Returnless vortech

[arskiracer]

Quite a few months ago I searched the forums for a returnless vortech kit and didn't have any luck finding anything except a blown 3.0 returnless. So I posted a new question and got some replies about the theory behind it, but no one really knew anything first hand. Being that I've gone though almost all of the installation, here it goes... Originally I thought I had a return car - the dealer told me 2000 was the year they were changing over to those systems, so some had them and some didn't. I had the same dealer check my car to tell me if mine was a return system; they said it was. So I ordered the vortech kit. I had a performance shop install the kit for me. About half way through the installation, the installer told me my car was a returnless system. I got online and started doing some research to find out what was different from the return to the returnless and I went from there. So far I've replaced my 19lb injectors with 30lb($270 I think-from steeda) (A guy at vortech said he was pretty sure they were going to use 30lb injectors in the returnless kit that never got finished, so I decided to use the 30s.) I had to buy new electrical plugs that would fit into the new injectors ($120 for 6-from the dealer) I got a custom chip from Diablo (around $425 or so for the chip and the programming) Now I'm waiting on a new MAF that's calibrated for the 30lb injectors. ($220 from spmotorsports) I'm hoping the new MAF will solve the problem I have with my car running so rich. I also have to buy new cats, since my car has been running so rich for so long. They're so clogged it won't even run anymore. Damn, this ended up being really long.. Anybody have any ideas on what else I might run into?

[Buckshot77]

You've pretty much covered everything you need to have except for the fact the Diablo doesn't make a chip that has the programming for the vortech as fas as ignition timing and such goes. You need to get ahold of Keyser from Streetflight and have him burn a chip for you to get the timing control right or if you're anywhere near Phoenix go hop on their dyno. You may or may not run into problems with the stock fuel pump, but this remains to be seen. Chris did just fine on his fuel pump at the stock levels of boost so you should be ok on yours as well.

Rick

[arskiracer]

I had Diablo make a custom program for the vortech kit. I gave them all the specs (8 psi, dual exhaust, etc). Would this custom program fix all the timing and mixture problems? It took them a long time to get the program made and I just got the chip in the mail a few weeks ago. It leaned out my car a little (I don't actually have readings on this hyphothesis, I'm just guessing it is running leaner because it doesn't stall as much, doesn't make quite as much smoke out of the pipes, and idles better.) It is still running really rich, so I'm hoping the new MAF will solve the problem. Do you think the diablo chip I have will solve my ECU problems?

[Cooper]

I was leafing through the April 5.0 Mustangs and Super Fords Mag (p. 115) and came across an article on Aeromotive's Billet Digital FMU. It is for tuning of returnless Fords and has a display and adjustments in the cockpit. Basically you can dyno-tune a custom fuel pressure curve that correlates with a boost curve. You can also add a secondary fuel pump for added flow. In the article they installed it on a S/C Mustang and got gains of 46hp and 27ft/lbs when done tuning. Not sure how this would be applicable on the Cougar but could be nice for a F/I application...returnless Vortech? I am basically clueless on the returnless system as I have an early '99. Seems like it is more flexible than a custom chip though more expensive. Those in the know...enlighten me.


Aeromotive FMU (http://216.242.145.16/products/product.phtml?p=32)

[bnoon]

Originally posted by: arskiracer
I had Diablo make a custom program for the vortech kit. I gave them all the specs (8 psi, dual exhaust, etc). Would this custom program fix all the timing and mixture problems? It took them a long time to get the program made and I just got the chip in the mail a few weeks ago. It leaned out my car a little (I don't actually have readings on this hyphothesis, I'm just guessing it is running leaner because it doesn't stall as much, doesn't make quite as much smoke out of the pipes, and idles better.) It is still running really rich, so I'm hoping the new MAF will solve the problem. Do you think the diablo chip I have will solve my ECU problems?


Get to a dyno that can tune you a chip on the spot. The MAF can get you your lean out you've been looking for, but may also F-up your load tables and cause massive ignition advance!!!!! Not a good thing on a boosted engine. Don't ever buy a "custom chip" unless you're car is sitting on a dyno receiving actual custom settings according to wide band readouts. Otherwise, they're just tuning blind and making their best guess on your chip settings. Just make sure the dyno operator understands the nature of the beast and doesn't have you do a full throttle run until after you've done a few part throttle runs to make sure the ECU is pulling enough timing out. Buckshot lost his first 3L SC to one such dyno run...

[arskiracer]

I forgot all about this question I posted here and I just found it again. so it sounds like mail order chips aren't the way to go? Where can I go to get a custom dyno tune. I'm haveing a really hard time just trying to find a dyno at all down here in south texas. I'll be going back to littleton, co in a few weeks though, so maybe I'll be able to find something there.

[MileHighCougar]

Yeah Bear up at Dyno Pros can Dyno tune anything you like.