MD tuning stands for throttle modernization. There are quite a few ways to modify the throttle assembly, but this article will discuss the most popular scheme proposed by the American engineer Ron Hutton. According to him, correct MD tuning can increase engine power and reduce fuel consumption by up to 25%.
Throttle valve device
The design of the throttle body is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. Among other things, it is also part of the engine cooling system. It has channels for coolant circulation. It is also equipped with pipes, one of which is connected to the engine crankcase ventilation system, and the second to the gasoline vapor recovery system.
Idle speed control
The idle air control is an electromechanical device whose task is to maintain a certain crankshaft speed when the throttle valve is fully closed. For example, while the engine is warming up or the load changes, when additional equipment is turned on. The design of the idle speed controller is as follows: inside the housing there is a stepper electric motor, to which a spring-loaded conical needle is connected. When the engine is idling, the needle, moving back and forth, adjusts the cross-sectional area of the bypass air channel through which air passes when the damper is fully closed.
The throttle valve can have two types of drive:
- mechanical, like VAZ-2109, VAZ-2110, VAZ-2114;
- electric, which is used on most modern cars.
Mechanical drive
For the VAZ-2109, VAZ-2110 and other outdated models of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant, the throttle valve is connected to the gas pedal via a steel cable. The mechanical drive has a very simple design and low cost, so it is still used on many inexpensive cars.
Electric
If the throttle valve is equipped with an electric drive, then there is no direct connection between it and the gas pedal. The principle of operation of an electric damper does not change, but its design is much more complex. Simplified, such a node works as follows. The force of pressing the gas pedal is recorded by a special sensor, which transmits this information to the engine control unit, the throttle opening angle is determined by the throttle position sensor, and also transmits the corresponding signals to the control unit. The controller constantly compares these values and sends commands to the electric motor to increase or decrease the damper opening angle.
Throttle valve VAZ 2112 - flushing or upgrade?
To effectively regulate the amount of air that enters the combustion chambers of a gasoline engine, it is necessary to maintain the VAZ 2112 throttle valve in good condition. The mechanical regulator is located between the intake manifold on one side and the air-cleaning filter on the other. In fact, the quality of the formed fuel-air mixture directly depends on it.
- Consequences of throttle valve contamination
- Do-it-yourself damper cleaning
- Throttle valve upgrade for VAZ 2112
- Throttle assembly update result
Throttle position sensor
This sensor is a potentiometer. When you press the gas pedal, the position of the damper and the voltage supplied to the controller changes. When closed, the voltage is 0.7V, when fully open it is 4V. In accordance with these data, the sensor controls the fuel supply.
If a malfunction of the position sensor occurs, the controller will not be able to correctly determine the position of the damper. This results in the following malfunctions:
- in all engine operating modes, the speed begins to fluctuate; at idle, the speed will be increased;
- when you switch off the gear (neutral) while driving, the engine may stall;
- Sometimes the CHECK light may come on.
To check the functionality of the position sensor, you can use a multimeter. With the ignition on, the probes are connected to connectors B and C. Changing the position of the damper should lead to a change in voltage.
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Prevention of use
The throttle valve itself is designed for the entire life of the vehicle, that is, it does not have a replacement frequency. Therefore, it is replaced when the unit fails due to mechanical failure, failure of the entire engine, or other critical reasons. More often than not, the throttle position sensor mentioned above fails. Accordingly, it must be replaced.
For normal engine operation, the throttle valve must be periodically cleaned and reconfigured. This can be done either when the above signs of breakdown appear, or simply periodically so as not to bring it to such a state. Depending on the quality of the fuel used and the operating conditions of the vehicle, it is recommended to clean the throttle valve when changing the engine oil, that is, every 15...20 thousand kilometers.
Why is it necessary to modernize the throttle valve on VAZ-2109, 2110, 2115
Spare parts stores sell throttle assemblies with valves of increased diameter (52, 54 and 56 mm) for VAZ-2109, 2110 or 2115 cars. According to the sellers, by installing such a valve instead of the standard 46 mm one, the car owner will receive significant advantages: the car becomes more responsive to the gas pedal, problems with idle speed disappear, the car's dynamics improve, and this is especially noticeable if you replace the standard air filter with a zero-resistance filter. The main argument that they try to convince car owners is that the engine requires more air to operate efficiently, for which it is necessary to replace the standard throttle assembly with an improved one. They even give figures: the diameter of the VAZ-2109 or VAZ-2110 receiver is 53 mm, and a damper with a diameter of 46 mm allegedly “strangles” the engine.
