Strizzy

I'm numb to the bad news already. I'm sort of glad to be getting away from my TR turbo, though. I liked the response of it, but something about it never made me feel like it would've been reliable.

I'm going to try to get a hold of EDO and see if they can warranty it again.

Yup. hot side seal on mine too.

And the saga continues......

 

As I was coming to a stop the other day, I noticed a faint smell of burning oil, but it quickly went away. Later in the day, I noticed it more and more, but I didn't see any leaks or oil spots when I popped the hood. This went on for about 2 days. While sitting at a stop one night, smoke started billowing in to the cabin from the vents. WTF!? Something had to be terribly wrong, as that is NOT normal. After poking around with one of those fiber optic video cameras, I find out that the oil is coming from the center section of my turbo and dripping onto my UP. Not cool, as it's pretty much turns my engine bay into a potential candle.

So to fix this issue, this is what I already ordered:

ATP GTX3076R turbo

Agency Power fuel rail kit

Aeromotive fuel pump

 

I just need to decide on a 3" inlet.

Striz - sorry to hear about all of this. But how does it sound?

Shit happens... A lot of it to me, apparently.

 

The sound makes me quiver every time I start it, and whenever I drive through a tunnel

That 26psi was what I saw on my ProSport boost gauge, which I later figured out was off by a little more than 2psi (after comparing logs to what I saw with gauge's "peak" feature). I also got rid of my Prosport oil pressure gauge. I never realized how much the oil pressure fluctuates. The prosport never showed that. I like my PLX gauges (DM-6) WAY better.

 

The ring problem was actually Mahle's fault (they unofficially owned up to the problem, and I guess it's fairly common when you use their supplied rings).

 

But like I mentioned before, the shop I've been working with has been really helping me out.

Wow I am still amazed after all this time you have kept on this. I love your setup, and wish you so much luck on this one man.

 

I know most people consider it bunk but have you tried a grounding kit? Or a DIY grounding kit? Have you kept any or all of the stock grounds?

Thank you

As for the grounds, I kept all the stock ones, except when I had the Cosworth TGVs. Since plastic is non-conductive, I had to reroute the one ground to a different spot. Which also get me thinking now, it may not have been the best spot for a ground. I'll take a look at it later if I get some time. And I have been thinking about a DIY grounding kit since last night. So that may be my next step. I'll just make it so as much of the wires are routed neatly. My engine bay is starting to look a little like spaghetti with all the vacuum lines/hoses/wires

 

is that an NOS bottle?

 

 

 

say it aint so Strizz.... say it aint so

 

Two bottles. The big ones.

 

 

It's a NOS stool that was won in a raffle.

Another update...

I finally got around to getting my 10lbs wastegate spring installed along with the original 7lbs spring.

Zero'd out the wastegate duty cycle table and went to log. I can easily hit 30psi by 3800 RPMs Not what I wanted. Popped the hood and noticed one of my vacuum lines from the EBCS wasn't connected and I was running infina-boost. Whoops. Hooked it up and all was well. Sort of.

My problem I have now it that I can't log at WOT. RR keeps cutting out around 3900 RPMs or 6100 RPMs. Even a 6100 RPM log takes about 8 or 9 tries. I've tried 3 different Tactrix cables and two other laptops. I even messed with the OBD port, but nothing seems to help. I can log fine as long as I don't push the car hard and I can flash no problem. I even thought maybe my PLX wideband was causing issues, so I tried my friends Innovative WBO2. Same deal. Tried logging with no WB and same problem. Gave up after 3 hours. I'm thinking I have some sort of grounding issue somewhere, or some electrical issue. I just gotta find it.

 

So as of right now, I'm stuck with wastegate pressure (~17lbs) in the meantime, but I won't be going WOT until I have this sorted out.

 

One problem after another.

Can you post the picture of the cracked Cosworth TGV? What a bummer given what these things cost

 

Sorry, I just noticed your post today.

Here are some pics of the TGV:

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/photos/i-6bRdc45/0/L/i-6bRdc45-L.jpg

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/photos/i-x944VDB/0/L/i-x944VDB-L.jpg

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/photos/i-fnfLVFP/0/L/i-fnfLVFP-L.jpg

Bump!!!

Decided to stop for some pics while driving around yesterday afternoon.

 

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/Other/Subaru/i-87X7wv6/0/X2/IMG586234tonemapped-X2.jpg

 

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/Other/Subaru/i-G6KRVPb/0/X2/IMG58596061tonemapped-X2.jpg

 

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/Other/Subaru/i-qrMXjqQ/0/X2/IMG587123tonemapped-X2.jpg

 

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/Other/Subaru/i-TBTD4wG/0/X2/IMG585123tonemapped-X2.jpg

What if you make a prototype out of clay or other hard material, make a rubber/latex mold, and use a product like Alumilite casting resin to make them yourself? You can dye the resin to any color you want.

http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail.cfm?Category=Casting%20Resins&Name=Alumilite%20Regular

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0QDtolJdYE]How To Use Alumilite Regular Casting Resin - YouTube[/ame]

 

http://www.alumilite.com/howtos/TailLightMoldingNoEquipment.cfm

Quick update...

After a leaky oil pan that couldn't be sealed right, I had to replace that with a new one.

