A little smoke, sputtering, and some boost problems......PLEASE help.

[fbodlovr]

As many of you know, i just got this car not long ago. We just got another stock turbo put in this afternoon. We're having exhaust problems that we need to get fixed, we do know that. BUT, we are getting a good amount of smoke out of the exhaust after we get on it. When we took the old turbo off, there was some oil in the intake, and im not sure if thats it just getting down in there still and needing to get burned out, or what. The other thing is when you nail it, it kind of hesitates, and sputters, and then opens up. What would cause that? The car seems to run kind of rough like, and old ass 8 cyl would. Just of clunky almost.

The last thing is the boost gauge. When it sits there, and we keep just stepping onthe gas, you can see the boost gauge spike up for a split second. But when we drive it, it does nothing. You can hear the turbo spool up, but the gauge just isnt working. Im not sure if the turbo just isnt really putting out much boost or what, its pretty quiet.

Please help me. If i got my exhaust problems fixed, would tha tmake the turbo spool up better?

 

[Jerryl]

....... We're having exhaust problems that we need to get fixed, we do know that. BUT, we are getting a good amount of smoke out of the exhaust after we get on it. When we took the old turbo off, there was some oil in the intake, and im not sure if thats it just getting down in there still and needing to get burned out, or what. The other thing is when you nail it, it kind of hesitates, and sputters, and then opens up ...........

The last thing is the boost gauge. When it sits there, and we keep just stepping onthe gas, you can see the boost gauge spike up for a split second. But when we drive it, it does nothing. You can hear the turbo spool up, but the gauge just isnt working. Im not sure if the turbo just isnt really putting out much boost or what, its pretty quiet.

The oil in the system MAY still be getting burned out. A 20 - 30 mile highway cruise should clear the majority if not all of the residue issues up. What color is the smoke?

If you can hear the turbo spool, you should see some boost.
Where is your boost gage hooked up at?

Boost and oil are like fire and water. They don't work well together.
Do you have any way to monitor knock?

You may want to focus your efforts on the smoking issue first, then the tuning issues. The smoking issue may throw everything off pending residue smoking or continued smoking.

 

[fbodlovr]

Its the stock boost gauge im going off of. I have no guages yet, but am looking. I know i want the 3 gauge a pillar pod, but dont know which gauges i want.

Oh yeah, this was at night also, but it looked kind of whitish. It was outside, so not a positive answer on that one.

 

[Jerryl]

First things first

Its the stock boost gauge im going off of. I have no guages yet, but am looking. I know i want the 3 gauge a pillar pod, but dont know which gauges i want.

Oh yeah, this was at night also, but it looked kind of whitish. It was outside, so not a positive answer on that one.

The stock boost gauge is nothing more than "Pretty lights".
It is inaccurate and you should not rely on it. You may have it recalibrated through www.CaspersElectronics.com. Do a search on this and you'll most likely find many posts with writings on it.

As far as the smoke ....
Does it smell like oil? Does it smoke at idle or start-up?

Can you see your coolant bubble if you remove the radiator cap?
Does the car use coolant?
Does it use oil?
Are the plugs wet? Do they smell like oil?

As far as gauges are concerned ………
I would recommend a knock gauge, boost gauge, FP gauge.
Then if you want a few more, then go: Oil pressure, coolant temp, voltage, WB., RPM
Note: A scan tool may eliminate the need for a knock gauge.

 

[fbodlovr]

Well, I know boost gauge obviously, but would you really do fuel pressure over oil pressure? And would a scantool really take car of the knock gauge? IM getting ready to switch over to the 86 87 ecm now, so let me know.

Also, are your guys turbos(stock) pretty quiet? You can hear it whistling, but its very slight. I do have an exhaust leak at the turbo, so that might not be spooliing it up all the way.

Oh yeah, what brands do you guys think LOOK good? I like the autometer c2 gauges, but think they might be a little bright.

 

[Jerryl]

....... would you really do fuel pressure over oil pressure? And would a scantool really take car of the knock gauge? IM getting ready to switch over to the 86 87 ecm now, so let me know.

Yes and Yes! :biggrin:

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

Based on my past mistakes get the stinking knock gauge now and install it today. These cars will knock based on air pressure, fuel, temperature of the engine and outside temp. You do not drive around with a scan tool on all the time and you cannot feel it nor hear knock. Spend the 60 bucks today and spend an hour or so to install it. I wish I did before I blew up a new engine(passenger side head one eight on an inch off the block). The knock gauge will tell always if you have knock and may save an engine job. The math is easy-$60 for a knock gauge versus a $4000 engine installed. My final note is that the stock tach and especially the stock boost gauge is a piece of crap. The boost gauge does not read above 15PSI. Get an after market boost gauge the same time you get your knock gauge. Just my 2 cents worth based on inexperience with the cars. Brad- You can see my mods on the Hot Air registry.

 

[fbodlovr]

Hey guys, cant you program the ecm with a scantool? I thought you can use it to adjust things.

Also, if i got a scantool, switched over to the 86 87 ecm, did all the fule upgrades, wouldnt i be able to bump up the boost to around 20psi?

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

You will need to run the car only with race gas with 20ibs boost. I did the changes and can't get past 9ibs boost on 93 octane. Brad

 

[fbodlovr]

I guess im completely lost as to how people are getting around 20psi, and avoiding knock. Whats happening here? Why are you only getting 9psi? That doesnt seem like it is going to get you very good power. How can you make more power, if you cant turn up the boost?

OH yeah, and nobody really has ever answered my question in previous posts. But, are your guys stock turbos severly quiet? Every car ive been in, the turbo has sounded like a fighter jet taking off. I do have an exhaust leak right at the turbo, can it just not be spooling it up and not getting the loud whistle like its suppost to?

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

Here are my opinions in respnonse to your questions.

People who run 20ibs boost run on race gas, intercooler, or alky in order to not have knock. The others like myself ran blind at 18ibs boost w/o knowing that I had knock. Get a knock gauge. It is normal for these cars to run 8-10lbs boost with no knock on 93 octane.

Power can be increased greatly by tuning the car and still run 9lbs boost. The answer is tuning the car without knock. You need to eliminate knock.

THe stock turbo is normally quiet. You can hear it spin but it is not loud. Any leak in the exhaust system and vacuum lines will make these cars run like crap. Your leak by the turbo is a big problem. The stock turbo only flows around 350 CFM. I am going to have mine rebuilt to a TA33 which flows around 700CFM in the same housing. Good luck- brad

 

[fbodlovr]

Hey, im getting ready to go to the 86 87 ecm. What to dou to to tune it? I thought you tune within the programming, but im being told you tune with parts you put on your car.