Tom Airey Tuning

[brindle]

Hi,

The SEIW i have just picked up (2.0 zetec + 40's) has a dyno printout from 2007 (only 500 miles ago) from AP Motors in Plymouth, with readings of 163bhp@5894 rpm and 152 lb/ft @ 4858rpm, with a note that the jets are slightly worn.

Looking at other posts on similar spec cars, I dont seem to get that b****y hell this is quick feeling from it and it doesn't idle well - you generally have to keep tickling the throttle at tickover whether hot or cold.  Oil pressure is great, only done 7000 miles.

I am thinking of taking it to my local tuner - Tom Airey, who charges £250 for a tune up including jets etc.

The question is - has anyone used Tom Airey lately and was he any good - does he also connect into the ECU for to look at mapping or just sort out the carbs?

Am I wasting my money - can a car fall out of tune so badly in 12 months and 500 miles?

I would be devastated to spend £250 for no gain when I could have put it towards new wheels!!!

[Chasmon]

Perhaps get a passenger ride with someone with a similar spec car at a local meet?

[abbeya]

Have found myself in a similar situation, and could not justify the £250 with Tom Airey. I have only heard good things of him, but for a general tune up it seems a little pricey. I was experiencing lumpy tick over with my twin webber 40's, which basically had gone out of balance, and was very easy to correct myself - the improvement in performance was outstanding, though sure someone with the right equipment could do better. I think it is possible for the carbs to drift in a relatively short period of time, if they or the linkages are old/worn. Before having a go myself I made contact with EFI performance in Stubbington, probably 30 miles south of Tom Airey's place. I have daves mobile number if you would like, ( the land line does not work) just send me a pm and will provide it, I can assure you he was quoting significantly less for a general tune up that would take about 2 hours. I can not recommend them as they have not done any work for me for the last few years, but once my car is up to spec I intend to give Dave a call and see what he can do with it.

Hope you get the wow factor back soon. Andy

[GaryD]

Hi

If you put  a post on the wscc wilts and hants area website then many from there has used tom airey as he is a local tuner.

Gary

[g1bby]

i can recomend tom he is great with carbs he tuned my old westy got great results, £250 includes rolling road until its tuned and your happy wether it takes him 1 hour or 4 hours.

[Blatman]

I agree with abbeya... check the balance first. It makes a massive difference and once you've seen it done, takes about 2 mins.

It may also be worth throwing a set of plugs in. They make a surprisingly big difference too, although not as much as balancing the carbs will...

[PeP]

The SEIW i have just picked up (2.0 zetec + 40's) has a dyno printout from 2007 (only 500 miles ago) from AP Motors in Plymouth, with readings of 163bhp@5894 rpm and 152 lb/ft @ 4858rpm, with a note that the jets are slightly worn.

I wish mine made that, last dyno run was 160bhp at 6492rpm and 137lb ft at 5405rpm.

Seems to go pretty well though.

[westy666]

indeed - rollers seem on the optimistic side for a standard trim zetec on 40's  - particularly the torque, but hey you're referring to how it feels more than anything - and it should feel pretty quick unless youre used to rocket engined cars.

A quick way of checking the balance is to see how still the engine is sitting at idle - if it's rocking from side to side like a rocking thing then you can be pretty sure the carbs are out of balance.  Could be anything really - balance screw might have been knocked/fallen out etc so best give them a good once over.

Synchrometer will give you a more scientific view of have well balanced the carbs are.

[Kevin Wood]

I have used Tom in the past. He certainly knows his onions regarding carbs. If you want him to tweak the ignition I would say take a laptop, cable, software, etc. Don't expect him to have this kit as he's an old school guy.

Also, be prepared to get him to tweak more if the first run doesn't satisfy you entirely. 250 quid  should buy a lot of tuning.

Having said all that, and as others have said, make sure the basics are spot on first or it will be a very expensive debugging session.

If the car has been set up on the rollers only 500 miles ago, assuming a decent job was done, I'm guessing it just needs carbs balancing and perhaps the idle mixtures tweaking.

If you're near Tom you're near me (Four Marks) so if you'd like someone to go over balancing the carbs, checking the mixture, etc. I'd be happy to help. These items need to become part of your regular maintenance IMHO. Carbs aren't "fit and forget" in the same way modern injection systems are.

Kevin

[Jenko]

Tom knows carbs inside out.......He will be able to jet them for you no probs....I would ask him also if the price would include a tweak of your ignition map (if it needs it)...You would need to bring along your own lap top and tuning program....

PJ.

[Blatman]

I agree with abbeya... check the balance first. It makes a massive difference and once you've seen it done, takes about 2 mins.

It may also be worth throwing a set of plugs in. They make a surprisingly big difference too, although not as much as balancing the carbs will...

I forgot to add... cleaning the air filters can make a big difference too...

[brindle]

the whole car rocks at idle, so it would seem that the carbs are well out of balance.  the engine is connected to a webcon alpha system and from my brief research, they are set up for the engine and carbs spec in the factory, so should still be good.  must just be the carbs.  I'll have a go at balancing them - any special tools needed?

[Blatman]

A synchrometer is the tool to have. Buy one, it'll be one of the best 30 quids you ever spent.

Other than that, all you should need is a screwdriver plus whatever tools you need to take your air filters off.

[Kevin Wood]

I have a synchrometer if you want to borrow one.

Kevin

[Jenko]

Alas I think the web con systems you have to take it to a registered dealer / tuner (NMS???)......