Slow spool, can't get over 15 PSI

[NJVetteGuy]

I brought my T to the track tonight, and am still disappointed with the results. 2.37-2.39 60' times(not spinning, dead hooked), and 14.88-14.90 @ 93 MPH. I could not get the turbo to spool until close to the 330' mark, and even then it maxed out at 15 PSI. I was launching at 2800 RPM, my 02s were 800-850mv and no knock running 94 octane Sunoco. I tried replacing the "Y" hoses and tee, removing the bleeder valve and using the stock solenoid, and cranked the wg actuator all the way down(almost couldn't get it back on!). The restrictor in the "Y" is in the right location, and the actuator was borrowed from a friend's T to make sure that wasn't bad either. The solenoid is vented on one side as it should be. The chip is a stocker, as is the fpr. The injectors are the green stripe replacement injectors. I have no exhaust leaks and all the plumbing and hoses from turbo to motor are good. The car has the junk hooker headers on it, but they are not leaking anywhere. No KR at all. WTF am I missing?

Thanks,
Artie

 

[Sleeper-6]

I spoke with you briefly tonight, You've got me stumped on on your spool problem. I would definately check out the cat like you were thinking. Have you checked the turbo for any visable damage to the compresser or turbine blades? I had a TE-34 that sucked in a piece of rubber and woulden't go over 12 psi no matter what.

 

[XLR8]

Plugged cat?

 

[NJVetteGuy]

I'm cutting off the cat and installing a test pipe tonight, if that doesn't do it I'm gonna lose my mind. I'll see what happens at the track tomorrow....

 

[justin7t]

I could not spool before because of my MAF was the wrong one.I had a 86-87 ecm and a 84-85 MAF only 5# of boost.

 

[BobbyBuick]

make sure your crossover is tight .Also if you are running a gasket between DP and turbo it could be not sealing .pull the downpipe and look at sealing surface to see if it is sealed all the way around .I had real trouble spooling at the lite last week and it was the crossover worked loose

 

[denn454]

double check all the hoses, each and everyone. i had a similar problem a while ago, it spooled up ok, but wouldnt' go above 12#. ended up being a SMALL leak in a hose.

also try taking off one of the wastegate hoses. watch your boost carefully, if it works then you'll see 20+# then you know its in the wastegate.

 

[turbosam6]

Man, you guys miss the most obvious things.....

Its running rich. I'd bet money if you had a better chip that leaned it out a little it would go much faster. BTDT.

 

[turbo2nr]

exaust leak before the turbo. Maby the wastegate valve is not flat, or does not cover the hole completly. Weak spring in actuator, or maf sensor bad.

Tell us when you figure it out.

Scott

 

[NJVetteGuy]

With test pipe installed, I went 95 MPH today, and got down to 14.58 ET. I had 4 TR guys around the car, including one with turbolink plugged into my ALDL port and they were all scratching their heads. All the numbers were right on and every basic item was double checked by them. At their suggestions I'm going to pull the elbow Tuesday to check the puck and try replacing the EGR while I'm at it. If that doesn't do it I'm so frustrated I'll probably pull the motor out and start from scratch.

 

[pacecarta]

DONT FEEL SO BAD, you didnt have the slowest regal , i think i got that trophy.
this was my first run with my car and i knew it didnt feel right at the top ALL MY NUMBERS SHOWED DEAD ON AND O2 s@ 738 THRU THE RUN ,NO KNOCK ,NO RETARD ,2.25 60FT(street tires but dont think it mattered ) 68.85 IN THE 1/8TH
AND ALL I COULD PULL WAS 15.730@84.92 AT THE TRAPS . car never went above 4600 rpm FELT SO BAD ABOUT Todays RUNS I DIDNT EVEN STAY FOR ELEMINATIONS

I PICKED UP SPRINGS ,KEEPERS AND THE KIRBAN TOOL at THE EVENT AND CHANGED THE VALVES TONIGHT , STILL NEED TO GET THE VALVE COVERS BACK ON AND I'LL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW.
BEFORE I RIPPED THE OLD SPRINGS OUT I CHECKED MY COMPRESSION AGAIN AND 5 CYLINDERS HIT 145 THE ODD CYLINDER HIT 147 SO THE VALVES AND RINGS ARE SEALING GOOD and plugs are clean
EVEN CHECKED THE LIFT ON THE CAM AND ALL WERE ABOUT 185-204 AT THE ROCKER TIP , NO BAD LOBES AND LIFT LOOKS GOOD I THINK since all were close ,

btw this was in basic stock trim with boost at stock 12# (still trying to get it to run like a stock GN should before i even think about cranking it up)and 93 in the tank , FP was set at (42 line off) ,
TRIED two CHIPS (no race chips) hypertec AND ATRlast run TIMES DIDNT VARY MUCH EXCEPT ON ONE RUN I DIDNT FINISH WITH THE ATR PIT BULL CHIP THAT SHOWED KNOCK AT THE 1/8 MARK @65MPH AND RETARDED 10DEG , I PULLED OFF THE THROTTLE AND MANAGED A MISERABLE 17.4 COASTING THE REST OF THE WAY
im switching back to the stock chip , was hoping something would let loose to give me an excuse to rip it open , but with the compression readings good , i dont know what the answer is

 

[NJVetteGuy]

I have more chips and injectors for you to try, I'm right in E Brunswick at my gf's house and most of the parts are with me. If I decide to burn the car, you're more than welcome to remove things you need from it

 

[pacecarta]

i was thinking about a custom flame job on mine , it wont go faster but i wont have to spend anymore money on this car

 

[Be4u]

A while back I changed my stock wastegate to a adj HD wastegate and my car spooled a little quicker...I think the WG was bad and I didnt even know.

A few weeks ago I couldnt get my boost over 19#'s...took my downpipe off and I could see that it was leaking. I fixed that(loose bolt) and my boost was normal again.

I know you said that you dont have an exhaust leak but I thought I didnt have one either.

 

[turbo2nr]

A loose downpie (leak after the turbo), should have no effect on boost.

 

[BobbyBuick]

I think he meant he took the DP off to look at the puck leaking.and fixed it

 

[denn454]

i think i take the trophy for the sowest tr ever, counting the 84 and 5's.

my very first trip to the track i pulled off a 16.6 at who knows what mph, but under 80. 60's were 2.8 and yes i was leaving with 4# of boost. since then i've done almost nothing but fix problems and i'm now in the high 13's. tomorrow i hope to see a low 13 with a little juice just to help me off the line.

no sence in pulling the motor, when everything is back together the problem will still be there. i can't really name one thing that really helped me. a tenth here and 2 tenths there and it all added up. i wanted to pull the motor too and i'm sure glad i didn't. now that the car runs 1/2 way good i'm thinking of pulling the motor again, this time to beef it up so i can really pound on it.

listen to what other people are saying, i'm guessing no one will have the magic answer, it will probably be 2 or 3 differen things.

 

[Be4u]

Originally posted by BobbyBuick
I think he meant he took the DP off to look at the puck leaking.and fixed it

Yeah, it was my 3"dp. It was leaking b4 the puck

 

[turbo2nr]

you mean, the puck itself was leaking?

 

[Be4u]

no, right where the dp bolts to the turbo. between the turbo and puck.