the date/time is set! Dyno tune a Hill's garage!
02-27-2011, 07:16 PM
#102
however my friend josh thinks otherwise and that i should rebuild the blower anyways
02-28-2011, 06:36 AM
#106
Hhaha yeah Berto! you were def right! i was actually very surprised and stoked to see those numbers! now i just have to fix some of these problems and see how much better the car will run!
02-28-2011, 08:22 AM
#107
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Just curious. Are all these problems typical when attempting to squeeze more HP out of our VQ's? I usually just lurk on these topics but this concerns me since I want to go the same route as Goofball [eventually]. But if my sh*t's gonna be spitting fluids and sputtering or worse not running and turning into a 3,000 lb paperweight. I may just keep my crappy bolt-ons and stay slow.... :0[
02-28-2011, 08:32 AM
#108
Clay, while some may have nothing but positive experiences (the grandma drivers) adding FI is def going to usually add neuissances.
For example a simple belt change now becomes a hassle with charge pipes or other belts in the way. Things like a simple alternator/starter could be a PITA with FI needing to be removed in sections or worked around.
Adding foot after foot of piping with bends, couplers, that can and will loosen, slip, cause boost leaks, oil leaks (return line for turbos). Adding guages with $1 vaccum lines that grow hard and fall apart with age, can cause boost leaks, misreadings, spikes, change in the tune, its all adding parts, and anytime you do that is potential for more headaches. Spark plug changes every 100K miles with FI is a joke, get used to seasonal wrenching. The occasional tune update when the gas changes with the seasons around here, or if somehow your return fuel system drops 1 measly psi in base pressure, the entire tune can be off. I can go on and on and on.
Nothing is easy with FI, every "small NA" problem is usually a PITD with FI. All part of the deal. You pay to play.
For example a simple belt change now becomes a hassle with charge pipes or other belts in the way. Things like a simple alternator/starter could be a PITA with FI needing to be removed in sections or worked around.
Adding foot after foot of piping with bends, couplers, that can and will loosen, slip, cause boost leaks, oil leaks (return line for turbos). Adding guages with $1 vaccum lines that grow hard and fall apart with age, can cause boost leaks, misreadings, spikes, change in the tune, its all adding parts, and anytime you do that is potential for more headaches. Spark plug changes every 100K miles with FI is a joke, get used to seasonal wrenching. The occasional tune update when the gas changes with the seasons around here, or if somehow your return fuel system drops 1 measly psi in base pressure, the entire tune can be off. I can go on and on and on.
Nothing is easy with FI, every "small NA" problem is usually a PITD with FI. All part of the deal. You pay to play.
Last edited by Alberto; 02-28-2011 at 08:33 AM.
02-28-2011, 08:51 AM
#110
Just curious. Are all these problems typical when attempting to squeeze more HP out of our VQ's? I usually just lurk on these topics but this concerns me since I want to go the same route as Goofball [eventually]. But if my sh*t's gonna be spitting fluids and sputtering or worse not running and turning into a 3,000 lb paperweight. I may just keep my crappy bolt-ons and stay slow.... :0[
02-28-2011, 10:00 AM
#111
Young Barney 
Pay to play sounds great.... the first 3 times
Clay - Its a roll of the dice at best, more mods = more whp = more problems. So far, I think Jeffie is the only person I know that went turbo and just left it alone @ stock block power. My car has spent more time in paperweight status than I would like to think about. I don't even want to think about the money spent that will never be recouped
Pay to play sounds great.... the first 3 times
Clay - Its a roll of the dice at best, more mods = more whp = more problems. So far, I think Jeffie is the only person I know that went turbo and just left it alone @ stock block power. My car has spent more time in paperweight status than I would like to think about. I don't even want to think about the money spent that will never be recouped
02-28-2011, 10:50 AM
#113
Bigslim is still on his first motor, hes been boosted for a few years.
While I don't drive the Z much. I did have a built civic back in the day and DD the car for about a year before selling it.
First off, unless you have time, DDing a boosted car is a PITA.
I'd never DD a car unless I did the full install as with almost every mod to the car. Why? Because you will be doing weekly checks on random parts. Oil, oil line, return line, water lines, then I'd try to check the vac lines to/from the waste gate at least once every other week or once a month AT LEAST.
If you do your own mods, you will know when something is acting up, what the problem most likely is before you even start to dig into things. You will also know what it takes to replace OEM parts when they break.
For me belts is easy I have only 1 pipe that goes across the front of the engine bay, same goes for coils, injectors, and sparkplugs. Very easy to get to. That is with MY turbo kit, since there's only one pipe up top.
If you want to DD your boosted car. I'd do a stock block and run around 400WHP nothing more. If you're looking for big power then DDing the car is not a good idea. If my car ever pops I plan on doing a very minor build, rods for sure but that might be it. I want to make 450-500WHP without worry. Once you get into a lot of after market parts like Pistons, heads, cams, block work, your chances of blowing up not just from being FI but from mistakes in build/parts goes WAY up.
