How can I tell what mods have been done?

[sweetwhite95gst]

I bought my car used and I was just wondering if there is any way I could tell what mods where done to the motor. I know it has intake, turbo back 3" exhaust, and that is about all i know. there is a gauge up near the firewall under the hood on the drivers side and also a knob to adjust whatever it is.. but i have no idea what it is? anybody have a clue what that is? I am a newbie to imports... i have a palm pilot, i have seen you guys talk about dataloggers... how do I set me palm up to be a datalogger? Would that tell me if any mods are done to the motor? Please help, this is confussing.. i can take a picture of my motor if you guys want, maybe you can point out the mods.

 

[PropXprt]

Well the exhaust and intake are obivious mods. The gauge and knob under your hood indicate that whoever had this car prior possibly installed an adjustable fuel pressure regulator, and if that was the case you most likely have an aftermarket fuel pump. You can also pull your air filter off to see if the previous owner(s) hacked the honeycomb. If you have a full 3" exhaust you should definetely get a real boost gauge if you car doesn't already have one. If you are boost creeping you definetly want to know so you dont destroy your engine. Start out in this forum

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=44

and read up as much as you can. You will learn alot of basic information. Hope this helps.
Rob

 

[98RedGs]

Honestly without pictures we can't tell you jack.


The "gauge" up there by the Fuel Pressure Regulator is an ADJUSTABLE Fuel Pressure Reg. and it's used to adjust the pressure in your fuel system (fuel curve). As far as the PDA comment/questions you can lookup Datalogger using the search feature and you will find some nice information (Hint: Search by title only if you want specifics)http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=44

Post us a pic of the engine bay or if you got it off of ebay post us the link to the ad.

 

[sweetwhite95gst]

Ok.. here is a picture that was on the ebay auction.. I will try to get some better pics... the only thing different now is I put a return pipe from the BOV to the intake... thanks for the replies, I don't have a boost gauge, I do plan to get one though, i guess I need to hurry..

about the fuel pressure regulator... what does it need to be set on with a stock turbo? it really sucks to buy a car with mods already because you don't know what you need to buy...the car was a new car trade in and the dealer had no idea about any of this stuff.. let me know what you guys see.

 

[98RedGs]

Probably used a 1g bov flange and put the 1st gen bov onto the car.

I notice...


Wires
Intake
BOV
adjustable fpr

Don't adjust the fpr yourself. Whatever it's adjusted to leave it at that bro.

 

[sweetwhite95gst]

Ok..the car does run rich though... could that be the problem?

 

[98RedGs]

Ok..the car does run rich though... could that be the problem?

You found this out how?

 

[DSMNightmare]

ONe of the reasons it might run rich is because of the 1G BOV being vented. This BOV is NOT designed to be vented and will leak under vacume.

** just re-read the thread nvm**

 

[98RedGs]

ONe of the reasons it might run rich is because of the 1G BOV being vented. This BOV is NOT designed to be vented and will leak under vacume.

In the post he posted the pic in I think he said he re-routed it. That's what I think I read tho....

 

[DSMNightmare]

If the car has a FPR then you might want to check and see if it has an aftermarket fuel pump. I would think this would be the only reason for the FPR because the fuel pump is one of the few mods that would be least benefitial to take out of the car when selling it.

 

[sweetwhite95gst]

You found this out how?

mainly because I can smell it... especially with my sunroof open... also it smokes alittle bit, not bad but some.. I was told it was from running rich.

If the car has a FPR then you might want to check and see if it has an aftermarket fuel pump. I would think this would be the only reason for the FPR because the fuel pump is one of the few mods that would be least benefitial to take out of the car when selling it.

Ok, what do I need to look for? How can you tell it is aftermarket? bigger?

 

[98RedGs]

http://www.vfaq.com/FAQlocator-fuel.html

You'd have to physically look. Theres no way to know without getting in there. Why not ask the dealer to contact the guy that traded it into them and have him contact your or get his contact information?

If you think your that rich then you may wanna tone it down just a little... When turning down fuel pressure without a logger or anything to physically see what your doing I simply suggest turning it down 1-2 and then go riding. See what happens then repeat process..

 

[DSMNightmare]

Honestly I don't know... You might want to go to the vfaq and look at what a stock wiring setup on a 2G fuel pump looks like and see if he did the rewire. Also the fuel pump is going to be the same size so I would guess the only way to tell would be via a part number. You should also get someone to hook a logger up to your car and see if the O2 sensors are still good.

 

[RickyIac]

Red, a bunch of red, Adjustable Fuel Regulator, Wires, probably performance plugs, From the looks of it, an FMIC, and if theres and Adjustable FPR then check for an aftermarket fuel pump, and try and find out if you have a Fuel Controller hiding somewhere, i know that with my car, after getting curious i found an HKS F-CON System hiding behind my center console.

 

[sweetwhite95gst]

Ok.. I will look around, btw it doesn't have a FMIC... i wish it did though ... I am going to do some more looking around tonight.. no telling what i will find