Is it the converter?

[TWISTER]

I dont race much but the GN seems to go to the track once a year and not hardly any street use anymore. I have been chasing a slow spoolup problem forever it seems. I have a TE 44 w the PTE exhaust housing PTE front mount and a PTS 2800 converter. I cant spool it on the line to save my life. It takes forever. Today after lowering the FP and alky I went 12.30s@114. Last pass was 12.64@116 w a 2.40 60'.I would leave at 7 psi after thelight dropped. At 0 psi the powerlogger reads 2100rpm for stall. Is this the problem? Is the converter too tight. The FM and the PTE housing dont help my problem but I think I need a converter. A fellow board member here helped me out alot and suggested the Precision 5 disc 3000-3200.(Thanks for all the help Mike) The car dont seem too fat at the bottom either. When I get to about 200' it hauls. It is hooking also its just spooling the turbo thats the problem. No exhaust leaks either. I dont really want to spend $1000 for a converter but when guys are running mid 11s at 116 Im getting really anoyed with this. Any help here would be appreciated. I just need more input for a purchase like this.

 

[SCOOBY DOO]

Check for pre turbo leak(s)...and make sure your puck is sealing.

 

[TWISTER]

Illl check again. Last time out I had a cracked drivers side header and fixed it. Also put in felpro header gaskets. Also high temp siliconed the cross over. I did have a crack on the pass. side header a few years back fixed that I havnt checked lately. Before the front mount a few years ago I ran a 12.30 @107 with a 1.70 60'. Kinda thinking its the volume to fill the FM and the PTE housing holding it back. After checking the powerlogger and seeing 2100 rpms at 0 psi boost has me thinking.

 

[SCOOBY DOO]

Don't forget to check for an exhaust leak where the turbo mounts to the header flange.

 

[TWISTER]

There is a copper gasket there. Im checking today on this,Thanks.

 

[Dusty Bradford]

Is this a 12" converter? If it is, it's most likely too tight.

I assume the alky isn't coming on until 15psi or so. Make sure it isn't coming on when trying to spool.

 

[bison]

is this a 12" converter? If it is, it's most likely too tight.

I assume the alky isn't coming on until 15psi or so. Make sure it isn't coming on when trying to spool.

+1

 

[TWISTER]

I found an exhaust leak of course. Victim of my own advise I guess. The felpro header gasket had blown out and didnt show last I checked. I put alot more trans fluid in this time and plugged the exhaust up and it showed. Is there a better gasket? As for the alky it turns on at 5 and ramps up of couse. But I still would like a converter. It is a 12". Put it in before the FM. I cant decide if Id need the Pats 10" 3000 or the Vigilante 5 disc. Lotta $ for the vigilante. After I seal this thing up for good its converter time for me.

 

[ts87ttype]

PTC converter from Dusty, last converter you will need. PM him

 

[Dusty Bradford]

I found an exhaust leak of course. Victim of my own advise I guess. The felpro header gasket had blown out and didnt show last I checked. I put alot more trans fluid in this time and plugged the exhaust up and it showed. Is there a better gasket? As for the alky it turns on at 5 and ramps up of couse. But I still would like a converter. It is a 12". Put it in before the FM. I cant decide if Id need the Pats 10" 3000 or the Vigilante 5 disc. Lotta $ for the vigilante. After I seal this thing up for good its converter time for me.

5 psi is to soon for alky. You only need it to run higher boost on pump gas. There is no need for it before 15#. Turning it on too soon can really kill your 60' and hurt spooling as well.

As for the headers. The header flange must be perfectly flat if you plan to keep it sealed.

What kind of rpm do you turn this engine?

 

[TWISTER]

I only run pump gas. I shut off the alky to test it for a spooling problem and of course it didnt help due to the exhaust leak I didnt know I had. The rpms sucked due to too much alky. 5100 was the most I saw. I did keep turning down the alky and gaining mph but with the 60' issue I put the car on the trailer to figure it out before I tried to tune any more. From your advise I will change the alky to a higher turn on and fixing the leak as we speak. Hopefully I can get back to the track before it snows. Hopefully still this week. Thanks for all the help and Ill post results later.

 

[TWISTER]

Well it wasnt the exhaust leak... dont get it. When I set the T brake it takes like 5-10 sec. to get boost to 0 psi and the converter is at 2100 rpms Then it will slowly climb. Im at a loss and need to make sure its the converter before I buy another one. I bought it a few years back but never really raced it so I never noticed. Thanks for any more help.

 

[jasjamz]

What type of downpipe and wastegate setup do you have? If your turbo has an overly ported wastegate hole, it could be your problem. The puck inside a stock style(internal) setup downpipe should cover the hole completely with like 1/8 an inch all the way around the hole for a good seal. A leak there will slow spool and limit max boost, while never being heard or seen without disassembly.

 

[TWISTER]

THDP The puck is sealing correctly. I just pulled it all apart for the header gaskets. Im almost sure its the converter. Thanks for the reply

 

[Dusty Bradford]

It needs more stall. Something 2600-2800 at 0# will make a huge difference.