By way of a follow up on my previous idle quality and idle speed comments below ........
I strongly suspect even if we full optimise the potential of the PID IDACV management and ignition based idle management strategies, and even after implementing the above four solutions, it's highly unlikely I will be able to keep my 970rpm target.
Maybe I'm wrong and we'll be able to get Monty's fully warmed Duratec to 'purr like a kitten' at 970rpm on the Phase 3 cams after all?
However, to be honest if we end up having to settle on 1,100rpm or anything a little below I really don't have any issues with that, what I 100% will not accept is any lope, hunting or choppiness.
Now I've fully refined and polished Monty's stage 3 ECU calibration the results on this one are in, the optimal idle speed where Stage 3 Monty holds a nice smooth and consistent drum roll idle is
1,175rpm.
No lope, no hunting, and no choppiness whatsoever!
This is achieved with Monty's idle ignition timing set surprisingly advanced at 25 degrees BTDC, and running an AFR of 13.8:1. Lighting a slightly richer mixture very early is how we've achieved a complete burn of an air/fuel charge that's affected by reversion, which is the inevitable consequence of the additional valve overlap produced by the Newman Phase 3 cams.
The smooth and consistent drum roll idle at 1,175rpm also comes with a deeper more purposeful tone, it's not antisocial, but Stage 3 Monty's new rumbling note leaves you in no doubt he has naughtier intentions in his mind compared with a regular Duratec Plus 4.
I have to say I absolutely love it
