[LoSeR_5150]

So far my list of mods for my 1997 850 T-5 includes:

Pod Mounted Boost Guage
Relocated Front Horns
Removed MAF Screen
K&N Air Filter
Modified Wastegate 7 Full Turns
17x7.5 Moda R4 Wrapped on 205x45x17 Yoko Parada Spec-2
Cross Drilled Rotors w/ Carbon Kevlar Pads (Not Yet Installed, having brakes put on thursday)

Well I have been turning my wastegate up slowly over the past week. First 3 Turns on the 21st, 3 days later another 2 turns, and 2 more days later I turned it 1 more turn. Well in 1st gear I have reduced turbo lag a great deal and now run 11-12psi, in second gear I run 13-14psi, and in third, fourth, and fifth I run 15-16psi constantly. I have boost spiking but it doesnt seem very bad. It is around 16-17psi. My boost fluctuated at first right after the adjustment but has been holding steady at these levels over the last few days, and I have been FLOORING IT. Should I expect this amount of boost to stay or will my ECU eventually turn it down? I havent had a chance to dyno, or use a g-tech meter on my car. But let me tell you, I can hit 140+ no problem. I know going 140+ is quite insane, please dont flame, its not like I do it at 3pm on a busy street, I save that for 3am on I-5 heading to L.A. =) Anywayz just wanted to share my results, which I think are quite astounding.

 

[turboale]

jeebus... I'm amazed it lets you run that... Pretty cool though... humm... maybe I need to go turn mine a turn or two more...

Be careful though... With the stock exhaust, running that much boost could cause dammage to the turbo (or so I'v heard and it does make sence) Espcially if you do repeted long high boost runs...

 

[LoSeR_5150]

quote:

Originally posted by turboale:
jeebus... I'm amazed it lets you run that... Pretty cool though... humm... maybe I need to go turn mine a turn or two more...

Be careful though... With the stock exhaust, running that much boost could cause dammage to the turbo (or so I'v heard and it does make sence) Espcially if you do repeted long high boost runs...

Yeah I have noticed I need a need exhaust very very soon. Last night after I adjusted it and ran it very hard (*cough with no heat shield, I was being lazy =P) I looked at my turbo and it was slightly glowing, I let my car idle for like 30min before i turned it off, but jesus it looked and i am sure was very very hot. Which brings me to my question, should I get a 2.5" downpipe, or a 2.5" cat back exhaust first. I am just going to do a 2.5" full system to keep noise down. Also If I get a manual boost controller will i be able to exceed 14.9psi of boost because I hear my ECU will cut fuel at that right now.

 

[LoSeR_5150]

quote:

Originally posted by LoSeR_5150:
So far my list of mods for my 1997 850 T-5 includes:

Pod Mounted Boost Guage
Relocated Front Horns
Removed MAF Screen
K&N Air Filter
Modified Wastegate 7 Full Turns
17x7.5 Moda R4 Wrapped on 205x45x17 Yoko Parada Spec-2
Cross Drilled Rotors w/ Carbon Kevlar Pads (Not Yet Installed, having brakes put on thursday)

Well I have been turning my wastegate up slowly over the past week. First 3 Turns on the 21st, 3 days later another 2 turns, and 2 more days later I turned it 1 more turn. Well in 1st gear I have reduced turbo lag a great deal and now run 11-12psi, in second gear I run 13-14psi, and in third, fourth, and fifth I run 15-16psi constantly. I have boost spiking but it doesnt seem very bad. It is around 16-17psi. My boost fluctuated at first right after the adjustment but has been holding steady at these levels over the last few days, and I have been FLOORING IT. Should I expect this amount of boost to stay or will my ECU eventually turn it down? I havent had a chance to dyno, or use a g-tech meter on my car. But let me tell you, I can hit 140+ no problem. I know going 140+ is quite insane, please dont flame, its not like I do it at 3pm on a busy street, I save that for 3am on I-5 heading to L.A. =) Anywayz just wanted to share my results, which I think are quite astounding.

UPDATE:

I noticed my max boost now, when not spiking is 14.4psi/1bar. I run 11-12psi of boost in 1st, 12-13psi of boost in 2nd & 3rd and in 4th & 5th, I run 13-14psi. Well I am thinking of doing 1 half turn, which should give me another .3625psi I am not sure if it ill work, but I dont really care, if not I will just turn it down. I just filled up and put some 108octane booster in which in reality only raises it 8-9points but it should help. I'll post results in a few hours.

 

[LoSeR_5150]

quote:

Originally posted by LoSeR_5150:
UPDATE:

I noticed my max boost now, when not spiking is 14.4psi/1bar. I run 11-12psi of boost in 1st, 12-13psi of boost in 2nd & 3rd and in 4th & 5th, I run 13-14psi. Well I am thinking of doing 1 half turn, which should give me another .3625psi I am not sure if it ill work, but I dont really care, if not I will just turn it down. I just filled up and put some 108octane booster in which in reality only raises it 8-9points but it should help. I'll post results in a few hours.