I replaced my Competition Clutch with a twin disc Exedy. WAY better now, and after break-in, it's super easy to drive. Only con with it is cold start chatter between shift. I have noticed it going away more and more though.

I still haven't gotten around to putting in the heavier EWG spring.

And my one Cosworth TGV deletes cracked at the intake manifold gasket, creating a HUGE vacuum leak that was a bit difficult to locate and some bad misfiring. I ended up porting my stock TGV. Those are now installed and I'm back to driving like normal.

Other than that, everything is perfect. Not burning any oil, and the motor pulls very strong.

It was... Now my new clutch isn't holding anything at WOT in any gear. Always something. I'm kinda used to it now and expecting something else to happen soon.

Got sort of tuned today...

Looks like I'll be needing a stronger spring for my EWG.

It came with a 7lb. spring and my tuner and I both thought it would work just fine.

At first we hooked the EBCS like it's normally done for EWGs and made around 14.5 psi.

Then we hooked it up according to one of Turbosmart's recommended setups and made around 18psi.

We thought maybe the EBCS was messed up, so we swapped in a new one, but same thing. Then we unhooked the bottom port on the wastegate to run infinite boost, just to make sure I don't have some sort of boost leak I can't hear over the EWG and I can make 20+ psi no problem.

I'm going to order a new spring and install it in a couple weeks, after my trip to VA. So fully tuning it going to have to wait.

On the bright side, we didn't run into any issues with tuning (other than mentioned) and my car is 100% drivable with a fun 18psi.

Break-in finally completed and I'm now on my way to get tuned!

Must've just missed you then. I was there around 12:30ish.

I was at Boston Market earlier today for lunch. What time were you guys in the area?

Haha! Thanks. If I didn't have a second vehicle during the whole ordeal, I probably wouldn't have wanted to deal with it and would've got rid of it.

 

As for an update, 1000 miles and no oil burning and my oil catch can is still empty.

I even made it out to Chicago's mythical Legacy meet that never happens as planned.

I have 500 miles to go before I'm done with the break-in, then I get another full tune. After that, I'll be making a road trip to northern Virginia for Thanksgiving. That will be it's real test of reliability.

 

(Second from the left)

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/photos/i-jMJtjnZ/0/X3/i-jMJtjnZ-X3.jpg

Well, the time has come to finally start driving my car again.

After a couple speed bumps during the rebuild, everything seems to be running smoothly.

I only have 100 miles on the new motor, but so far so good.

I feels so good to be back in the car.

Tonight I plan on installed some parts I had sitting off to the side and then going for a loooong drive.

^Probably because a Subaru can't do this:

 

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/strizzy123/_MG_0166_cropped-1.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/strizzy123/Badlands%205-2-09/526864315_wXseZ-XL.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/strizzy123/Badlands%205-2-09/526908212_UWgmG-XL.jpg

 

How does it look like I'm driving a school bus?

"Speed has never killed anyone... Suddenly becoming stationary, that's what gets you."

-Jeremy Clarkson

Nope. Driving this:

 

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i274/strizzy123/Quarries.jpg

Saw this Autozone edition Outback this morning

 

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/photos/i-2xnWJ6c/0/X3/i-2xnWJ6c-X3.jpg

I'll let you guess how this post is going to end up....

 

 

Anyways, here are some pictures of the old shortblock with the heads off.

I initially thought I only had one piston giving me problems, but it ended up being ALL 4.

Here's the driver's side:

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/photos/i-7g5fxtN/0/X2/i-7g5fxtN-X2.jpg

 

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/photos/i-hqM8M86/0/X2/i-hqM8M86-X2.jpg

 

And the passenger side:

(this side wasn't as bad)

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/photos/i-jnFwW5F/0/X2/i-jnFwW5F-X2.jpg

 

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/photos/i-wt2n2N9/0/X2/i-wt2n2N9-X2.jpg

 

 

Now, to move on to what I never would have expected....

(I'll let the pictures do the explaining)

 

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/photos/i-5s49mJv/0/X2/i-5s49mJv-X2.jpg

 

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/photos/i-HTsR3gt/0/X2/i-HTsR3gt-X2.jpg

 

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/photos/i-sd5pHsX/0/X2/i-sd5pHsX-X2.jpg

 

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/photos/i-4z7szcT/0/X2/i-4z7szcT-X2.jpg

 

http://www.strizzyphoto.com/photos/i-MXZ29nZ/0/X2/i-MXZ29nZ-X2.jpg

 

This is a Tomei cam. Just found this out last night after removing the cam gears. I sent them pictures and already have a replacement on its way.

 

I think I'm out of bad luck now... hopefully.

Right now, the cam is the only thing holding me back from putting the motor back in.

 

 

On a side note, stay AWAY from Mahle pistons.

 

That's all for now. I'm just trying not to think about it. I just want this to be over with already.

I picked up the shortblock Wednesday night before the machine shop closed at 8. For anyone wondering and thinking my issues are with the builder, this is the machine shop that is used by AMS, P&L, and some other well known performance shops, for ALL of their motor builds and shortblocks they sell.

Being sick all week sucks. I'm hoping I can get to swapping the heads this weekend. I will have the car running by end of next week though.

I can't wait to get this monster back on the road again.