So after probably a little under a month of talking with Vision Imports and RPW about getting my Stage 1 cam, it finally came and I got it installed. I ordered it on the Sept. 3, and it got here 2 days ago so do the math on the shipping time direct from RPW. Cost was 370 flat and I had it installed at Tech 3, a reliable all import tuning shop with various motors including super/turbo Toyota 4 bangers (4AGZE and 3SGTE), SR20's, and a whole smattering of B series and even 1 4G63, for 300 flat. The install was relatively painless as I had my friend Barry (who also suggested the shop) to help me kill time. It took about 3.5 hours which isn't to bad. As of right now, I'm actually quite pleased with its performance so far. 1st gear is even quicker in its response now. 2nd and 3rd gear offer tons of punch in the power band (4k+) but also tons more streetable power in the land of fuel economy (3k -) as well which is a welcome change. 4th and 5th do offer increased performance but only in the highest parts of the rev range. The only downside I can see as of right now is the idle. Yes, I understand that a rougher idle was to be expected but I was a little shocked with the condition of it now. At immediate startup, it's extremely rough so be prepared, but after extended driving, which I actually do a lot of during either my 30 mile or 80 mile 1 way commutes, the idle lumpyness during stops is less pronounced. I'm probably going to adjust the idle set screw to run it up to about just under 1k RPM's for the time being to smooth things out until I can get an AFC installed and begin making subtle fuel changes at idle to stabilize things or until I can make a trip to Vishnu (hopefully with another cam'd out Lancer, i.e. Uranium9V). For the fact and tidbit minded my current mods include: HKS 3G Eclipse air filter, HKS Hi-Power custom 2.5" exhaust, and the Buschur Racing downpipe which is still waiting to be installed. My probably last mods to this relative low buck NA setup will be the AFC (probably HKS since it has the handy idle stabilization function which is pretty relevant to my situation), the HKS FPR, and Road Race's modified throttle body and ECU. Don't expect much in the way of dyno's as of yet simply because of cost and time for the meanwhile and until I get the rest of my future enhancements. I think I covered all of the basics on this so have it with questions/commentary/etc.

 

hmmm.. now will the RRM NA ecu flash still work good for you?

 

That's the big question and hopefully input from the RRM crew can shed some light on that. For the most part, the ECU reflash is remapped ignition and fuel curves, as far as my understanding of it goes, so I can only see improvements off the top of my head without to much analysis, and I'm hoping with the cam not being insanely wild, I can stabilize the idle at the least with an AFC and make only subtle changes at the max.

 

ECU upgrade will actually add to your increases more than a non cam'ed car, as it seems to stack up with the mods. Funny you mentioned going to Vishnu, I meant to call him today to get my AFC "properly" tuned. I've messed with it quite a bit, but I'm no pro and I can tell I've still got rich conditions in some spots. Pjal, did you get the adj. cam gear too? With out it I can only imagine how bad idle must be. I have mine set to a point where it starts high (1300) RPM's and settles as it warms up. Occasionally I still can stall it out if I put the car in park still cold.
Did you get the stage 1 cam or the 1.5 cam?

 

I got the Stage 1 but no cam gear since at this point I don't really feel like playing with cam timing, but the way you mention your setup, it's beginning to sound like a good move. I wish I could get some idea of your idle as well with your vernier gear installed to compare against mine. With the AFC, were you able to correct some of the lumpyness at idle effectively? Also, along the lines of air/fuel correction, has the FPR made any semblance of a difference in any areas, including again, the idle situation? One more thing I mentioned earlier is I've thought is possibly adjusting the BISS (base idle set screw) on the TB to maybe up the idle but looking at THIS thread, that may not help during an idle period after startup, at least that's what I gather from RPW. No certainties for me on this as of yet I suppose but hopefully with some help, things will get better. As for Vishnu, I'd be very interested in pairing up once I acquire an AFC and have it wired. Can you maybe mention any more of the quirks about getting the car shafted, for the sake of anyone else considering the purchase as well as a "note comparison" for us. Seeing the engine jumping up and down inside the bay itself also is making getting motor mounts a priority a bit, even though that could translate to more cabin felt vibrations, but it'd make me feel better about things inside the bay.

 

If you can feel idle now you wont believe how horrible its going to be with solid mounts.

 

Pjal I noticed you have the bushur down pipe but what in the way of a header? No plans for that in your setup? It seems like you have everything else covered except that.

