Innovate Motorsports MTX-L Wideband Air Fuel Ratio Sensor/Controller/Gauge

I have not decided on my wideband air fuel ratio (AFR) or O2/lambda sensor but it will be either the Innovate Motorsports LC-1 or MTX-L. Both use the famed Bosch LSU 4.2 5-wire wideband O2 sensor with similar electronics with the LC-1 having the electronics build into a sealed cable whereas the MTX-L has all the electronics in the gauge itself. I do not really need a separate air fuel ratio gauge with my AIM MXL Strada Icon dash capable of displaying air fuel ratio. The MTX-L is the same as the LC-1 but a couple hundred ringgit cheaper as the LC-1 comes in a kit with its own gauge. Go figure..

A proper wideband is critical for the Slowtra's tune and build as the stock narrow band O2 sensor is next to hopeless being only able to tell whether the a/f ratio is above or beyond stoichometric and does not give accurate readings elsewhere. A wideband on the other hand is good for measuring and deriving accurate air fuel ratios anywhere between 10:1 to 20:1 which is a range all modern engines operate within. MotoIQ has an excellent article explaining how narrow and widebands work.

This write up is on the MTX-L as I had initially decided on it only to be not so sure later. Blame the gauge.
Picture of the MTX-L box. The LC-1's box gives me a sense of déjà vu. All pictures were taken @ GT Auto while I slow stripped the MTX-L from its packaging.

Manual and CD-ROM with the software. Both the LC-1 and MTX-L are capable of datalogging via Innovate's Logworks application.

The Bosch LSU 4.2 5-wire wideband O2 sensor. The LSU 4.2 uses a wideband zirconium-dioxide oxygen sensor. Innovates uses a different approach known as Direct Digital to control its wideband O2 sensors. Innovate claims Direct Digital results in a faster response time and improved accuracy over conventional control methods. If you want to use back your stock ECU and just replace the O2 sensor,  Innovate is capable of simulating the operation of a narrow band O2 sensor. Click here to learn how to.

All the electronics and controls are build into the gauge itself. Innovate provides both a black and white face plate and bezel which are interchangeable. Picture below shows black bezel and black faceplate that comes standard. Takes a couple minutes max to swap faceplates and/or bezels.

The Slowtra's new exhaust and associated snail piping are currently being lovingly fabricated and the decision (on which wideband) will be made in due time.

Oil Change Progress

Engine and gearbox is in.

Thinking to get a new gearbox side and end cover. Dip stick is broken so purchased replacement along with a bottom engine mount.

Long driveshaft installed with no issues. Short driveshaft appears 1-2" shorter. WTF! at this point. Need to check with Greg but he's on holiday till next week :( Picture below of the short driveshaft test fitted. Wheel hubs and bearings have also been installed. Plug below the driveshaft is the gearbox oil drain plug.

The gear selector rods installed. Gave the Slowtra's underside a good dose of WD40 cleaning right after taking the pictures. Looks pretty good now or at least better than the pictures.

Bought some Turbosmart Turboseal Murray constant tension clamps for the intercooler piping. The last thing I want is some cheapa*s clamps working loose and cause an engine issue. The clamp is full stainless steel in construction. A constant tension stainless steel worm gear clamp is designed to compensate for the effects of thermal cycling and/or compression. The convoluted spring action outer band solves this problem and features a unique inner band profile to provide superior sealing pressure via its two raise ribs and the chamfered edges eliminate damage to the hose when tightened. Murray's unique "Dual Bead Shield" concentrates band sealing pressure, increasing performance up to 30% compared to standard smooth liners. Picture of the 2.5" clamp in packaging. Part number is TS-HCT-M075 (2.5" to 3.375" or 64-86mm diameter). The clamps are sold in pairs and a pair will set you back >RM66 not including shipping costs. Not cheap but well worth the money if you asked me.

Two close up pixs of the clamp.

