Ricktalife's EPIC fails and maybe a build thread too

[yudkib]

you can raise boost more safely with a controller, but adding a FMIC wont "magically" increase your boost level over wastegate pressure like an exhaust might. generally a FMIC will also increase your spool time and decrease your throttle response.

are you mounting the fan on the rad or the IC?

 

[Ricktalife]

you can raise boost more safely with a controller, but adding a FMIC wont "magically" increase your boost level over wastegate pressure like an exhaust might. generally a FMIC will also increase your spool time and decrease your throttle response.

are you mounting the fan on the rad or the IC?

Yea I'll see where the boost sits when I get the ATP on, before I go and buy a boost controller. Though I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself if I buy one. I will be mounting the fan on the radiator.

 

[Ricktalife]

Got some new tires today. Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110's for just under $80 a piece through my work. No shipping either. Total cost was about $320 and I am a happy camper.

 

[Ricktalife]

Got an appointment today with a new tech to help me out with some spring maintenance. He doesn't specialize in turbo's but I'm told he does good work and he seems like a nice guy, so it will help to get this stuff taken care of fast. Wednesday he will do:

-oil change
-mount new wheels/tires and 4 wheel alignment
-check suspension
-check motor mounts (replacing very soon)

 

[Ricktalife]

Finally got the stuff mentioned above looked at today. Everything went well. Suspension is fine except for the typical end links and dry bushings. Motor mounts were all in good shape. Pics of the new wheels coming tomorrow during the daytime.

 

[Ricktalife]

Installed the recirculation fitting yesterday, and no more pssh. I've been loosening the spring on the BOV in small increments (half a turn each time) but it's just a very quiet whoosh that I hear now. I think I heard some turkey once or twice so maybe it is still too tight. I'll keep fiddling.

Got 3 new couplers and T-bolts on today. They look sexy as hell and I'm sure they will hold a lot better. I finally realized my cold pipe is 2.5" and my hot pipe is 2.25". Need to exhange a few things to get that sorted out.

Still did not install the new fans yet. I am waiting on a connector to come in the mail for the Spal, and have to go order an additional 2 for the flex a lite.

ANNNNNND yesterday I ordered a DG motorsports urethane front lip! I always had a thing for those as well as the 03.5 front lip, but I can keep my fog lights without hacking it up and don't have to wait an eternity to find one.

 

[Ricktalife]

Slowly swapping out all the couplers and clamps for some new Vibrant couplers and T-bolt clamps! Got all of them swapped now except for the ones on the end tanks since I'll need a jack to get those. This s*** not only holds tighter than a bear hug, but looks amazing too!

The core is still sitting lower on the driver side but I can just make a bracket or something to help support it.

She is looking more and more like show quality

 

[yudkib]

looking good man. i like this build, fairly similar to what im probably gonna end up with.

 

[Ricktalife]

looking good man. i like this build, fairly similar to what im probably gonna end up with.

Thank you sir. I'm kinda pissed that the car isn't tuned still because there is a dyno day at a local shop tomorrow. They do mostly Honda's, but I think I'll stop by just to check it out. The owner and employees have some pretty sweet cars. One of my coworkers did emissions testing on this car and I peeked my head around it.

http://www.innovative-motorworks.com/members/member.php?member=11
First thing I noticed was the S2000 gauge cluster.

Anyway, As I continue to replace the couplers and clamps I'm noticing the car drives much more smoothly now. But I keep forgetting to check the EGR and IAC valves since the idle dips and the throttle is sticking slightly. Maybe I should get new floormats?

 

[sandspeed]

Nice progress. the steedspeed mani is looking clean as hell, I can't wait to get my t3 ss on my speed. Did you notice a difference after you installed the mani? spoolup, topend...etc?

I like the black fmic , i've been thinking about doing this myself but then again i like seeing the intercooler smile at me..hehe
A word of advice, get rid of the stock diverter valve

 

[Ricktalife]

Well I just remembered a website with the ECU pinout diagram and I think I understand it. The wire I touched is for the IAC valve, so that explains the throttle. I am hoping that is what caused the ABS and Brake lights to come on as well. Hopefully I can get time to fix it very soon.

