MPGs run, Aspire SE

[getnpsi]

If this cam means more torque at the slightest lower rpm id try to take advantage of more skip shifting 2-4th around town. With your larger diameter tires it may not be the easiest thing to nail but its linear at a different speed. the more you get a feel for it the better your numbers. Highway mpg are like wot, you can only go so high without continuing to address mechanical and aero.. Around town is where direct interaction with your machine can reel in gains that show in an overall tank. Keep the data coming. Hit that ROI and make the rest of us bummed we didnt place our orders months ago

[TominMO]

If this cam means more torque at the slightest lower rpm id try to take advantage of more skip shifting 2-4th around town. With your larger diameter tires it may not be the easiest thing to nail but its linear at a different speed. the more you get a feel for it the better your numbers. Highway mpg are like wot, you can only go so high without continuing to address mechanical and aero.. Around town is where direct interaction with your machine can reel in gains that show in an overall tank. Keep the data coming. Hit that ROI and make the rest of us bummed we didnt place our orders months ago

Tires = 155/80x13. The light tires and factory Aspire alum. rims will help in the city too.

I do a lot of skip shifting as it is; slow-rolling stops in 2nd, go from 3rd to 5th when speed limit is 45 MPH. Also shut off motor when approaching yellow lights, or even green lights if I know where the light is in its cycle and I am far enough away. So I expect my combined city/hwy will be about 45 MPG with Matt's cam, if my next hwy test gives me some good numbers. Right now, combined was about 39 to 40 MPG, with the stock cam.

[TominMO]

MPG testing temporarily suspended. Here's why:

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?50357-Aspire-SE-no-workee

[TominMO]

Well, carp. It's always something....

Went on an MPG run this morning, for ~150 miles. At mile 93 the CEL comes on, for exactly one mile, then goes off again, never to return. I re-fill the tank at 143 miles and get a fuel usage of 46.1 MPG! Car is running great. I get home and use the Aspire's diagnostic procedure (jumper STI and ground, turn key to ON, count flashes of the CEL, look up code in Haynes) to discover that the O2 sensor is out. That explains the poor running I encountered last week, and the return to good running: O2 sensor died, car ran bad for a short while, then went into "limp home" mode, i.e. running rich. I pulled a spark plug and it looked perfect, not rich, so that is a testament to Matt's cam I think. It handled the extra gas and burned it all.

I had installed a new Denso O2 sensor (part #234-1000) when I bought the car, about 21 months ago. So what the hell? Anyway, I went down to Advance and ordered a new one for $14, which will get here today from a nearby store. I'll put it in and go for another run tmw.

Noob tip: BTW, On Rock Auto they only list the 234-1020 O2 sensor for the Aspire, which has the proper plug installed, but is far more expensive. Festy part # is 234-1010. You can order the same one without the plug and save a buncha money. I think all the part #s starting in 234-10xx are the same electrically, and the various part #s reflects which plug is on it. At Advance they listed both the 234-1020 and the 1000.

[mikeyjd]

I re-fill the tank at 143 miles and get a fuel usage of 46.1 MPG!

Did you mean 56.1? I can't imagine you being that excited about 46.1...

[TominMO]

Did you mean 56.1? I can't imagine you being that excited about 46.1...

That was an exclamation point of dismay.....I had been expecting mid to upper 50s before the test.

[mikeyjd]

That was an exclamation point of dismay.....I had been expecting mid to upper 50s before the test.

:tearyeyed: Hopefully that o2 sensor will straighten things out.

[rmoltis]

Hey chief your gonna waste your money on that denso.

When you get you're header installed
The collector temps at idle and part throttle are so low
they won't keep your o2 sensor in the correct operating heat range.
So it will stay in open loop especially since your driving style is more part throttle.

Youre gonna need to buy and install a heated o2 sensor to compensate for this.
So having figured this out already personally I would return you're Denso and just invest in a heated o2 sensor
And install it once and pay for it once. Rather than buying 2 sensors.

But that's just my opinion I guess.

