Enhancing a 650s
Discussion
Hey,
I'm new here or should I say I'm back?! Not been on forums for years, but it feels good to be back!
On the subject of 650s, I always Antify my cars as the wife calls it and it means not what the car is, I allways tweak the hell out of what I have, of turbo my microwave if I could!
So with the 650s, I'm def going to Decat it as I'm a child at heart that loves flames and drifting. For this I think Larini are prob the most cost effective option off the shelf that I've found yet, I could fabricate my own as I have been in the automotive business for years and have built racecars too, so at £3k I would, but circa £1000 I'd just order the Larini test pipes as they call them, they worked a treat on other cars.
Regards exhaust/cat back on the 650s as it is, I'm thinking Akrapovic, I want titanium as I don't think you can beat the quality that goes with it, anyone have any other options?
Finally would be a tuning option. I've remapped ECU's in the past and have used plug and play tuning options, both have pro's and cons, what is your view on a McLaren? I know the 650s runs rich like most other cars and I only use 99 Octane fuel and well service/look after my cars maintenance wise, may not drive them like that, but ive not had a component failure yet across most marques, so does anyone have any input? I think from my research I've come down to Fabspeed for this to realise over 700hp, but again, can any of you give me a few words of advice?
Thanks in advance guys and good to be back!
Ant.
I'm new here or should I say I'm back?! Not been on forums for years, but it feels good to be back!
On the subject of 650s, I always Antify my cars as the wife calls it and it means not what the car is, I allways tweak the hell out of what I have, of turbo my microwave if I could!
So with the 650s, I'm def going to Decat it as I'm a child at heart that loves flames and drifting. For this I think Larini are prob the most cost effective option off the shelf that I've found yet, I could fabricate my own as I have been in the automotive business for years and have built racecars too, so at £3k I would, but circa £1000 I'd just order the Larini test pipes as they call them, they worked a treat on other cars.
Regards exhaust/cat back on the 650s as it is, I'm thinking Akrapovic, I want titanium as I don't think you can beat the quality that goes with it, anyone have any other options?
Finally would be a tuning option. I've remapped ECU's in the past and have used plug and play tuning options, both have pro's and cons, what is your view on a McLaren? I know the 650s runs rich like most other cars and I only use 99 Octane fuel and well service/look after my cars maintenance wise, may not drive them like that, but ive not had a component failure yet across most marques, so does anyone have any input? I think from my research I've come down to Fabspeed for this to realise over 700hp, but again, can any of you give me a few words of advice?
Thanks in advance guys and good to be back!
Ant.
Can directly help - as I like to keep my cars as std as possible.
There is an owners forum/page on Facebook with about 300 members, and amongst them this guy is we'll regarded when it comes to tuning.
http://www.mclaren-tuning.com/about.php
There is an owners forum/page on Facebook with about 300 members, and amongst them this guy is we'll regarded when it comes to tuning.
http://www.mclaren-tuning.com/about.php
Ant397 said:
Many thanks for your reply pal!
I will put a call in to Thorney direct as I used to race with him! Haha didn't know he was high up in McLaren tuning, you learn something new everyday!
Are you from Wilmslow by any chance? I live in Woodford...
Yes wilmslow - just off addlingtin road...I will put a call in to Thorney direct as I used to race with him! Haha didn't know he was high up in McLaren tuning, you learn something new everyday!
Are you from Wilmslow by any chance? I live in Woodford...
ah cool, i might see you around then!
Had an interesting chat with Throney today and he basically said don't do anything to it except cat back rear exhaust section...
He had major issues with remapping the 650s as you can't dyno it apparently, so out right said that he doesn't map them anymore as he's had some problems with engines blowing up as other than a dyno you can't run wide open throttle for long enough and under enough load to be able to see exactly whats going on.
He then slated the idea of decatting the 650s as it ruins the secondary lambda signal/scale to monitor the air fuel ratio, so this can cause a lean situation as well, he offered me a bespoke rear exhaust system tho, so its back to the drawing board really.
Has anyone else heard of any issues with MP4's or 650s after tuning???? Its the opposite of what I've heard to be fair and I've got enough tuners offering to do work without any hesitation or bad rep...
Had an interesting chat with Throney today and he basically said don't do anything to it except cat back rear exhaust section...
He had major issues with remapping the 650s as you can't dyno it apparently, so out right said that he doesn't map them anymore as he's had some problems with engines blowing up as other than a dyno you can't run wide open throttle for long enough and under enough load to be able to see exactly whats going on.
He then slated the idea of decatting the 650s as it ruins the secondary lambda signal/scale to monitor the air fuel ratio, so this can cause a lean situation as well, he offered me a bespoke rear exhaust system tho, so its back to the drawing board really.
Has anyone else heard of any issues with MP4's or 650s after tuning???? Its the opposite of what I've heard to be fair and I've got enough tuners offering to do work without any hesitation or bad rep...
Im not sure messing about with it is what I would term "enhancing". One thing for sure is it will be dead money spent and make harder to sell on IMHO.
If there is one mod that might improve what is already a fantastic standard car it might be sports cats and an aftermarket exhaust.
I don't think your stereotypical McLaren customer is going to be into mad mods TBH.
The last thing I would want is the car to be any faster but I do like a nice exhaust note. Mine has the sports exhaust and to be fair for a turbo car I do think it sounds good and others have certainly told me from the outside its loud
If there is one mod that might improve what is already a fantastic standard car it might be sports cats and an aftermarket exhaust.
I don't think your stereotypical McLaren customer is going to be into mad mods TBH.
