Bought a GSX NEED HELP!

usmc0651dns · Jun 4, 2010

I bought a 97 GSX. It has a 2.3L stroker with about 4000 miles on the engine. From what I can tell it has an 18g turbo (Greddy I believe), FMIC, Stock injectors in the car (750 or 850 as a bonus), Boost gauge, A/F Ratio gauge, and Greddy Profec B boost controller. Also seems to have other supporting mods, Greddy type S BOV, Hard pipes, and last but not least ECMLink.

The problem is tuning I guess. When you start the car it seems like it wants to die but after it warms up it sputters. The A/F ratio reads anywhere from 16-19 on idle and while driving for the most part. It completely cuts out if it gets close to 5 LBS. of boost. I know that the stock injectors wouldn't be sufficient for this turbo but even at idle it is super lean. The engine seems to be perfect when not under boost leading me to believe that I should throw the 750 or 850 (not sure what they are) injectors back in and try to learn how to tune with ECMLink. It bascially runs like a riding mower right now. Turbo'ed car + no boost = no fun. Any help would be appreciated. I can also provide more detailed information and pics if necessary. I just don't really know where to start.

BoredDSM · Jun 4, 2010

Your better off running the 750s or 850s untuned than trying to push it with stock injectors. At least since you have some supporting mods and a bigger turbo you can scale the injectors the same way almost to get it to near par of what your fuel neccessities are. Running rich and tuning down a little to lean it out isn't as bad as running ridiculously lean and knocking till the bearings are pounded into little shreds.

Definately learn how to use ECMlink. It will help greatly in all areas including diag and performance. After thats all settled and the problem continues, I would begin to start trying to diagnose your issue. Without a proper tune though you don't really know what is the cause of any problem.

ECMTuning, Inc.

They have great help videos and it's easy to get started. Good luck :thumb:

BLINKY619 · Jun 4, 2010

boost leak? any pictures?

dsmdeliveryboy · Jun 5, 2010

If your too rich though you'll end up blowing your motor up too. Check all the basic things like your plugs, wires etc etc. You should still be able to run the stock injectors just fine on wastegate pressure, I'm running 550's on my 18G at 20psi with 0 knock. I'd suggest getting some kind of logger and checking for boost leaks and all that jazz though asap.

Bluefire16 · Jun 5, 2010

Sounds like a boost leak...check all the couplers and see if there is any leak. A coupler could be stretched or have a tear, and you dont notice it at idle, but then finally under boost and extra pressure, then it opens and loose air to the engine, making it wnat to die out.

So, do a boost leak test, im guessing thats your problem. Do you no how to use the tuning program? Try to set everything back to "stock" settings, and put in regular injectors. Oh and just to check things are ok, just have the wastegate hooked to the turbo.

usmc0651dns · Jun 5, 2010

Ok, so it's definitely the full Greddy kit. I noticed that plug wires are stock so I ordered them and also picked up some NGK BPR7ES plugs. It looks like all the vacuum lines have been ziptied and all the couplers clamped so there shouldn't be any boost leaks. I will take some pics of the setup when I get home from work and post them up. I'm guessing I'll throw the biger injectors in and then try to learn how to tune with the ECMlink. If I get that figured out I guess I'll go back to the stock injectors since I only really want to run about 20 LBS. and one of you had a that setup.

I think I'm going to trade my Greddy Profec B and Digital A/F ratio for an AEM Truboost and UEGO. I like the cleaner looking setup. Any thoughts on that?

Here are some pics.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

cookmeup272 · Jun 5, 2010

That BOV needs to be circulated

usmc0651dns · Jun 5, 2010

Ok, I will get the hose tomorrow. Will the 1 1/4" work for my Greddy Type S and intake?

Also, what is the easiest way to find out what fuel pump the car has in it? The previous owner had it tuned with the bigger injectors and with the 18g turbo I'm assuming it would have the 190 or 255 but I want to make sure.

johnmarines · Jun 5, 2010

cookmeup272 said:
That BOV needs to be circulated

Not if he is running link.