Here's how the clamps look like fitted to the Prodrive Impreza WRC 2007.

Nearly ready to do the turbo, intercooler and exhaust piping. As mentioned before this will be a Tonnka project.

Oil Change

They say a picture tells a thousand words...

I'll leave you to decipher what the thousand words are :)

RS5F70A Stripped!

Delivered the Slowtra to GT Auto over the weekend and the first thing I saw as I walked in was my disassembled and cleaned gearbox awaiting my Nismo LSD. Picture below of bellhousing, gearbox casing and final drive ring gear/crown wheel.

Close up of the nicely clean bellhousing.

The gears. No time nor budget to WPC treat the gears hence will be reassembled back as-is. Toby mentioned the gears look a bit weak so maybe some PAR or Pfitzner (PPG) gearsets in the future when the budget's avail. Toby will also fabricate a shorter stainless braided clutch hose for me.

Another pix.

Stock open diff which will be replaced by the Nismo Mechanical LSD. Needs new side bearings which Toby promptly found for me. Thanks Bro!

Final drive ring gear/crown wheel. Counted 70 teeth. Pinion is 18 teeth. This means Final Drive Ratio 70/18 or 3.888888888888889. Bolts including the new ones I bought are M10 (10mm). LSD requires M12 (12mm). This means I need to source new bolts and do some work on the final drive/crown wheel gear to fit. Bummer!

Brand new oem driveshaft or axle assembly. The short one. You will also need the long driveshaft. Without a proper limited slip differential and other trick drivetrain engineering this is what causes torque steer for FF cars due to different driveshaft lengths.

This end bolts to the gearbox/diff.

While the other end bolts to front knuckle or upright. Funky looking ring with gear looking teeth is for the ABS sensor to read... Which the Slowtra does not need.

Stock manual gearbox is off the car as we speak. Anyone interested in an excellent condition pre-loved MYDM N16 stock 30A manual gearbox that has only seen the best Redline MT90 gear oil please shoot me an email.

More Bits n Pieces

More parts for the upcoming build. Me Nismo LSD complete with Nismo certificate and user manual. Ony in Japanese. For a relatively small component the LSD is really heavy.

Brand new Nissan final drive/ring gear/crown wheel bolts. You will need eight for the RS5F70A final drive. Picture here should give you an idea of what I am talking about.

Water coolant channel plugs for the QG. Otherwise known in the US as "freeze" plugs.

Coolant drain plug on engine block. I'm taking the precaution to replace parts where I can. Makes no sense to run into issues later or blow my engine due to a failure of a part costing a couple ringgit.

 

Titanium fasteners for my brake caliper adapter. Got these from Racebolts which is much cheaper than what I was quoted by Pro-Bolt.

Couldn't quite managed to carry me driveshafts home. My arms are still aching. More on this later.

Original Nissan aluminium faced brake and clutch pedal pads from a Z33 for that sporty look. If my research is correct these are plug and pray.

Why no accelerator pedal pad? Well this is not plug and play for our "ancient" throttle cable N16. Picture below of the Z33 electronic accelerator pedal assembly. Picture courtesy of Greg/G-Spec.

Here's how the pedal looks like together with accelerator pedal pad on a Nismo 380RS.

I frankly have no idea if this works on newer N16/B15/G10s with an electronic throttle. Of course all MYDM N16s are throttle cable only regardless of Pre-FL, FL1, FL2, FL2+. If I can't find any matching accelerator pedal pads these are probably going to be for sale while I get myself some Sparco pedals.

More ARP stuff

Got more ARP fasteners when I was in the US. Picture below of shiny ARP 300 series stainless steel stud kit for exhaust/turbo manifold. The stud kit is rated to 170K psi tensile strength. Supplied nut is 12-point.

Next is the ARP Pro Series bolt kit to secure flywheel to crankshaft. The QG18 crank/flywheel uses 6 bolts. Picture below of ARP vs stock.

