gsx doesnt seem to be pulling hard

[frankenstein406]

hi just got a 90 gsx and it doesn't seem to be pulling that hard. i can hear the bov but a stock fwd 1g turbo pulled a lot harder. the 14b has some shaftplay could it be on its way out? trying to sort out the problems so i can start modding it. oh it has 2 1/2 exhaust after dp no cat no silencer

 

[blackbetty]

It could be a number of things..

First, If you have not done a boost leak test.. do it now!
Second, how old is your clutch? It could be slipping.
Third, There is a possibility that your turbo is on its way out. Does the car smoke at all?
Fourth, Check the plugs/wires, they could be causing bad detonation or misfires.

Really, just check everything you can.. before you spend any money on things that don't need fixing.

 

[mikhro]

Like mentioned above, do all tests needed before you go spending money on things not needed.

I would start with a boost leak test

Then work you way up


When you mentioned "shaft play".....do the fins touch the housing when you move it?, and have you tried spinning the blades, do they spin freely?....or spin a little hard?

 

[frankenstein406]

It could be a number of things..

First, If you have not done a boost leak test.. do it now!
Second, how old is your clutch? It could be slipping.
Third, There is a possibility that your turbo is on its way out. Does the car smoke at all?
Fourth, Check the plugs/wires, they could be causing bad detonation or misfires.

Really, just check everything you can.. before you spend any money on things that don't need fixing.

wires are accel 8mm so im pretty sure there good. yup its been smoking occasional not all the time but i do notice it. one day uphill i started off and there was a big puff of smoke. blt im planning on but will a bike pump work or do i need a air compressor?

 

[frankenstein406]

Like mentioned above, do all tests needed before you go spending money on things not needed.

I would start with a boost leak test

Then work you way up


When you mentioned "shaft play".....do the fins touch the housing when you move it?, and have you tried spinning the blades, do they spin freely?....or spin a little hard?

there not touching, they spin freely i think but i'll double check everything

thanks for everyones help.

 

[JusMX141]

hi just got a 90 gsx and it doesn't seem to be pulling that hard.

I suspect phantom knock. A logger will confirm this.

When I first bought my '92 FWD, it was doing the same thing....occasionally it just wouldn't pull at all. I'd be making 15psi, but the car just didn't "feel" fast to me. Hooked up the logger, and after a few pulls I noticed the knock count was maxing out, which was completely wrecking the engine's ignition timing curve.

The culprit was a faulty knock sensor.

 

[rEclipserGST]

Make sure your spark plugs are gapped corectly. .28

Do a boost leak test with an air compressor, you will not be able to pump it up to 20 psi with a bike pump.

Check turbo for shaft play, in and out, side to side. Is it the stock 14b turbo?

Check all hoses and clamps. When's the last time you changed the tranny fluid?

 

[frankenstein406]

I suspect phantom knock. A logger will confirm this.

When I first bought my '92 FWD, it was doing the same thing....occasionally it just wouldn't pull at all. I'd be making 15psi, but the car just didn't "feel" fast to me. Hooked up the logger, and after a few pulls I noticed the knock count was maxing out, which was completely wrecking the engine's ignition timing curve.

The culprit was a faulty knock sensor.

Ive been meaning to buy a logger looks like Ill have to now. Pawn shop time. If it is bad should i grab it off my donor car or buy new?

 

[frankenstein406]

Make sure your spark plugs are gapped corectly. .28

Do a boost leak test with an air compressor, you will not be able to pump it up to 20 psi with a bike pump.

Check turbo for shaft play, in and out, side to side. Is it the stock 14b turbo?

Check all hoses and clamps. When's the last time you changed the tranny fluid?

I'll check the plugs, turbo has shaftplay its the stock 14b and cars been smoking a little. Tranny fluid plugs oil was changed a thousand miles ago is what he told me. I was thinking of changing it anyways to lucas 80 90 and b&m trickshift.

 

[rEclipserGST]

Black smoke? White smoke? Blue smoke? Does it smoke under load or just at idle? Details please

 

[frankenstein406]

Black smoke? White smoke? Blue smoke? Does it smoke under load or just at idle? Details please

The big puff was white smoke i think under load, but normally it seems grey blue. its light but noticeable. It seems to be at idle a lot, it doesnt happen all the time. I replaced the vavle cover gasket recently with a fel pro and there had been some blow by. I havent had the chance to clean it out of the smic yet.

 

[NoCreep]

A 1g fwd will always pull harder than a 1g awd, no drivetrain loss,even if you have everything running right the result will be the same

 

[rEclipserGST]

A 1g fwd will always pull harder than a 1g awd, no drivetrain loss,even if you have everything running right the result will be the same

Whaaat?! I disagree. The fwd may have more hp BECAUSE of the power being split between the drivetrain. BUT I would say an awd will pull harder ANYDAY. ESPECIALLY with more boost, no traction loss

 

[frankenstein406]

Whaaat?! I disagree. The fwd may have more hp BECAUSE of the power being split between the drivetrain. BUT I would say an awd will pull harder ANYDAY. ESPECIALLY with more boost, no traction loss

i thought it would be close to the same because of the 13b/14b difference on stockers.

 

[NoCreep]

Whaaat?! I disagree. The fwd may have more hp BECAUSE of the power being split between the drivetrain. BUT I would say an awd will pull harder ANYDAY. ESPECIALLY with more boost, no traction loss

Of course a awd will pull harder from a launch, how about from a rolling start,I'm not saying a awd is slow,just stating there weak points,I have an awd myself

 

[rEclipserGST]

Of course a awd will pull harder from a launch, how about from a rolling start,I'm not saying a awd is slow,just stating there weak points,I have an awd myself

Sorry bud, i race from a dig. I hate rolling starts simply because I have an auto. My only advantage is that I lose no BOOST. So I launch at 3k then its up up and away.

I'd love to have an awd... hopefully some day.

 

[frankenstein406]

so back on topic, anyone have an idea about the smoke if thats the turbo going?

 

[rEclipserGST]

so back on topic, anyone have an idea about the smoke if thats the turbo going?

yea, replace it. Check the classifieds and throw a 14b on it. Clean out your intercooler pipes, clean the throttlebody. Get it done, there's plenty of threads on complete turbo swaps.

 

[Backinajiffy12]

Dont get a 14b upgrade to a 16g

 

[frankenstein406]

yea, replace it. Check the classifieds and throw a 14b on it. Clean out your intercooler pipes, clean the throttlebody. Get it done, there's plenty of threads on complete turbo swaps.

figures i just sold my 14b off my donor at least i got $150 for it. should i just go with a 16g since my plans were

680 injectors
evo fmic
safc 1
2g maf

i have this stuff waiting.

 

[rEclipserGST]

Sure, I would. BUT once I saw that thread with the 1g awd talon pulling 12's on a 14b... I ended up just going with that. But if you goal is 16g, go for it. Just make sure you have the supporting mods or at least enough mods to not blow your motor.