Topic: The never ending problem.... (Read 2349 times)

BenjiJosef · « **on:** February 18, 2009, 07:18:28 PM »

All right guys...So, it is possible I just need a tune but before I do that I want to see if you guys have any idea what else this problem could be.

I bought my Automatic Transmission '04 WRX maybe 18 - 20 months ago...It ran fine for the most part when I bought it. I had afull 3" exhaust on it when I purchased it...but I had some funky CELs due to this stupid ECU I got with the car. To make a long story short, I ended up putting the stock exhaust back on, and also replacing my O2 sensor, and also buying a new OEM ECU from Subaru. Car was running all right, but I would get boost spikes, and it sounded like I had a boost leak. This was really pissing me off so I had it brought to the shop...They found a hole in my intercooler piping which I "sealed" to the best of my abilities seeing as the damn perrin intercooler piping is like 400 bucks for one piece. It was still being weird, but at least it wasn't stalling out anymore. So...my problem remained that the car will fluctuate in RPMs at idle when the car first starts. From about 500 to around 950 or so. Up and down, up and down. While I am driving, when my foot is down on the throttle, and I relax a bit, and then bring my foot down on the throttle again it feels like it wants to sputter, and it like bogs a little or something weird.

So, I put on a new Downpipe...QTP 3" with electric cut-out....I get it all installed...and HOLY CRAP! My car is no longer boost spiking...I have NO turbo lag at all almost, it stops bogging down while I am driving...and everything seems pretty damn good. I was driving down Route 7...and put my foot down real good...Push 20psi of boost and take off like a bat out of hell. I slow up....drive for a little bit and notice that it feels like there is that good old turbo lag again....So, as I'm almost home I put my foot down to see what happens...and boost spiking 15psi down to 10psi and back and forth really quickly. The car is starting to bog down when I am driving normally, and it's idling really low when I start it and its jumping form 500 - 950 or so again.

WTF could this be? I'm assuming a number of problems....some ideas I have so far....

Torque Converter Clutch going bad?
Fuel Filter Disgusting?

I'm at a loss....Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ahead of time guys/gals.

P.S. I have a CEL on that says I am running too lean....but that has been on for a while...I guess I should clear it and see if it returns.

bignickbugeye · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2009, 08:02:24 PM »

after my turbo swap my car idled like garbage. up and down. i found out i cracked a vacuum line. check all your vacuum lines

flutyr525 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2009, 08:08:18 PM »

yea benji...wasnt that a problem when u first got the car...it was a lose vacuum line that just needed to be reconnected?

Capitalandmotors · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2009, 08:31:03 AM »

do you have any type of engine management in your car know to support the mods you have? because with what you have done as far as mods fmic and downpipe your car won't run right with a stock ecu, so i would look for a tune.

Photofixer · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2009, 08:42:59 AM »

Quote from: Capitalandmotors on February 19, 2009, 08:31:03 AM

do you have any type of engine management in your car know to support the mods you have? because with what you have done as far as mods fmic and downpipe your car won't run right with a stock ecu, so i would look for a tune.

+1 you really need too have some type of EM when replacing exhaust on older Gen WRX's the 02's where good at learning whatever set up you had.

stylesrex · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2009, 11:10:01 AM »

Quote from: Photofixer on February 19, 2009, 08:42:59 AM

+1 you really need too have some type of EM when replacing exhaust on older Gen WRX's the 02's where good at learning whatever set up you had.

i know you are relatively speaking when saying 02's were 'good' at learning your setup. but lets clear up something here. 02 vs 04-07 the fuel map changing interval was less in 02 than 04+. it doesn't "learn" per say, it just adjust the fueling faster. this adjustment to fuel is a 'fail safe' after the ecu sees a parameter outside its regular scheduled programming. it can compensate but only to an extent. The mods the OP has, require some more involved tuning outside of the fuel adjustment. FMIC have a dramatic effect on timing.

Quote from: Capitalandmotors on February 19, 2009, 08:31:03 AM

do you have any type of engine management in your car know to support the mods you have? because with what you have done as far as mods fmic and downpipe your car won't run right with a stock ecu, so i would look for a tune.

+elevenity billion for a tune

BenjiJosef · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2009, 11:50:57 AM »

Like I said....I am assuming it just needs a good old tune....but I'm so confused as to how it worked beautifull for a couple of days after the DP installation.

stylesrex · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2009, 01:03:59 PM »

Quote from: BenjiJosef on February 19, 2009, 11:50:57 AM

Like I said....I am assuming it just needs a good old tune....but I'm so confused as to how it worked beautifull for a couple of days after the DP installation.

VACUUM LEAK. MAY HAVE BEEN SMALLER AND GOT LARGER OR THERE COULD BE MULTIPLE LEAKS

BenjiJosef · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2009, 03:49:50 PM »

Anyone know of any good ways to test where a vac leak would be located?

stylesrex · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2009, 04:03:00 PM »

remove intake and make a 'plug' for the open end of turbo inlet. drill then thread a shcrader valve into the middle of the plug. use an air compressor and pump air into the valve.

BenjiJosef · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2009, 06:33:28 PM »

Quote from: stylesrex on February 19, 2009, 04:03:00 PM

remove intake and make a 'plug' for the open end of turbo inlet. drill then thread a shcrader valve into the middle of the plug. use an air compressor and pump air into the valve.