ARP offer two styles of flywheel bolts: High Performance and Pro Series. Both are forged from aerospace grade alloy and heat treated prior to thread rolling and machining. Both feature an exclusive 12-point head design and larger than stock shank diameter for increased strength and improved flywheel register. The High Performance Series is rated at 180K psi tensile strength while the premium grade Pro Series, originally developed for Nascar competition has a 200K psi rating.

The Slowtra is very close to going in for its "oil change" job. Expect a dearth of articles then unless Toby and Chew Soon can take regular yummy pixs of the progress.

AIMing for the Icon

Was in the US a week back and collected my AIM MXL Strada Icon. I bought my MXL Strada from the good guys @ Apex Speed Technology. Look for Neel Vasavada or DJ Uithoven. The package arrived at my hotel even before I arrived. However upon opening the box I got a shock as I was sent the standrad MXL Strada rather than the MXL Strada Icon I ordered. Picture below of the "incorrect" MXL Strada. Pardon the lousy quality from my HTC Desire S. My camera ran out of batt and I forgot to bring the charger along with me. Bummer!

Apex Speed Tech owned up to the mistake and Neel even responded to my email late on Saturday night. Really truly excellent customer service. I was shipped the correct AIM MXL Strada Icon which arrived the day before I left. I then hand carried it back to Bolehland. Yes, personally hand carried. Can't trust it to be abused and damaged via checked in luggage. If you asking whether I came back with two AIM MXL Stradas the answer is No. I had first hand experience with a United States Postal Service post office and shipped back the unit to Apex Speed Tech. Picture below of what I brought back home.

Opening the box revealed a CD-ROM containing the interface software and the "manual" which is more a simple wiring diagram and brochure of other AIM products. You can download the actual user manual here.

The supplied wiring and connectors to ECU and to PC/laptop. Connection to PC is via USB.

The AIM MXL Strada Icon dash display itself. Notice the difference in the side warning LEDs compared to the regular MXL Strada.

Reverse "back" side showing the mounting bosses and RS-232 and CAN (Controller Area Network) connectors.

I paid slightly under RM4K for the whole kit including tax. Had to pay tax as I was in California which is subjected to sales tax. Sales tax in the US is enforced at the state level. Need to get a prepreg carbon plate to mount the dash display and have Toby install and wire-in everything once the Slowtra goes in for its oil change.

Dash Display Options

With the Slowtra going the forced induction route there is a vital need to display turbo boost pressure as the last thing I want is to blow my expensive (to me) engine to engine heaven due to some unknown overboosting/boost creep issue. Was also thinking of having the ability to display oil pressure and temps too. I dunno bout you guys and gals but I find having a row of gauges on the dash both confusing and distracting. One could spend more time looking at the lovely row of gauges than doing the driving. The row of gauges have also proven to be a theft magnet.

Digital dash displays have come down a lot in price since the early days hence am on the lookout for one. Three to four traditional analogue dial gauges from the likes of Defi will come close to the price of an integrated digital dash display. I do not need datalogging since the ECU I will be going to has this option albeit limited. Dash displays with datalogging are pretty expensive still (to me) at easilly more than RM6K for the cheapest option once you add sensors and what nots. My search for a decent LCD "black over white" dash display (full colour TFT options from the likes of GEMS and DTA are still too cost prohibitive at this point). Don't even mention about the Bosch Motorsport DDU 7/8. Price is in excess of five figures just for the dash display!

My option narrowed down to two popular choices as both work fully with Autronic and Haltech ECUs with Toby comfortable with both and having no preference for either to install and set up. The first is the AIM MXL Strada. AIM hails from Italy and is a popular choice for many a race/rally car/bike. The Strada Icon is particularly attractive as it features build-in led warning lights for many common road car requirements such as hazard lights, high beam, etc. Picture below of the AIM MXL Strada Icon.

