Ricktalife's EPIC fails and maybe a build thread too

[Ricktalife]

Installed some new spark plugs (NGK V-power) and finally got the aux wire in the AFC for my wideband. I haven't hooked it up to my computer yet to see if it will actually log the data because my dad and I spent literally all damn day fooling with it. It seems I know more about the ECU than he does, and I don't know all that much lol.

Took it for a drive and it seems to be running well...a little too well. I will hook it up to my computer to verify, but the wideband was reading constant 12.0-12.5 nearly the whole time I was in boost. For me that's a little aggressive, so I will have to make some adjustments. Though I have to say it is much nicer than running 10.0 all the time.

 

[BadBandar]

^^Nice. My s*** is still running pig rich. Get to 80mph and it hits 10.0s. What did u exactly do to tune? Or was it the park plugs that helped?

 

[Ricktalife]

^^Nice. My s*** is still running pig rich. Get to 80mph and it hits 10.0s. What did u exactly do to tune? Or was it the park plugs that helped?

I'm not really sure lol. The plugs I took out were actually NGK's as well and they were black but my dad said they appeared to be wearing perfectly. I'm using the superstockmap and haven't touched the values. I was messing around with the settings a bit when it was still running too rich, but I think they are all where they should be now. Judging by my experience with my car, it will probably go back to s*** in a day or so, but we shall see.

 

[yudkib]

12.0 (especially 12.5) is a little lean for my liking, but thats definitely better than sub 10. im looking forward to my IC upgrade and EMS, whatever system i go with will be an improvement.

 

[BadBandar]

i c. Im clueless why my car is doing that. I guess i should fork the dough and have some tune it. Glad u were able to figure urs out.

 

[Ricktalife]

As I predicted, my car has slowly fell back into its slump. Massive hesitation, flatlining AFR's, slight jerking sometimes when in boost, and I think a hint a gobble. So my thoughts:

- BOV needs lubed / cleaned
- BPV crapping out
- WGA crapping out

Possibly a combination of sorts?

 

[xDJ DUBx]

Your car hurts my head more than mine does

 

[Ricktalife]

Your car hurts my head more than mine does

I should rename the thread to "My MSP giveth, and my MSP taketh."

 

[sandspeed]

sounds like vacuum leak and failing wga. check out the primary 02 sensor as well. upgrade to aftermarket bpv cause oem is weak, literally.
i had a forge valve that worked like a champ at 12pounds stock turbo..

 

[ueat1023]

Just a reg MSP symptoms

 

[yudkib]

inspecting the WGA is a piece of cake, and if something is wrong with the HKS im sure theyd replace it or take it for repair. i dont read about SSQV failures too often. if its not the WGA its probably the BPV.

check your WGA, if it holds when you blow into the vacuum line its not the issue. i would switch to a real BOV/BPV setup, the 50/50 is fading in popularity since its kind of a goofy setup. i would say relocate your MAF (if you can - not a lot of room on your cold pipe) and run VTA or put a recirculating fitting on the HKS. that takes out the BPV out of the equation and has you running the right way. this is part of the issue with the 50/50, weird stuff happens and theres no way to trace it.

 

[Ricktalife]

sounds like vacuum leak and failing wga. check out the primary 02 sensor as well. upgrade to aftermarket bpv cause oem is weak, literally.
i had a forge valve that worked like a champ at 12pounds stock turbo..

Funny you should mention the 02 sensor. I actually bought it used last August shortly after I had my Steedspeed installed. I threw a CEL about 2 weeks before I was scheduled to have my state inspection and emissions done lol. It said the primary 02 sensor was failing so I bought one here for a quick and cheap fix. The code cleared and I passed inspection.

My SSAFC was reading about -18inHG about a week or so ago when I took it for a spin to test the Real Time function, so I believe I do have a leak. What is the best way to check for leaks?

Is there a way to test the BPV to see if it's failing?

