OK, I have posted this in other threads, but i think I should just make my own thread.

I have Loren's V1 SC In my car now. Loren got 9.5PSI at redline, I am only getting 6.

I am also told by others that my vacuum should be 20-24 inches at idle. It's only reading 19 at idle, and it does raise to about 22 on the freeway when I let it "idle".

Here is what I've tried:

1) Disconnected the vacuum system for the MEVI all together and plugged it.

2) torqued all bolts on SC and all bolts on MEVI again.

3) Checked for fluid in the SC piping. None found

4) Resealed ambient temp sensor and MAF with form-a-gasket and checked for leaks.

5) Checked for kinks in boost guage line.

6) Had a mechanic look for vacuum leaks, he found none. But he only had time to take a quick look.

7) Removed and re-applied belt. made sure it goes no further than 90 degrees.

8) zip-tied all vacuum lines for both the MEVI and the SC

9) Cried out of frustration.

10) set the BOV to both the highest and lowest setting. No difference either way. I put it back to where Loren suggessted it be, a little above the middle setting.

11) Put it on a Dyno and tuned the fuel to a perfect 12.1:1 ratio up to 5k RPM. When the MEVI engages, (5k) it goes a little lean, 12.5:1

12) Removed plugs and checked them. They look fine.

That's about all I can think of, and nothings even changed anything at all. 6PSI at redline in first gear, each and every time. I get 5 PSI at the end of second and third gear. The car dynos witout the MEVI activated at 231, and should be (with full PSI) at about 265.

Some other things:

This SC is REALLY loud. 3 people have walked up to me at stoplights and said "dude, is your car alright?"....I can't say I don't like the attention.

My car Dynoed somewhat low before the SC, so maybe the car has some other problem, not directly affected by the SC.

Mardisgrasmax has the MEVI also, and lost no boost when he installed his, so I don't htink that's an issue.

Would an 02 Sensor cause this? Anything else?

Anyone have any other ideas?

IanS

 

Do you know that your boost guage is correct?

 

Forgot to mention, we tried another boost guage at the Dyno shop...same exact reading. Besides, my hp would be alot more than 231 if i were running 9 PSI.

 

Reaching for straws here, but maybe a bad knock sensor?

 

Also forgot to mention...pulled codes on my ECU, and got 0505 - All systems normal.

I'm thinking about replacing the PCV and KS if I can't find anything else. But does the KS affect vacuum pressure and/or PSI?

IanS

 

Timing doesnt effect boost. With an SC, boost varies only with RPM.

 

yeah but I thought maybe somehow a timing pullback would affect hp and or psi somehow in some strange way. I know sc is on a belt and is rpm dependent but I'm just trying to think out of the box for a moment

 

Hey Jeff, you know any shops in Seattle that have that smoke generating vacuum leak detecting equipment?

It pumps the manifold full of harmless msoke. Wherever the smoke comes out is your leak....

But I don't know any shops that have it.

I have an appointment with Garage SPL on Monday to look at it, but I don't think they'll do anything different than I've done.

IanS

 

any chance of the belt slipping when it starts goin too fast? maybe the belts turning but the pulley isnt. im stupid with all this, just throwin out crap.

 

No not off hand. Just smoke a few of your cigs and blow it into the intake!

 

But cigarette smoke is harmful...
I'm just an addict...I'm not proud of it at all.

Going to try hypnosis soon....I've tried the patch, pills, and staying away from bars...no luck.....especially with ebmorgan around...he smokes like a chimney. I succumb to peer pressure. He's so cool.

Anyway, I over-tightened the belt just to make sure....no improvement, so I put it back to 90 degrees.

IanS

 

how does the s/c belt look? any frays or scuffs.. yes its a pita to look but... its cheaper than sending the blower in for service.

you do know not to boost before the oil is at operating temp, right?

 

The last time I had the belt off, I took a good look at it...it looks brand new.

And I always let the car heat up to full temp (1/2 way between the C and H) before even driving it, much less boosting.

IanS

 

Did you put sealant around the MAF sensor o-ring area yet?

Could the lower intake manifold gasket between the MEVI and lower be not seated properly? Maybe some sealant would help here too?

 

Tried the MAF, no luck.

I looked at the gasket, and it looks like it's perfect. I also re-torqued all bolts on the upper (cover) and lower (engine) gaskets, revved the engine, and checked for leaks.....nothing.

Is it safe to put sealant on the lower gasket? That goes straight into the cylinders, and I'm worried what getting gasket seal in my cylinders might do.

IanS

 

Put the sealant on the MAF O-ring anyways, some folks have had leaks their.

About the lower, remember if it will hold 6 psi and pull 19hg you probablly wont find a leak by listening for it at idle or free reving it. IMHO if you put a 1/8" bead or smaller on either side of the lower gasket and let it dry overnight it should be just fine. If a little breaks off and gets sucked in it shouldnt cause any damage, its rubber and will burn up. A big chunk mwould be a problem so be conservative.

 

Thanks for the advice, MardisGras....I'll look into that.

Anyone else have suggestions?

IanS

 

Have you done a compression check?

 

Not yet, but wouldn't me engine run bad, idle be horrible, and CEL come on or at least throw a code if something was wrong with my compression?

My engine idles steady at 700, sounds great when I rev it, and I've used nothing but Synthetic oil on it every 3,000-3,500 miles since I first bought it.

I've never thrown a code, never had idle problems, etc, etc...the only sound I hear from the engine is the "click click click of the injectors.

What would a loss in compression tell me anyway?

IanS

 

Well, I've come to the conclusion it's something other than the SC System causing my PSI and power loss.

Look at my timeslips from my run with the MEVI before the SC.

www.cyberhub.net/intake
(bottom of the page)

16.2 with the MEVI is PATHETIC, even with rims and a stereo in the trunk. 16.6 with only the Pop-Charger and Y-Pipe is equally as bad.

I also only Dynoed, with a Pop-Charger, Y-Pipe, AND the MEVI at 155hp. This is equal to STOCK for most Auto Maximas.

Also, the speed shop I was going to take it to has stiffed me 2 days in a row because their tech didn't manage his time wisely.

So I'm taking it to a real mechanic later this week to troubleshoot the problem. Could be a constricted Y-Pipe, could be loss somewhere in the Manifold, coudl be my engine is screwed. (although I doubt it)

After researching about engine compression, I'm 90% sure that's not my exact problem. If my compression were off bad enough to give me this much power loss, I'd notice it idling badly, blue smoke in the tailpipe, bad throttle response, or I'd get a CEL. I have none of these things.

Thanks for all your help, people. Hopefully, a good mechanic will be able to figure this out.

Anyone in the NW know a good mechanic?

IanS

 

what kind of y pipe do u have again? im sure everyone has asked u this, but just wondering, if you have thouroughly checked the flex section and all

 

I have a Warpspeed.

I have not heard of any problems with their Flex Section, but admittedly have not looked at it yet.

IanS