Bought My First DSM Couple ?s

[n2hipsi]

Hey everyone. I just bought my first DSM. It's a 1990 Talon TSi AWD with only 82,xxx miles. It currently has a K&N Filter on it, 3in exhaust from the downpipe the whole way back(not sure of brand yet), a Walbro 190 Fuel Pump, centerforce clutch, and a 16g Turbo. Im running about 22lbs on 93 octane.

First question......

Is my boost level safe?


I just bough a T3/T4 57 trim for it......Good buy? Paid $180 almost brand new.
What kind of boost levels should i run with that? I know I need a aftermarket manifold/header to make it work. Whats the best one for cheap?


Thanks guys
-Connor

 

[rlacasse1]

What is it being tuned with? Do you have a wideband?

At this point I would say it's not safe.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

I wouldnt even touch the boost, in fact i would lower it to around 10psi just until you know what the previous owner did. As for installing the 57 trim, I would make sure you have the supporting mods first (I.E. Fuel injectors, a dependable wideband such as Innovate LC-1, and maybe even DSMlink) before you even think of raising the boost.

 

[sexystover]

like everyone said, lower the boost until you know its tuned correctly and safe, get a wideband if you dont already have one, and may i ask what brand turbo you just bought because it sounds like an ebay turbo to me

 

[talon2gbuyer]

like everyone said, lower the boost until you know its tuned correctly and safe, get a wideband if you dont already have one, and may i ask what brand turbo you just bought because it sounds like an ebay turbo to me

i agree, you either got an ebay turbo, or bought it from someone who beat the hell out of it for $180. Post up some pics man, would like to see what it looks like

 

[mantega4g63]

If you goals revolve around "what is cheap", then you should NOT raise your boost

 

[serrilion]

If you goals revolve around "what is cheap", then you should NOT raise your boost

Cheap normaly = unsafe
Unsafe = Costs more when it breaks
Doing it right the 1st time allows you to enjoy your ride more, and longer


I would also like some pictures of the turbo... As for raising the boost, I agree turn it down, or run none at all... also what program r u tuning it with? Wideband? we all need to know before we can give u an informed idea

 

[rlacasse1]

Cheap normaly = unsafe
Unsafe = Costs more when it breaks
Doing it right the 1st time allows you to enjoy your ride more, and longer


I would also like some pictures of the turbo... As for raising the boost, I agree turn it down, or run none at all... also what program r u tuning it with? Wideband? we all need to know before we can give u an informed idea

Oh really??????????????????????

 

[n2hipsi]

She runs like a raped ape. The turbo is like new. He said its turbonetics. Just rebuilt. Looks beautiful. She isn't tuned on anything right now.

 

[sexystover]

She runs like a raped ape. The turbo is like new. He said its turbonetics. Just rebuilt. Looks beautiful. She isn't tuned on anything right now.

turn down the boost to stock!!

i dont see injectors anywhere on that list and with stock injectors you are definately lean

 

[Dhan]

If it's seemingly running okay on 23psi, it must have been tuned on something.

Regardless, I'd dial it back to the stock boost level (about 10psi) until you get a good handle on what injectors you're running and what it's tuned with (if anything). Maybe get a hold of the PO and see exactly what setup he put together.

Post up some pictures for us and we can ID some of the aftermarket parts you have

Btw: ECM Tuning has one of the best tuning systems for our cars. Great product, designed around DSMs and excellent post-purchase support.

 

[n2hipsi]

I'm going to get ahold of him. But yeah she runs good. No lean pops yet. Do these cars have adjustable fuel pressure regulators

 

[Dhan]

Do these cars have adjustable fuel pressure regulators

No, they aren't adjustable. When upgrading to a 190 or 255 pump, along with new injectors, a lot of people will also get an aftermarket FPR (and a fuel pres. gauge too). A lot of people argue against the need for an AFPR under a certain boost level or with a 190, but after everything I've read and heard from ppl doing this a long time, I'd recommend it for anything but the stock pump.

And you might be able to do a quick ID of your injectors by seeing what color they are.

 

[n2hipsi]

I'll take a look at them when I get home and let y'all know.

 

[95talongirl]

They usually run the best right before breaking.

After all optimal A/F ratio for max power is 12.5:1; (to some extent on newer designs its 12:8:1 to 13.1:1) HOWEVER, cars are rarely run at those because there's no room for error. ANY little blip in the tune, loss of power to the pump, anything, will result in a catastrophic failure. So most people will "play it safe" and run it a little richer.

The point is..... with no tune and stock injectors, you are probably running in that range, hence why it feels so "great". I wouldn't keep it there, though.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

If you learn nothing else from us, always keep in mind, your car will give you hints that its about to do a backflip and die on you. Make sure you listen to your engine, any knocks, clicking, popping, or grinding will be the car telling you something isnt right. But As i state before, turn your boost down for now until you get the proper supporting mods or you risk damaging your new turbo

 

[Jon91TSi]

If you learn nothing else from us, always keep in mind, your car will give you hints that its about to do a backflip and die on you. Make sure you listen to your engine, any knocks, clicking, popping, or grinding will be the car telling you something isnt right. But As i state before, turn your boost down for now until you get the proper supporting mods or you risk damaging your new turbo

I love the newbs that say "Just bought a DSM, boost is 2x psi, no idea of supporting mods but damn this thing is fast". That usually indicates the owner is beating the piss out of it to find out the capabilities of the car before knowing the limits of the mechanical side first, this is ALWAYS a recipe for disaster. You should ALWAYS know excatly what you're buying before you buy it, and know what you're getting yourself in to. My advice would be to park the car, and verify that all maintenance is up to date, AND PERFORMED CORRECTLY before driving the car further. As for the mods, I would veryify exactly what was done to the car and build from that. Also, with most DSM owners with poorly or improperly modded cars, they like to talk and say they did this or that, but VERIFY that everything they said was done, was infact done, (THINK FUEL PUMP, etc.) Take my advice for what it's worth, or don't take it at all. I've been around these cars for quite some time. Good luck.

 

[n2hipsi]

My injectors are blue

 

[Jon91TSi]

My injectors are blue

Stock 450's... WAY past 80% IDC with a "190" pump and anything over 20 psi on a 16g.

 

[snowborder714]

Please try again with a more descriptive thread title. A generic thread title like this does not help me when browsing new threads to see if I can offer help or when searching old threads for info to help myself or others.