Update 2:

Ok I have more interesting news. I turned my wastegate 1 full turn more, and it ran absolutely perfect!!! 1st gear = 12-13psi, 2nd gear 13-14psi, 3rd gear 14-15psi, 4th and 5th, 16-17psi. Well the problem is being the lazy s.o.b i am I didnt put my heat shield back on when I went for that test run, and while my car still runs great (I turned it down a 1/2 turn .3625psi) my car my a weird clicking noise, that gets worse as i rev. Any clue on what I screwed up???? I hope it is something sorta cheap, like a cat, or something. Also I experienced no hesitation, no fuel cut, no check engine lights, in fact when the I had it running at 17psi of boost it ran great, but now oh my the clicking noise cannot be a good sign. Any Help is appreciated.

[This message has been edited by LoSeR_5150 (edited 04-30-2002).]

 

[pj's 850]

Hmm, man clicking not cool. I was starting to collect some tools and head for my car too. actually I have mine only adjusted a few turns, I think three, so Im gonna go do a bunch more see how it goes. But Ill be careful as I see some problems. I have a question, hence my response, is your ECU stock. If so then I everything im thinking will make more sense now. Where do you live, how did you get a 5 speed, oh its just not fear !

 

[LoSeR_5150]

Yes My ECU is stock, and I actually have an automatic. I live in Central California, Modesto Actually, its by stockon, tracy, etc.... You should for sure turn up your wastegate, however if you have a stock ecu, I would have to recommend you stay below 14.4psi, as now that I run 15psi everything is ok, but obviously when I exceeded 15 I caused damage to something even though I am not sure how bad. The Car drives perfect though, I just took it on 99 North w/ My Father to show him my mods, My god my car is fast now. It feels like I hit 60 in about 6-6.5 seconds, and It feels like my 1/4 has to be 13.5-14. Honestly, If I can get a Fuel Pressure Regulator, New Downpipe, High Flow Cat, 2.5" cat back Exhaust, and get whatever fixed that I messed up I am gonna try to run 16psi or 17psi. I didnt hit that boost until 4th gear or 110mph that is where I acheive my Max Boost. Also Does 290hp and 289 lb/ft torque @ the Crank sound about right? I am running 15psi of boost max, so I figure I am gaining 63hp from the increased psi. Also I added 15hp for the K&N Filter, Removed MAF Screen, Relocated Front Horns, and Removed Spare Tire. Good Luck

[This message has been edited by LoSeR_5150 (edited 05-01-2002).]

 

[turboale]

I honestly don't think you will get 15hp out of the K&N, MAF, Horns, and Spare removal... Most guys here think the removal of the MAF screen doesn't help at all, and in most cases does the opposite. The purpose of the screen isn't to slow down the air and make it more restrictive. Its really there to even out the air flow over the sensor, so it can get a more acurate reading. I figure, if it does actually help (which isn't proven) it will give you MAYBE 2hp? so its really not worth it... I might try removing it after I get a chip and see if I can feel a difference, but if not, I'll just keep it on. I'm still basicly stock so, it couldn't help that much. Now, an exhuast is another story... that will get you about 12-15hp easy. Don't be too worried that your turbo was red hot... its a turbo... if you were running at 29839482393852934529348629345829345rpm, you'd be red too

.

 

[LoSeR_5150]

quote:

Originally posted by turboale:
I honestly don't think you will get 15hp out of the K&N, MAF, Horns, and Spare removal... Most guys here think the removal of the MAF screen doesn't help at all, and in most cases does the opposite. The purpose of the screen isn't to slow down the air and make it more restrictive. Its really there to even out the air flow over the sensor, so it can get a more acurate reading. I figure, if it does actually help (which isn't proven) it will give you MAYBE 2hp? so its really not worth it... I might try removing it after I get a chip and see if I can feel a difference, but if not, I'll just keep it on. I'm still basicly stock so, it couldn't help that much. Now, an exhuast is another story... that will get you about 12-15hp easy. Don't be too worried that your turbo was red hot... its a turbo... if you were running at 29839482393852934529348629345829345rpm, you'd be red too

.

