BLUF (bottom line up front): This is/was not a comparison to test parts in any way whatsoever. This is only to show the progress of the Mamba from the genesis of the stages.

The Mamba was previously tuned at ~ 23PSI falling to ~ 19PSI on pump/93. At the time of the tune, I had the following parts installed: ACT 2600 clutch, APS 3” TBE with catalytic convertor, GSC 264/264 camshafts, Walbro 255lph fuel pump, Forge RS BOV, Forge manual boost controller, Injen LICP, Injen UICP, and the Injen cold-air intake.

The final tune was completed as follows (stock VIII with 9.8cm2):




Since then (rather two deployments to Iraq later), I’d accumulated quite a few parts and with all of the good news spreading about E85, I knew that it was clearly a benefit to run it as my primary fuel of choice. After redeploying on 30NOV, I called Kevin and after getting our schedules to marry up, things were all set. With a show time of 190800DEC (8AM, December 19th for my civilian brethren), I arrived at Evolution Dynamics (Lewisville, Texas) pretty excited. It felt really good pulling up to see so many EVOs either parked or in the shop. Kevin and the rest of the NTEC crew are really doing big things and I have no doubt that the reputation of the Mad Scientist will continue to open doors for him down the road. For those of you that have never made the trip to have anything done on your cars I’d highly recommend it. Calling things how I see it, Kevin’s business has grown tremendously since the last time I made the visit and it’s really deserving of him.

For this go-round, I had the following parts installed: EBay 3.5” FMIC, Megan exhaust manifold, APS twin vent BOV (replaced Forge RS BOV), test pipe (removed catalytic convertor), BR race muffler (removed APS muffler), MAP O2 dump, FIC 1050cc fuel injectors, Glow Shift boost gauge, and a 3-port boost controller (replaced Forge manual boost controller).

Once things were installed, it was now time for some tuning. We initially did a few pump gas only runs to make sure that everything was properly dialed in and running correctly as the car had been sitting for quite some time since I left for Iraq. The pump gas tune was done at ~ 23.5PSI. It felt good to know/see that the Mamba still felt relatively strong on pump after sitting parked for nearly four months straight without even being started. At this time, my interest for the E85 started to get the best of me. I came up with an idea of what I wanted to make on E85 during the drive north but I didn’t tell Kevin what I was thinking. I told myself that I'd be pleased with a strong 350whp and 350wtq.

When we pulled up to Kroger’s and to the E85 pump, it was hard for me to keep my excitement under control as the only thing I could think of was seeing Flavor Fav saying, “Yeah, boy!” So after 13.5-gallons (that’s right; bone dry), it was time to hit the road again for more tuning. The first run was done at 24PSI and immediately I could tell that the Mamba was pulling harder than before. After about 2-3 more pulls, I had to ask how much she was making and Kevin said, “…somewhere around 380whp” all I could do was smile. I thought we were about to wrap things up but then I get, “Let’s make a few more pulls” from the Mad Scientist. Adding more boost after about 2-3 more runs, the final tune was completed as follows (stock VIII turbo with 9.8cm2):




This was done at ~ 30.5PSI.

On the way back home to Fort Hood, I knew that the Mamba was faster than anything I’d passed along the way. It's one thing to know that your car is fast. It's another thing to KNOW that your car is fast. I thought she was responsive before the tune but from a nice highway cruising speed, 5th gear feels like 3rd gear and boost is immediate. Kevin added the map switching and NLTS via Tephra which is wonderful and not even close to how complicated I thought it would be. The NLTS is set at 98% TPS with a 500RPM drop. For those of you that have been undecided about NLTS (as I previously was), I can honestly say that it makes a tremendous difference in being able to stay within the powerband and "sweet spot" of the tune. There are two nice access roads on the way to my house and I purposely take the long route as there are two nice stretches of road that need exploring. Today, I took my wife for a few sprints and for the first time she turns to me and says, "I like it!"

Needless to say, I'm absolutely thrilled by how the Mamba feels. Thank you so much Kevin (Evolution Dynamics). The next batch of parts are going to include: GSC single springs and retainers, Glow Shift "shift light", and Spoolin Up coil-on-plug.

I hope that I'm not leaving anything important out of this review. I can answer any questions that you all might have but those that I can’t you can ask Kevin directly. Again, this is not a test to compare gains of various parts. This is just to show the progress of where the Mamba currently stands up-to-date.

“When the rich wage war it’s the poor who die.” - Jean-Paul Sartre

 

Welcome back.

Congrats on your new found power. It is about time you started putting it all together.

 

nice. welcome home. e85 and a good tune ftw

 

Nice to hear. I can't wait to take a ride. I am starting to think maybe I should go the E85 route.

 

Nice numbers. I was doing a little tuning today and your curve is almost the same as mine on VDR dynojet. About 400/400, but I'm not done tuning yet.

 

Congrats man. I will be back at Hood next month. In Feb I'll be on block leave so I will head up to get my tune From KevinD then. I cant wait to see the power my car makes.

 

Nice power. Great Job EVO DYNAMICS.

My favorite line in the whole review.....

 

Thanks for the kind words. It certainly does feel good to be back in the good 'ole States. My hat goes off to my brothers/sisters still over there on the grind. Keep your heads up and please remember to sprint through the white tape at the end of the finish line.

Just give me a call when you get a spare minute. I have to run to Houston today (in the truck probably) to pick up a nice VA check my uncle has for me. More parts...? Time will tell.

Let me know if you still want that EPM O2 dump as I'll check into it for you. When you asked me how things went, I had to put on the stone face because what she made totally surprised me as the Mad Scientist just kept adding boost which was totally fine with me.

 

Could you post a link to the ebay intercooler you used? I have always been a fan regardless of what the haters say.

 

I think you may be mistaking me for someone else.

 

NICE NICE NICE GIVES me hope that kevin will not screw up my massive build as soon as i get all the parts. good looking out. was kevin a chill dude? Did he do all the work himself.

 

Congrats on the new setup, I will be looking forward to using E85 also. I cant wait till I start modding the X.

 

Kevin is a great guy, so are his compadres denver and Richard. Kevin/denver do most 8/9 work, Richard was only working on X's when I was there and depending on what they have going on any given day they swap back and forth helping each other out and such. They're a great crew for sure

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MIT-E...item29ff8a5707

IMO, you will not find anyone as chill and laid back as the Mad Scientist. He treats your car as if it's his very own and you can tell. Patience is a virtue that many doesn't have but this doesn't apply to the Mad Scientist at all. Your EVO will be in great hands - PERIOD! Kevin did everything himself and between the conversation, eating of lunch (as I have a tape worm), and tuning, it was a great visit.

I think you ought to go ahead and pull the trigger. On E85, the manufacture won't be able to tell that you've changed fuel at all.

 

Last night Mario (Wariosport) and I were doing some spirited driving down here in Nolanville on one of the access roads (Paddy Hamilton for those of you familiar with the area). In fifth gear at about 7K RPM something came loose. It was too dark to tell and the weather was not favorable at 2100 as we were exposed to the elements. I'll write up the details as best as I can remember after I get my first cup of coffee taken care of. Bottom Line: In no way whatsoever am I claiming fault on anyone other than myself so please keep all negative comments out of the equation. I just want to have the issue fixed, learn from the incident, and keep on boosting!