[TominMO]

Hey chief your gonna waste your money on that denso.

When you get you're header installed
The collector temps at idle and part throttle are so low
they won't keep your o2 sensor in the correct operating heat range.
So it will stay in open loop especially since your driving style is more part throttle.

Youre gonna need to buy and install a heated o2 sensor to compensate for this.
So having figured this out already personally I would return you're Denso and just invest in a heated o2 sensor
And install it once and pay for it once. Rather than buying 2 sensors.

But that's just my opinion I guess.

If I wrap the header that will help keep the heat in, and hopefully the O2 sensor will do well. But if I do need to go to a heated sensor, what do you recommend?

Anyway, I can keep it for a spare for my B6 Festy. Both the Festy and the gen2 B6 use the 234-1010 (same sensor, different plug).

[rmoltis]

I emailed Denso and here is the response they gave me.

"Roderick,

The DENSO aftermarket program is designed to meet or exceed OE standards and performance levels, however you don't have an OE application, but I will provide as much information as I can.

DENSO has several universal sensors that will provide a heater function, however they also include various computer / ECU / module reaction times. Do you have a specific requirement? DENSO (as well as all other OE manufacturers) does not offer a universal Air Fuel Ratio sensor, you will be required to use an oxygen sensor. Almost 99 % of all screw-in sensors use the same thread (18mm x 1.5mm). DENSO three-wire oxygen sensor configuration: Heater - Black(+); Heater - Black (-); Signal - Blue (+), sensor is case grounded. DENSO four-wire oxygen sensor configuration: Heater - Black (+); Heater - Black(-); Signal - Blue(+), Ground - White (-).

Please check for communication requirements, but my Best Guess:

Try DENSO p/n 234-3000

signal wire - Blue
power wire - Black
ground wire - Black"


But on a side note.
I've talked with matt dick Meyer.
And he is putting together a Bosch o2 sensor ( which is the brand he uses in his shop)
with a 50" extension which is what I measured with my temporary extension I made.

With new gm pigtails that I will have to replace on the harness side.
Since the stock connectors fell apart when he tried to rebuild them since they were so old.

So he's putting together a wired heated sensor with new pigtails for me to splice in.

Maybe he can make you a similar kit since he will have experience making one for me.

I prefer Denso o2 sensors.
And if he wasn't willing to build me a kit I would have tried my hand at things personally.

But I'm willing to work with a Bosch sensor.
Cause they invented o2 sensors and they seem to have great reviews like Denso does.

What I know for sure is that my o2 sensor voltages sit at like .05-.07v at idle and part throttle
and when at wot or high throttle it warms up and settles into .30-.80v (normal range)
And seems to run great.

On the butt dyno when you go from idle and floor it.
It seems like a lack of low rpm torque.
Then at around 3k-4k all the power hits.
But that is the point the o2 sensor warms up and reads accurate air fuel ratios as well as goes back into closed loop.

And I'm assuming the heated o2 sensor would solve this problem by being able to maintain closed loop status
And accurately monitor air fuel ratios by being at the proper temperature to do so.

And that's all the info I have currently while I'm waiting on the kit to put in.
Best luck to your endeavors.
We both have aspires and hopefully we can work together on these things.

[TominMO]

^^ Great response, thanx a lot!

[TominMO]

OK, threw the new Denso at the Aspire* and goin' for another run tmw. Hopefully I will FINALLY get a good reading on this cam swap! :banghead:

BTW, in answer to a question from John, the Denso box says "Assembled in the USA from foreign components." (cough) China (cough)?


* This is a figure of speech, and not the recommended way to install an O2 sensor.

[rmoltis]

Mines got Japan stamped on it.

[TominMO]

Here is a source and price for the heated Denso. If you buy it elsewhere like a McParts place, you can at least quote one of these makes/models of car to help access it in their system. Rock Auto has it for $32.89 + shipping. (Just do a parts # search.)

http://www.partsgeek.com/ss/?i=1&ssq=234-3000

[rmoltis]

on eBay its $35 +free shipping as well.