It runs.

Beyond that, actually, not much can be said. I have a whole list of little problems to fix (well, maybe some not-so-little problems, too).

But the car is running, under boost, and made it around the neighborhood without littering the street with thrown rods or other engine parts.

Thanks to everyone who responsed to my various posts -- I'll be needing that support again real soon. I'd also like to thank whoever invented zip-ties. That guy should get a freaking medal.

lol. congrats and I definetly agree on the zip-tie thing :)

Eric

Congrats! Now keep the boost low until you know exactly how to tune it and the limitations of the system (wish someone told me that in the beginning...).

Nick, very good advice.

I actually haven't even taken it past half throttle, for the very reasons you cite.

I won't push it until I have an opportunity to study and interpret the gauges. I'm a worrier by nature -- maybe that will work to my advantage in this case.

Just applied enough throttle to see that it was starting to make to boost (3psi, at half-throttle, on level ground), the RRFPR was rising, A/F wasn't excessively lean, no knocking or pinging detected, etc.

One day I will have enough confidence in it to drive it at 10/10ths on a track again. I've already missed two track days because of this...

But, like you said, this is not something that I want to rush.

What turbo kit are you running?

What turbo kit are you running?
T3/T4 turbo (60 trim, 0.42 A/R, IIRC)
2.5" (?) uppipe/downpipe, ceramic coated
Turbonetics Deltagate Mk I (5-7psi spring)
Smallish (6x9x3.5?) top-mount intercooler
HKS BOV
Vortech 4:1 RRFPR
Walbro 255 fuel pump
HKS SuperMegaFlow air filter
5.6V Zener Diode
J&S Safeguard with Dual Monitor
SPA Technique Boost/EGT Gauge
SPA Technique OilTemp/FuelPressure Gauge

SPA Technique Boost/EGT Gauge
SPA Technique OilTemp/FuelPressure Gauge

How much did you get these for and did you get them directly from them? I tried to get prices from them and had no luck :confused: .

No timing control? The J&S just saves your ass, it doesn't help tune at all.
Kevin

Dabbler, that's a beautiful setup you have there.

Chad
93 1.8T

Originally posted by SubaFastR
No timing control? The J&S just saves your ass, it doesn't help tune at all.
Kevin

What did I say that made you think I didn't know that?:)

Remember that list of problems I mentioned in the original post? Well, this is one of them. Not a problem per se, but something that needs to be addressed. The system, as is, has absolutely no adjustment mechanism. There is, as you point out, no timing control. And there is no way to adjust the fuel pressure, since the Vortech unit is of the fixed variety. At the very least, I would like one or the other.

I'm leaning toward swapping out the Vortech for a Bell adjustable RRFPR.

Originally posted by MPREZYA
SPA Technique Boost/EGT Gauge
SPA Technique OilTemp/FuelPressure Gauge

How much did you get these for and did you get them directly from them? I tried to get prices from them and had no luck :confused: .

These were ordered direct from SPA Technique. Pegasus Auto Racing (www.pegasusautoracing.com) also carries them, but I don't know how the prices compare. I don't have the exact prices handy -- IIRC they were in the low $300 range, each (of course, they're dual gauges). You can certainly get cheaper stuff, but these have some interesting features.
[Edit -- I just checked Pegasus' site, and I don't know if I was just remembering wrong, or the prices were lowered, but the gauges are in the $200-250 range, for P/N DG100 through DG104]

Be aware that the gauges are backlit LCD and have visibility problems in direct sunlight (at least, they do in my install). Also, they seem to be intended for the serious racer more than a casual weekend mechanic like myself -- they are a bit sparse on installation instructions, for example. Despite all that, they have some nice features -- programmable LED warning lights, external LED drive capability, switchable units, peak recall, etc. And, again, they're dual gauges, so they take up 1/2 the space.

Re the visibility problems: This actually doesn't bother me a whole lot. When I'm on the track, I figure the programmable LED warning lights will be much more valuable anyway. And the peak recall should be very useful between sessions.

I take it they came with all associated hardware (probes, etc.) ?
Rich

Originally posted by MPREZYA
I take it they came with all associated hardware (probes, etc.) ?
Rich
Yes. Probes and full wiring harness were included. The fittings are usually BSP, but it seems close enough to NPT that it hasn't mattered so far.

sounds like my ex-turbo kit?:confused:

Originally posted by kaos200
sounds like my ex-turbo kit?:confused:
? What do you mean ?

The kit, as far as I know, was not a take-off.

However, if you mean to say you had a similar kit from the same vendor, then I suppose that may be true. I would rather not go into detail publicly, but suffice it to say, this was a group buy kit that turned into a near-JC-Sport-level fiasco.

