UPDATE: 4/27/2014

HAd the weekend to myself while the girl was doing her bachelorette thing. I buttoned up a few things, started her up and pulled her out of the garage under her own power!

I then let her run for a solid 45 minutes or so. No leaks, no over heating, fans turned on, no stalling, etc. Sounded great!

Things on my list:
- Fix all minor boost leaks
- Fix O2 housing exhaust leak
- Finish wastegate dump tube
- Seafoam & Oil Change
- Tranny flush - fill with MT90

Once all that is done, ill be setting up my base idle tune. Then a cruise tune and WOT tune.


I did end up finding some wheels! 17x9 +35 for my Star Specs. I should be getting those early this week and getting them on the car. As you can see my roller wheels, the fronts, don't hold air. So pulling out and backing her in was harder than I thought with 2 flat wheels. Almost like trying to move the car with a partially pulled ebrake. But ill know more once I have my good wheels on her.
On a lighter note, I do happen to really like the way the Avenger wheels look on the car.

Great build man

GofaST4life said:

UPDATE: 4/21/2014

Well, after a lot of headache and diagnosing, see threads below, if you would like. In a nut shell the mis-placed TB gasket caused a major boost leak so the car would lean out and stall everytime. This had me running in circles...but im glad thats over with.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/tun...roblem-o2-problem-wiring-leaned-out-idle.html

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/ecm...st-start-w-dsmlink-idles-then-stalls-out.html

I currently have a 14b on the car. She is idling/running great!

List of things to do:
- Replace Upper Control arms (parts ordered)
- Re-torque suspension parts.
- Another boost leak test
- Set DSMlink back up
- Put some tires on my DD wheels.
- Fab up wastgate dump tube
- Seafoam & Oil change
- Front Brake upgrade (have parts)


I'm going to set the car up in its stock form, stock fuel system, 14b, etc. Tune her to the best of my abilities, then throw in the bigger pump, injectors and the 20g.

Click to expand...

Thank you for posting links I am running into the same type of issue right now. I recently picked up a 97 GSX and at idle on the wideband it runs super lean, but richens up when you give it a bit of throttle... weird thing is it still idles smooth, no weird idle jumps and sounds fine... just reads rich on the wideband

thinking it could be a leak like you had just not enough of a leak to make the car die? i will hopefully get to doing BLTs next week

gsxFL said:

Thank you for posting links I am running into the same type of issue right now. I recently picked up a 97 GSX and at idle on the wideband it runs super lean, but richens up when you give it a bit of throttle... weird thing is it still idles smooth, no weird idle jumps and sounds fine... just reads rich on the wideband

thinking it could be a leak like you had just not enough of a leak to make the car die? i will hopefully get to doing BLTs next week

Click to expand...

Have you done a good BLT? I ended up having one of my throttle body gaskets on the wrong way. Once I figured this out, and switched it, everything was perfect!

Hard to believe a major boost leak, would cause a car to run lean or give me this many problems.

I also ended up installing my FIC-750's, as one of my stock injector seals had a horrid leak. Once I update DSMlink with the new injector setting, I expect her to purr like a kitten.

UPDATE: 4/30/2014

I fixed my boost leaks! Ended up having a pretty good one at a injector seal. I took out my stockers and installed my new FIC-750s. Tightened everything up, did another BLT and everything is good. Just have a very minor leak the the TB shaft.

Here is an updated engine bay picture. Its not the cleanest looking and I still have a number of different colors, but she works and works well.



I also ended up having my wheels delivered yesterday!
They were on sale and I couldn't pass up the price, 17x9 with a +35 offset is exactly what I was looking for. My meaty 255 tires are being mounted today/tomorrow and ill be throwing them on the car by the weekend.

UPDATE: 5/4/2014

The wheels are on!!! I also took the car around my complex for a small cruise!

PICTURES!!

That looks really really good. Nice work!

what are those wheels exactly? I didn't seem em in your previous posts.

Volk CN28N 17x9 with +35 offset

ViciousLord said:

Volk CN28N 17x9 with +35 offset

Click to expand...

I wish they were real. These are replica's, copies, and dang good ones at that.

I will be getting more pictures up soon. The setup looks exactly how I pictured it. Glad I waited to find the right wheels.


Ill also be getting a good tune on the car. Just need to sort out a few small things, change some fluids and get some miles on the new clutch.

Jesse2012 said:

That looks really really good. Nice work!

Click to expand...

Thanks man. I absolutely love it. It cam out just like I hoped. Aggressive and clean.

Wow. Replicas. Couldn't tell.

Either way very good job. I have a 97 GSX in the same color, looks like now I have to do bronze wheels.

ViciousLord said:

Wow. Replicas. Couldn't tell.

Either way very good job. I have a 97 GSX in the same color, looks like now I have to do bronze wheels.

Click to expand...

