Mace Engineering Development Car

[VS_WPN]

1997 Holden VS Berlina
Hi all! In this thread I will go through each ecotec MACE ENGINEERING product and tell you what each product does and what to expect from each item. All these tests are conducted on a 1997 Holden VS V6. The car was bought with 165,000km on the clock, totally stock and was serviced every 5,000km.

Car Specifications
Model: VS Series II Berlina
Colour: Panther Mica
Engine Type: 3.8L V6, 165,000km
Engine Mods: Stock
Power: Stock
Exhaust: Stock
Gearbox: Auto
Diff: 3.08
Suspension: Stock
Brakes: Stock
Interior: Stock

[VS_WPN]

First to do is get an exhaust, extractors, higher flowing cat and cold air induction.

Car Specifications Update
Engine Mods: SS Inductions Kit, K&N Panel Filter
Power: Untested
Exhaust: Redback 2.5" exhaust, HSV cat, Pacemaker Extractors

Conclusion: The Car definitely went much better. Torque and power increase was noticeable. At this stage we hadn't dyno tested the vehicle as we wanted to try other things out before the testing process.

[VS_WPN]

Now with the exhaust & cold air induction sorted (for now), we installed some 1.98:1 Rockers. Included in the 1.98 Rocker Package is Comp cam/Crow pushrods to suite.

Car Specifications Update
Engine Mods: SS Inductions Kit, K&N Panel Filter, 1.98 Rockers
Power: Untested
Exhaust: Redback 2.5" exhaust, HSV cat, Pacemaker Extractors

Conclusion: Now the car actually moved! With the rockers most effective at full throttle you can really feel the difference. There was a big torque/power increase from 3000 - 5600rpm. The exhaust note had also changed since before and the car revved more freely and felt like it was breathing better due to the increase in valve lift.

[VS_WPN]

Next on the list is a 69mm TB and a 12mm Manifold Insulator

Car Specifications Update
Engine Mods: SS Inductions Kit, K&N Panel Filter, 1.98 Rockers, 69mm TB, 12mm Manifold Insulator
Power: Untested
Exhaust: Redback 2.5" exhaust, HSV cat, Pacemaker Extractors

Conclusion: The Bigger TB and Manifold Insulator concentrates mostly on torque low down especially. The exhaust note change once again slightly (but still noticeable). The torque/power had increased across the whole RPM range with the biggest difference low down. Torque being one of the most important factors in making a fast car.

[VS_WPN]

Most people find that Ecotec's are quite disappointing off the line (down low torque). To compensate a full new strengthened 3.9 LSD was fitted to increase acceleration. With future mods in mind a new exhaust system was needed. A custom exhaust was then made up and installed.

Car Specifications Update
Engine Mods: SS Inductions Kit, K&N Panel Filter, 1.98 Rockers, 69mm TB, 12mm Manifold Insulator
Power: Untested
Exhaust: Pacemaker Extractors, 2.25" twin metal high flow cats into a single 3" exhaust
Diff: 3.9 LSD (non-irs)

Conclusion: The new exhaust system and LSD made a big difference in sound and performance. These were installed separately so each performance increase was felt. The exhaust making the car rev a lot faster and an increase in torque and power was noticeable right through the RPM range. Now with the Diff you have to be careful which diff is right for your car. With the factory Auto 4L60-E and a 3.9 LSD the car will sit at 2100RPM @ 100km/h so it didn't rev high on the highway (This will differ on other cars with different gearboxes!!) The car now pulled very hard off the line and had an excellent power/torque range.

[VS_WPN]

Now the Testing begins!! For this dyno test we removed most of the performance parts for benchmark testing.

Car Specifications Update
Engine Mods: SS Inductions Kit, K&N Panel Filter, 12mm Manifold Insulator
Power: 122.1 rwkw
Exhaust: Pacemaker Extractors, 2.25" twin metal high flow cats into a single 3" exhaust
Diff: 3.9 LSD (non-irs)

Conclusion: The car made a healthy 122.1 rwkw with the setup mentioned above.

[VS_WPN]

The car was then fitted with MACE ENGINEERING new heads [the heads have been full ported and flowed with new valve springs to suite the new 2.15 Rockers with everything done to the heads], ported runners, 69mm TB, 25mm Manifold Insulator, 12mm Plenum Spacer and a MACE ENGINEERING cold air intake.