BLINKY619 · Jun 6, 2010

i just went through a thread about ecmlink and recirculating your bov... it stated that its better to recirculate it... correct me if im wrong...!

AWD Night rider · Jun 6, 2010

+1 on recirculating the BOV, Otherwise you car is gonna losse some power and that's not what you want right?

10's or bust · Jun 6, 2010

usmc0651dns said:
Ok, so it's definitely the full Greddy kit. I noticed that plug wires are stock so I ordered them and also picked up some NGK BPR7ES plugs. It looks like all the vacuum lines have been ziptied and all the couplers clamped so there shouldn't be any boost leaks. I will take some pics of the setup when I get home from work and post them up. I'm guessing I'll throw the biger injectors in and then try to learn how to tune with the ECMlink. If I get that figured out I guess I'll go back to the stock injectors since I only really want to run about 20 LBS. and one of you had a that setup.

I think I'm going to trade my Greddy Profec B and Digital A/F ratio for an AEM Truboost and UEGO. I like the cleaner looking setup. Any thoughts on that?

Here are some pics.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Man go ahead and check the basics as you have a nicely built and clean car but you really need to spend some time checking for boost leaks and and an even more basic check of the fuel pressure as it would really be sad for that car to turn into an expensive piece of poo all b/c the owner neglected the all the basics of DSM 101!!!!! fuel pressure boost leaks boost leaks boost leaks boost leaks...just cause its ziptied doesn't mean its sealed and any boost leaks or fueling issues on these cars and it will cause the ECU to throw fits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lauj2gdsm · Jun 6, 2010

check your timing and do a compression test. im pretty sure that car has been rape before you got a hold of it.

Bluefire16 · Jun 6, 2010

Again...dont ASSUME that the couplers are good by looking at them. You need to actually do a BOOST LEAK TEST. Im sure you will find some even if not major, but always good to fix. Second, recirculate.... i still think you problem is a leak...my car acted the same way.

usmc0651dns · Jun 6, 2010

I pulled off the valve cover to replace a gasket. Pulled out the E3 spark plugs to replace with NGK's gapped .028. Removed the 7mm plug wires and replaced with MSD 8.5mm. Also pulled the stock injectors out to replace with 850's. I'm going to try to setup the ECMLink v 2.5 on my laptop and get some logs and go from there. I also am ordering a Dejon intake pipe to fit the 2g MAF and 3in 18g turbo opening so I can recirculate the BOV. After all this is done hopefully the car will be running decent and I can finish the tuning. I will DEFINITELY check for boost leaks while I'm at it. I'm pretty sure the car was last tuned with ECMLink with 850's in there, actually positive. Hopefully all this will get it headed in the right direction.

Oh, and I had a local machine shop, that bored the engine, do a compression test and he said everything was straight.

BLINKY619 · Jun 7, 2010

keep us posted...

AK Maniak · Jun 7, 2010

With a little work and some TLC you'll have really nice GSX

NewbeeGsx19 · Jul 29, 2010

Nice Car Man. im having simular issues . Mine starts and idles fine but at a crusing speed it feels as if the timing goes off and sounds like a lawn mower LOL

Very nice FMIC i have the same one Except some dumass painted it Black :/ im hoping paint thiner will take it off

The Top DSM Community on the Web

Bought a GSX NEED HELP!

usmc0651dns

BoredDSM

BLINKY619

dsmdeliveryboy

Bluefire16

usmc0651dns

cookmeup272

usmc0651dns

johnmarines

BLINKY619

AWD Night rider

10's or bust

lauj2gdsm

Bluefire16

usmc0651dns

BLINKY619

AK Maniak

NewbeeGsx19

Similar threads

Latest posts

Build Thread Updates

Vendor Updates

Latest Classifieds