This upgrade has been in planning for a while. My GDI is now three years old, and my only "complaint" has been the super sensitive throttle. I had the opportunity for an ECU flash over in the first six months, but after discussion, left it alone. I've never felt the "flat spot" around 3,000 rpm, but I've had low mpg and a very black exhaust from day 1.
Having said that, it passed the MOT recently on emissions with no problem.
A couple of weeks ago I picked up the full Aero Racing system from the factory, and over the last three days have fitted it and the car is running. I plan to take it out on the road tomorrow, and all being well, I'll take it back to the factory for the Club-sport ECU flash, which brings the power up to around 180bhp.
An owner who has done this conversion e-mailed me with his story, and I also spoke to the Cainmeister as to what to expect. Both were spot on. The GDI manifold won't simply lift out, and the new manifold requires a few mm removing from the inner wing valance for clearance.
I did suffer further complications, especially with my front offside mudflap, which needed significant modification to clear the twin pipes which come through the inner wing valence, then turn 90 degrees just behind the mudflap. In addition I had made a heat shield for the GDI exhaust, which no longer fits, and so I had to make up a new one.
I've taken a lot of photographs, and will post the story as soon as I can, hopefully after tomorrow's road test. The engine already feels more eager, so I'm looking forward to seeing how it performs!
