I'm almost to the point of giving up!

[usmc0651dns]

Since I bought my 97 GSX about a week ago, it has been nothing but headaches. I changed the plugs and wires. I cleaned the MAS. I took out the 880cc injectors and replaced them with 660cc. The car has a Greddy 18g kit. The car has never boosted past 5 - 10 PSI. I tried doing a boost leak test and it sounded like air was leaking out where the throttle body and intake manifold meet. I tightened the screws there and it still isn't exactly right. I used ECMLink to set the injector settings appropriately. I also tried to get the MAF settings to a desirable level. I was feeling good about all my hard work so I went out for a cruise to test the tune. I was in 3rd and the car was actually holding boost. I went WOT and the boost hit about 12 PSI and then something happened. The car wouldn't make any power in any gear. The car builds absolutely 0 boost. It won't idle unless you keep the gas pedal held in. On Link the RPMs show up fine but in the car itself they never go over 3000. I don't see how the car gauges see a different RPM then Link but I'm totally bummed out and don't even know where to start again. Please help if you have any idea what might be going wrong now.

 

[Shortstuff]

Check all your intercooler piping its possible you could have blown one apart.

 

[Aproductions]

Shortstuff Check all your intercooler piping its possible you could have blown one apart.

that's what I was gonna say. It happened to me before and I thought something was seriously wrong, but then I looked under my car and the left FMIC pipe was hanging off.

 

[onelowgst98]

^ my car did the same thing check your pipes

 

[usmc0651dns]

All the intercooler pipes have been checked and tightened up a little. They all seemed fine. What next ?

 

[fullCircle]

check all of your piping after the turbo outlet. i would say somthing has just popped loose but there is always a chance that one of the silcone connectors blew a hole in the hose.

make a boost leak tester.

 

[Ineedboostman]

Its not very likely to be blowing apart intercooler clamps at 12lbs max. Sounds like you have other issues.

 

[usmc0651dns]

I did make a boost leak tester and it seems like there was a leak somewhere around where the intake manifold meets the throttle body. Even with the leak the car was at least building to 5 - 10 PSI. Now it won't build any. I guess tomorrow morning bright and early the GSX will be going under the knife for awhile. I'm going to take off the turbo, intake manifold, intercooler and piping, and maybe even the downpipe and exhaust to see if I can spot something.

 

[cumpersgsx]

sounds kinda like the problem Im having. I cant figure it out for the life of me.

 

[JayRolla]

You say its leaking between the TB and intake manifold. Just take that apart and replace the seal, use a little copper spray sealant. Thats what I did and it sealed up great. Just fix the leaks one at a time and do a leak test inbetween all your work untill the car will at least hold 25psi and slowly leak off.

 

[usmc0651dns]

If you get it figured out let me know. I'll do the same. At least I'll get to do some cleaning and maintenance while I'm in there.

Will a boost leak cause the engine to run the way it is. I really don't understand how there is a difference in the RPM reading of the cluster gauges and what shows up on Link. I had the car running at least somewhat with the boost leak but now it acts way different. It tries to die on idle and even when it doesn't it is idling at like 600 RPMs. When I put it in gear and try to get a cruise log it dies while I'm switching from reverse to first. Would a boost leak cause all that? And if it does I don't see why it would just start now when I've had the leak for the past week.

 

[KKneipper]

It probably isn't the shaft seals leaking that is causing your poor performance. I'm sure that they aren't helping, but I'm thinking its a MASSIVE leak.

I have blown apart my IC piping a few times. The first time it happened, the car was running fine. Then I down shifted and was pushing about 18 psi when a coupler slipped off... and it felt like I hit a wall. It was scary. So I re-connected the pipe, and it was fine for a couple of months. Then it happened a couple more times, and both times I was only pushing about 8 psi, and experienced the same symptoms as you.

With the intercooler piping blown apart, all the air that is suppost to be going to the engine, is escaping into the atmosphere, and therefore causing your car to die at idle. So, yes, having a boost leak that severe WILL cause your car to run like crap.

Good luck with it, and keep us posted.

 

[AlaskanDsm]

It is also possible that there is an issue with your intercooler. I would do a BLT at the TB again and see if it builds any boost or as before, a slight bit. Take some REALLY soapy water and SPRAY EVERYTHING DOWN. Look for bubbles. I think you need a TB build if you hear leaking around there as the seals are probably old. But, if you are holding some pressure at the TB, move to the BOV piece and pressurize there. Work all the way to the turbo until you find the section that will not hold boost. This will help you to fairly quckly and easily find the problem... that is if it really is a boost leak.

 

[13b Bro]

Pull the TB off and check to see if the gasket between the TB and IM is on correctly.