Is this how a DSM is supposed to feel?

[Gabe92RTTT]

Hey guys,

I just recently picked up my DSM. It needed some work so I have been doing it piece by piece. The car drove like crap, had a real sparatic powerband and had no top end power. Here are some things I have replaced:

Open element air filter & MAS
Plugs & Wires
2G exhaust manifold

I had massive exhuast leaks and I thought the 2g manifold would cure the top end power problem. It did smooth the powerband and driveablity tremendously, however the top end power is still missing.

The car has lots of pep up until about 4500RPMs where power seems to level off. Is this a characteristic of a stock 1G ? I guess I am expecting too much as I am used to driving my 400+ hp Stealth?

Next on my list to change is the o2 sensor and then obtain a data logger cable for the car. If some people can chime in and let me know if these driveability characterstics are normal that would be a big help and keep me from replacing more uncessesary stuff. I would like to get the car in "normal" status before I start modding it.

Thanks for the help,

 

[Groomz]

A boost gauge would be a sure bet on finding out the problem. If its dropping boost past 4500, then you know its a turbo or wastegate problem. A datalogger is good also. Check to see if its pulling timing at all. My 1G AWD pulled quite nicely stock, so you should find something amiss when you start reading boost and timing. It could be a boost leak also. There are a million different things on a DSM that could go wrong. Start with the little stuff.

400+hp also tends to skew your perspective.

 

[CYCLONE]

Check the timing, when i bought my tsi both the intake and the
exhaust cams were of by one tooth. Pulled only about 8 lbs
of boost and pretty much fell on its face around 4500 rpm.

 

[tylerdurden801]

With a stock exhaust it shouldn't fall on it's face till about 6K RPM. They aren't exactly top end monsters stock. Peak torque is like 3200 RPM (too lazy to find exact figure).

 

[Gabe92RTTT]

Ok thanks for the tips guys. I don't have any intake leaks (pressure tested the system) but I'll check again. Also, I haven't checked the base timing yet but the idling timing is at 10*.

I definetly need to get a boost guage and logger for this thing. That is next on the list. I doubt I am hitting full bost because the stock guage doesn't even peg all the way down.

 

[Laser-man]

setting the timming on these cars helps some, but from what i have heard from other people is that the computer controlls most of the timming and adjustst it as necessary. but im one of thoes guys that set mine by myself, not like it can hurt.