Project
Monaro’s progress has been slowed lately due to some developmental
teething problems; the engine has been producing that much
low-down grunt that the gearbox hasn’t been able to survive.
After looking at various options and contemplating a manual
transmission conversion we decided to persist with further
transmission development aided by Graham Stone from Stone
Racing Transmissions. Varying third gear clutch setups had
been tried after breaking the third gear clutch assembly,
so far Graham has been able to provide an upgraded automatic
transmission that has been able to survive behind the supercharger
and hopefully survive the anticipated power increase for
the next few upgrades we have planned, but more on those
later….
We
were finally able to get some intensive dyno development
done using new in house software, that enables us to incorporate
lean cruise as well as dual spark maps combined with the
PCM controlled water injection. This new software which
is being developed with the EFILIVE Group will soon be on
sale as” flashscan” which will incorporate the ability to
modify the complete engine calibration as well as data logging
the PCM all in one complete package.
After
extensive dyno sessions the engine is now putting out a
reliable 349 KW (468 hp) at the back wheels, this equates
to approximately 625 hp at the engine. The car feels much
stronger than a V8 super car on the road and traction has
become nearly impossible. With this in mind we took it to
the track fully armed with slicks and front runners to see
how we would fare. On a less than ideal night we were able
to put in three passes all around the 11.7 at 119mph mark.
So a mild mannered Monaro has gone from a stock 14.5sec
ET with 174rwkw to a bolt on 12.9 sec ET with 248 rwkw and
then finally to 11.7sec ET with its present 349 rwkw this
being achieved with the ultimate bolt on of a supercharger.
In
the original plan for the project this was as far as we
ever intended to take it BUT we have got bitten by the HP
BUG so next in the pipeline for project Monaro is to do
the head and camshaft upgrade and see if we can punch the
Monaro into the 10’s while still maintaining a totally streetable
package as well as a much needed brake upgrade.
Click
here for Part 7
Source:
Chipmaster.
9452-0213.
