Will not boost past 7psi, running strange

[BurrowZ]

Okay, I have a 1997 GSX. Just recently I let a bunch of guys at the auto tech program here at my school replace my turbo (T25 with E316G), exhaust manifold (stock with pacesetters), and put a front mount on and that is about it.

I had everything to do it with, and a couple of them have their own DSMs and have done all their own work.

Well when doing the manifold two of the bolts snapped off inside the head. The far top left and far bottom left studs broke off. Then they tried to drill them out and broke the freaking EZ out in the studs. I got an RRE copper gasket and copper RTV and had them put it on anyway since I don't have enough down time to pull the head off and send it to a machine shop.

So it definitely has an exhaust leak which is loud but does not seem to leak too badly actually. It spools a little slower but still quick.

Now my problems are:
Turbo will not spool past 7 psi. I tightened down all my IC piping and found that the line between the WG and BC was torn in half, so I replaced it and relocated it AWAY from the fan haha. Still will not go past 7. I have not boost leak tested it yet but will tonight.

The cars runs SUPER lean at idle (17.5 to ---), I can't even correct it with my SAFC2. It also runs extremely rich at WOT, I have to subtract 50% at WOT just to get 10.5-11.

Now my question is: Is this the exhaust leak or a boost leak somewhere? I still have the stock MAF in for now.

A little more info, I recently did the timing belt and water pump too. Could the timing be off? It was done about a couple days after the turbo was replaced, but it was nice out and I had been anxious to pull my Stang out so I did not drive the Eclipse and have no idea if it ran better before or after.



BTW, dsmtuners.com is the best and you guys have helped me through EVERY problem I have ever had with this guy. All help is greatly appreciated!!!

 

[newTSIguy]

I had a similar problem where I couldn't get anything past 15 psi, turned out my bov started leaking at 10 psi it got worse as the boost went up,so my money is on a boost leak, do a blt and get back to us.

 

[turboJAKE]

fix the exhaust leak that is what will most likely fix your problem maybe not completely but it will help A LOT

 

[Hoot]

With the way you described it I gotta believe exhaust leak is the primary issue. Whats the word on the boost leak test?

 

[twotall]

boost leak test try this http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...-boost-leak-test-how-boostpro-net-tester.html

 

[4g63tc]

Seems like I'm reading the same thread.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/348567-my-car-runs-terrible-under-boost.html

Do a Boost Leak Test.

Also get one of the guys in the autoshop to Weld a Bolt to the broken ones, and see if you can get it out that way, make sure after the welds cool to soak it in PB Blaster the night before.

 

[nightmares GS-T]

Any exhaust leak is bad no matter how small you may think. It doesn't sound big at idle because the engine isn't under any load. Get it fixed. This shouldn't even be a question because its going to throw your wideband readings off. Fix the leak then report back.