Sounds like A *****y Retailer to me.

Originally posted by the Dabbler

? What do you mean ?

The kit, as far as I know, was not a take-off.

However, if you mean to say you had a similar kit from the same vendor, then I suppose that may be true. I would rather not go into detail publicly, but suffice it to say, this was a group buy kit that turned into a near-JC-Sport-level fiasco.

If you mean ASR, then yes, it was the same (except for the IC), Im sorryhttp://www.ukobservers.net/cwm/otn/other/11doh.gif

SPA Techniques gauge numbers
DG 100 Oil Pressure / Water Temperature
DG 101 Oil Pressure / Oil Temperature
DG 102 Fuel Pressure / Water Temperature
DG 103 Oil Temperature / Water Temperature
DG 104 Voltage / Water Temperature
DG 105 Brake Bias
DG 106 Turbo Boost / Temperature
DG 107 Fuel Pressure / Voltage
DG 108 Oil Pressure / Voltage
DG 109 Oil Temperature / Oil Temperature
DG 110 Temperature / Temperature
DG 111 Boost/EGT
DG 112 Fuel Pressure/Oil Temperature

Originally posted by kaos200


If you mean ASR, then yes, it was the same (except for the IC), Im sorryhttp://www.ukobservers.net/cwm/otn/other/11doh.gif

Yeah, well. Me, too, but that's all behind us now. Better to focus on the future, and all that.:)

what did you do about the power steering lines?
they needed to be moved, modified on my car.

Originally posted by kaos200
what did you do about the power steering lines?
they needed to be moved, modified on my car.
Which lines, exactly? Do you have a pic?

I think the only thing that had to move on my setup was the AC dryer and associated piping. Also, I'm not near my car, but as I recall, there are some coolant lines which are butted up against the compressor housing and intake pipe. I was trying to decide what to do about those, but it sounds like you're describing a different issue.

If this is true, then I have another thing to add to my list...

[Edit:

Well, I'm an idiot. Those lines I had casually identified as "coolant lines" are indeed power steering hoses. They are, as indicated, butted up against the compressor housing and intake pipe. They don't seem to be under a lot of strain, though. It looks like maybe they can just be bent and tie-wrapped out of the way a little. (My solution to everything).

kaos -- did they present an immediate problem, or was it something that was done to prevent a problem. (I'm trying to prioritize my list of stuff to deal with:( ).
]

And there is no way to adjust the fuel pressure, since the Vortech unit is of the fixed variety.

if you mean you cant adjust it to 6:1 or more you are wrong. check out vortech's site. they have "recalibration kits" that can adjust it.

The JC Sports setup that I have has the same problem as your kit. The power steering lines up against the turbo. I don't know about with your setup but mine are against the intake side so it doesn't really get hot enough to create an issue besides cosmetic. Check how it is on yours.
Joshua

Originally posted by Andrew


if you mean you cant adjust it to 6:1 or more you are wrong. check out vortech's site. they have "recalibration kits" that can adjust it.
I realize this. However, units like the Bell RRFPR are adjustable via a set screw or similar. So rather than jump from 4:1 to 6:1, you would perhaps be able to go to 4.1 or 4.2 to 1 (or whatever). Furthermore, you wouldn't have to take the unit apart to do it. I seem to recall a friend's Miata turbo kit, equipped with such a regulator, suggesting that adjustments be made in 20ths of a turn!

Originally posted by yebokmj
The JC Sports setup that I have has the same problem as your kit. The power steering lines up against the turbo. I don't know about with your setup but mine are against the intake side so it doesn't really get hot enough to create an issue besides cosmetic. Check how it is on yours.
Joshua
That's what I was kind of thinking as well -- like I said, it's up against the compressor, not the turbine. But, since I have exactly 3 miles on the kit, I don't have a good feel for how hot the compressor side will get. That's good info that your setup hasn't had a problem, though. Thanks.

Kaos -- is this the issue you were talking about, or were your fitment problems more severe (i.e., did it not fit in there without moving these lines)? It sounds like your kit was slightly different than mine, but unless you actually got a larger turbo, I would think this area was identical?

the actual intake tube wouldnt fit without modifying the lines. We also had to modify the pipe (cutting it). The lines where moved down and the brackets removed.

Originally posted by kaos200
the actual intake tube wouldnt fit without modifying the lines. We also had to modify the pipe (cutting it). The lines where moved down and the brackets removed.
Yeah, I had to take a hacksaw to the intake pipe as well. It STILL doesn't fit very nicely, but it's on there. A cleaner solution would've been to move the lines, as you did. I was just planning on getting some silicone tubing with a slight bend in it to get more clearance (although that stuff is surprisingly expensive).