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MG MGB Technical - rolling road

I have been told by a couple of people that getting my MG "tuned" on a rolling road would allow me to more out of it both in terms of power and fuel economy. What exactly does tuning mean in this context and where and how much might I expect to have to pay to get this done?
nik

Nik,

I'll leave the second part of your question to someone more familiar with tuners in and around London.

On a rolling road the car is placed with the drive wheels on a set of rollers and the non drive wheels securely fastened to the floor to prevent the car moving.

This allows the vehicle to be "driven" without actually going anywhere.

The main advantages:

1)The engine can be tuned by adjusting the carburettors and distributor settings for maximum power or economy under (almost) the identical conditions it would encounter in the real world driving on the road in whatever gear and engine load are required;

2)The gain can be measured very accurately and any less obvious faults like distributor bushing wear, which is a real power waster, pinpointed;

3)The engine performance can be accurately plotted and printed out so you have a known starting point for any further mods;

4)The whole car driveline is taken into account and a good operator can tell you within one or two percent how your car compares with other they have tested. Things which waste power in the driveline like tight bearings can also be found;

5)The gains are variable depending on how close the car was to optimum stae of tune to begin with but, in my experience gains of, 7 to 10% can be had fairly quickly and reasonably cheaply, and;

6)This will totally destroy any claims of "gain 20%(power / economy) or more by bolting on this go faster gadget" and a good dyno place should be able to tell you from experience and past knowledge what actually works and what does not.

In terms of "bang for your buck" it is probably the best value.

Post again or email me O/T for more details if I can help further.

Cheers, Pete.
Peter Thomas

Nearly forgot...the link below is to a US based company making "Chassis dynomometers" (rolling road dyno's) and has an excellent FAQ section and it also loads quickly as well.
Definitely worth a look:

http://www.mustangdyne.com/

The usual disclaimer about having no financial or other interest in this company applies.

Cheers, Pete.
Peter Thomas

cheers Pete I will have a look.
nik

Nik,
I don't know if you fancy a trip up the M1 but one of the best guys to tune your car on a dyno is Peter Burgess in Alfreton, Derbyshire. He has a banner ad on the top of some of these pages. When he did my car several years ago now, I think he charged around £30. He took a couple of hours making fine adjustments to distributor and carbs and it really made a difference. Even more useful is that he can then tell you the optimum settings for your engine - like "use these needles, set your timing to these degrees advance at 1000 rpm." For me it is a 400 mile round trip to see him, but his knowledge of the MGB engine is second to none, and he won't sell you anything you don't need. A genuine good guy IMO.
Mike
Mike Howlett

A more realistic price now is about £60,try 'ASK JEEVES' OR try your yellow pages. Best of luck Peter.
peter bramble

Nik
I have used Tom Airey in Alresford Hampshire. Are you that side of London?
He does not have a web site but phone number is 01962 771845.
He charges about £80 plus parts. He is not one of these guys who will fit something new just for the sake of it either.
If you do look in the yellow pages for someone nearer ask if they have much experience with our older cars. Tom has!!
Cecil Kimber

Before you decide who is going to tune your MG on a chassis dynomometer do talk to the operator about their experience with MGs and SU carbs.

There are many who have little or no relevant experience. I haven't used either Peter Burgess or Tom Airey, but have heard good things about both of them.

If I was living in London I think that on balance I would travel a little further to see Peter, but I am sure that Tom would do a good job.

Safety Fast

Nigel
MGA 1600 Mk I Roadster
MGB GT V8
MGR V8
Nigel Steward

Although I haven't used them but they came recommended to me, GRL motors in Woking have a rolling road and charge £65 p.h. (01483 725 759). LMG in Kent have done wonders with my V8 and have access to a rolling road (020 8303 4811)- highly recommended.
Chris Holmes

Nik,
If you fancy a drive down to the South Coast, Gerald Dale Motorsport at Hastings (01424 855100), rolloing road tuned my MGB and I was very pleased with the result. I think the bill was around £85.

Charlie.
Charles Goozee

Thanks for all the tips a couple of more questions
Did any of you guys notice appreciable improvements? Were any go faster extras fitted in order to get them?
nik

Nik,
Below is from a previos post I made after I had the car tuned.

Finally had the engine, built by Chris Betson - Octarine Services, rolling road tuned. What a difference this has made to the car.

Started off with peak torque 101 lb ft @ 4280 rpm, peak power 93 BHP @ 5685 rpm.
Ended up with peak torque 114 lb ft @ 4290 rpm, peak power 103.5 BHP @ 5062 rpm.
The improvement was all the way through the rev range. With 84 BHP recorded at the rear wheels.

There was a massive hole in power at around 2200 RPM. This has now been totally removed, making the car a real pleasure to drive. Best £88 I've spent on the car so far.

Engine is +60 overbore, Stage 2 head 9.5 compression, Piper 270/2 cam, standard HIF4 SUs with AAA needles, and K&N air filters, free flow manifold and exhaust, and an Aldon performance dizzy.

Charlie.
Charles Goozee

Nik, I had all my goodies fitted before I ever used a rolling road. It was also well run in before I went to Tom. But definitely saw an improvement. Can't remember figs but I do remember the drive home…with an even broader grin! Worth the money too.
Cecil Kimber

Nik,

Try www.pumaracing.co.uk for light reading on Rolling Roads.

Paul
Paul

This thread was discussed between 09/07/2002 and 11/07/2002

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