Merkur Club of America - Modern Performance 2000 results

Merkur Club of America

Modern Performance Dyno Event!

On Saturday April 29, 2000, the Merkur Club of America in conjunction with Nick Mannarino, owner of Modern Performance Inc. , 72 Oceanport Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764, rented a DynoJet 1 for a test and tune session. The Dyno was owned and operated by Bob Ida (Ida Automotive Inc) a very well respected custom manufacturer of street rods. Special thanks to Nick Mannarino / Modern Performance for sponsoring this event and for the tremendous effort Nick made to squeeze every bit of power from each car.

All cars in the event used a Ford 2.3 turbo engine. This included seven Merkur XR4Ti's, one Merkur Scorpio (a one-of-a-kind), one Mustang SVO and one Toyota. We gathered to see who could safely produce the most HP and Torque. Each car made a minimum of 4-6 pulls but many got 8-16 pulls. Between each run, Nick Mannarino assisted in making various changes to variables such as ignition timing, cam timing, boost, and air/fuel mixture in an effort to obtain maximum levels of HP & torque. The cars were tested at stock boost levels (15 psi) up to a maximum of 22 psi. The attached summary shows the best-combined HP and torque for each car in the event. The following general conclusions were drawn from side-by-side comparisons on the same vehicle:

Please note that all figures in this write up reflect the calculated flywheel HP and Torque (SAE DynoJet 1 figure /0.85):

Quaker State Synthetic oil vs. Royal Purple

The type of engine oil used made almost no difference in horsepower or torque output. However, the Quaker State Synthetic oil made slightly more HP and torque than the Royal Purple.

Modification	HP	Torque	Comment
Quaker State 10-30	256.1	296.8	Dave W. run # 19 @ 15 psi
Royal Purple 10-30	254.1	289.3	Dave W. run # 20 @ 15 psi
Increase	-2.0	-7.5
Percent Increase	-0.8%	-2.5%	Loss of HP & Torque!

Stock XR4Ti ignition vs. Accel ignition

The stock ignition system produced nearly 20 more horsepower than Accel ignition systems.

Modification	HP	Torque	Comment
Acell Ignition	228.9	282.4	Don P. run # 13 @ 20 psi
Stock XR4Ti Ignition	251.1	295.5	Don P. run # 15 @ 20 psi
Increase	22.1	13.2	Note run # 14 was NG because the
Percent Increase	9.7%	4.7%	throttle cable broke.

Plug gapping

New Bosch Platinum plugs gaped at 0.40" and new Autolite standard copper plugs gaped at 0.34". The Bosch plugs gaped at 0.40" produced less Horsepower and Torque than the Autolite plugs gaped at 0.34".

Modification	HP	Torque	Comment
Bosch plugs @ 0.40" gap	222.1	279.2	Don P. run # 3 @ 17 psi
Autolite plugs @ 0.34" gap	225.6	326.5	Don P. run # 4 @ 17 psi
Increase	3.5	47.3
Percent Increase	1.6%	16.9%	HP & Torque gains

Superchip vs. Stock EEC program

The Superchip made slightly less HP and Torque on the same car than the stock EEC.

Modification	HP	Torque	Comment
XR4Ti with Superchip	238.0	240.4	Alex C. run # 3 @ 15 psi
XR4Ti computer w/o chip	241.5	243.6	Alex C. run # 4 @ 15 psi
Increase	3.5	3.3
Percent Increase	1.5%	1.4%	HP & Torque gains

EEC Conclusions

The majority of cars used the stock 5 speed EEC except one and no vehicle was at the limit of the stock EEC (SVO or Merkur XR4Ti). By itself the 5 speed XR4Ti EEC produced a little less HP but more Torque compared to the automatic XR4Ti EEC computer.

Modification	HP	Torque	Comment
Auto XR4Ti Computer	254.5	263.6	Alex C. run # 7 @ 16 psi
5 speed XR4Ti Computer	244.9	271.5	Alex C. run # 8 @ 16 psi
Increase	-9.5	7.9	Slight loss of HP
Percent Increase	-3.7%	3.0%	Slight gain of Torque

Stock vs. Large Throttle body

The installation of the larger throttle body produced 1 additional pound of boost without any change to the boost setting and also produced a modest gain in HP and Torque without change to the fuel mix. Time limited the ability to dial the fuel mix in on this car but the results were clear. The increase in boost indicated that the stock throttle body is a limiting factor and suggests it would also add turbo lag when compared to the larger throttle body.

