The Don Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 I had my Webers tuned yesterday by Ray at T&M in Colchester. Car's running much better now (and with a 20% fuel saving ) but you know how it is...I got talking about increasing the power and I mentioned to Ray Bill Blydenstein and he said another guy in Ipswich is equally good for head work. This guy's name is Richard and I've got his phone number, but I don't know any more, though Ray's of the opinion he's one of the top four 'head work' experts in England, including BB and someone in Reading. I'm all for increasing the power, especially if it's so local, but wondered if anyone knew any more, and whether it's a good idea to have the power increased in this 'non-standard' way (resale value etc.)? Cheers, Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonkey eyed barmaid Posted May 22, 2005 Share Posted May 22, 2005 dont know anything about the tuners based in reading - but i have noticed that caterhams are one of the few car where additional parts, and some choice tuning mods can have a positive effect on or even increase value. most run of the mill cars depreciate and are valued regardless of the hundreds/thousands spent on aftermarket add-ons. the values are dictated by market pressures. at least with caterhams you should see a good chunk of your mod-money coming back at re-sale time. IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonkey eyed barmaid Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 don, what did T&M do to your car to improve it... specific details, if you know them.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Don Posted May 23, 2005 Author Share Posted May 23, 2005 Hi Grant, Thanks for the replies. I'm afraid I don't know the technicalities of what T&M did other than it was on the rolling road for an hour and there was lots of twiddling of the carbs. It was running much too rich with a now resultant increase in fuel efficiency and greatly improved responsiveness. I was a bit disappointed to see that power is only 94bhp with 75bhp at the wheels (according to the brochure VX Classics are supposed to have 100bhp ☹️ ) Ray suggested power could easily be hiked either by some head work and a livelier cam (hence my original question) and/or advancing the ignition by 4 or 5 degrees. I see from a post you made in September last year the electronic ignotion is not programmable - do you know whether changes can be made at all or am I stuck with current settings? All the best, Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonkey eyed barmaid Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 good question Howard - I'd like to know how Ray at T&M intends to adjust the ignition advance, because as far as I can tell there is not a facility to enable this... Iam happy to be corrected though because im no expert. if you are going to ask Ray about the ignition advance I would be keen to learn more. it would also be good to learn what he did with your carbs. if he changed the jets or anything... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Don Posted May 23, 2005 Author Share Posted May 23, 2005 Hi Grant, Just spoke to Ray (he's talking a different langauge ). Here's what he told me plus a few other nuggets of information... He set the pilots from 0 to 2.5 and thereafter adjusted the air corrector to match the main jet - in my case from 7% to 5.5% (hence the 20% saving in fuel). He says the key is "Air to fuel, not fuel to air". Re the electronic ignition he says alternatives are manufactured by DTA (probably the cheapest) and Weber (expensive) and another that sounded like Dunhall (sp?). Also repacking my exhaust (outer) *shouldn't* require a repeat session on the RR. Hope this is of some use - I hope I haven't mangled the message: if I have it's entirely down to my ignorance and shouldn't reflect adversely on Ray, who by all accounts is a top man. Cheers, Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Don Posted May 23, 2005 Author Share Posted May 23, 2005 ...just re-read the FAQ section on tuning Webers in light of my conversation with Ray. Emulsion tubes, idle jets, venturis. 😳 ☹️ I'm so far out of my depth I'm going to take up crochet. I am just going outside and may be some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonkey eyed barmaid Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 pilots, i dont know. air corrector, iam familier with, but have not tinkered with. what did he say about the ignition advance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Don Posted May 23, 2005 Author Share Posted May 23, 2005 ...just that the ignition could easily be advanced by 5 degrees but I got the impression that's not his area. I'm assuming (incorrectly?) based on what his and your comments that to adjust the advance requires a new ECU? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Where abouts in Colchester is the RR & price? Had BB head work done on my Vx 1600 last year & could do with a tune up now that the head has settled in/coked up a bit. H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Don Posted May 23, 2005 Author Share Posted May 23, 2005 Henry, It's T&M here. Ask for Ray. It's near B&Q if that means anything to you. Cost is £38 + VAT per hour (I paid £44.65 on Sat). I'd be interested to know what your power output is now, following the BB work. Cheers, Howard Edited by - The Don on 23 May 2005 13:52:24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonkey eyed barmaid Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 new ecu a bit drastic. id still like to know how to adjust the ignition advance though. i'll try to find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 The don - thanks for that, i know where that is i'm only down the road. will give them a ring and book her in and let you know the result. I did have her on a RR last spring time straight after the BB work to get the carbs tuned up....but it wasn't the best RR in the world & i'm keen to see if there has been an improvement with a few 1000 miles. what's this about ignition advancing? does it help torque? H. Loud and proud member of the Blydenstein Club! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chas Guirey Posted May 23, 2005 Share Posted May 23, 2005 Henry - at the risk of boring you, can you confirm your jet sizes. I bought a load of jets after having mine Blydensteined and now just want to check they are the right ones before I fit them and get the car on a rolling road thanks Chas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 hi chas will have a look at lunch time. I'm sure i used the same jets as James (boasis) but changed the pump jet. off top of head. mains=115, pump=35..will look for others later! H Loud and proud member of the Blydenstein Club! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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