Second gear acceleration

[Hoot]

I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I have a '99 GSX with 75K miles. I have been noticing a slow acceleration in second gear after boost hits at 3K RPM which is a bit of a paradox, I know; after boost hits slow acceleration - weird... What I mean by this is the acceleration after the boost (at 3K RPM) is not sustained. At 4K RPM and higher it is if the turbo is not even there though I have been watching the "boost" gauge and it is peaking just above the 3/4 line (original boost gauge). First, third, fourth and fifth all carry power better then second gear.

I have been checking into some of the other threads though their relevance is questionable.

This first link refers to exhaust removal though I strongly doubt this has anything to do with my issue. But more importantly they suggest new plugs and wires. What wires are we referring to? Not the wire harness?
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/pro...er-boost-new-plugs-wires-ff-steady-boost.html

This second link sounds more similar to what I am seeing but to a much lesser degree. My car still has acceleration in second though it is not as good as first or third gear.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/pro...driving-hardly-any-acceleration-3rd-gear.html

Now, I could have my head up my ___, and that is a real possibility. But I wanted to get the communities thoughts before I do something really stupid or don't do something and make it worse. This may be as simple as "this is how all turbos work, let it go" etc.

Thanks

 

[Defiant]

How old are your plugs and wires, and are you running NGK BPR6ES at .028"?

 

[Hoot]

I purchased the car a little over 6 months ago so its past is limited to what the previous owner passed along.

Replace/Repare:
Plugs - within the year
Wires - unknown.

The wires are - Magnecor KV85 Competition. Does this tell you anything?

"and are you running NGK BPR6ES at .028" "

I don't know what this means but I am going to find out and let you know.

 

[Grimis]

"and are you running NGK BPR6ES at .028" "

I don't know what this means but I am going to find out and let you know.

what he means by that is the plug maker "NGK" and the type "BPR6ES" and the Gap ".028"

could be bad plugs.

 

[mattdev]

Sounds like plugs to me, or boost leak.

The Plugs Defiant is referring to are NGK brand spark plugs, the best spark plugs for our cars. BPR6ES is the part number. It is a series of spark plugs. BPR7ES, BPR6ES, etc. The BPR6ES burns hotter than the 7ES, 7ES burns hotter than 8ES... (the 6ES is normally better for low boost/less modified setups).

Those are nice Spark Plug Wires you have, however its possible they are old and corroded, but not likely.

Check for boost leaks, if you you have a way to check. If not, GET ONE! (Multitude of tutorials available).
DIY Tut
Boostpro.net Kit
(home depot worked for me )

I'm sure you've heard this before, but a REAL boost gauge is a must...

 

[Hoot]

You guys are doing my research for me. My sense of accomplishment is diminished with the ease of your answers.

I am in the process of ordering new plugs and looking at the suggested threads for boost leak.

If there is a boost leak, why would it only be effecting second? A boost leak should be seen in all gears, correct; wherever the turbo is engaged? Why would plugs and wires be effecting only second also? I suppose its not as apparent in the other gears, but why?

 

[SpiralOut]

First thing, Get a boost guage!!!!!!! That is number 1. My stock boost guage maxes out at 5 psi. So you cant really know anything untill you get that. There like $40 at pepboys. After you get that, let us know what boost is doing. Im thinking you have a boost leak.

 

[mattdev]

I don't normally do people's research for them, haha. But you seem pretty chill...

My guess as to why only in second gear, is that's simply when you feel it the most. 2nd gear is a pretty high gear ratio and that's when you start seeing sustained boost which calls for a more potent (rich) mixture, which is harder on the ignition (plugs, etc.) It probably happens in every other gear, but 2nd is just when you can feel it. (3rd gear acceleration is pretty slim when stock, quite frankly).

 

[webconnect]

Everybody says stock boost gauge isn't accurate. Well every car differs, but my '99 gsx bone stock, the gauge reads 1/2 at 0psi. Which makes sense, no boost, no vacuum, and at the top it is ~12 psi. That is pretty accurate for my taste. I was able to verify it with a real boost gauge obviously.

I can see how the gauge would be off once you start modding and flowing more air. However, if your stock car isn't maxing out the stock gauge, and you are feeling slow after boost hits. It tells me you have a boost leak.

 

[SpiralOut]

Everybody says stock boost gauge isn't accurate. Well every car differs, but my '99 gsx bone stock, the gauge reads 1/2 at 0psi. Which makes sense, no boost, no vacuum, .

. That stock guage does not even read airflow, It is 100% useless. It is just there for looks, .

 

[Defiant]

No, the stock gauge interpolates the amount of boost by measuring several aspects of the engine's dynamic functions, and does so to a highly accurate level until the factory tuning levels are deviated from. It's not "just there for looks".

 

[Hoot]

Pardon my, for lack of a better word, skepticism but a few of you are giving me conflicting ideas. Based on Defiant's rep (and (s)he is a moderator! I feel so doted upon!) I have to consider the boost gauge to be, at least, mostly accurate as my car is only slightly modified. I will however take your advice regardless and purchase a boost gauge as if I am going to continue to mod the stock gauge will loose its relevance, correct?

I know SpiralOut suggested a boost gauge from Pepboys for $40, but, if it is easy for anyone to answer - what brand makes the best boost gauge for our cars? This is probably on another thread and I'll be checking on that as soon as this post is complete. I will not skimp out and buy a knockoff, and I'm not suggesting thats what SpiralOut wanted me to do, I'm just saying I can afford the best and thats what I want. I understand that depending on what is going to be done to the car will effect which boost gauge to buy, but there has to be a quality brand name, right?

You guys are great. I love this forum!

 

[Skusssssh]

well when it comes to a boost guage there really is not much of a differecne from car to car but autometer makes one of the better ones that is not too badly priced.

 

[Supa Dexta]

Stewart warner, got mine at summit, better then autometer imo.

 

[VETTE_50_TH]

No, the stock gauge interpolates the amount of boost by measuring several aspects of the engine's dynamic functions, and does so to a highly accurate level until the factory tuning levels are deviated from. It's not "just there for looks".

Doesn't it just read an electronic signal from the ECU which in turn is from the stock airbox metering airflow? Mine on my Laser is fairly accurate. It shows a little over 0psi when i am at 0psi. And it also showed the surge i would get before i swapped my turbo for the e316g. My 14b had a crack in the wastegate.

James

Stewart warner, got mine at summit, better then autometer imo.

I think i might get the STACK gauges. They look sick with the name in the middle and how it glows. Or i will get the high end autometer and innovative wideband for my talon this winter.

James

 

[Defiant]

Yes, the boost gauge needle's driven by what the ECU gathers up and processes.

The "best" aftermarket boost gauge will be the one you like best. The mechanics of boost gauges is some 150+ years old (and, gaak, French) and not difficult for the most backward (again, French) worker to assemble. The small amount of inaccuracy you might be able to detect while running won't be significant in even the $30 eBay units, and you'll find that after the first two weeks, it's not a gauge that is closely monitored. I'm partial to the VDO because they're closest to factory-looking faces. Some who appreciate the sensation of being a firefly's proctologist a go for the glow gauges, but there's still no enabling legislation to allow us to remedy this conundrum.