You can read the full spec and features here. The display is fully configurable via a laptop/PC. Price is a tad more than MYR 3.5K not including shipping and tax. The MXL connects to the Haltech Platinum Sport 1000 or Autronic SM4 via RS-232 interface protocol. Track day kakis can connect an optional GPS sensor to the MXL Strada for track timing duty. The s

The other choice is the Racepak IQ3. Racepak is from the US and equally popular with many a race/rally cars. Haltech even uses the IQ3 as its own dash display and likewise Tomei. Picture below of the IQ3 from Racepak website. You can read up the specs and compare here.

On first look the IQ3 seemed to be a much more economical solution @ around MYR2K not including shipping and tax for the dash display. Racepak however operate on Bolehland's favourite budget airline - Air Asia's business model. Where the AIM MXL Strada comes with everything one would need to connect to the ECU, the Racepak requires you to purchase the ECU interface (RM 1.2K) for whichever ECU you will be using and the cable that plugs the interface to the IQ3. The price for this cable depends on the length you will need (RM150 to 240). Once you add this all up the price difference between the AIM MXL Strada and the Racepak IQ-3 is only around one two hundred ringgit or so. There is no GPS option for the IQ3 dash display and to have GPS functionality one would have to get the IQ3 datalogger dash. Unfortunately both the MXL Strada and the IQ3 dash display cannot be upgraded to a datalogger. If you require datalogging please get the datalogger dash.

I have already made my decision and ordered the dash display. Blame it on the Chinese New Year mood and poisoning from Bro Mugil :P Oh and...

Happy Chinese New Year Everyone!!!

All will be revealed once I collect my dash display.

Assembly

Two pictures of my engine being put together. Pixs courtesy of Toby.

Entire bottom end rotating assembly (crank, rods, pistons, flywheel, clutch, etc) have been fully balanced. The cast iron block has been given a fresh coat of paint. Toby is totally against lightweight crank pulleys hence I bought a stock new one. The ARP main and head studs fit just fine with no clearance issues. Good R&D eh? :) The torque specs are as follows:

• 8740 main studs - 60ft/lb
• ARP2000 head studs - 70ft/lb in 2 even steps

Will run with a stock head and cams first. Should be ready for install on the Slowtra post CNY.

LSD Slips

No I'm not suffering from cold turkey and need the LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) drug but I do need a Limited Slip Differential. As you know making more than 300hp with equivalent big torque is going to be useless if one cannot properly put the power to the ground. Wheelspin is only good enough to put on a smoke show. This led me to sending emails to popular limited slip differential manufacturers to see if they have one for my RS5F70A gearbox.

The first to reply to my email was Yasu from ATS/PPI - "I am very sorry but ATS does not have an LSD for RS5F70A. We do have one for Primera P11 but it is for Primera with SR18DE and stock viscous LSD". Yasu told me that for ATS to design and manufacture a custom LSD would require 30 unit order quantity.

This was followed by Yu from Across - "Thank you  for your inquire. Unfortunately we don't have LSD for your vehicle".

Wavetrac and Cusco Japan/International/Malaysia did not even bother to respond.

Cusco USA did and was very helpful. A lady by the name of Yuki concluded our email chain with the following - "Dear Andrew, bad news for you.... :( Our LSD won't fit your transmission. The size of the LSD for SR motor is little bigger than one for your transmission. In addition, we don't set up the LSD for your application. Sorry..... when you swap the motor to SR, let me know. we have LSD for SR".

The response from Quaife was also the same "unfortunately No".

I did not bother to try Kaaz or OS Giken because there is no listing for anything similar on their website. OK, I basically gave up.

