LA3 + Large VAM = ?? Gains

vtextc · Post by **vtextc** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:15 am

Hey folks,

With all the talk of power mods on the board, and the long dry stretches of highway that summer brings, I bit the bullet and recently picked up a large VAM and an LA3 computer from Ebay.

My question is, has anyone here done any dyno tests with a before and after test with these modifications on their XR? According to the Rapido catalogue, their "SVO Plus" package for a zillion dollars will bump your HP to 210 from 175 for the 5 spd with these two mods and an intercooler. Me thinks thats a little optimistic, but can anyone confirm or deny this with personal experience?

As an aside, will I need anything else save an ACT sensor plumbed in to make these mods work on my 88 5sp XR?

Cheers in advance
Asif

Merkenstein · Post by **Merkenstein** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:14 am

I never done a dyno test on my 88TC 5 speed, but I think Ford rated the hp at 190 and the torque at 240. Alot of fellow member say to go with the LA3 and big VAM and a FMIC. I heard guys say the defintely noticed a difference in the power through out the whole rpm range. I am curious to see what true dyno gains this mod gives also.

vtextc · Post by **vtextc** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 10:22 am

AlexD wrote:but the SVO whaterever thing from Rapido also included a bigger lower intake to get more air in I think.

Very true. Forgot to mention...mine is gutted/ported already. If Ford's claims for the 88 TC are 190HP and 240 ft/lbs, then Rapido's estimates can't be all that far off the mark I imagine.

Asif

Post by **jasonty** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:53 pm

the rapido intake just had the knock sensor relocated like the SVO. there should be no difference in size as far as i understand

vtextc wrote:
AlexD wrote:but the SVO whaterever thing from Rapido also included a bigger lower intake to get more air in I think.
Very true. Forgot to mention...mine is gutted/ported already. If Ford's claims for the 88 TC are 190HP and 240 ft/lbs, then Rapido's estimates can't be all that far off the mark I imagine.

Asif

merkurmaniac · Post by **merkurmaniac** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 9:15 am

THe deal was that the early cars had the knock sensor parallel to the cam, and later ones had it perpindicular to the cam. Or the other way around. The intake was just stock plain ole lower intake.
I did buy one of the SVO+ kits from Rapido back in 1990 or so and it ran well on my XR. I sold it on eBay a while back since it sounded like a PE puter that could now be attained with a custom chip. I am planning on installing an LA3 in my 87. The install instructions had you ground pin 30.
Alex. If you don't know for sure, its o.k. to not say anything. I promise, its alright.

Richard

XR4Timan · Post by **XR4Timan** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 9:27 am

The SVO Plus is:

a 1985.5 SVO ECU (PE)
a 1985.5 SVO lower intake (only difference is the knock sensor location)
a 1985.5 SVO VAM (which is slightly bigger than the TC one)

Sounded like a good deal, but you can get the same results with:

a stock ECU w/ PE piggyback chip
a disconnected knock sensor
a TC VAM

Which is tons cheaper than the Rapido stuff. But credit to Rapido for going the full monty.

Chuck W · Post by **Chuck W** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 9:59 am

Alex must not have to work today...lucky us.

Their claims sounds about right, but you may be able to get more with a little tweaking. With just the LA3, VAM, IC and stock (15#) boost...you'll see in the neighborhood of 200hp depending on the IC efficiency. The bonus of the IC is it will allow you to bump the boost up even more. As long as your ignition and fuel systems are in good fitness, you'll be amazed at what a couple more pounds of boost will do for you.

With the LA3, be moderate with your initial timing. They are aggressive and you may want to start at 10* BTDC. Also, the ACT isn't "required" for the car to run with the 87-88 TC ECUs, but it does tweak a bit depending on the air charge temp, so for best efficiency of the swap, go ahead and install it.

Also, I think Richard mentioned it, you will need to do something with the "OCT" lead to the ECU. You can either ground it to the SIG RTN for "premium" mode all the time, or if you want a failsafe, wire it through a switch, so you can switch the ECU into "regular" mode if you run into a tank of bad gas, or just feel like running some less costly gas in it (but where is the fun in that right?

).

Stop thinking about the swap and do it

...you'll notice a difference.

vtextc · Post by **vtextc** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:08 am

LA3 and large VAM ordered. $100 for the two for curious minds. (Who in their right mind would pay $200 for a PE??

)

Will post up observations once they are in.

Thanks fer all yor help guys!
Asif

Shigma · Post by **Shigma** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:14 am

I just did the la3/big vam swap, its a nicer idle, we'll see what I dyno in the future. I have la3/vam, rapido i/c, & bob's gutted upper and lower, running 16 psi. Think I could bump it to 18?

merkurmaniac · Post by **merkurmaniac** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:40 am

I dunno that there is a difference between the SVO air meter and the 87,88 TC one. methinks they are identical, i.e. there is a big and a small air meter, and no others.

Richard

merkurmaniac · Post by **merkurmaniac** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:01 am

1983 thru 1986 turbocoupes have the small VAM. 1987 and 1988 have the big one. Look at the article in the merkurencyclopedia on air meters.

MerkXRTurbo · Post by **MerkXRTurbo** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:29 am

merkurmaniac wrote:I dunno that there is a difference between the SVO air meter and the 87,88 TC one. methinks they are identical, i.e. there is a big and a small air meter, and no others.

Richard

I agree. I've heard that the SVO is bigger, I call BS though.

Post by **jasonty** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:18 pm

i agree w/ the BS statement, but i think its BATs cat. that list two different parts.

MerkXRTurbo wrote:
merkurmaniac wrote:I dunno that there is a difference between the SVO air meter and the 87,88 TC one. methinks they are identical, i.e. there is a big and a small air meter, and no others.

Richard
I agree. I've heard that the SVO is bigger, I call BS though.

XR4Timan · Post by **XR4Timan** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 1:45 pm

vtextc wrote:(Who in their right mind would pay $200 for a PE?? )

Me for one. No wiring, and it starts right up. Of course, you want to ground the OCT signal (if memory serves me right, pin 30).

The LA3 is a recent discovery and involves rewiring which isn't for the faint of heart - and once you do it, you're stuck using 87-88 Tbird ECUs only.

Having said that, the sampling rate is better as it is the quickest processor. It's other advantage is that it's cheap and the best one for turbo Fords.

Unless you find a small-turbo Escort Cosworth EEC-IV wiring and ECU and adapt it into a Lima-powered car..... Good idea, anyone?

evansMERK · Post by **evansMERK** » Wed Jul 20, 2005 6:20 pm

I've been reading this post for a while, and its time to ask some questions.
(sorry if its off topic or if Im high-jacking the post)

I would like to know the why everybody goes with the LA3 and not the PE.
although the LA3 has a faster processor, I think i remember hearing that the PE is more of a radical chip to our merkurs.

can anyone explain this out to me?
If its radical and if its for a merkur then I want it!