Auto Meter Z-Series 2-1/16-inch...
Auto Meter Z-Series 2-1/16-inch gauges were called upon to monitor the fuel pressure and vacuum/boost of the turbocharged Formula. The mechanical boost gauge (model No. 2601, retail $51.99) records up to 30 inches of vacuum and 20 psi of boost. An electric fuel pressure gauge (model No. 2663, retail $214.99) was called upon to keep track of fuel pressure. The gauge displays 0-100 psi of fuel pressure and features an electric sending unit at the fuel rail.
Texas Rear Turbos began the...
Texas Rear Turbos began the gauge installation by removing the driver-side T-top from the Formula. After safely storing the T-top, two Phillips screws were removed from the top of the pillar cover, and the trim piece was taken off.
An Auto Meter dual pillar...
An Auto Meter dual pillar gauge pod (PN 43-12212) will house the gauges, and it was slipped over a replacement GM pillar and lined up. Six 5/32-inch holes were drilled on the outer edges on both sides of the pillar, and the supplied pushpins were installed. Once the pillars were mated, a Unibit was employed to drill a hole in the GM pillar behind where each gauge will reside. It is especially important to angle the hole that the nylon tubing will be routed in for the boost gauge, so as not to kink the tubing. We then set the pillars to the side and prepared to install the fuel pressure-sending unit.
After a cooldown, the methanol injection switch was flipped on and the Formula was fired back up. When the rollers stopped spinning, max horsepower of 446.9 was recorded, which is a 54.3hp jump over the base 5 psi pull and an outstanding gain of 138.7 hp over stock. Torque showed even better results with 472.6 lb-ft, which is a 154.4 lb-ft increase over stock and a 70.9 lb-ft increase at the higher boost levels.
Since the tune was configured for the 5-psi level, it wasn't surprising to see the A/F ratio richened up when utilizing the methanol. According to Wells, "During the 5 and 7-1/2-psi pulls on the Formula, I logged 2-3 degrees of knock retard on our Tech II scanner. The combination of extreme heat and substandard atmospheric conditions contributed to the engine pulling timing to combat the spark knock. Although the A/F ratio average stayed safe on each of the boosted runs, the A/F ratio did richen up to approximately 11:1 as soon as the car reached 5,000 rpm. With some cooler ambient temps and some added octane, the Formula could have easily netted an additional 20 hp with similar torque gains."
Dyno Results
Key Engine Parameters: Air inlet temperature (AIT) maximum values are noted unless otherwise stated. Average horsepower and torque are dyno pulls recorded between 3,300 and 6,000 rpm for the naturally aspirated pull and between 3,300 and 5,900 for the boosted runs.
DYNO
| AIT (DEG.)
| HP
| TORQUE
| HP AVG.
| TQ. AVG.
| A/F AVG.
|
| Stock (Exedy) | 72.6 | 308.2 | 318.2 | 268.3 | 304.5 | 11.8 |
| STS 5 Psi | 107.9 | 392.6 | 401.7 | 336.8 | 370.2 | 11.7 |
| STS 7½ Psi | 109.3 | 446.9 | 472.6 | 369.3 | 425.7 | 11.0 |
Testing of the '00 Formula WS6 was performed at Real Performance Motorsports in Lewisville, Texas. RPM has a Dynojet Model 248C dyno that is capable of measuring up to 1,800 hp, and is optioned with the above-ground kit and the Commander wide-band 02 sensor so air/fuel ratios can be charted.
The barometric pressure, air inlet temperature and SAE correction factors for the runs are listed below. Correction factors use a standardized SAE calculation, which include reference temperatures of 77 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.23 inches of mercury.
Stock: Modifications include an Exedy twin-disc clutch and flywheel
Test parameters: Air inlet temperature 72.6 degrees Fahrenheit, barometric pressure 30.38, vapor pressure 0.23 in. HG, correction factor 0.96
STS 5 psi: Modifications include an Exedy twin-disc clutch and flywheel and STS rear turbocharger system set at 5 psi
Test parameters: Air inlet temperature 107.9 degrees Fahrenheit, barometric pressure 30.03, vapor pressure 0.7 in. HG, correction factor 1.03
STS 7.5 psi: Modifications include an Exedy twin-disc clutch and flywheel and STS rear turbocharger system set at 7.5 psi, with an STS sequential methanol injection system delivering a 50/50 mix of methanol and water
Test parameters: Air inlet temperature 109.3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, barometric pressure 30.03, vapor pressure 0.72 in. HG, correction factor 1.03
Recommended Tools
Metric socket setMetric wrenchesStandard socket setStandard wrenchesElectric drill1/4 -, 5/8-, and 21/64-inch drill bitsRecommended Parts and Supplies
Antiseize compoundMethanolSilicone greaseThread tapeScan tool