Lagging it...

It has yet been a while since I've followed up on this blog.  My car has been running smooth, looking great, and handling awesome.  However there are still quite a few things I want done but haven't had the time to save up for parts due to the holiday season.  Not to mention a speeding ticket that I recently got is going to hold me back a bit, but that's neither here nor there.

Engine Management
Here's the deal, I know for a FACT that my current tune isn't putting out my setup's potential, or close to it.  A couple reasons is this, my wastegate duty cycle is restricted to 68%.  For those of you who don't know what that is, all turbos have a wastegate to let off excess gasses that the turbo produces.  Whether it be an external wastegate or an internal one, most if not ALL automobile turbos have one.  How this is regulated is through a boost control.  For those interested, please click here for more information:

http://www.perrinperformance.com/pages/show/113

What Jon at HB Speed did was replace my restrictor pill to a larger diameter hole so I can hold more boost.  This allowed him to put 18lbs of boost through my turbo.  However, since my wastegate is only open 68% of the time when I'm in wide open throttle, there is a lot more potential for my current setup.  So a re-tune is definitely warranted, but not until I get the parts that I want so I can make the tune worth while.

Transmission
Arco has repeatedly told me that my clutch has been stiffer.  I believed him, but I didn't think it was a big deal until two other friends confirmed that it is stiffer than normal.  This prompted me to search for an upgraded aftermarket clutch.  I originally wanted the ACT HDSS clutch, which is their performance street clutch that can hold up to 400lbs of crank torque.  But I'm opting for the Exedy Stage 1 to try and balance off cost and performance.  The clutch should hold me until I can afford a PPG gearset.

Plans for Summer
For my build this summer, my goals are as follows:

TGV deletes
Intake
Better Intercooler (Still debating on TMIC/FMIC)
Swaybars + Endlinks
Short Shifter
Fender Cowls
Anti-Lift Kit

I'm also toying with the idea of a catback, but who knows.

Once those are done, then I'll concentrate on the reliability stuff like forged internals and stronger gearsets.  Anywho, more to come.  Be prepared for some canyon/autoX/track day adventures!

Tune Me UP!

WOW does it feel GREAT to be in boost. Since the install about two weeks ago, I've had to stay out of boost to keep my car from detonating. I've had to deal with check engine lights while driving, and watching my throttle so as to not over shoot the zero on my boost gauge, what a PITA!

HOWEVER, on September 1st, 2009...Shirley (my car's name), was tuned by Jon @ HB Speed in Fountain Valley, CA. I must say, he did a pretty darn good job with what I have on the car:


Power Mod List:
Engine - EJ255 (WRX 2.5L engine)
Downpipe - PDE Catless
Catback - STi
Fuel Injectors - DW 750cc
Fuel Pump - Walbro 342 255lph
Turbo - Greddy T518Z (TD05 18G w/ 8cm^2 hotside)
Intercooler - SSAutochrome Top Mount

Dyno Chart:









As you can see, I'm hitting a peak whp at 315/327 wtq. 200 RPMs later, it's at 300 whp until redline. I HAVE A 300 WHEEL TO HORSEPOWER CAR! The feeling on a straight away wide open throttle is just sheer power! I've posted this on NASIOC (can be seen here: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1836622) in the Proven Power Bragging area, and people have some concerns on that little hump you see at 5,400 RPM, where my peak whp is.

The concerns themselves have also led me to question why isn't it staying at that level. I know that during the tune, Jon put a boost pill on the turbo so I can hold boost better. During the tune, he told me that I was actually spiking at 20 psi. So now, I'm in the quest for a better electronic boost control unit. With a better unit, I'm hoping to hold boost at 18 psi, or crank it up a notch to 19 or 20. And although Jon IS a very reputable tuner, I might be forced to go with an e-mail tune from Clark Turner (another reputable tuner based in Arizona) because of my finances.

With all that being said, I've come up with a new wishlist that I will be working on:

EBCS (most likely a Grainger unit, comparable to a Perrin name brand)
Turbo Timer (the one I bought for $20 bucks looks like crap, and I'm skeptical that it will work)
Tactrix Open Port 2.0 cable (I need this to data log the car for the e-mail tune, I might even learn how to tune myself)
E-Mail tune from Clark Turner or a more reputable internet tuner

A big thank you to Paul (a.k.a. paulsaidhi on NASIOC) for helping me with making sure everything was ready prior to the tune.

Oh yeah, and here are pictures of when I first got the car!