My last option would be Drexler but boy are they expensive. Really expensive like more than twice the cost of a Cusco! So this leaves my only viable "economical" LSD option as the Nismo Mechanical LSD, part number 38420-RS360. But this was discontinued circa 2008-2009. I went ahead and emailed the whole world anyway with the hope to secure one from some left over inventory or Aladdin's cave somewhere. My search led me to a popular speed part mail order service based in Japan as recommended by Bro Jack - RHD Japan whom initially told me they had the LSD in stock. Unfortunately after payment they told me the LSD had been discontinued. "WTF!!!" To their credit RHD fully refunded me though I lost some ringgits in the currency conversion :(

In the end Greg from GSpec found me one but did it cost me. Lets just say the Nismo LSD cost me more than five big ones! Super Ouch! My excuse would be desperate people take desperate measures. The other excuse would be the Nismo is still cheaper than the Drexler. Per Greg, this might be the last brand new Nismo LSD for 32A/70A gearbox left in the world! Pictures below courtesy of Greg.

Hopefully the LSD will drop right into my gearbox without the need to change the final/ring gear/crown wheel and side gear. Here's how the complete assembly looks like.

More details to follow once I arrange for delivery back home.

Oil Pump

Picture below of the QG18's gerotor oil pump and housing cover.

The oil pump assy and gears are behind the cover with the phillips countersunk bolts. I am so tempted to try the oil pump blueprinting suggested by MotoIQ and send the gears, cover and housing for WPC treatment. Should I?

Coilover Dampers for the Slowtra - The Euros Part 1 (The Germans)

Happy New Year Everyone!!! Let's start 2012 with the long awaited post on Euro coilovers for the Slowtra beginning with the Germans. Achtung!

AP
AP Sportfahrwerke GmbH is not the same as the famed AP Racing brake manufacturer and supposedly hails from Germany. "Sportfahrwerke" literally translates to "Sport Suspension" in Engrish. AP claim in their website to have been selling superior quality suspension kits for the last ten years. AP make a range of suspension including springs and non-coilover shocks for the Euro N16 the "Almera" but for this post will only be on the coilover range simply called the "AP coilover suspension kit. There is a newer independent height and rebound adjustable coilover known as the "APX" but I cannot confirm if this is available for the N16. I also cannot confirm if the coilovers are mono or twin tube though from pictures shown it looks to be twin tube. AP's website is not very helpful at all and is lacking in technical details.

• Part Number: GF85-001
• Damping Adjustable: No. Damping is fixed at factory and claimed to be 25% stiffer than stock but as there are no rates nor damper dyno plots available I'll take this with a pinch of salt.
• Ride height adjustable: Yes. AP claim you can lower by as much as 30-55mm, Independent Ride height adjustable: No so if you lower too much you will alter spring preload and damping.
• Rebuildable: Not stated
• Front Spring Rate: Not known, Rear Spring Rate: Not known. AP specs the coilovers according to vehicle weight which for the N16 is 1010kg front axle load and 970kg rear axle load.
• Top Mounts: Use back the stock rubber top mounts
• Other Notable Features:  TÜV certified according to AP. Looks to be a conventional threaded steel body coilover damper with an aluminium spring collar perch. From the pictures on their website AP utilises helper springs.
• Price is relatively cheap at around 500 or so British Pounds or around RM2.5K not including shipping and tax. AP claim to offer quality and performance comparable to another popular German aftermarket suspension manufacturer Weitec a lower price. However looking at the specs and the lack of any local distributor/support I would recommend the Taiwanese or Japanese coilovers if you do track days rather than car shows

KW
KW Automotive GmbH also from Germany is currently one of the most popular race/performance/track day suspension manufacturer and produce a range of coilover dampers from the simple non-adjustable Variant 1 coilover to really serious motorsport stuff with equally serious price tags. For the N16 and USDM B15 it's either the top of the range or the bottom. An email enquiry to KW on whether they would make a Variant 3 or Clubsport for the N16 as resulted in an expected "No" reply. At least KW responded to my email. Let's start with the bottom of the range Variant 1 twin tube coilover damper.