 

[Ricktalife]

inspecting the WGA is a piece of cake, and if something is wrong with the HKS im sure theyd replace it or take it for repair. i dont read about SSQV failures too often. if its not the WGA its probably the BPV.

check your WGA, if it holds when you blow into the vacuum line its not the issue. i would switch to a real BOV/BPV setup, the 50/50 is fading in popularity since its kind of a goofy setup. i would say relocate your MAF (if you can - not a lot of room on your cold pipe) and run VTA or put a recirculating fitting on the HKS. that takes out the BPV out of the equation and has you running the right way. this is part of the issue with the 50/50, weird stuff happens and theres no way to trace it.

I was reading 505zoom's thread earlier and was comparing his various BPV / BOV setups. Was the recirculation fitting the part that inserted into the front of the BOV? I was unaware that I could go full recirculation without a BPV. I shall research this.

 

[We Are Ninja]

You know, I was gonna simply poke my head in here to say, "Lose the spoiler and all will be golden," but I shall resist the urge.

...As far as suspension, I do have the clunk, but there is also obnoxious squeaking noises I hear in the winter when I go over bumps. I'm telling you, when the temperatures are low, this s*** is LOUD. I'm praying that something just needs to be greased, but I really don't think it is going to be that simple...

It's all part of the engineering awesomeness that is "the clunk". It sounds like your entire trunk is flexing any time either wheel moves and she suspension compresses, right? I had that too. The clunk fix took care of it. IMO, The bushings are probably dry and the swaybar is twisting inside of them instead of bending like it should.

 

[Ricktalife]

You know, I was gonna simply poke my head in here to say, "Lose the spoiler and all will be golden," but I shall resist the urge.

Thanks for resisting lol.

It's all part of the engineering awesomeness that is "the clunk". It sounds like your entire trunk is flexing any time either wheel moves and she suspension compresses, right? I had that too. The clunk fix took care of it. IMO, The bushings are probably dry and the swaybar is twisting inside of them instead of bending like it should.

I wish I knew exactly what was going on, but all I really know is it sounds like ass and probably attracts strange looks more than the horrible wing.

 

[yudkib]

ta-da
http://www.hksusa.com/products/?id=798

1" is probably the best. easy to get and should fit the bill no problem and with no turkey

 

[Ricktalife]

Yea I found that too but I'm still a little confused as to how this will hook up. I saw they have a full kit for 20 bucks more but considering all I see is a clamp and some hose, I think I could just find that elsewhere for dirt cheap. Could you explain exactly where everything hooks up?

This is from 505zoom's thread, and it totally confused me because he posted a vid after this picture and his car sounded like the turkey from hell.

 

[BadBandar]

You know i was thinking y we 're having the hesitation problem. Well for me, i think i might have a cracked manifold. Not sure if a cracked mani will cause this issue. My car gets crazy rich when i get the hesitation. Maybe u should check ur gasket. Replacing the bpv is good idea. I know they're plastic and can crack.

As for a leak. I think u spray some brake cleaner on the pipes and if u got a leak ull car will want to stall. I think thats it, someone can verfy this for me.

 

[Ricktalife]

You know i was thinking y we 're having the hesitation problem. Well for me, i think i might have a cracked manifold. Not sure if a cracked mani will cause this issue. My car gets crazy rich when i get the hesitation. Maybe u should check ur gasket. Replacing the bpv is good idea. I know they're plastic and can crack.

As for a leak. I think u spray some brake cleaner on the pipes and if u got a leak ull car will want to stall. I think thats it, someone can verfy this for me.

I would not doubt if you have the stock manifold that it is probably cracked. I could hear the air coming through it when the engine was cold. Sounded like a chirping noise. I had the gaskets replaced when I got my Steedspeed installed.

I was always a little uneasy about the BPV since it reminded me of the super performance plastic intercooler pipes. Whether it solves the problem or not, I think it will definitely make an improvement over the dual setup.

 

[yudkib]

thats a kind of strange setup... for one it looks like he has the line to the BOV running from the negative crankcase vent, which i havent seen before. also looks like the outlet from the BOV is capped (or something), also something im a little confused about. can i get a link to that post?

by the way - ive never bought one, but the kit includes the hose, the clamps, and most importantly, the fitting to go on the BOV to connect it to the hose.