Part 3: Performance Modifications
Probably the tastiest content Brief :-
We had never before tinkered with our cars w.r.t. performance, but, this time around situation was different. My hippo's biological (
) parent had left it alone in this country, and my experience serves me right, Ford has been stingy for warranty claims. A reliable engine and getting in-house funding, wanted to give my investors the best result. We decided to get car Stage 2, as that's the max any tuner has done on the 8V SOHC engine. Stage 3 might be possible, but then investing cash and time on R&D wasn't my cup of tea.
Hard EGR Delete
Before starting off let me apologies environment, EGR delete is said to increse emissions. Keeping the bitter con aside, it aids in performance, improves engine health and also 'kitna deti hai' aspect. As per Mates and Mods, no CEL light came up after fitting plate for Hard EGR delete.
Full Exhaust System
Ideally for Stage 2 just getting an decat downpipe is more than sufficient, and the same was in my case. Also getting sole downpipe is cheaper, but also prevents cops eyeballs. Going with full exhaust helps only with noise or sound, as one may describe, and top end maybe at max for diesel cars. For me, I prefer this sound and my sister shared the same taste, hence, no brainer and we got a full exhaust set-up with dual exhaust tip. It is scary to say, but most likely Hippo won't be able to pass PUC Tests as the muffler and catback is missing.
Quad exhausts (dual tip each side) are what I would have gone with albeit having surplus Vitamin M, act of cost cutting prevailed and feared of being called an over-kill we chose dual tip on one side (right side) itself. Now comes the question of which exhaust tip to choose, our first choice was a spitfire exhaust tip, but, the same wasn’t available, hence settled for a basic dual tip.
We drove car for a day or two with stock map, and happy to report there was no CEL Light. Honestly, it is quite normal for the CEL light to show up, it will disappear after remap has been flashed onto ECU.
Cold Engine Start on Stock Map Cold Engine Start after Stage 2 Remap Some for fun while passing through tunnel (Note: I was whithin speed limit) Engine Remap
There are many tuners to choose from, and being totally newbie in this I chose the simple yet safest option, i.e. go with expert (a.k.a.
BHPian Dr. Naren). I use to follow his thread on
ECU remaps (ECU Remaps : About Tools, Software & Tuners!). Saw Doc recommending Wolf Moto for 1.5L TDCi hence, it was clear. Although Code6 quotes higher gains, I was not only looking for gains but also on drivability. After driving the car in the city, on the highways and twisty roads, I can vouch the car is a hoot to drive. Some more details :-
- Be it any gear, after 1600 rpm the car pulls like a locomotive, simply insane.
- Turbo lag though present, is minimised and has useable power (doesn’t feel dead).
- During ghat section driving, I was able to drive in 2nd gear as against 1st in a complete stock car. By mistake took one section in third gear, it struggled a bit (but obvious) but managed to cross 75% of the steep uphill.
- FE dips when the mood is for fun (expected), but cruise with balanced right foot and it rewards. Filled XtraGreen diesel, and FE for Lonavala trip is 21 kmpl as against 16.4 kmpl I got earlier on the same route.
- After a week sound has changed and it’s throaty and loud (not irritating by anyways). The engine is still supremely refined, way more than stock map.
- Even without the intercooler upgrade, saw engine temperature not exceeding half the mark (same as stock).
As per Wolf Moto team, Hippo is pumping out 125-128 BHP and 260-270 NM. I will be writing a separate post on the Dyno.
Bosch ECU had to be removed for flashing the tunned map Performance Air-Filter
Many tuners suggests to get a performance airfilter even with Stage 1 too. There are 3 brands I am aware of dealing with performance airfilters, they are K&N, BMC and HPi. We were suggested K&N by Mates and Mods, hence decided the same. Do note, that there is a slight difference in dimensions of EcoSport's airfilter, so do a test fit before buying if possible, this was the reason why it was the last mod to complete Stage 2 saga. After the K&N airfilter, I did notice low end to improve slightly and exhaust note to be throaty.
K&N Performance Airfilter Dyno
The Result Paper
After being utterly disappointed with KS Motorsport, I directly drove to N1 Racing Autowerks. They were supremely quick even after giving them short notice before dropping in.
Dyno Figures :- Power - 132 HP Torque - 301 NM
Reading dyno charts aren't my forte and hence dropping below charts for ready reference. Hope
BHPian Dr. Naren to help me with these charts.
Dyno chart after SAE correction and figures at crank Figures measured at wheel (difference is due to drivetrain loss) Note: After dyno there can be ABS malfunction light showing up on the IC, this should go away after a short run. Contact Details and Helping Enthusiasts
Contact Details :-
As GTO says "PM just help a few, but post helps many", with this view dropping in the contact details from where I have got mods done and highly recommend. Do note, that I am nowhere connected to them commercially, but sharing as a satisfied customer.
- ICE Upgrades - Reliable Radio Service
Contact Person - Amol Sali
Contact Number - +918369484281/+919821684884 - Full Exhaust System, Hard EGR Delete and K&N Performance Airfilter - Mates and Mods
Contact Person - Pawan Vig
Contact Number - +919833891051 - Stage 2 ECU Remap - Wolf Moto
Contact Person - Shreekanth
Contact Number - +918848751374
Helping Enthusiasts :-- BHPian Dr. Naren - His posts and tremendous efforts in collecting details helped us in preparing our Hippo.
- Gino Sir - I pinged him late at night, yet he took out time to suggest me the way and connect me with Pawan (from Mates and Mods).
Conclusion :-
By far we are extremely satisfied with this project, and hope will be satisfied for few more years. As far as the cost involved is concerned, we just stopped calculating once the project started exceeding our estimated budget.
Will I recommend getting car Stage 2?
Confused; as these mods are illegal, and for most it may sound like we are paying for illegal stuff, which isn't entirely wrong, but then as an enthusiast it is always a dream to prepare at least one project car. So, as an ethusiast, I will definitely say, if the dream can achieved then why wait, go ahead
.