Finally "completing" my 1G, but I have some questions..

[madcows]

Hey guys.. This is my first post, and I have some questions that hopefully someone can answer. But before I get to those, I'll give a little background first.


About 2 or 3 years ago, I bought myself a non-running project '91 TSi AWD that was intended to be used as a winter car so that I wouldn't have to drive my RX-8 in the snow. Being the huge procrastinator that I am, I left it untouched taking up my whole garage while I slapped some winter rubbers on the Mazda. Anyways, I ended up getting strapped for cash so I had to sell the RX-8, leaving me with nothing to drive and a TSi in a very sad state. So, with my back against the wall, I decided to finally get around to get it up and running. The car is clean for the most part, with no rust, and a few mods. When I bought it, the head wasn't installed, and there were some questionable things going on under the hood that one of the previous owner did to it, so I decided to rip the engine out and do a through inspection (glad I did, because I would have had to rip it out sooner rather than later). Here are some of the specs:

6 bolt crank
2G pistons +.020
16G turbo (at least according to the seller)
Evo3 exhaust manifold (again, according to the seller) although it doesn't really look like the ones in google image search - it has a flat spot on it which I presume could be routed out for installation of an external wastegate.
And some other stuff that is probably irrelevant to my questions.

My question is regarding the ECU which is stock, and hopefully still works (will check the caps). I don't want to button the car up, just to have the ECU go berserk and blow my motor. Since the compression ratio is no longer factory spec, and the turbo is larger, is there anything I need to worry about? Can I still use the stock boost control solenoid, or should I use a mechanical boost controller (I bought a ball & spring one already)? At this point, I'm just trying to get it up and running, so I'm not too worried about MAXIMUM POWER!.. Around stock levels would be sufficient. Is there anything I should be aware of before I turn the key for the first time? What mods and power levels can a stock ECU accommodate?

Thanks in advance!
Cheers,
Mark

 

[95talongirl]

You can run the 16g turbo; just make sure you're boost pressure is low. I've also seen people run them off the stock boost solinoid; but I would run the boost controller you have, as well.. this way you can set it to where you want it.

As far as the computer is concerned, I'm more apt to believe that if it was bad, you'd get a no-start condition or a crazy idle. I really have not heard of a faulty computer causing an engine failure, unless it was "tuned" to run more timing or something that the engine could handle.

For you, making sure that you run this turbo at a low boost pressure is the most important thing. I did not see any fuel system upgrades in your list, so yeah.. that is important!! The ECU itself is not the limiting factor, its the parameters that are programmed into it that create the limitations. It is programmed to run around 12psi with 360cc or 450cc injectors, and a stock MAF so any boost pressures over 15psi or so will become a problem without some sort of tuning device that will allow you to change the ECU's settings. It really is highly variable based on each individual build. For you, since you bumped the compression with a larger turbo, I would not recommend 12-15psi.... I'd probably run it at 8-10psi at the most for the time being.

 

[madcows]

Thanks for the quick reply!

As far as I know, the fuel delivery system is stock. Can I tell what injectors I have based on color or something?

I will heed your boost advice. I was thinking of initially using my mechanical boost controller anyways, and turning it way down, instead of using the solenoid. Your affirmation is noted

When I asked about the stock ECU, I should have made it more clear by specifying that I was referring to the stock tune. But if it should work as you say running stock-ish boost levels, then I'll be a happy camper.

Thanks again,
Mark