These Exiges seem to very sensitive to electrical system being in absolutely of the highest order - I replaced my the HT leads with a set of leads previously used on the car (both Magnecor). The spare set had been stored in a warm roof space of the house. I fitted the new leads after spraying a small dab of contact cleaner onto the ends of each lead and fitted the plastic lead divider that was in the Magnecor box - this wasn’t fitted previously.
The result? Well a purring kitten of a machine. Very responsive throughout the whole rev range, a fatter feeling torque curve and a lovely bababap bababap sound cruising around 2000 rpm and ballistic everywhere above this.
I must admit I did have thoughts of selling the little crazed thoroughbred, perhaps it heard me and is now on the best of behaviour ?!
Cars running rich, it’s running well but definitely rich. First thing I’m going to try is putting the cat back on, it’s a bit old and came off the car as not on when I bought it. Any of you know if this is the correct one? Also is it worth changing the lambda sensor at the same time?
Vac lines shouldn’t be an issue, HT leads are new. Will check both anyhow
Oh and if you can recommend a good catalytic converter that’ll slot straight into standard system that would be appreciated
Jonny, are you running the original ECU on your Exige? If so the MAP based load calculation seems to be quite sensible to changes in the exhaust system. I fixed a small leak at the joint between the flexible section and the headers and I noticed an improvement in drivability.
Sorry, I don’t know if this is right cat. The one on my car looks different but it is an aftermarket part anyway.
If you have the smallest doubt about the condition of the lambda probe I would just replace it. It is not very expensive and not worth the trouble checking the old one for faults.
The OBD port on the S1 Exige actually works, you can connect a Bluetooth adapter to it and read the lambda probe on an iPhone. If you want to, you can borrow mine. I think there are cheap Chinese ones on eBay, some even work. It’s quite useful for basic diagnostics, you can see temp, pressure and lambda changes.
If the lambda probe does fail the ecu will not detect it, as Klaus says, you just have to change it.
I was chasing a running rich issue for ages with a supposed number of experts getting nowhere. I went with a new 2ubular exhaust cat back system on a hunch and felt justified after seeing the back box clearly had a leak and the flexi section was suspect. Best decision ever, the car is now back on form, still sensitive it seems with the mapping of the car on the standard ECU. Good luck!
I’ve gone with an EP high flow cat, will fit Thursday along with the lambda sensor. I have also fitted new air filters and double checked the hose. Vacuum hoses all look good. Exhaust, flexi and manifold are fine, checked those too. TBH most if not all that stuff are new, I’m just hoping for a little smoother running. I’m possibly being a little over sensitive, anyway can’t hurt.
I’d be interested to see how you find the EP cat from a noise/performance point of view - threw my cat away recently as it was goosed and just running a de-cat. Ran terribly with the cat!
I was going to fit my old cat but it looked knackered, non starter really. TBF it runs great with a cat bypass and really I’ve no complaints apart from its definitely running a little rich. Lol have never ran it without so I’m fairly interested too
Yeah mine seems to run pretty good cat-less too - think the manual mentions that they make more power without a car - although definitely very rich! I’ve heard that the 190 ECU is a much richer map than the ‘legislation friendly’ 177 unit - not sure where I read that.
Well cat on, lambda sensor changed although the sensor I replaced was fairly new after all. I just can’t recall ever buying it, but then again I’ve spent that much on it I’m not surprised really
Drove around 20-25 miles today,. Hottest day of the year and the cooling was a particulat highlight, 79-85 degrees when the outside temperature was in the region of 34-6 degrees. Excellent.
Now, possibly not the ideal day to try out the car as it was clearly down on power in the heat. The idle was higher than normal and didn’t settle nearly as well coming to a stop or out of gear. Actually there was a smooth increase in revs at around 2800rpm when I was cruising with a steady pedal. Overall not as free running as it was with the cat bypass fitted but I need to take the ridiculously hot day into account.
Talk about hot today though! Jeepers bloody creepers, it was like sitting in the sun
Will give it a go again sometime over the weekend.
We’re going to have to catch up next month Keith, we should do breaky somewhere buddy. Timbo (MLOC) is up for a run out as well, be good to get 3 S1’s together. Maybe C&M, Ben may be up for that too and Sean.
So anyway heat was clearly an issue last time out. I’ve been out for a drive this evening and it’s running really well. Idle I think is just a case of cable adjustment. What does a warm static S1 idle at? Anyways, power was up with the lower outside temps. No feeling of it being strangled high up in the rev range but I’d go as far to say it’s a smidge less free flowing with the sports cat. I am considering popping the decat back on TBH, see how the next few drives go. The revs didn’t climb on there own at 2800rmp either. Last Tuesday really was ridiculously hot.
Yes indeed, idle is about 1250, mine settles a smidge lower than that. However, if you have things like the fan (interior) or cooling (engine) or lights on the idle goes up, not to 2400. That was the issue I had with an Emerald, it did not adjust well for accessories being switched on and changes in weather. The software and hardware can do it but I never managed to get it mapped in with any precision.
Caffeine and Machine is supposed to be good, bit of a haul for me.
Yep, sounds like they really benefit with a decat. Wish it was slightly quieter though (can’t believe I’m saying this) as I really need to wear earplugs if out for a spirited drive to avoid my ears ringing!
Fitted the decat again. Rear clam seemed to get very hot with the EP sports cat on and seemed a tad down on power. Checked for leaks before I replaced it, all fine but it just didn’t feel right. Drove the Shelsney Walsh and Caffine & Machine yesterday, felt great, really good. Cat is staying off.