The last thing I would want is the car to be any faster but I do like a nice exhaust note. Mine has the sports exhaust and to be fair for a turbo car I do think it sounds good and others have certainly told me from the outside its loud
MDL111 said:
Maybe have a look on US forums, they are usually the first to do something / add power etc
This http://www.mclarenlife.com/forums/mclaren-650s/
I guess comes down to if you have warranty and wish to retain cover in event of major failure. The drivetrains seem generally very strong, though one should be mindful presence of aftermarket cats / no cats and remap could be basis of rejection of claim. I understand the 650 flames with both factory standard and sports exhaust? Maybe run car stock for a while and see how you go?
Edited by MOD500 on Sunday 17th September 11:53
McLaren's software means they can't be rolling roaded, as Thorney told you. This means if you tune them they can't be rolling road tuned or tested, also from what we know anything cat back should be ok in regards to warranty, anything forward no chance. You are taking a big risk. Thorney knows these cars inside out, I would not chance anything he doesn't advise. Other tuners may say they can increase power but will they give you a warranty that is as comprehensive as a McLaren warranty? I don't think so?
Thanks for all your replies guys!
I've been doing some more homework on it and from what I've found out, it is actually possible to dyno a 650s! I haven't tried it myself yet, but that is exactly the first thing I'm going to do! I'd like to see what power it actually has and have a proverbial bench mark shall we say, so I'll run it through my local company and see if the process I've been given works to put them into a dyno mode... We'll see. I'll try and export back.
I've been doing some more homework on it and from what I've found out, it is actually possible to dyno a 650s! I haven't tried it myself yet, but that is exactly the first thing I'm going to do! I'd like to see what power it actually has and have a proverbial bench mark shall we say, so I'll run it through my local company and see if the process I've been given works to put them into a dyno mode... We'll see. I'll try and export back.
I'm always mystified as to why people thinking adding power to any of the modern Mclarens will make them better cars. The cars are already imo vastly over powered compared to the grip levels they have. More power is the last thing they need to as far as improvements to be made I'd have thought.
I think the power is astonishing and the grip and handling unbelievable with active aero, hydraulic suspension and brake steer.
The only area I think you could improve on is the sound but its not a normally aspirated car so you will not get that high pitch F1 scream. For a turbo charged car the sports exhaust sounds good and plenty loud enough IMHO
The only area I think you could improve on is the sound but its not a normally aspirated car so you will not get that high pitch F1 scream. For a turbo charged car the sports exhaust sounds good and plenty loud enough IMHO
I've just done about 1100 miles on a road trip in a 650, a lot of which was pretty spirited on open roads. Unless you wish to drag race it, I can't see why anyone would need more power, they are a ballistic missile. Get one, drive it and get to appreciate its wide ranging abilities before tinkering with stuff, or you could end up with an expensive, unsupported thing sitting in the garage.
Ant397 said:
Thanks for all your replies guys!
I've been doing some more homework on it and from what I've found out, it is actually possible to dyno a 650s! I haven't tried it myself yet, but that is exactly the first thing I'm going to do! I'd like to see what power it actually has and have a proverbial bench mark shall we say, so I'll run it through my local company and see if the process I've been given works to put them into a dyno mode... We'll see. I'll try and export back.
Where have you been told you can dyno a 650 or any McLaren? You need to unlock dyno mode on the ecu and only McLaren can do this. The front wheels would also need to rotate at the same speed as the rear wheels and there are lots of other factors. As far as we know there is nowhere in the UK where this can be done so if you have found somewhere please share, thanks.I've been doing some more homework on it and from what I've found out, it is actually possible to dyno a 650s! I haven't tried it myself yet, but that is exactly the first thing I'm going to do! I'd like to see what power it actually has and have a proverbial bench mark shall we say, so I'll run it through my local company and see if the process I've been given works to put them into a dyno mode... We'll see. I'll try and export back.
Ignore everyone saying you don't need more power, it's a blinkered mindset. You don't need 300bhp, let alone 650. It's not about need. I fully understand your desire to tinker, please report back with what you do. I've always found the number of naysayers to be high when, actually, it's often possible to achieve what your aiming for despite being told repeatedly that it's not. Get some vids of it on the dyno 
What's your company called?
What's your company called?
Thanks for the responses guys, all very valued and understood.
However, as well rounded a package as the 650s is, I do now after just over a weeks ownership find it lacking in power at top end, you can feel it drop off and there is absolutely no need to rev it past 7000 as nothing happens. To change early in the rev band to keep a car in the power band takes some of the fun out of it. I'm very well accustomed to driving around problems having raced for many years, owned race teams, my last race car was a 2012 championship winning a Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car... but it's from this, that I can feel the car has more to give. I can feel it being held back, for whatever reasons and it's from this, that I know the car is a package as is has more to give that is going to unlock it. The software remap simply gives you what the hardware is capable of and the tuning is a way to make it all sing together so to speak, so we'll see and I will of course feed all info back guys!
I'm not a company anymore pal, just single me that loves to tinker and perfect things.
However, as well rounded a package as the 650s is, I do now after just over a weeks ownership find it lacking in power at top end, you can feel it drop off and there is absolutely no need to rev it past 7000 as nothing happens. To change early in the rev band to keep a car in the power band takes some of the fun out of it. I'm very well accustomed to driving around problems having raced for many years, owned race teams, my last race car was a 2012 championship winning a Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car... but it's from this, that I can feel the car has more to give. I can feel it being held back, for whatever reasons and it's from this, that I know the car is a package as is has more to give that is going to unlock it. The software remap simply gives you what the hardware is capable of and the tuning is a way to make it all sing together so to speak, so we'll see and I will of course feed all info back guys!
I'm not a company anymore pal, just single me that loves to tinker and perfect things.
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