98 GS-T project, on right track?

[hudsonjj27]

I have a 98 GS-T picked it up a few yrs ago from a buddy that sideswiped a gaurd rail back in 2002 and it sat in his garage ever since. Car was burning oil like crazy so i did a leak down/compression test (results were not great). Last year I pulled the engine to rebuild, things done:

-stripped engine all the way down to bare block, had crank, cams, and fly wheel resurfaced. block honed and decked.
- head was rebuilt at a local machine shop (OEM Spec)
- new piston rings, bearings etc.
- new oil pump, thermostat, timing belt, BS Belt.
- new ACT Clutch, slave cylinder
- plugs, plug wires
- ARP Head studs
- Apexi Exhaust
- Apexi Turbo timer
- 1G BOV
- New CV axles and front rotors

So all in all the engine is pretty much stock, just freshly rebuilt. Put the engine in and fired it up, clutch would not disengage (think its the master cylinder) and it has a rough idle after about a min or 2 of running. Well im currently on deployment and I know I should get the car running right first but just couldnt resist so I started ordering parts, so when I get home I can get to work.

-Injen intake
- ETS 7" FMIC Kit
- Master cylinder
- Defi gauges (boost, oil press., EGT)
- Greddy Type-R BOV (Recirculating)
- Apexi Super AVC-R
- Avid racing motor mounts ( I know should have done this with engine out)
- Megan racing short shifter

Thats all for now, my goal is to have a 300whp daily driver. Still researching fuel system, pump "walbro 255", 680"ish" cc injectors, AEM rail and AFPR. Probably going to order the DSMLink V3 for tuning, and when I upgrade turbo its looking like the "FP green".

Just want your guys' input on this and make sure I'm somewhat on the right track?

Thanks for any advice!

-Jeff

 

[mchustle]

My input would be to ditch the useless aem rail and avc, buy link. I would advise against the 680s if you get link and go straight to atleast 1200cc since you can scale them down, but if you get the 680s you can't scale them up when your ready for more power. Notice I said when not if .

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

Looks like you have a solid start. A few things I would change if it were me would be going with a manual boost controller. While the Apexi Super AVC-R
is nice, it's not a must have for your power levels and a good place to save some money. As far as the fuel system, a Walbro 255lph pump is always the best bet. You won't really NEED an AFPR, I have done many cars with just stock regulators. If they are in good shape on a 2g they will not overrun, but good insurance anyways. Fuel injector size is good but replacing the fuel rail is not needed at all. The factory rail will support well over what you want to make for power. DSMLink V3 is always nice to have but purchasing a flashable 2g ECU is also a good less expensive option. There are so many turbo's out there that it is hard to recommend a specific one so do your research for what you want as far as power and driveability and go from there.

 

[hudsonjj27]

Awesome advice guys thanks, going to look into 1000-1200cc injectors and ditching the idea of a fuel rail. I do like some of the options on the Apexi AVC-R, I've heard and read mixed emotions on that. As for turbo, yea there's a lot of different options really going to have to play around with the T25 for awhile.

Thanks again.

 

[mchustle]

I'm not very familiar with the avc-r but isn't I just basically a boost controler? You can get link full instead of lite and have a boost controller and boost by gear. This is just my opinion though if you are set on the avc by all means it is your money and your build. Good luck

I wouldn't waste time messing with the t25 at the least grab a cheap 14b and install kit.

 

[hudsonjj27]

Yea it's just an electronic boost controller, but with the FWD I usually just spin off the line. I heard with the avc-r you're able to set a "delay" if you will to better hook up. Yea I agree with what your saying, one of my buddies is trying to get me to lean that way. I'll have to shop around for a little bigger turbo "used for now" until I get everything broken in and I'm use to tuning it.

I'm use to dealing with GT4294R and Bosch DDU 7's (for tuning) at work, I'm new to the DSM.

 

[4G63gst1990]

I would say instead of a green why not a fp hta68 they are good for around 400hp and sppol really quick and i would say 950 TO 1200cc injectors like the others stated with a afpr and link AND WOULD ALSO SAY A GOOD MANUAL BOOST CONTROLLER AND I WILL BE FOLLOWING AS ONE OF MY BUDDIES IS DOING THE SAME TYPE OF BUILD ON HIS 95 GST

 

[hudsonjj27]

I haven't heard anything on the FP HTA68 but ill definitely look into it. Gonna go with bigger injectors ( gotta leave room to grow) and as far as the boost controller I'm thinking I may get both. Kinda do my own testing on it and see which I like better. I'm sure once I'm done (if ever) with this one I'm gonna end up getting another.

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

If you have done tuning before and you get DSMLink V3 you will definitely just wanna use that. Manual and electronic boost controller will be a waste of time/money at that point. Especially with the boost by gear functions it makes it so nice to use.

 

[hudsonjj27]

I've never actually set any of the tunes at work (only our engineer). I wasn't aware the DSMLink V3 had a boost by gear function. I guess I didn't research it enough . I've also heard of some guys going with the AEM EMS series 2, any take on that? Or has anyone tried to integrate a Bosch type E-manage system w/ DDU's? <-- maybe later down the road if I'm able to fit one to it.

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

Both are great but way too expensive for what you wanna do. Read up on DSMLink features here.
ECMTuning, Inc. For our vehicles this is the best way to go. It's taylored specifically for our cars. Not just a universal tool.

 

[hudsonjj27]

Ok fair enough, thanks for the link. I'll get on reading up more on this.

As for the Bosch setup, I'm gonna put that on the back burner. Only reason I want to do that is I have most of the stuff on hand and have yet to see/hear of anyone utilizing this in a 2G. Could be a reason why (besides being expensive) idk, but eventually I want to start getting into stuff nobody has tried or has even thought about trying.

Thanks again!