Balls.....

flutyr525 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 19, 2009, 07:04:49 PM »

well i have a compressor ben if u want to tackle that leak test or just take it to synapse or any garage...if thats the only problem i cant imagine more than a hours worth of work done so u figure 75-80 bucks. also even tho i know ur car relatively well, i still dont know all the mods u have...maybe a list of what u got for everyone to better assist u with suggestions and such

BenjiJosef · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2009, 08:27:03 PM »

Quote from: flutyr525 on February 19, 2009, 07:04:49 PM

well i have a compressor ben if u want to tackle that leak test or just take it to synapse or any garage...if thats the only problem i cant imagine more than a hours worth of work done so u figure 75-80 bucks. also even tho i know ur car relatively well, i still dont know all the mods u have...maybe a list of what u got for everyone to better assist u with suggestions and such

Good idea dude.

Garret Large 16g Turbo
255 Warlboro Fuel Pump
QTP 3" Downpipe with Electric Cut-Out.
750 Precision Front Mount Intercooler
Turbo XS RFL Blow Off Valve
Turbo XS Manual Boost Controller
JDM STI Fuel Injectors (pink) 550 cc's
AEM Short Ram Intake

I think that is all I got goin' on under the hood.

Photofixer · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2009, 08:37:17 AM »

Quote from: stylesrex on February 19, 2009, 11:10:01 AM

i know you are relatively speaking when saying 02's were 'good' at learning your setup. but lets clear up something here. 02 vs 04-07 the fuel map changing interval was less in 02 than 04+. it doesn't "learn" per say, it just adjust the fueling faster. this adjustment to fuel is a 'fail safe' after the ecu sees a parameter outside its regular scheduled programming. it can compensate but only to an extent. The mods the OP has, require some more involved tuning outside of the fuel adjustment. FMIC have a dramatic effect on timing.

+elevenity billion for a tune

Thanks for your input, that was registered into my databanks.. I was talking about Exhaust thou..

byroll01 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2009, 09:59:54 AM »

If you've changes the injectors then you NEED a tune. Sure you can limp around with the other mods and have the car run...not good but run. But injectors...that's considered a mod that you must "go to your tuner, do not pass go, do not collect $200."

ONCE AGAIN, for your sake and your cars:
GET A TUNE!!!Immediately

flutyr525 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 21, 2009, 10:16:31 AM »

(ben correct me if im wrong)

the ecu that is in the car now is "chipped" if im not mistaken according to the original owners but we have no idea what that means. this ecu constantly throws a check engine code of runing too lean (?) but the car runs like balls when he uses the brand new stock ecu that he had to buy just to pass inspection.

is there a such thing as a "chip" for an ecu or do u think that was the stupid terminology the jersey dumbasses he bought the car from called a tune? when getting a tune, should he use this stock ecu or the "chipped" ecu or it doesnt really matter since it will be reconfigured anyways?

byroll01 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2009, 10:50:40 AM »

yeah there's no chip for wrx's. Maybe they got it tuned but it obviouly isn't good or right since the car is throwing cel's. The too lean. Code could be from a leak and the old ecu might tuned for the injectors which would be better than running them on a stock ecu meant for stock injectors.

byroll01 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2009, 10:52:33 AM »

oh yeah, I have speak rested at my house too if you want to come up my way and check it. We're gonna check marty's car too just to be safe after he threw the too lean code after last weeks install.

WRC_DNA · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2009, 02:09:48 PM »

Injector scaling/latency being off=your car does NOT love you

BenjiJosef · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2009, 03:00:31 PM »

I'm pretty sure that the original owners said...."Reflashed" chipped ECU...Whatever the hell that means. So, I'm assuming there is at least some sort of map on the ECU I am using. Maybe I will take you up on your offer and swing by so we can check for leaks. That would be pretty sweet. Maybe we could try to figure out a time both of us are free.

byroll01 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 21, 2009, 03:26:30 PM »

here's my free time for the most part.
sundays, mondays after 8 pm, wednesdays, sat. after 8pm. that's about it.
lmk

flutyr525 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 22, 2009, 06:53:49 PM »

ive been meaning to get back up to byrons myself to get pressure tested since i installed the sti tmic. maybe we can make a double feature out of it if both ben and byron are down? how about this wednesday?

Photofixer · « **Reply #22 on:** February 22, 2009, 09:28:20 PM »

What Time, I would like to stop by and Chat if its kewl..

And ofcourse If I am comming down from Malone , which i think i will be. LOL

flutyr525 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 22, 2009, 09:30:29 PM »

Quote from: Photofixer on February 22, 2009, 09:28:20 PM

What Time, I would like to stop by and Chat if its kewl.. And ofcourse If I am comming down from Malone , which i think i will be. LOL

i am absolutely ok with this...just waiting to hear back from ben and byron

BenjiJosef · « **Reply #24 on:** February 23, 2009, 08:49:59 AM »

Quote from: flutyr525 on February 22, 2009, 06:53:49 PM

ive been meaning to get back up to byrons myself to get pressure tested since i installed the sti tmic. maybe we can make a double feature out of it if both ben and byron are down? how about this wednesday?

Wednesday is no good. I have class until 4...and then a job interview at 5....and then my mom wants me to have dinner with her.

Author Topic: The never ending problem.... (Read 2349 times)