Thanks! I'm glad others like the look/setup.

Gotta love P88. Just something about this color that gets me.

The new wheels look amazing with the color of your car! I've wanted a set of CE28N's forever, but I can't man up and sell a kidney...

UPDATE: 5/6/14

Sent my ECU/Cable out to ECMlink today to get the V3 full upgrade.

Things on my list:
- Seafom & Oil Change
- Re-calibrate my Wideband Gauge
- Figure out why its not logging in link correctly
- Flush tranny & fill with MT90
- Set car up for Idle & Cruise Tune
- Get a WOT tune done.
- Drive around for clutch break in.

I'm getting married in 18 days, my one goal was to be able to drive my car the day of my wedding. That's the plan and im sticking to it.

Amazing changes

UPDATE: 5/13/2014

I've gotten the V3 upgrade and the SD setup back from ECMlink. I have everything installed besides the ECU. Due to my sudden setup change, the engine bay is going to look a little janky as I need to fab up a new intake pipe since I wont be using a MAF and I will not be recirculating my BOV.

Things on my list:
- Seafom & Oil Change
- Re-calibrate my Wideband Gauge
- Figure out why its not logging in link correctly
- Flush tranny & fill with MT90
- Set car up for Idle & Cruise Tune & WOT Tune.
- 500ish miles of driving for clutch break in.




On a lighter note (maybe), the wedding is in 11 days.

UPDATE: 5/19/2014

Alright, so after a weekend of work and and running around like crazy, the car is all set up and running great! I ended up figuring out my WB wiring issue, fixed that and she is running in tip top shape and logging as she should be. Did a nice long 45ish minute cruise. The car is running and shifting like perfection. Very happy to see that the winter work paid off.

Also, i'm still on the MAF. Was having trouble with SD so I went back to a stock setup to get her up and running.

Things on my list:
- Seafom & Oil Change
- Flush tranny & fill with MT90
- Dial in my WOT Tune.
- 500ish miles of driving for clutch break in. (25 down)

Wedding is this Saturday, and so far, my goal of taking an early morning cruise on my wedding day is going to be reached.

UPDATE: 6/3/14

Well, we got married and had a short honeymoon (medical problems). But I couldn't be happier!

So, back to wrenching!

Oil change happening today or tomorrow.



Also, got around to putting my new head unit in. Hated the old single din unit.

UPDATE: 6/5/2014

New head unit is in. And its WAY better than my last one.

Also, changed the oil.

Latest small issues would be my dipstick blowing out and my higher oil pressure. At WOT im seeing around 115psi of oil pressure. Between 60 and 80psi cruising and 25 at idle. I think this is due to the VR1 20w-50 oil im using.

I'm getting a new dipstick and a new PCV after work today to see if that helps. The stock dipstick handle actually broke, due to heat over time, so it needed replacing anyway.

Now, to clean up this damn oil that sprayed all over.

STM makes a dipstick and tube with a spring to keep that from happening also I'm curious as to what you believe is proper oil pressure because I'm seeing 15-18 at idle, 50-60 at cruising and 80-90ish at WOT so I'm just curious if you know proper oil pressure because i want to know if mine is good i thought it was low but maybe its right on. as for your oil pressure it may be higher if you don't have the relief valve in the oil filter housing ported. btw loving the car its beautiful!!!

nickfromfortfun said:

STM makes a dipstick and tube with a spring to keep that from happening also I'm curious as to what you believe is proper oil pressure because I'm seeing 15-18 at idle, 50-60 at cruising and 80-90ish at WOT so I'm just curious if you know proper oil pressure because i want to know if mine is good i thought it was low but maybe its right on. as for your oil pressure it may be higher if you don't have the relief valve in the oil filter housing ported. btw loving the car its beautiful!!!

Click to expand...

Forcing the dipstick to stay put with a spring is a band aid fix to a bigger issue IMO.

From what ive read, 100+ oil PSI is to much. At WOT im seeing at least 115+, which has me concerned,a s that kind of pressure will blown turbo seals, gaskets, etc.
I do not have my OFH ported, although it looks like I may have to rip everything apart to do so.

I think my issue is the oil weight im using. I switched to 20w-50 and then had these problems. Before the switch, I didn't have any issue what so ever. I may just bite the bullet and switch back.

Thanks man! I love how she has turned out so far.

your right that is simply a bandaid and I'm running 10-30w so i bet that will make a big difference.

nickfromfortfun said:

your right that is simply a bandaid and I'm running 10-30w so i bet that will make a big difference.

Click to expand...

I actually swtiched to Royal Purple 10w-30 and have not seen my oil pressures drop.
I installed a new PCV and I am venting my VC breather.

I did one good pull and the dip stick did not pop out, but my preasures did go high.

I wonder if it has something to do with both of those oils being synthetics. Maybe Brad Penn would drop your pressure