• Part Number: 05285001 (not stated in KW's catalogue but I got the same part number from several websites selling the KW Variant 1 for N16 so this should be correct. Pls note that this is chap Saw and if you order pls state your car's chassis code, manufacturer and model which should be Nissan Almera N16)
• Damping Adjustable: No. Damping is fixed at factory.
• Ride height adjustable: Yes, Independent Ride height adjustable: No so if you lower too much you will alter spring preload and damping.
• Rebuildable: I should think so. There is no distributor listed for MY in KW's website. Only Singapore Indonesia and Thailand. Duh!
• Front Spring Rate: Not known, Rear Spring Rate: Not known.
• Top Mounts: Use back the stock rubber top mounts
• Other Notable Features: TÜV certified. Available in two different damper body material - galvanised steel and "Inox" or stainless steel. Composite spring collar perch.
• Price is not cheap at close to 1000 Euros (RM4.1K) for the Variant 1 Inox line not including shipping and tax. KW command a price premium over AP and Weitec due to their reputation and quality.

Thanks to Mike Kojima and the Dog III Time Attack race car we have the 3-way adjustable motorsport race coilover damper. These are high pressure nitrogen gas monotube configuration with separate remote reservoir. Front dampers are inverted with linear ball bearings to minimise friction. Aluminium is used for the damper bodies to minimise weight.

• Part Number: Contact KW.
• Damping Adjustable: Yes. 3-way adjustable for high and low speed compression damping and rebound damping.
• Ride height adjustable: Yes, Independent Ride height adjustable: No. This is a professional motorsport coilover damper hence optimum ride heigh is customised to your specs.
• Rebuildable: Definitely Yes.
• Front Spring Rate: 700 in/lb (12.5 kg/mm) with helper spring on the Dog III, Rear Spring Rate: 900 in/lb (16 kg/mm) with helper spring on the Dog III. In reality KW can build the damper to your range of preferred spring rates.
• Top Mounts: To your specifications. The Dog III uses Ground Control front spherical bearing top mounts adjustable for camber and caster. To install such top mounts you first have to chop off the front suspension turret/tower tops and reweld back metal plate allowing for the adjustment. Rears are non-adjustable spherical bearing and are "plug and play".
• Other Notable Features: The dampers have a very short body resulting in a very low ride height (4 inches or 101.6mm lower than stock). This is a proper race car damper after all. Full technical details can be found in MotoIQ. I also have a write up for the Dog III's suspension. This is really serious stuff.
• Price is equally serious @ > 24K RM for Dog 3 spec not including shipping and tax. Yes that's right. Twenty four thousand ringgit! Shocks at motorsport pro-level are all around these region or even significantly more once you progress to factory "works" level. Just ask how much WRC spec Reiger cost. So are you willing to pay?

Weitec
Weitec Fahrwertechnik offer the Hicon GT, GTN  and TX "Plus" coilover dampers but only the lower end Hicon GT twin tube coilover damper is available for the N16.

• Part Number: 13285001
• Damping Adjustable: No. Damping is fixed at factory.
• Ride height adjustable: Yes. Weitec claim you can lower by as much as 30-55mm, Independent Ride height adjustable: No so if you lower too much you will alter spring preload and damping.
• Rebuildable: Not stated
• Front Spring Rate: Not known, Rear Spring Rate: Not known. Like AP, Weitec specs the coilovers according to vehicle weight which for the N16 is 1010kg front axle load and 970kg rear axle load.
• Top Mounts: Use back the stock rubber top mounts
• Other Notable Features: TÜV certified. Looks to be a conventional threaded galvanised steel body coilover damper with an aluminium spring collar perch. From the pictures on their website Weitec utilises helper springs for the Hicon GT. Also like AP, technical details are rather lacking from their catalogue and website.
• Price is higher than AP coilover dampers at around 700 or so British Pounds or around RM3.5K not including shipping and tax. However looking at the specs and the lack of any local distributor/support I would recommend the Taiwanese or Japanese coilovers if you do track days rather than car shows.