If you keep your car pretty stock, and use one of the many good kits currently on the market and tune it and LEAVE THE CAR ALONE!!!! you should be good, as long as you keep checking over all the major items to make sure everything is in line. As alberto said, a lot of things can go wrong, by doing weekly/biweekly checks it will reduce the chance of failure.
Too bad most people don't keep up with their chit. I hardly drive my Z but when I do I rag on it, every time I take it out I check oil level, most vac lines/turbo stuff, as with empty my catch can.
Every time.
When I had my turbo civic I had a lot more time. I didn't mind doing the weekly checkups. Didn't take that long if you know what to look for but yes, it becomes a PITA. After buying a bike I said F it and sold the car. Never again will I have a DD I have to always keep up with.
DD = put gas in and drive. Oil changes from time to time and brake jobs once in a while Screw all the other BS.
As far as goofs car goes. I would never buy a used SC/Turbo kit without sending the main parts out for inspection/rebuild before I ever thought of putting it on the car. I've seen way to many issues with used kits, nothing major but things that are a PITA like his unit spitting oil out while on the dyno. No thanks! Nothing wrong with used kits, but they do need extra attention due to not knowing the true story behind them. Last thing I want to do is pull the turbo out of my car after installing it 2 weeks before... no thanks.
While I don't drive the Z much. I did have a built civic back in the day and DD the car for about a year before selling it.
First off, unless you have time, DDing a boosted car is a PITA.
I'd never DD a car unless I did the full install as with almost every mod to the car. Why? Because you will be doing weekly checks on random parts. Oil, oil line, return line, water lines, then I'd try to check the vac lines to/from the waste gate at least once every other week or once a month AT LEAST.
If you do your own mods, you will know when something is acting up, what the problem most likely is before you even start to dig into things. You will also know what it takes to replace OEM parts when they break.
For me belts is easy I have only 1 pipe that goes across the front of the engine bay, same goes for coils, injectors, and sparkplugs. Very easy to get to. That is with MY turbo kit, since there's only one pipe up top.
If you want to DD your boosted car. I'd do a stock block and run around 400WHP nothing more. If you're looking for big power then DDing the car is not a good idea. If my car ever pops I plan on doing a very minor build, rods for sure but that might be it. I want to make 450-500WHP without worry. Once you get into a lot of after market parts like Pistons, heads, cams, block work, your chances of blowing up not just from being FI but from mistakes in build/parts goes WAY up.
If you keep your car pretty stock, and use one of the many good kits currently on the market and tune it and LEAVE THE CAR ALONE!!!! you should be good, as long as you keep checking over all the major items to make sure everything is in line. As alberto said, a lot of things can go wrong, by doing weekly/biweekly checks it will reduce the chance of failure.
Too bad most people don't keep up with their chit. I hardly drive my Z but when I do I rag on it, every time I take it out I check oil level, most vac lines/turbo stuff, as with empty my catch can.
Every time.
When I had my turbo civic I had a lot more time. I didn't mind doing the weekly checkups. Didn't take that long if you know what to look for but yes, it becomes a PITA. After buying a bike I said F it and sold the car. Never again will I have a DD I have to always keep up with.
DD = put gas in and drive. Oil changes from time to time and brake jobs once in a while Screw all the other BS.
As far as goofs car goes. I would never buy a used SC/Turbo kit without sending the main parts out for inspection/rebuild before I ever thought of putting it on the car. I've seen way to many issues with used kits, nothing major but things that are a PITA like his unit spitting oil out while on the dyno. No thanks! Nothing wrong with used kits, but they do need extra attention due to not knowing the true story behind them. Last thing I want to do is pull the turbo out of my car after installing it 2 weeks before... no thanks.
Last edited by jeffie7; 02-28-2011 at 10:53 AM.
02-28-2011, 10:57 AM
#115
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After reading this [first real in depth account of going FI], I don't think the SC/FI road is one I plan to head down. I'll admit, I'm lazy. When it's time for me to roll out the most I'll do is a quick visual inspection/walkaround and check the TP once a week. If I had to run through a complete PCMS before hopping in my car for a trip to the grocery store I'd NEVER get off my couch. Gracias Senor Jeffie.....
02-28-2011, 11:18 AM
#116
After reading this [first real in depth account of going FI], I don't think the SC/FI road is one I plan to head down. I'll admit, I'm lazy. When it's time for me to roll out the most I'll do is a quick visual inspection/walkaround and check the TP once a week. If I had to run through a complete PCMS before hopping in my car for a trip to the grocery store I'd NEVER get off my couch. Gracias Senor Jeffie.....
B. Buy a DD you enjoy to drive. so you can sell the other one and boost the Z for weekend use.
02-28-2011, 11:36 AM
#118
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I didn't buy my Z to be a garage queen or a weekend fun thing. This might happen if I got married/had a family, etc... Then I'd probably need those weekends just to get away from that sh*t.
02-28-2011, 11:59 AM
#119
Haha yeah, don't let my used supercharger scare you, the oil is due to me needing a catch can to retain the mess. I wanna rebuild to be on the safe side but frank said the car will drive strong and well. I need to regulate some fuel issues and probably replace the Knock sensors, but everything is awesome! Shoot I'm hella happy