Car Specifications Update
Engine Mods: Ported Heads, Ported Runners, 69mm TB, 25mm Manifold Insulator, 12mm Plenum Spacer and a MACE ENGINEERING cold air intake.
Power: 125.3 rwkw
Exhaust: Pacemaker Extractors, 2.25" twin metal high flow cats into a single 3" exhaust
Diff: 3.9 LSD (non-irs)

Conclusion: Now with this setup the car had a massive increase in torque/power. The power curve on the dyno started earlier and the biggest increase was in the torque curve with the car having much more of it and starting a lot sooner. Due to the increase in power the car was sucking in more air. The standard air box was a big restriction in itself and that the MACE cold air intake sucked in much more colder air then the SS Inductions kit and the K&N panel filter. The spacers, TB and Ported Runners helped increase low down/mid/high RPM torque! The exhaust note had change a lot with it sounding deeper and louder and meaner then before This setup really made the car go, however!!!, keeping in mind we found the car needed a tad bit more fuel which at the time of dyno we didn't change and that we were running springs to suite the 2.15 rockers so the effective valve lift was less then stock but the car still performed better then it ever had! Maybe even better then when we had the 1.98 Rockers, but we cannot be sure as we never tested this on the track.

[VS_WPN]

Current Setup

Car Specifications
Engine Mods: Ported Heads, 2.15 Rockers, Ported Runners, 69mm TB, 25mm Manifold Insulator, 12mm Plenum Spacer and a MACE ENGINEERING cold air intake.
Power: Untested
Exhaust: Pacemaker Extractors, 2.25" twin metal high flow cats into a single 3" exhaust
Gearbox: Auto
Diff: 3.9 LSD (non-irs)
Other Mods: Catch can setup, heat shields, MSD coil packs, AFC, MACE cooler thermostat, Race radiator.

Conclusion: Now the car has been fitted with the 2.15 Rockers. Dyno test coming soon where all will be revealed The rockers being the biggest performance increase on the car really makes it go!! MUCH much more power and torque. throughout the whole RPM range. The engine now screams when full throttle putting most v8's to shame. The car never goes above a quarter heat. Dyno test coming soon...

[immortality]

nice work. shame you didn't do dyno run when everything was stock for true baseline figure for comparison

[VS_WPN]

nice work. shame you didn't do dyno run when everything was stock for true baseline figure for comparison

We didn't need to bring the car right back to stock because for this project we are mainly testing the power difference in the heads and rockers. Cheers

[MACE]

As above ^^^

Would have been nice to have raised the comp, however that would have most likely involved a custom tune.

Should be good to see what she makes when shes all done

[MACE]

As above ^^^

Would have loved to have raised the comp on the heads, however it would have required a custom tune.

Otherwise the rockers with the heads should work well

[RoboticCherry-Coke]

cant wait to see how those 2.15 rockers perform on the dyno... hmmmm just wondering, why did you use a 12mm plenum spacer and not the 25mm one?

[VTmadS1]

cant wait to see how those 2.15 rockers perform on the dyno... hmmmm just wondering, why did you use a 12mm plenum spacer and not the 25mm one?

Yes im interested to know as well, as i have both the 25mm manifold and 25mm plenum spacer fitted to mine.

[VS_WPN]

Thread Update

Dyno Results with current setup coming next Saturday 24/10/09.
Videos uploaded - These are just a taste of what the car will run like with those mods.

[speed_freak]

Great thread, ive got a 97 VS and cash coming so this is very helpful info. Just a quick question. Where did you find a non irs lsd, ive been looking for a while and cant find one? Also as mentioned above why the no go for 25mm spacers

also if its not too personal some prices of the build would be helpful aswell

[MACE]

Space is the reason why we didn't go 25mm for both. Ideally it would have been best to go both but space is an issue in the VS, though some people have installed both on a VS before

[speed_freak]

i thought the issue only arose when trying to use the engine cover still once the spacers were installed or does it get so high that it almost hits the bonnet?

[VS_WPN]

It actually does hit the bonnet a bit on the VS bonnet, but as mentioned above, it has been done before =D. If your keen on knowing any of the prices send me a pm. non-IRS was an option on the VS model. Standard my car had non-IRS. I had my 3.9 LSD diff built.

[VTmadS1]

Space is the reason why we didn't go 25mm for both. Ideally it would have been best to go both but space is an issue in the VS, though some people have installed both on a VS before

yeah mine hits the bonnet, no biggie tho its adjustable.

[speed_freak]

i really thought there would be more clearance.

[mking]

so can you put the 2.15 rockers without the heads ported ?

[VS_WPN]

i really thought there would be more clearance.

There is enough clearance..however we are going a twin throttle body manifold setup in the near future and will have no need for the plenum spacer.

so can you put the 2.15 rockers without the heads ported ?

You will need MACE heads because the standard heads won't have sufficient clearance in the pushrod area and they have springs to suite. Same deal as when putting a big cam in because of the increase in valve lift.

[MACE]

i really thought there would be more clearance.

You can fit both 25mm spacers, but some people might not be prepared to spacer out the bonnet on a VS that's all. Plus the screw closest to the firewall is extremely difficulty to put on. That aside they work well

so can you put the 2.15 rockers without the heads ported ?

You can however, you will need new valve springs, retainers, valve stem seals and you'll need to clean up the area around the push rods. It's for these reasons we're selling them with our ported heads, in addition to the fact that they work better with ported heads

[VTmadS1]

Mace, can you PM me with an approx Price for the ported heads plus the other gear needed to make it work?