Red Pill

[Swordsmith]

A while back, Jerry of BNR and Vince of Trifecta said that they were forced to limit the power of the E85 tune because the OEM clutch simply couldn't hold that much power.

After much struggle, I got a custom clutch prototype installed, BNR is now carrying that, along with the E85 injector kit BNR is selling, and a cobbled together alcohol sensor rig which I suspect BNR will soon sell as well.

A bunch of testing and back and forth with Vince ensued, working on the "blue pill" toned down version of the E85 tune, and this last weekend he shot me a copy of the first ever "red pill" version.

Of course as fate would have it I was out of town and NOT driving my Sonic (would I have risked bricking it 250 miles from home, in a hotel parking lot? Yes, yes I would.) Got home yesterday, flashed the new tune in, and did some data logging. Sadly, ground conditions were wet, so I wasn't able to really push as hard as I'd like, when I did try it, I got stability control lockout, with TC and SC off... I still got bit, I guess the only way around that will be ABS fuse pull. It's just too much power for my tires on wet pavement.

But I did get to see even more acceleration than with the blue pill, and more to the point, no visible down side. Sent logs in, so Vince can start dialing the whole thing in tighter, he will know more than I do.

Oh, the setup is Blue Pill (CC on) and Red Pill (CC off) so I'm able to do direct comparisons on the fly. Without staring at it too much just yet, it looks like the blue pill tops out at around 200 hp and red pill about 230 hp, both as registered on my increasingly suspect UG.

Sometime this week I plan to run in to a local speed shop and put her up on the Dyno to get some real figures. More as info comes in.

 

[$ub$onic]

Sound like u will be the first to push there sonic that far

 

[Foxbox]

Sometime this week I plan to run in to a local speed shop and put her up on the Dyno to get some real figures.

Can't wait for this.

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

I can't wait to see some dyno numbers from this, also once it dries up enough I'm sure you've already planned on taking it to the track but i can't wait for that either!

 

[sx sonic]

So exciting. Looking very forward to seeing how this develops out!!

Loved the part about willing to brick the car 250mi from home!! You are my hero

 

[nocoolnames]

It still amazes me how much power these little engines can put out. I wish I had e85 around me so I could try this.

 

[Eric Smit]

exciting.


-Eric Smit

 

[$ub$onic]

230 out of a 1.4 my Lincolns dohc 4.6 v8 made 300 back when it was stock. I'm impressed with them

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

A 6.0 LS2 puts out 400hp to, push 230hp out of a 1/4 of the motor is HUGE.

 

[dblackston]

I can't wait to see some dyno numbers from this

^^This! x10!

 

[turbo]

Subscribing for thread awesomeness.....:banana:

 

[007CobaltLS]

Now these numbers are coming from the UG and no clue how accurate they are, but since you're the one driving the car...you can probably feel it...would you say the power is at the wheels if these numbers are anywhere near accurate? Because I have to say, that would be very nice. And living in Minnesota E85 is abundant.

One specific chain gas station has E85 at many locations...another is just starting switch their pumps to E85 and E47 along with the 87/89/92 mix.

 

[CoHPhasor]

Now that, is a red pill. 8)

 

[Preloader]

I never tried the HP setting on my UG. I'm curious now.opcorn:

 

[mitdr774]

I never tried the HP setting on my UG. I'm curious now.opcorn:

According to mine, my 1.8 makes 196HP. Unless there is some calibration that needs done, mine is not accurate.


oh and, DAMN 230 HP from a 1.4. Maybe time for a bigger turbo??

 

[Preloader]

It is doubtfully an accurate indicator of real world hp numbers. But if they are all identically calibrated, it is a good way for us to compare our power levels to each other. A glorious prick waving war awaits.

 

[CoHPhasor]

It is doubtfully an accurate indicator of real world hp numbers. But if they are all identically calibrated, it is a good way for us to compare our power levels to each other. A glorious prick waving war awaits.

Allow me to start.... by saluting -

 

[mitdr774]

Allow me to counter your four friends....

 

[Preloader]

What gauge selection are you guys using. HP1 tells me my car has a whopping 35 horsepower at full throttle max output.:sadbanana:

 

[Swordsmith]

I'm using HP1 and Torque1. Torque1, however, seems to be hard capped at 199.9, which I passed several mods back. HP1 keeps moving upwards, and while it may not translate to dyno numbers or engine numbers, it is at least a way to see if I'm moving upwards or downwards.

230 HP I'm hitting at the very top end of the Tach, by the way, just before the Oh No You Din't system kicks the skids out from under me. I really want to see the dyno charts since the "where should I shift" diagram I'm using shows power falling off over 5500 or so.

In dry conditions this evening, I can report that yes, I certainly feel more power, and that I have to turn off TC SC to get even close to using WOT in 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Tempted to go in and yank the ABS fuse again. I can't, however, tell you how that relates to actual HP, since I don't have any idea what 200 or 230 hp feels like in a lightweight sled like this.

I can also report that despite the crazy amounts of power that the Sonic handles like a dream, lots of pedal response (when I'm not locked down in WOT using NLS), steering crisp and plenty of feel, built in gauges seem able to handle the data flow... Naturally I wouldn't want to disturb the GM reps on here by reporting that 125 feels like 55 only with taillights of cars ahead in the distance getting further apart rather quickly, so I'll just mention that the brakes also work just fine in triple digit territory, no pulling to the side or any worrying stutter. At 55, I mean. I wanted to see if I could break something fourty, but those taillights meant business and I was running out of straight level playing field that I'd prechecked for smokies. I need a track.

The on ramps are definitely getting shorter, though, and third gear goes all the way to 96... inches. Yep, long throw on the gearshift, that's what I mean.

I might be a little giddy.