Performance News - 23 January 2001

New Engine Management System

It's said to be highly tuneable, technologically advanced, and exceptional value for money! It's the new Hawk EC21 from EFI Hardware. The Hawk EC21 offers an extensive range of fuel and ignition mapping points for precise tuning, which can be scaled down to 125-rpm increments with a choice of 4,8 or 16 load bands. The system is programmed via a live, on-screen dashboard which features analogue gauges and digital readouts in real time. Other special features include stepper motor control for idle speed control, as well as an air-conditioning input and two spare configurable outputs.

"Although the Hawk EC21 was originally designed for OEM use," states EFI Hardware's Managing Director, Steve Newing, "we saw that it had enormous potential as an aftermarket ECU. It offers highly sophisticated tuning capability at a very low price. We're confident that the market will respond very well."

It features 2 software packages; the standard EC21 software and the optional EC21 Professional. The EC21 Professional offers sophisticated extensions to existing calibration tables and additional tuning parameters that are particularly useful for reaching emissions standards. The Hawk EC21 kit comes complete with ECU, wiring loom and plugs, water and air temperature sensors, computer data cable and calibration software. The system costs only A$1100 (inc GST).

For further information contact Steve Newing at EFI Hardware on +61 3 9873 8700, fax +61 3 9873 5955 or SpeedTechnology@onaustralia.com.au. Dealer inquiries are welcome.

HAWK EC21 Specifications

The HAWK EC21 Special Features:

• Stepper motor idle speed control
• Closed loop control
• 2 spare outputs with various configurations
• Air con request input

Standard inputs:

• Water temp sensor input.
• Air temp sensor input.
• Fuel pump control.
• MAF, MAP and/or Throttle Position input.
• Crank or cam trigger input (configurable to reluctor, hall and optical sensors)

Hardware specs:

• Processor speed 8MHz internal clock speed.
• 2 Injector drivers with 2 banks min impedance > 1.2W Upgradeable to 4 drivers w/ 2 banks.
• Operating voltage 9 to 24 Volts.
• Input trigger and Ignition output cables are shielded on wiring loom.
• Gold contacts on selected outputs and inputs.

Software features:

• Live dashboard in real time.
• Configurable MAF, MAP and/or Throttle Position sensor for load sensing.
• Configurable Air and Water temp sensors.
• Fuel and ignition map points every 125 RPM to 16000 RPM with 16 load bands.
• Fuel map tuning resolution 0.01 ms / step.
• Ignition timing resolution 0.3° / step.
• Cold to warm idle RPM's configurable. Adjustable every 2° C engine temp
• Multiple acceleration enrichment tables (both load and RPM adjustable )
• 2 totally configurable auxiliary outputs.

Kit comes complete with ECU, wiring loom, computer data cable, water temp and air temp sensors and plugs 4 injector plugs and calibration software.

Cost

Hawk EC21: $1100.00

Upgrade to 4 injector drivers: $1232.00

Professional series software upgrade: $300.00

Prices include GST.

Multi-Throttles for Nissan SR20

EFI Hardware have just released the latest development in their growing range of high performance tuning products, a throttle body set up dedicated solely to the Nissan SR20 motor. Recognising the popularity of the SR20 motor, EFI Hardware's Managing Director, Steve Newing, decided to create a throttle body set up that could be fitted without the usual headaches.

"We've developed special castings to eliminate the need for an adapting manifold," says Steve, "so it's essentially a complete bolt-on induction system."

Special features include a polished one-piece fuel rail, stainless steel brackets and EFI Hardware's pro series ram tubes. Available with 45mm or 48mm butterflies, the SR20 set up utilises a special linkage set with variable cable drive for superb throttle control. The complete induction system weighs in at less than 3kg, and comes as pictured (injectors not included).

RRP A$1298 (inc GST)

For further information contact Steve Newing at EFI Hardware on +61 3 9873 8700, fax 61 3 9873 5955: SpeedTechnology@onaustralia.com.au.

Dealer inquiries are welcome.

Ford 'Peregrine' Falcon

In an Australian first, U.P.Tooling, suppliers of OEM R-RIM kits to major Australian manufacturers of high end vehicles, have now produced a complete and ADR-compliant styling package for the Ford Falcon AU range. Marketed under the brand name of C2R (Concept 2 Reality) the 'Peregrine' styling package was created to enhance the appearance of the Falcon AU II series.

The styling package is said to have boosted the testosterone level of the standard family sedan into an exciting and refined sportscar. The aesthetic elements of the package comprise many substantially restyled body features, including completely redesigned and full-sized replacement front and rear bumper skirts, a new grille and side skirts.

Enlarged air-intake passages, a stainless steel mesh grille and incorporation of driving lights are additional features. The dramatically styled rear bumper blends seamlessly into the overall appearance of the new 'Peregrine' Falcon to complete the statement.