Modification	HP	Torque	Comment
Stock Throttle Body	272.1	336.0	Dimitri W. Run # 4
Large Throttle Body	291.9	357.4	Dimitri W. run # 6
Increase	19.8	21.4	Note: His #5 run was aborted due to the FPR vacuum line popping off.
Percent Increase	7.3%	6.4%	due to throttle body R&R

Modern Performance Mass Air

At the same boost setting, on the same car, Nick was able to fine-tune the Air / Fuel mix and significantly increase the HP and torque. This shows the fantastic ability of the Modern Performance Mass Air.

Modification	HP	Torque	Comment
Mass Air Adjustment	243.3	271.2	Alex C. run # 9
Mass Air Adjustment	258.6	291.6	Alex C. run # 11
Mass Air Adjustment	260.5	292.8	Alex C. # 12
Increase	17.2	21.6	Note run # 10 was NG due to a late
Percent Increase	7.1%	8.0%	start of the DynoJet computer.

While the summary does not show full details for each test nor the specifics from first run to last. However, it was clear that those cars in good running condition benefited greatly from the Dyno experience and Nick's ability to custom dial each car in during the session. The Modern Performance Mass Air system showed its capability in fine tuning air-fuel mixtures to keep cars from running lean at mid and high rpm ranges.

The Merkur Club of America plans more of these types of events so visit our web site www.merkurclub.com and join us at the next event. If you have detailed questions please feel free to contact Dave Ziminski at the Merkur Club of America or Nick Mannarino , Modern Performance Inc. 72 Oceanport Ave, West Long Branch, NJ 07764 tel. 732-222-3679.

Description of Car Modifications

										4/29/00
Mod Type	Nick Mannarino 85 Merkur XR4Ti	Jef Simpson 86 Ford SVO	Dave Ziminski 89 Merkur XR4Ti	Dimitri Wittal Scorpio with XR 2.3 engine	Alex Chaney 86 XR4Ti	Dave Weiner 89 XR4Ti	Don Paluh 88 XR4Ti	Elvis Pena / Toyota with XR4Ti 2.3 engine	Ben Buemi 86 XR4Ti	Jamie Chick 86 XR4Ti
Air Filter	K&N Cone	K&N Cone	K&N Cone	K&N Cone	K&N Cone	K&N Cone	K&N Cone	None	K&N Cone	Standard XR4Ti K&N Filter
Intercooler	Modern Performance XR4Ti IC	Modern Performance Custom SVO IC	Modern Performance XR4Ti IC	Super Coupe IC	Modern Performance XR4Ti IC	Modern Performance XR4Ti IC	Modern Performance XR4Ti IC	Modern Performance XR4Ti IC	Modern Performance XR4Ti IC	None
Max Boost	21 PSI	19 PSI	22 PSI	22 PSI	17 PSI	15 PSI	21 PSI	21 PSI	15 PSI	18 PSI
Computer	Stock XR4Ti EEC	Stock SVO EEC	Stock XR4Ti EEC	XR4Ti modified by EEC Tuner	Stock Automatic XR4Ti EEC w&w/o Superchip	Stock XR4Ti EEC	Stock XR4Ti EEC	Stock XR4Ti EEC	Stock XR4Ti EEC	Stock XR4Ti EEC
VAM	N/A	N/A	N/A	Turbo Coupe VAM	N/A	N/A	N/A	Turbo Coupe VAM	N/A	XR4Ti VAM
Mass Air	Modern Performance Mass Air	Modern Performance Mass Air	Modern Performance Mass Air	N/A	Modern Performance Mass Air	Modern Performance Mass Air	Modern Performance Mass Air	N/A	Modern Performance Mass Air	N/A
Injectors	Modern Performance Oversized	Stock SVO Injectors	Modern Performance Oversized	Stock XR4Ti	Stock XR4Ti	Stock XR4Ti	Modern Performance Oversized	Modern Performance Oversized	Stock XR4Ti	Stock XR4Ti
Fuel	93 Octane	93 Octane	93 Octane	93 Octane	93 Octane	93 Octane	93 Octane	93 Octane	93 Octane	93 Octane
Fuel Pressure Regulator	Stock XR4Ti	Stock SVO	Stock XR4Ti	Adjustable FPR	Stock XR4Ti	Stock XR4Ti	Stock XR4Ti	Stock XR4Ti	Stock XR4Ti	Stock XR4Ti
Exhaust	Modern Performance 3 inch system	Modern Performance Down Pipe & Cat, Stock Muffler back	Modern Performance 3 inch system	Custom Scorpio System	Modern Performance 3 inch system	Modern Performance 3 inch system	Modern Performance 3 inch system	Modern Performance 3 inch system	Modern Performance 3 inch system	Modern Performance 3 inch system
Ported Exhaust	Modern Performance	Stock	Modern Performance	Modern Performance	Modern Performance	Modern Performance	Modern Performance	Modern Performance	Modern Performance	Stock
Turbo	Modern Performance E82	Stock SVO	Modern Performance E72	Stock XR4Ti	Stock XR4Ti	Stock XR4Ti	Modern Performance E72	Modern Performance E82	Modern Performance E72	Stock XR4Ti
Ported Intake	Modern Performance	Stock	Modern Performance	Modern Performance	Modern Performance	Modern Performance	Modern Performance	Modern Performance	Modern Performance	Stock
Cam	Modern Performance Roller Rocker Cam	Stock	Modern Performance Roller Rocker Cam	Ranger Roller Cam	Modern Performance Roller Rocker Cam	Modern Performance Roller Rocker Cam	Modern Performance Roller Rocker Cam	Modern Performance Roller Rocker Cam	Modern Performance Roller Rocker Cam	Stock
Adj. Cam	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Head	Modern Performance Ported & Polished with oversized valves	Stock	Modern Performance Ported & Polished with oversized valves	Modern Performance Ported & Polished with oversized valves	Modern Performance Ported & Polished with oversized valves	Modern Performance Ported & Polished with oversized valves	Modern Performance Ported & Polished with oversized valves	Modern Performance Ported & Polished with oversized valves	Modern Performance Ported & Polished with oversized valves	Stock
Bottom End	Modern Performance Blue Printed Bottom End	Stock SVO	Modern Performance Blue Printed Bottom End	Stock XR4Ti	Stock XR4Ti	Modern Performance Blue Printed Bottom End	Stock XR4Ti Bottom End	Modern Performance Blue Printed Bottom End	Modern Performance Blue Printed Bottom End	Stock
* Everyone using an adjustable cam sprocket made better HP and much more Torque with the cam set at +2 Deg.
* Dimitri W. made some runs with the stock XR4Ti throttle body and then made some runs with the Modern Performance large throttle body.
* Don P. made some runs with the Accel ignition system vs. the Stock XR4Ti ignition system and some runs with Bosch Platinum plugs gaped at 0.40' vs. standard Autolite plugs gaped at 0.34'
* Ben B. made some runs with his car having old plugs, wires, cap and rotor but then made a few runs with new plugs, wires, cap and rotor (basic tune up).
* Alex C. made some runs with his stock XR4Ti Automatic EEC and with a 5 speed XR4Ti EEC and several more tuning the MP Mass Air.
* Note all cars tested were 5 speed manual transmission.
* Dave W. made a side by side comparison of Quaker State Synthetic oil vs. Royal Purple.
* All DynoJet1 runs were made in 4th gear starting at 2,000 RPM.