WADAD

 

Once my car warms up, I really don't have any loppiness at all. I think the cam gear is essential to get your ride to run smoothly. The AFC is definately needed, as the cam likes to pull more fuel as you get into the 4+ RPM range. I also recommend a FPR. Not essential, but it elliminates the spots where the fuel delivery isn't as quick.
Biggest thing (and I don't know about stage 1 cam, mine being the test one is a stage 1.5) is the large increase in heat coming off the engine. I really wasn't expecting it, but the damn thing heats up my garage in 5 mins to unbearable temps.

 

So does it drive like a Honda now(lost torque, gain high RPM HP) or is it a gain across the whole RPM range.

 

Alright, on to another wonderfully long post:

As for the motor mounts, I'm definitely aware as to the increased vibrations I'd get in the cabin, it's just my concern about the safety and longevity of the motor that takes a bit of precedence over creature comforts. Jury is still out on that one. As for the idle itself, I tried having Tech 3 have it sit at around 900~ to stabilize things but the ECU will have none of it as I feared. It wants to sit around the stock 700~ mark. Curses. Very curious Ura as to your machine, whether the cam gear or the AFC is what's more responsible for correcting the lump factor. Have you advanced the cam gear and if so by what degree and for the AFC, what are your idle settings like, how much fuel if any did you cut at idle? Heck, one thing even that could help further would be the reflash since I'm thinking they leaned out the idle mixture as well which could lead to the improved mileage claims...something that's been on my mind. One more thing I want to mention is that as far as your own problems with engine heat, I haven't noticed any discernable increases and the past two days here have been quite warm. Concerning the Buschur downpipe, while playing with the idle, I had Tech 3 install that today and it's definitely very interesting. Helped to mellow out the sound even more so than the cam did so the car has a lovely note once you're going through the rev range and punch in the higher RPM's was actually improved with the DP. The car has incredibly driveability in all gears with 1st being incredibly quick and responsive, again, the problem is just working out the idle. As for driving like a Honda, I can guarantee that no mild mod'd non-B/K series motor has the punch this car now has in the lower gears, it's honestly startling. I don't plan on removing any cat convertors as my own nature is more mild than wild so there won't be a header or cat delete pipe in the near future, I know that will prohibit my power severly, but I don't find it necessary for my plans.

 

Cam gear is advanced per RPW's instruction. They should give you a sheet that tells you how far to advance the gear. I actually put the AFC in a few days after the install. Before putting it in idle was fine after warm up and the installation of the AFC only enhanced the smoothness. I'd really recommend you get the adjustable gear, I'm sure it would help the idle greatly. Though through advancing the gear you will lose a bit of top end. I used to be able to go to 130 mph, now I can only get it there with a lot of work, but it takes it no time at all to reach 100mph effortlessly.

U9V

 

Interesting about the cam gear. I could care less for the moment about ultimate power, until the point I can get the idle issue corrected. I'm having a hard time getting in touch with RPW right now so hopefully they can help me out with this. The 'rage guys mentioned something about the tappets on the head, mentioning that if they're adjustable, they would have to be "reset" or something similar (not exactly the best typist/poster). Makes me wonder since you had your done at a dealer, maybe that is something they would take note of whereas my guys could not have. Only problem is, I don't about the tappets. If worse comes to worst (get the progression ) I have zero issues about reverting back to stock until I can the necessary supporting mods and THEN having everything reinstalled/adjusted. A big blow to my own pride, but worth it in the long run to me. Got to wait and see for the time being.

 

Okay, my fellow miragers seemed to forgot Mitsu abandoned the adj-ible tappets since 97.

Of the two miragers who have cam, they have bought the adj-ible cam. DIM has E-mange for his A/F mixture, and the other guys has something (can't remember). I can get the other guy, calling on DIM too much may not be a good idea since he has a family life.

Is your idle dipping below 700 rpm? If so, you're running rich. Does the ecu tries to correct itself but having weird surges at idle? Lumpy idle is basically what you hear from NASCAR at idle.


As for the comment "cam = VTEC", people are brain washed too much. The G93 and 94 are not peaky HP cars like the B-series engine or the SE-R's from the sentra/200sx of the past and present.

Yes, tuning is the key to fix up idle and improve MPG. Mitsu always run their system rich.

 

...

 

I talked to the Mitsu tech about the install....aparently the cam position sensor should adjust everything after adjusting to the new cam. Contact Vision and order an adj. gear, or OBX, as they have an adjustable gear now too that may be easier to adjust than the RPW one (which is just a modified stock gear that can be adjusted)