The 'Peregrine' Falcon styling package starts at A$4350 and includes GST, body colour-matched components and fitment. The styling package is available from Ford Dealers and selected outlets nationally. www.fordperegrine.com

Formula SAE!

A team of engineering students from Sydney has won a national competition to design, build and race its own car.

The University of New South Wales students spent 12 months working in their spare time to produce the winning car for Australia's inaugural Formula SAE contest.

The contest final was held recently at an automotive proving ground near Geelong. The UNSW team was drawn from the university's School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, with technical assistance from the South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE. The UNSW/SWTAFE team won by nearly 40 points, from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, with Swinburne University of Technology in third place.

Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) contestants were required to design, fabricate and test a formula-style racing car with a 600cc four-stroke engine.

Toyota Australia provided the backing for the team to secure and develop a Yamaha R6 four-cylinder motorcycle engine - courtesy of Yamaha Australia. The UNSW team beat five other university teams from Australia to win the event - which consisted of a formal presentation, design assessment, costing assessment and performance tests. The UNSW car, dubbed RB2000, won the fuel economy section outright, beating its Australian competitors and three visiting teams from the United States.

The UNSW team also finished second among the Australian teams in the autocross and endurance tests. Six different drivers drove the car in the various performance tests. Project coordinator Nathan Groenhout, a post-graduate mechanical engineering student, said the UNSW team victory was a remarkable effort.

"We began with a group of people who 12 months ago had never even seen a Formula SAE car," he said.

"But they came together, built a car that beat American universities who've been competing in Formula SAE for years - and they did it at their first attempt."

"Two of the three teams that came from the USA - Rochester Institute of Technology and University of Texas at Arlington - are consistent top-level finishers in the North American SAE competition.

"There were no subject credit points on offer for this project - people did it because they were keen," Nathan Groenhout said.

"That keenness really showed in the last few weeks, as we raced against the clock to complete and test the car. We had 20 people who, as well as doing their regular 20 to 25 hours a week in the classroom and their assignments, volunteered to work on the car. When we had technical problems on the day, people came up with solutions which allowed us to complete every performance test - no other Australian team completed every stage of the event. Overall, the judges gave us good marks for the design and the car itself performed extremely well," he said.

The inaugural Australian Formula SAE competition was based on a formula which has operated in the United States for the last 20 years and is now active in Europe. It is the world's leading automotive engineering-based inter-university competition.

From next week, AutoSpeed, in an exclusive series, will cover the anatomy and design of the F-SAE cars and competition, including a detailed tech look at the winning car.

Mercedes-Benz Unleashes ML 55 AMG

Mercedes-Benz has extended its portfolio of successful M-Class models to include the new all-activity ML 55 AMG V8 model, which goes on sale in Australia this week. The ML 55 AMG will top the M-Class line-up. Featuring a 255kW V8 power plant, sophisticated amenities and attractive body styling elements, this sport utility vehicle stands out even further from its rivals and defines a new premium segment within this vehicle category. Engineers at Mercedes-AMG have reworked the 5.0-litre eight-cylinder engine from the S-Class using a specially modified crankshaft, special oil injector nozzles and high-performance camshafts. These measures taken in conjunction with the higher displacement of 5.5 litres provide a remarkable maximum torque of 510 Newton-metres which the V8 engine makes available from around only 2800 rpm. Results from acceleration and speed tests speak the same sporty language. The ML 55 AMG is capable of sprinting from zero to 100 km/h is just 6.9 seconds and achieves a top speed of 232 km/h.

Quickies

• Ferrari will have its new Formula One car ready for testing before the end of January, with rivals McLaren not expecting their new cars to be tested until well into February.

• The RX7's last gasp? http://www.e.mazda.co.jp/Publicity/Public/200010/1018e.html

• The Peugeot 504 finally goes out of production this year. Up until now it has continued to be produced in plants in Nigeria and Kenya, where it remained popular for taxi use.

• Toyota has sold a record number of MR2s in Australia in each of the two months since the launch of the new model. In November, its first full month of sales, 74 MR2 Spyders were delivered, beating the previous best of 61 established by the first generation MR2.

• With 34 new models, two new marques, at least six special concept cars and one very large and very novel feature 'vehicle', it is said that the Melbourne International Motor Show will be the outstanding motoring event of the year. The Melbourne Exhibition Centre will be the venue for the re-launch of one of motoring's oldest and most respected names - Renault. The French company has chosen Melbourne to show its fabulous range of new cars plus a preview of what's to come in a startling concept vehicle. Also re-launching at Melbourne will be Britain's prestige marque - Rover. The new Rover 75 luxury car embodies classic British craftsmanship with modern technology. Rover will also be previewing the elegant 75 Estate, due in Australia later in the year. The Melbourne International Motor Show opens at 5.00pm on Thursday March 1 after a special media preview and motor industry function. It closes at 6.00pm on Monday March 12, the Labour Day holiday.

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