Many VAZ-2109 and VAZ-2110 owners succumb to persuasion and replace the standard device with an improved one. After this, indeed, the engine works better and the car drives more dynamically. The reason for the improvements actually turns out to be much more prosaic: instead of the old, dirty throttle body, which had long been in need of thorough cleaning, the owner installed a new one. As a result, the engine returned to normal operation, which is perceived by the owners as the promised responsiveness and agility of the car.
DIY throttle tuning
The price of MD tuning at a service station is from 3,000 to 7,000 rubles. As the experience of VAZ and LADA owners shows, it is possible to correctly modify the throttle assembly (CS) yourself, without having any special knowledge or precisely verified drawings. The only special tools you need are a 6 mm spherical cutter and a drill.
Revision procedure
:
- Remove the throttle assembly.
- Make two recesses around the damper (approximately 2-3 mm, no more than 5 mm), as shown in the drawing (great accuracy does not matter).
- Remove burrs with fine sandpaper.
The process is also shown in the video:
The process itself is not complicated and will not take much time. The advantage of MD tuning is that there is no need to flash the electronic engine control unit.
What size should I install the damper then?
By installing a throttle with a diameter of 56 mm on the “stock” motor, we will give the motor the opportunity to process air even more easily, compared to 52 and 54 mm, and even more so 46 mm. After all, with the same pressure on the gas pedal, much more air enters through 56 mm than through 46. But comfort in the cabin will be lost, a jerk will appear at the bottom, and you will also need to work more carefully with the accelerator pedal. In general, without a habit, it will be difficult at first.
52 mm is “neither two nor one and a half.” The effect will be practically unnoticeable! Since the difference with the “stock” one is only 8 mm. Money down the drain, so to speak. It's best to set it to 54 mm, which is what I did. Some kind of golden mean. But this is all theory. Let's move on to practice.
Evidence of pollution
Don't forget that the throttle valve can become dirty. Signs of this are the following criteria: the engine begins to stall, lose speed, the engine starts with difficulty, at the minimum speed of the car, jerking begins. Always check the throttle assembly for causes of problems. Damper contamination occurs in many cases. Settlement occurs on the walls of the mechanism, entering the assembly due to ventilation of gases. Another reason is poor filter performance.
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Practice. Effect
Unfortunately, I myself forgot to measure the acceleration “before and after”. But on the well-known YouTube site I found a video of one guy who was just doing this procedure. At first he had a completely stock VAZ-2112 coupe. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h was around 11.9 seconds. Then he installed a larger throttle (56mm) and it turned out that the acceleration from 0 to 100 took one second less than before, namely 10.9 seconds.
So, let's figure out what are the advantages of this tuning. Firstly, there are no difficulties during installation; it is installed in place of the standard one without any modifications. Secondly, the response to the gas pedal has become more responsive. Thirdly, low price. Fourthly, this tuning does not require any sports brains or tuning.
Disadvantages of a large throttle:
- I personally had troubles with XX (idling speed);
- twitching appeared at the “bottoms” (low revs);
- the car begins to respond more sharply to small movements of the accelerator pedal, as a result, comfort in the cabin disappears and fuel consumption increases.
Conclusion: this spare part is needed by those who “chase power.” Who cares about horses under the hood rather than comfort? Such tuning will not appeal to a careful driver who is used to driving quietly and calmly.
Which is better, a mechanical or electric damper?
Arguing about which system is better is a thankless task. Depends on what the car owner’s priorities are.
For example, a mechanical throttle can be considered “last century”, since it is not installed on modern cars, but at the same time it perfectly performs its functions. And it has clear advantages: fewer weak points (each additional sensor or motor is an additional part that can break) and ease of repair or replacement. However, let's be honest, a mechanical damper can no longer cope with today's standards of fuel economy and environmental safety.
An electronic throttle has a greater chance of failure, even purely statistically, because it contains additional elements. As soon as any sensor fails, “dancing with a tambourine” and searching for errors begin. However, it is simply impossible to imagine a modern car without precise and subtle engine control, which requires an electronic damper. Therefore, mechanical throttles are slowly becoming a thing of the past, and they are being replaced by electronics.
About the zero gear and the enlarged damper
About the zero resistance filter, we can say that it is a useful thing if installed correctly.
For proper operation, you need to make a cold intake, otherwise it will take hot air from under the hood. A standard air filter, which takes air from a low point under the hood, is preferable. If you want to install a zero, then do a cold intake. The most affordable option is to take an 80-100 mm aluminum corrugation for air ducts, attach one end to the air filter housing, and the other at the point where the air is cooler. As a rule, this is far from the car radiator, closer to the wheel.
From personal experience I was convinced that installing an enlarged throttle valve and a “nulevik” gives a good effect. There is more sharpness in the operation of the gas pedal, and you feel confident when overtaking. But the effect is so small that it’s not worth talking about some mythical percentage increase in power. Especially about improving the car’s acceleration time.
