4.6 gems into RRC - advice

[Jon1T]

Hi all - I’m someone else trying to plumb up a standard 4.6 gems (with megasquirt) into a RRC...and hitting some issues...

The standard oil filter location isn’t going to work - is the best option to use a remote oil filter. I see mocal do a complete kit.

There are also issues with the coll packs (mounted on a bar at the rear of the engine) being in the way of the heater matrix water pipers. Presume Ford G1 coil packs are the answer?

I understand the PAS pipework might be a problem as well?

Any tips from anyone who’s done an instillation gratefully received.

thx

 

 

[Carloz]

Sounds like minor "problems"..

- Remote filter is a standard and easy solution.

- Relocating the coil packs is also not a big issue, even more when you MegaSquirt it and need to make the wiring yourself. When you use two VAG wasted spark coil packs from a four cilinder you can drive those with logic signals because the ignitors are inside the pack.

- PAS pipe work.. Just have custom pipes/hoses made with the original fittings which come with the pump and the steering box. (provided that the PAS pump and steering box want to be friends regarding oil pressure and flow).

Edited November 22, 2020 by Carloz

[FridgeFreezer]

As Carloz says, minor problems... what Megasquirt setup are you using as that will dictate which solutions work best for coil packs.

- Remote filter is an easy one, yes just get a Mocal spin-on adapter & head.

- Coil packs depends which MS/how it's built but nothing that can't be solved

- PAS pipes you'll need at least the high-pressure side done by a hydraulics supplier, also you need the steel part of the pipe that comes out of the pump and runs down behind the belts as that angle/route is too tight to get a rubber hose & fittings in sensibly (ask me how I know). There's photos etc. of my setup in my ambulance thread and my 109 thread in the member's vehicles section.

[Jon1T]

Thanks both, that is very useful.

I’m glad they’re minor probs....I’m converting a LHD VM LT77 to a RHD 4.6 R380 and each step throws up an issue to puzzle over....lots of probs add up and you have to make sure you break them back down so you don’t get fed up with it all!! Most you can sort, but some best to ask.

Using Nigel’s Megasquirt gems kit, he recommends Ford coil packs. He’s a busy man though, so been trying to get hold of him to make sure I order all the rights bits.

[FridgeFreezer]

1 hour ago, Jon1T said:

Using Nigel’s Megasquirt gems kit, he recommends Ford coil packs. He’s a busy man though, so been trying to get hold of him to make sure I order all the rights bits.

Is that EDIS (did you get a Ford EDIS module with the kit)?

Usually Nige sells Ford coil packs & mounting brackets to put them at the front which would solve your problem;

 

While I'm going through my photos, this is how to do the PAS pipe - you need the angle(s) pictured, then cut off the end (left of pic), clean/polish it up nice and smooth and stick a compression olive hydraulic fitting on, I think the adapter takes it to a 3/8" BSP fitting which makes for sensible-sized hose for the rest of the routing. I think I did a similar thing at the PAS box end too. The HP hose itself MUST be swaged up by an adult (hydrualics shop) as it handles very high pressures, you won't get anything DIY to stay together and high-pressure PAS fluid squirting round your engine bay is a recipe for a hell of a mess, personal injury, and a vehicle fire.

[Jon1T]

That’s v useful - thanks again. Have enjoyed reading your ambulance thread!

[FridgeFreezer]

Just realised my 1st photo shows the "wrong" PAS pipe setup completely failing to tuck behind the belts/pulleys - don't do it that way it was a mockup of abject failure but at least I increased my stash of obscure hydraulic fitting adapters

[Escape]

When we fitted a Bosch engine to a RRC (same front cover and oil filter) we solved the clearance issue by using a shorter filter (and replacing it more often). This might not be enough with standard springs, as that car is lifted (including longer bump stops) so has more clearance to begin with.

Filip

[ThreePointFive]

On 11/25/2020 at 8:11 AM, Escape said:

When we fitted a Bosch engine to a RRC (same front cover and oil filter) we solved the clearance issue by using a shorter filter (and replacing it more often). This might not be enough with standard springs, as that car is lifted (including longer bump stops) so has more clearance to begin with.

Filip

Do you recommend any particular make of filter, Escape? Marginally worried about my front axle in the 90, a shorter filter will definitely fix it.

[Bigj66]

1 hour ago, ThreePointFive said:

Do you recommend any particular make of filter, Escape? Marginally worried about my front axle in the 90, a shorter filter will definitely fix it.

 

This is on my Series 3 with a Thor engine. Mine is road going only though so if you’re planning on going off road then you’ll need to check your clearances.

[Escape]

As above, that's the one we use as well. Same spec as the standard filter, just shorter. 😉

 

[JohnnoK]

Why not just get a relocation kit?

[FridgeFreezer]

12 hours ago, JohnnoK said:

Why not just get a relocation kit?

That would be my vote too - if a couple of inches off the OE filter is the difference that's still close enough to make me nervous.

[Escape]

We became aware of the clearance issue while offroading. So obviously didn't have a relocation kit handy. I did have a shorter filter (for a Lotus 9xx engine) with similar spec. That got the car running again and afterwards the filter was replaced with the slightly different Mann filter. On the RRC at least, that gives good clearance, so should be good. The standard filter only took a hit after the front axle had some airtime so wasn't that close to begin with.

Also, less complexity and less weight. 😉

Filip

[ThreePointFive]

On 11/26/2020 at 10:48 PM, Bigj66 said:

[pics removed]

This is on my Series 3 with a Thor engine. Mine is road going only though so if you’re planning on going off road then you’ll need to check your clearances.

Thanks for that, really useful. I'll be ordering one. What's the change intervals like, just half? Already changing the standard ones at 6,000 miles.

 

Regarding the "why?", I want to keep it as simple as possible, not actually sure that the filter sits any lower than it was on the 3.5 so may not be in danger at all but want to remove all doubt.

[Escape]

7 hours ago, ThreePointFive said:

Thanks for that, really useful. I'll be ordering one. What's the change intervals like, just half? Already changing the standard ones at 6,000 miles.

We always change the oil every 3000 miles/ 5000 km on the V8s, so the small filter gets changed then as well. The standard filter is usually left for 6000 miles/ 10000 km.

Filip

[Bowie69]

3000 miles is plenty between changes on a V8, oil is pretty cheap when you buy it by the 20L can, and the filters are very cheap too.