Running lean?

[GsxEcutioner]

I am pretty sure I am, Just wondering if anyone can clarify. I pulled my plugs, they were WHITE on the ends. Mods consist of 16G from previous owner, KnN filter, I put on a mbc set to the lowest but its still like 14psi. DSM GT High flow manifold, , FMIC with what I think are a couple small BL,2.5' from the turbo to the flex and 3" back no cat. NO FUEL that I know of. The car is fine for normal driving, but in first I cant hit past 5k, and following gears it stutters around 4-5k and then slowly continues to rev higher. I am wondering if it isnt getting enough fuel. Gauges are Boost and EGT. Thanks
-Shane

 

[xdxoxuxgx]

Get a wideband a/f gauge and you'll answer your own question.

 

[GsxEcutioner]

hmm, Easier said than done dude, $$$$ is scarce, so Wideband is out of the question, plus my logger only has the cable for my 96 GSX, not for my od1 Galant.

 

[steve]

I pulled my plugs, they were WHITE on the ends.

That by itself isn't a clear indication of running lean on a DSM.

 

[xdxoxuxgx]

Well, if you can't get a wideband, I would try to postpone any tuning or hard driving as much as possible (I know there are times when you just can't resist) but your white plugs should be a good indication that you're running lean. As for the breaking up around 4-5k check your plugs and wires.

 

[steve]

but your white plugs should be a good indication that you're running lean.

I guess this is why we continue to have people make this incorrect assumption.
The plugs can be white from them running then on the high end of their heat range and in closed loop most of the time. That tends to burn off all the deposits and make them last longer.

You have to run the car and shut it down at the end of the pull to plug the plugs and read them.

 

[shawnmr]

if there white definite running lean

 

[knochgoon24]

What kind of EGTs are you reading?

 

[steve]

if there white definite running lean

Whatever you say guys.

 

[JayRolla]

Whatever you say guys.

, I agree with steve. White plugs does not mean he is running lean. He could be but other factors can cause white plugs like steve mentioned. Do you have a logger? The sputter sounds like a boost leak! Do a boost leak test. Give us a good log. Also make sure the turbo is holding boost all the way to redline. Those 16g's are prone to creep and you think your running 16psi but you look at 6500rpm it may be over 20. Just something to look at.

 

[pgcanillas]

Use a MultiMeter to see your O2 volt reading!!

 

[JayRolla]

Narrow band readings are inaccurate and I would never use it for anything.

 

[GsxEcutioner]

Narrow band readings are inaccurate and I would never use it for anything.

I dont have a narrow band nor a wide band

 

[GsxEcutioner]

, I agree with steve. White plugs does not mean he is running lean. He could be but other factors can cause white plugs like steve mentioned. Do you have a logger? The sputter sounds like a boost leak! Do a boost leak test. Give us a good log. Also make sure the turbo is holding boost all the way to redline. Those 16g's are prone to creep and you think your running 16psi but you look at 6500rpm it may be over 20. Just something to look at.

i dont have a logger meant for the obd1 port, only for my 2g gsx, so thats out of the question for now. turbo was creeping before. hit 15-16 psi before but now its 14 psi.

 

[GsxEcutioner]

What kind of EGTs are you reading?

Im reading 1350 at 2700-3000 rpms.

 

[GsxEcutioner]

Well, if you can't get a wideband, I would try to postpone any tuning or hard driving as much as possible (I know there are times when you just can't resist) but your white plugs should be a good indication that you're running lean. As for the breaking up around 4-5k check your plugs and wires.

i changed the plugs, to NGK's, previous were Iridiums by previous owner, (arent we not allowed to use Iridiums or is that bosche?) i did not change the wires, and since the plug change, I have not tried to boost hard.

 

[GsxEcutioner]

That by itself isn't a clear indication of running lean on a DSM.

my homeboys smelt the plug and said it smelled like it was running lean, I don't know how you can tell but thats what I was told.

 

[Anarchology]

To be honest, I would rather spend my money on either a monitoring gauge like the AEM Wideband I have, AND/or a tuning mechanism rather than modding the car first. You should get control of the car before you get the power.

Guessing and hoping it is one thing or another will only leave you with a hole through the block or a melted piston. I'd rather spend the money (well, I did) on an AEM Wideband Gauge and an APEXi NEO than on a Big 16G and a FMIC to start off.

I would say you store the car, save up your money, and buy the proper monitoring and tuning tools needed for your setup. It is better to be sure of your timing and A/F ratio from gauges and tuning devices rather than tossing the coin to a couple internet posts... not to say that any of them are not credible, but that the information provided by the thread maker aren't enough to make a proper assumption.

 

[PIMking]

if you have a 16g on that car you really do need a wideband because you can turn the psi up on that bad boy and you need to monitor it

you need that with any turbo.

tell the homeboy that smelled your plugs to stop touching your car. And unless you removed your o2 sesor you do have narrow band.

 

[GsxEcutioner]

you need that with any turbo.

tell the homeboy that smelled your plugs to stop touching your car. And unless you removed your o2 sesor you do have narrow band.

funny the homeboy is ASE certified just like his two brothers, one thats running a 92 Talon AWD with 500 hp ahaha.

uhm honestly this ISN'T my first turbo DSM, I've owned a 92 GSX and a 96 GSX. its just this is the first time im getting stutter, and white plugs. thats all.

 

[GsxEcutioner]

To be honest, I would rather spend my money on either a monitoring gauge like the AEM Wideband I have, AND/or a tuning mechanism rather than modding the car first. You should get control of the car before you get the power.

Guessing and hoping it is one thing or another will only leave you with a hole through the block or a melted piston. I'd rather spend the money (well, I did) on an AEM Wideband Gauge and an APEXi NEO than on a Big 16G and a FMIC to start off.

I would say you store the car, save up your money, and buy the proper monitoring and tuning tools needed for your setup. It is better to be sure of your timing and A/F ratio from gauges and tuning devices rather than tossing the coin to a couple internet posts... not to say that any of them are not credible, but that the information provided by the thread maker aren't enough to make a proper assumption.

Like i said, It is not my first Turbo DSM. I was just wondering on this particular situation, I do Have a SAFC thats not hooked up, was hooked up to my 96 GSX because I had a logger at the time.
-Shane

 

[steve]

So run a boost leak test, make sure the plugs are BPR6ES gapped to 0.028" and consider putting new spark plug wires on.

I'm surprised you didn't know that you have a narrowband O2 sensor in the car. If you could have your buddy tell us exactly what lean and rich plugs smell like. That sounds like a useful skill to learn.

 

[GsxEcutioner]

So run a boost leak test, make sure the plugs are BPR6ES gapped to 0.028" and consider putting new spark plug wires on.

I'm surprised you didn't know that you have a narrowband O2 sensor in the car. If you could have your buddy tell us exactly what lean and rich plugs smell like. That sounds like a useful skill to learn.

Honestly, my plugs are gapped at .033, but now there is no more stuttering, (First time I mashed on it since changed plugs), I had to , trying to catch up to a MKIV Supra. ahaha, but is the 16g to big for stock fuel at 14psi that creeps to 16 psi?.

 

[steve]

Well, if you no longer missing with a change of plugs at that gap run with it. If you start missing again try lowering the gap to 0.028"

You would have to use the logger to check your injector duty cycle. On my car that was running the injectors at 100% IDC and cause to swap some EVO VIII 560cc injectors in.

 

[JayRolla]

At 20psi I was maxing my 550's out on a 16g. How you creeping to only 16psi, sure its not creeping further at higher rpms. I would get a logger and make sure your safe from knock.