Power loss, not hitting full boost..HELP!!!?!!

[89_laser_32]

Ok I bought my 1990 laser rs turbo with a blown head. Replaced the head and hit 14lbs of boost for a few days and it pulled extrememly strong. Then it quit pumping oil and turns out my mechanic timed it wrong and bent the valves. After the valves were bent I couldn't hit past 12 psi of boost. I just got done having the head rebuilt and pressure tested and put it back in the car. Car runs better, but still hits 12 psi and shudders a little bit. I know my car can do 14lbs and if anybody has every had this problem you know how annoying it is. Right when I hit 12 it should kick me back in the seat, go to 14 and launch...but it won't. It just hits 12 and boggs down and runs roughly. I don't think I have a boost leak because before the valves bent it would hit the full boost just fine. Any ideas?

 

[RotaryRyan]

I don't think I have a boost leak because before the valves bent it would hit the full boost just fine.

But since then the piping has been off and on. Check for boost leaks and go from there.

 

[majik2k5]

Bingo. There are countless lines that are removed and gaskets that need replaced when your head was pulled to replace the valves. One little hole somewhere or one bad spot on a gasket can cause that boost leak. So it's best to test for it.

 

[89_laser_32]

Could one little boost leak cause the motor to hit 12 psi and just completely bogg down and run extremely rough?

 

[majik2k5]

Not a little one, probably not. But it's hard to tell where your leaks are from. If you do a boost leak test and can't find anything, follow that with a compression test.

 

[LunarEclips]

i agree, start a boost leak check and run from there