I have Great News, I got my Brick out of the shop today and they say the problem is with my lifters, and is most likely not caused by uping my boost, they drained my freshly changed oil and put in 5W50 Fully Synthetic instead of 10W30 Fully Synthetic and the noise is very very quiet now. They say to drive for 200-300mi and if the noise doesnt go away by itself then they are going to open my valve cover and check things out and possibly replace lifters if that is the problem. Well I upped my boost again =), It nows runs 15.5psi max sustained boost, and it has had no problems. The clicking noise is the same if not maybe a lil bit quieter. Anywayz I cant believe my ECU is allowing the boost I am putting out. Tommorow I think I am going to add a 2.5" Cat Back Exhaust System, Or should I get a 2.5"/3.0" Down Pipe First??? Also Does anyone wanna check my figures, I believe that by upping my max boost to 15.5psi, I have just by doing that alone upped my max hp by 68.558 (15.5psi-9.6psi = 5.9psi x 11.625hp) Giving me 290HP and 290lb/ft. Does That sound about right. Thanks for the input.

 

[devalmyth]

MAN YOU MUST BE RAPPED!!!that thing must be so cool 2 drive!my mums car has a 2"5 exhaust, maybe i should go out and crank her up...so how many turns exactly? cant wait till im hauling a$$ at 15psi..

 

[LoSeR_5150]

Honestly, I am not even certain at this point how many turns I have done, I believe 8 Turns. However It seems that every turn is about .725psi increase. You should turn it up, but I would recommend only doing it a few turns, say 3 unless you have a boost controller, and are ready for possible engine damage, because while my car is running great now, I am not sure how long it can do 15.5psi of boost, but I dont care it is so damn fast, I just need that 2.5" cat back w/3.0" Downpipe and My **** will haul! best of luck

 

[pj's 850]

well I went out and turned mine up, not as much as you have, but a lot more than before. Its pretty good now. I think I should have used a marker or something to measure were the stock location is, because I dont remember anymore. Anyway it is a lot better, not what I would expect if the car was putting out the HP increase you say, but better. It doesnt help any on stopped takeoffs really. I mean I still get taken on takeoff by cameros and firebirds. Sorry, but my goal at the moment is to start killing mustangs and cameroes. Anyway thats another issue. Glad someone tried all those turns before I did, I was afraid of what might happen. Im actually gonna take it back a half turn or so, and Im getting a chip and exhaust this summer. BSR seems to be the most affordable quality upgrade, so I believe thats what I will get.

 

[turboale]

I'm gonna do the same... A chip is what will do the trick. I already have 6cyl (stangs/cameros), I'm hoping the chip will bring me into the V-8 range... Though weight is our biggest problem... If you ever go out to the track, I'd recomend taking out the rear seats. Won't be huge difference, but its very easy to do (and put back). Lets you hear the exhaust better too

 

[pj's 850]

hehe, these cars arent that heavy. Actually compare them to others in there class, and they arent too bad. I think they stock in the 3400 lb range. Thats more than a civic, but compared to 3200 for wrx(not in same class), accords, Taurus, A6, even BMW and Mercedes. Also, watch out how you remove weight, a heavy car that has a proper 50/50 ratio is better than a light car that is not 50/50 weighted. This is one reason coilovers can be so great on our cars for handeling, if I had the balancing equipment I would get them. No, coilovers arent just for raising and lowering your car. If you really want to lose weight and have it improve performance, I recomend starting with unsprung weight. Check those rims, make sure you have light rims, heavy big cromes are terrible for performance. Brakes weight a lot, and upgrading, even to the big brake kits, will help you lose some weight. Dont need to worry about tires too much.

 

[Simon Linton]

I've been reading this with my jaw heading floorwards - we've had inveterate tweakers in our club too and the result for them was blown engines - winding up the boost will shorten life dramatically.

Basically, you're trying to make the rest of the engine management system adapt to a grossly distorted parameter; this may be fun in the short term but you'll pay for it in months, not years.

If you want a Scooby, buy one - an 850 won't ever give you the same 0-60 times unless you take all the seats out, fit a bucket, put in acrylic instead of glass, remove all sound deadening, etc. etc. - oh and fit a full roll cage, fire extinguisher and bonnet releases as well, then you can go racing.

I enjoy my bog 850R with minor handling tweaks - but then, I've only got one car and can't afford to have it throw a rod.

 

[LoSeR_5150]

Well my car is currently in the shop =), but I found out that the damage is a lot less than I Expected. They found out my oil pressure is all over the place and are now replacing a couple of o-rings (which some helpful member on brickboard.com suggested) and should only run 600.00, from the sounds of it that should fix the problem, otherwise I will have to replace the lifters also =(. I did learn a valuable lesson, dont turn up the boost with out a A/F Guage, and a real boost controller, wastegate mods are good very better spool, but I will never use it to give me more boost. Good Luck to everyone with their volvos, I'll post more when I get my baby back, and get the boost back to 14.4psi

 

[pj's 850]

well I went and changed my wastegate when I saw the first message. I should have waited it out. Anyway, Im not having any problems, but Im gonna set it back some, and then tell the dealer what I did, hehe, and ask if they can get back to factory spec. I should be getting a stage 2 BSR kit in the next two months, I hope. Need to earn some money still. I just got myself a erubuni kit for my car.