1997 Gst problem with power

[19GS-t97]

Hi im sort of new to all this turbo stuff and within the past week i picked up a 97 gst...
Its got 90k on it and a new clutch, new starter, new brakes...
The guy i bought it from was telling me that something was wrong with the wastegate...the cars entirely stock under the hood with the exception of a K&N filter.

Heres the problem...I mean i thought this thing was going to be pretty quick...it has 18inch rims with an amp and a sub enclosure in the back. ...so that may slow it down a little...but it seems when i get on it...even at higher rpms it just is extremly laggy...and it feels like im driving a beat up p.o.s. i have heard the stock boost gauge isnt really reliable...i mean mine moves but not even half way up the gauge....

So i was wondering if any of you guys know anything i should have checked out in the car or could tell me what you think is wrong....i wish i could search for somethin but i really have no idea whats wrong...

Thanks

 

[tonster]

possibly a boost leak....check those lines ....that or the wastegate could be staying partially open..

 

[crankbender]

all I got from that was that the car "feels" slow and the stock boost gage goes like "half" way up the gage.

Kinda hard to do anything with that information.

Let us know wha tthe stock boost gage says. Get an aftermarket gage and let us know what that says too. Between the 2 of them we may be able to tell you the next place to look.

Can you hear the turbo?
Have you checked the turbo for shaft play?

 

[Dual-Tipped]

Ok this sounds similar to my one friends problem. He too only had a k&n and he was getting whooped by cavaliers and stuff. Now this may sound stupid, but, check to see if the wastegate is hooked up to the actuator. If thsi happens you will only slowly boost about 4-5lbs max. Due to too much exhaust trying to be dumped some will barely squeeze into the turbo. If this is the case by a new cauder pin put the rod back on and secure it, and it will be the quickest cheapest hp you'll ever make.

 

[19GS-t97]

all I got from that was that the car "feels" slow and the stock boost gage goes like "half" way up the gage.

Kinda hard to do anything with that information.

Let us know wha tthe stock boost gage says. Get an aftermarket gage and let us know what that says too. Between the 2 of them we may be able to tell you the next place to look.

Can you hear the turbo?
Have you checked the turbo for shaft play?

I actually cant hear the turbo at all and no i have not checked for shaft play in it yet.

Thankss for the posts guys....

 

[illmatic-gst]

Check your line going to the wastegate actuator. My car was literally running slower than a stock honda civic and come to find out I had a bad hose running to the wastegate actuator. The car ran like a champ once the new lines were installed.

 

[19GS-t97]

thanks everyone for the posts...im gunna be off school tomorrow so me and pops are gunna check everything out...ill keep everyone updated....