Combined Comparison of the Best Runs:

We had over 25 folks attend the event:

Lionel Baron, Ben Buemi, Paul Ceppi, Alex Chaney, Jamie Chick, Craig Davidson, Phil Dosey, Chris Efsathon, Gus Efsathon, Jamie Frank, Steve Frank, Guy Gillette, Jennifer Lunsten, Nick Mannarino, Tony Momac, Don Paluh, Elvis Pena, Jeff Simpson, George Schultz, Dave Weiner, Andrew West, Paul West, Noel Williams, Dimitri Wittal, Dave Ziminski, Eve Ziminski.
Modern Performance provided the cold drinks throughout the day and also graciously provided the pizza for lunch.

Dave Z and Paul Ceppi checking some of the data.

Ben Beumi looking over his XR.

Dave looking over the shoulder of Andrew West as he inputs the Dyno data during the day. Dave Weiner and Tony Momac (from CA) chat in the background.

Yes, The Cookie Lady (Eve) did it again!

Here is a partial photo of the cars attending the Dyno.

Folks gather around the MCA tent.

MCA folks can't stop looking under the hood. Dave Wiener, Chris and Gus Efsathon check out the mods on Dave's XR.

Jef Simpson and his SVO on the Dyno.

Folks gathered around the Dyno Jet computer to see the latest results.

Dave Weiner on the Dyno under Nick's watchful eye.

Dave Weiner's car just backed up on the Dyno. In the background, Paul Ceppi on the right and Bob Ida on the left.

Dave Z. presents the award. Nick accepted the award for Elvis Pena.

Bob Ida opened his shop to us and I doubt you'll find better place to Dyno your car. Nick worked like mad to give everyone the best opportunity to make as much power as possible. Everyone had a fantastic time and although several of us did not leave until well after 9:00 PM everyone is looking forward to our next event.