WCA on the Road - Video blog

[WorldClassAccident]

Easing off before 80?

Possibly. As I said, it was raining and braking was a challenge. I still don't think that the new filters made much difference except improving the sound.

[IanA]

Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident

...I will literally be ripping the tread from my tyres after fitting the "flower pot of unfathomable power" !!!

Will you be piping a supply of cool air from the aircon?

[WorldClassAccident]

Will you be piping a supply of cool air from the aircon?

That might be a bit like leaving the fridge door open to cool the kitchen

:-)

[y cymro]

Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident

Easing off before 80?

Possibly. As I said, it was raining and braking was a challenge. I still don't think that the new filters made much difference except improving the sound.

The filter won't offer any performance advantage until you protect it from heat and provide a feed of cold air.
It does sound nice though.

You've selected the low performance flowerpot option due to the holes in the bottom of it. The MSport version is solid with no holes - Tesco has them for 99p.

Here's a reminder of mine

[IanA]

Originally Posted by y cymro

...You've selected the low performance flowerpot option due to the holes in the bottom of it. The MSport version is solid with no holes - Tesco has them for 99p.

Didn't someone mention that the Schnitzer version uses a paint tin...

Now- Farrow & Ball or Hammerite?

Probably resonates so sounds even better. I do fear for the MAF though. When I was using cone filters on my Escort cabrio Zetec, I seemed to need to replace the MAF every year. Maybe if I'd tried cleaning them first...

[WorldClassAccident]

Okay guys - the hole debate can be closed. I wrapped over the holes in the base with aluminium tape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHt_gKN2Ejo

The performance results will follow shortly.

[WorldClassAccident]

Okay, here are the results we have all been waiting for but before we start I would like to address the question of lifting off before 80mph.

I took advantage of the sunshine this morning to accelerate right through to almost 90mph on each run. This is foot firmly on the floor with the gear box in sports mode. There was definitely no lift off.

I get back and look / listen to the footage and it does sound like I lifted. I can assure you that I didn't. This also confirms my belief that I didn't lift on previous runs either.

Although there may be a lack of scientific rigor to these tests I am happy that the overall results give a good indication of the way performance is affected by the various modifications.

https://youtu.be/fARuk-nx3Pw

[Scottie22]

Mmmmmm, paint the rest of the engine red.................

This should give more performance and avoid wasting money :-)

[oxford1360]

Something definitely happens each time just before the 80 mark - watch the tacho, it drops from ~4750 to 4600 at that point.

[WorldClassAccident]

I know - weird.

Previously I thought I might have possibly lifted early but on the last three runs I did not lift my foot at all until over 90mph but each time there was the wobble on the revs.

In my Merc the engine management kills the revs if there is wheel spin but I doubt the BMW is that sophisticated - or powerful enough to spin the wheels at 80mph despite my modifications.

It is after the gear change, so perhaps the new higher ratio forces the drop? Auto box remember - might be relevent

Any thoughts or theories welcome. It is bugging me now.

[y cymro]

Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident

I know - weird.

Previously I thought I might have possibly lifted early but on the last three runs I did not lift my foot at all until over 90mph but each time there was the wobble on the revs.
In my Merc the engine management kills the revs if there is wheel spin but I doubt the BMW is that sophisticated - or powerful enough to spin the wheels at 80mph despite my modifications.
It is after the gear change, so perhaps the new higher ratio forces the drop? Auto box remember - might be relevent
Any thoughts or theories welcome. It is bugging me now.

IIRC from your videos it happens in all your tests including those before you cleaned the MAF and fitted the new filter, so they're probably not the cause.
It seems to happen only in third gear, and you're running WOT in all the tests, so it appears to be related to velocity rather than engine speed or loading.
You haven't got a flux capacitor and it's unlikely to be caused by the red-painted engine cover. I was kidding when I suggested it could be the traction control kicking in, and you probably haven't got ESP in any case.
I googled it on your behalf and found only one hit- http://forum.roadfly.com/threads/2219845-325i-flat-spot but at least you're not alone.

Switch your auto gearbox to its other modes and try again (and video it for our edification) to see if it's only happening in sport mode. Does your test track offer sufficient length to accelerate from 4000 to 5000rpm in fourth gear - unless that's ridiculously fast (don't video this one!).
Does it happen at partial throttle settings? Worth trying this again at 4500-4800 in third at partial, steady throttle, as well as accelerating throughout the rev range looking for flat spots. Or you could just ignore the problem and enjoy driving your good looking, good sounding car.

[garyh]

if you didn't break the speed limit, it wouldn't happen...

[Scottie22]

Seriously WCA, if you think you have a strong engine, stick a nitrous kit on it with a 50 BHP jet, you won't need a stopwatch to see the results, just a sturdy seat-back.

[WorldClassAccident]

if you didn't break the speed limit, it wouldn't happen...

Private road :-)

stick a nitrous kit on it with a 50 BHP jet

just been watching these

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY25EjnH7K8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N-HSI6ls6E

[WorldClassAccident]

WCA not on the road for a bit : https://youtu.be/YeBCidP16dE

[Roadster]

get well soon Nick
im sure you will think of something to entertain yourself and us

[WorldClassAccident]

Surgeon refused to let me have someone film the actual operation :-)

[IanA]

Lots of mobility scooters on eBay...

And a pair of 12v batteries for same cost about £35.

So- switch in a second = supercharged

and switch in the third = nitrous

[IanA]

Or a ride-on mower with an expansion chamber (and the blade removed) would be good down at West Quay shopping centre.

[WorldClassAccident]

I have a temporary ride sorted