I got the car back late yesterday afternoon from EU AUTOWERKS. In my opinion, they did a flawless installation of all the components.
The first ride:
The first ride I went on was as a passenger with Courtney the owner of EU AUTOWERKS driving. From the moment he started the car the sound from the virgin exhaust was pure & throaty. The mechanics that did the work were grinning from ear to ear as they did their final check looking for any leaks or loose connections. After the car warmed up, we headed out onto the road for a short drive to the highway. With the engine temperature up and the 6k rev limiter satisfied. Courtney accelerated along the sweeping turn and onto the highway.
The first reaction was violent unbridled horsepower resonating right through your seat. The acceleration was ridiculous, the sound from the supercharger through the KOMO-TEC intake was like listening to a turbine spooling up on an Abrams M1A1. You could actually hear the release of pressure in between shifts in audible "puffs". If you didn't know better, you would almost think it had a wastegate. As well accelerated through the gears, we passed cars like they were standing still. Courtney turned off on the exit ramp and we came to a stop at the lights. The engine just purred, the temperate was perfect, the idle was perfect, no blips or walking like the problems i had had with the old ECU (I had, as most here, idle and stalling issues). A smooth low RPM loop and back on the highway we went. The car repeated the same events on the way back to the shop. Courtney's comments were "this is by far the fastest Exige S I have driven, the power & torque comes on on demand in every gear even at lower RPM's, just incredible!!" Back at EU AUTOWERKS the crew once again went over the car looking for any issues and found none.
My turn at the wheel:
On the drive home I eased into the throttle for the most part really paying more attention to the idle at the lights and just enjoying the sound of the exhaust. I have had the pleasure of having the factory muffler, the original Stage II as well as the new Stage II exhaust on the car and I was hoping to get the best of both the latter two units. The sound is for lack of better description just a sweet note. As the night progressed and as the exhaust started to break in, it just got better. There is a long, newly paved sweeping right then left turn along the route and I just couldn't resist the temptation to push it. All I can say is "Holy @%$#!" the power is clean, smooth the road melts under you and the sound is intoxicating. Idling along through my neighborhood, I felt like proud father bringing home my 5th child for the first time.
Later that night:
I decided to take the car out for a few more hours of run time and to push the new KOMO-TEC juiced engine to its limits. The weather conditions were dry and a little cool. Other than all of the observations mentioned above, the first thing that you realize it that you have to stay focused when kicking it. The tach needle bounces off the rev limiter so quickly you have to stay sharp to hit the next gear. I like to drive with the traction control disabled and with the new power in low gears the rear got loose a few times as the tires struggled to put the power to the road. You quickly learn the curve and compensate feathering the pedal. Pouring it on when the tires bite brings water to your eyes. I kept saying to myself "this is how the car should be, a pure unadulterated attach on all the senses". Over the course of the night the car ran flawlessly. I turned to head home twice but couldn't make the final turn and just kept driving.
Before I get a barrage "DYNO PROVE IT" posts.... Yes, I do plan on getting it to the Chassis DYNO shop shortly.
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