOT. It fluctuates pretty rapidly (is that normal for a wide band O2?). Idle O2 is reading failry steady 13.8

I checked at the LH the Temp I and Temp II resistance, was within factory recommendation. Checked throttle switch and it seems to check (but instead of 0 ohms at idle, reading 16 ohms. I am only getting 15" of vacuum at LH. I replaced all the vacuum hoses two months ago and will be rechecking. The Mass Air Flow was rebuilt several years ago and only has 5 or 10k miles on it.

I will carefully check for vacuum leaks, will a bad ISC cause low vacuum and poor pick up? .

Ken, any ideas / thoughts appreciated on where to start looking

PorKen

Did you check both idle (3) and WOT (12) go to ground (25) at the LH plug?
WOT AFR should be below 13. It sounds like it's not getting to the LH.
It will feel a bit dull without WOT enrichment.


If you don't have a vacuum leak, an old ICV/IAC can keep the idle from going down.
They wear out, typically in the direction they go most often, close or open.
If it's original, it's probably bad.




IIRC, you have a 5-speed. I'm getting close to finishing v4.0 for the 5-speed (auto to follow).
Completely remapped, v4.0 provides another great leap in response, at any pedal position.
Even though it's based on 87 octane (0° cam), it works great at the 90F weather, here.

Jon B.

Ken, do you happen to have an email list by chance? I'll be in for the new version, but I'm currently deployed, and I'll need some sort of reminder once I'm home.

h011yw00d

Isn't there a difference in the chip programming for with or without x-pipe? I know you need to signify that on the website when ordering.

illini-heel

Do you have chips for the 16V '84S?

Jon B.

Ken only offers his chips for the '85-86 32V cars. There are a BUNCH of people that would like him to branch out though!

longleader

Add me to the 16v list

PorKen

The chips are the same for with or without X-pipe.
I ask so that I can suggest getting the adjustable WOT accessory if you have larger than stock custom duals, or headers.


Pending dyno results, I'm trying to simplify the octane rating down to one, 87.
If I can get 310 rw hp sae on 87 octane, then I will. (Might have to use 89 in the winter, or with stock cats.)


Having accepted that a S3 can't 'easily' make over 350-ish crank hp (310 rw sae, 5-speed),
I've spent the last few months concentrating on the valleys, instead of the peaks.
New programming and revised scaling of the main fuel map let me focus with more precision on the airflow range that a S3 uses.
I've narrowed the 16 row scale to approx. 50-420 grams/sec, with smaller jumps around the TQ and HP peaks for better control.
(The stock LH comes with a generic map with a 40-640 MAF scale, the SharkTuner is 70-1030. )


What all that means is that the Air:Fuel Ratio is nearly flat in almost any situation, with little to no spikes high or low.
Consistent fueling = constant acceleration = feels great!

Avar928

When should we expect a new version of your chips?

I'm pending a TB/WP change and some other maintenance, hopefully done this month, before getting your chips and an X-pipe. I was thinking of buying them now instead of later, but if a new version will be out I may as well wait since I can't use them just yet.

PorKen

"When it is done"