 

[Ricktalife]

Nice progress. the steedspeed mani is looking clean as hell, I can't wait to get my t3 ss on my speed. Did you notice a difference after you installed the mani? spoolup, topend...etc?

I like the black fmic , i've been thinking about doing this myself but then again i like seeing the intercooler smile at me..hehe
A word of advice, get rid of the stock diverter valve

Thanks. As a matter of fact the coating is starting to turn color so I talked to Leen about getting a new one and he said the coating I have was no good. Pretty soon it will be back in black! I'm not sure about spoolup, but the powerband shift was very nice. It pulls all the way to redline instead of dying around 5500 rpm's with the stocker.

I bought the FMIC from kicker and was a little sad at first that you can't see the smile as much, but the stealth look is growing on me. Don't worry about the BPV, that POS will be gone shortly. Notice the recirculation fitting on my BOV?

 

[yudkib]

i noticed! did you buy your $35 1" silicone hose yet?

when i recirc i know im just going to lowes for braided PVC line haha

 

[sandspeed]

Thanks. As a matter of fact the coating is starting to turn color so I talked to Leen about getting a new one and he said the coating I have was no good. Pretty soon it will be back in black! I'm not sure about spoolup, but the powerband shift was very nice. It pulls all the way to redline instead of dying around 5500 rpm's with the stocker.

I bought the FMIC from kicker and was a little sad at first that you can't see the smile as much, but the stealth look is growing on me. Don't worry about the BPV, that POS will be gone shortly. Notice the recirculation fitting on my BOV?

Good to hear about the steedspeed having topend, thats what I need for my setup.
And props to the HKS bov setup , i didn't notice the fitting at first. CLean!

 

[Ricktalife]

i noticed! did you buy your $35 1" silicone hose yet?

when i recirc i know im just going to lowes for braided PVC line haha

Actually it was about $22 or so shipped to my door lol. Stupid I know, but I wanted the good s***. I got 4 ply silicone from Vibrant. I'll need to angle the fitting on my intake because this hose is really stiff haha.

Good to hear about the steedspeed having topend, thats what I need for my setup.
And props to the HKS bov setup , i didn't notice the fitting at first. CLean!

Yea I am very happy with the steedspeed. The tech I had install it was questioning the design as far as even flow, but obviously if it performs better than stock, it is a good design.

 

[Ricktalife]

Haven't had an update in a while because...I really haven't done much lately. Things got put on hold for a week while I was dealing with some other stuff, but I'm back to the chaos that is known as my project lol. Current topics of choice are:

-Install slim fans (waiting on some connectors for a quick release)
-Install last Vibrant couplers and T-bolt clamps
-Figure out the source of my ABS light (code reader would help)

Some other tricks I have up my sleeve are:

-OEM MSP headlights that may become a set of custom projectors (gasp)
-Awaiting arrival of DG lip (if I can be home to sign for it)
-New shift knob (can't decide between weight / style)
-Forcefed powdercoated valve cover (ooo la la)

 

[protegerider]

for your abs light, check the brake fluid level

 

[Ricktalife]

Yea I think I will just check out all the suggestions in this thread:

http://www.protege5.com/vbb230/showthread.php?t=123714917&page=2

I'll let you guys know what I find out.

 

[Ricktalife]

Today I got some connectors for my flex-a-lite fan and also my OEM MSP headlights arrived in the mail! The retrofit project will be on hold for a little while until some more important issues are taken care of, but I am psyched for sure! Thanks to Discospeed!

 

[Ricktalife]

Got my ABS and E-Brake light to go off finally! As I expected, it was just a bad connection in the ECU wiring, and after cleaning some extra solder / wire off it is fixed.

Today I went to a local welder and asked about a fitting to get for my intake to recirculate the BOV. Should hear back in a day or 2. Was going to install my fans yesterday but I'm so stupid I just now realized that I have to take out either the radiator or AC condensor in order to do it. So I'll just take out the radiator when I have more time, or pay somebody to do it. Need to get that s*** in, it is hot as a mofo in there.