HOW-TO: Map Clamp Install

[Super Steve]

Hey folks,

It's been awhile since I posted a How-To, so since S2 had my car running so rich and pulling timing at high boost levels, I decided to go with the Neonparts map clamp.

After installing AGP's Big Turbo Kit and S2, the performance of my engine at 20lbs of boost was lacking on the top end. After several runs at this boost level, I recorded all the F/A data on my LM-1 wideband and the car ran at 10.6:1 at redline through 3rd,4th, and 5th. The car just seemed to fall on it's face. It was then I realized the S2 PCM apparently intervened and was pulling timing not to mention running rich. So I decided to up the boost even more to 22lbs. The car fell flatter on it's face and the F/A was 9.8:1. The PCM defintialy pulled even more timing and dumped additional fuel creating the lethargic running condition. Very disconcerting considering I have the 3 BAR/MAP sensor allowing me to operate to 29lbs.

Well the S2 PCM must have a boost limited feature of some sort. This would make sense considering PVO knew the consumer (US) would be attempting to boost over the stock turbo's max effieciency.

This is when I bought and installed the map clamp. So here is the How-To:

- Disconnect the battery
- Find a mounting location ( I mounted mine on the driver's side piller just above the headlight on the inside)
- Crimp the connector to the black wire on the map clamp and connect to the negative side of the battery
- Snap the wire tap connector onto a 12v ignition source and connect the red wire on the map clamp to it (I tapped mine into the hot wire off of my Greddy Profec B Spec II Vavle unit)
- Disconnect the map sensor and cut the green wire w/red stripe on the map sensor
- Connect the blue wire on the clamp to the green wire coming from map sensor connector.
- Connect the other blue wire with the stripe o nthe clamp to the other cut end of the green wire going to the PCM.
- Electrical tape is recommended to tape the clamp wires to the map sensor wires for a clean and unobstructed look.
- Reconnect Battery ( I through 2 codes after installation and I disconnected the battery again and the codes were gone and haven't returned since)
- The map clamp has an adjustment screw that is recessed in the map clamp box and is small in size. Adjust clockwise to clamp more voltage and counter clockwise to add more voltage. Small incremental adjustments is all that you need to change the clamping voltage
- Install time; 1 hour

Neonpart clamp has a map clamping range of 2.5 to 6 volts. I tried to get a voltage reading to see where the clamp voltage was but was unable for some reason. I used my LM-1 to get my F/A right. For those of you that don't have a wideband, I highly suggest doing this on a dyno with a wideband attached.

Results: Big and very noticable power increase through out the rpm band in every gear. F/A at 22lbs; 12.2:1. However, I timing is still being pulled, it's no where near it was before the clamp. The car fricken hauls ass and the clamp works very well in controlling timing retard/fuel without interuption to normal operations.

Overview: Great product with good quality and design for under $100. Installation was very easy minus my inexperience with such a device. Big thanks to Jason at Neonparts.

[ATL-SRT]

fuckin shit! This is great, thanks man.

[riven]

Thank you for this post. This is the type of stuff I was wandering about S2. I think I have made my decission to go with a piggyback.

[Super Steve]

That is why in my opinion that there will be a Stage III PCM with S3. Notice that you will still use the 682cc injectors. It makes sense really considering that there would be alot of folks visiting the service department with toasted turbos if that saftey feature wasn't in place on the S2 PCM. Unfortunate for those of us with big turbos though, but I pretty much fixed that. Time for some more boosting and tuning.

[JasonJLM]

Steve you are the shit.


Can I send you items for FREE so you can do more how to's.

[2 low 4 fat hoes]

well time for me to pick one up now!

[Steven Burgess]

I have a map clamp installed on my stage one and it also made a big difference. I have mine set for 4.3v and the afr's at 11.5:1 up to 5000rpm and then runs a little richer at 10:1 to redline.

Steve B.

[Super Steve]

Why thank you Jason. Another great product again.....

[lilviper]

dont use electrical tape for anything it gets slimy and doesnt stay put in the long haul.. solder all connections as well as shrink wrap them... for your own safety

[Super Steve]

I used electrical tape only to cleanly attach the Map Clamp wires to the Map Sensor harness. Everything is connected with quality wire connectors.

[VWtoSRT]

nice write-up Steve.
what did you set the set screw at initially as a starting point?

[Exhaust Depot]

Read up on piggyback systems in my section. Gives you the 101 on map clamps etc and how it works .


Good mod if you have other mods to support it.

[Super Steve]

I left it how it came. You can actually call up the company and have them preset the voltage for you i.e 4.3, 4.5, 4.7 volts

[Farani]

Quote: Originally Posted by Exhaust Depot

Read up on piggyback systems in my section. Gives you the 101 on map clamps etc and how it works .


Good mod if you have other mods to support it.

I understand what a map clamp will do for you and where it is located... but what does MAP stand for? Sorry for the newbie question, but I'm still new-er to cars. Thanks .

[RevolRapom]

Quote: Originally Posted by Farani

I understand what a map clamp will do for you and where it is located... but what does MAP stand for? Sorry for the newbie question, but I'm still new-er to cars. Thanks .

MAP stands for Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor which basically converts pressure into electrical current, which is used by the ecm for timing......the ecm will pull timing if it reads too much, that it why the map clamp keeps it at a constant voltage...........