I had some issues a few weeks back at Road America. Car wouldn't make full boost, then started stumbling and misfiring. Finally threw some codes for the misfire, boost level and other stuff. Ended up parking it for the weekend.

I took it in and had new plugs and coil packs installed. All three plugs on the drivers' side were loose, and the coil packs were sooty from exhaust. Must be a leftover from the PPI, where I had a leak-down test done and new plugs.

Pressure test revealed major leak at the passenger side boost hose at the top of the intercooler, and several smaller ones. Replaced those with lovely red ones from Vivid. Also replaced the frequency valve, which was a little oily.

Car runs great now. It hits 1.0 bar every time in 4, 5 and 6 gears (Upsolute flash). I can't stay in the lower gears long enough to build full boost, but am seeing 0.9 bar. Probabaly would see full boost if I were on the track. Too bad the season is over!

Car feels like a monster again!

Jon

 

Jon - congrats. It's always such a good feeling when everything acts how its supposed to and makes you want to hop in the car and drive for no other reason than being behind the wheel. Cheers.

 

Jon - I wondered why you weren't out on the track Sunday at Road America! Loose plugs; you think they just weren't torqued right?

I noticed you had the Girodisc rotors on the front. How do you like them? I have a set as well and have some odd wear, but the braking is very consistent.

 

If you want your car to run better dump the Upsolute and get a good tune.
I've had the Upsolute flash but dumped it to late and my exhaust valve melted because I was running to lean.There are many good flashes out there but Upsolute isn't one of them.......

 

nice.....do you have pics...

 

That's about the only thing I can figure. They've been in there 20,000 miles. I wasn't out there Saturday either. All this stuff came up on Friday. But I had to stay and share my pearls of wisdom for y'all in the classroom.

I heard from our mutual indy that you had had some pretty heavy wear on yours. They seem fine to me. I think that you must use your brakes more than I do.

They "click" when I back down my driveway, but that's about it.

 

Here's a pic of the smoke/pressure test showing the leak at the intercooler. No, it's not on fire. He mixes smoke with the air to make it easier to find the leaks. I posted this once before, but since you asked... Photo on the left is to orient you, the one ofn the right gives a closeup of the leaking connection.

I'll take some photos of the new hoses and post them later.

Jon

 

Congrats. Must be good to have it back.

 

Glad you got it sorted out Jon. I am planning to change plugs and coil packs in the spring. Also have some Girodiscs to put on the fronts at the same time.

 

Works for me. Girodisks are a straight bolt in. With stock calipers, there's a pair of shims. With GT3 calipers, no shims are required. I like the larger diameter.

I'd recommend a pressure test at the same time. The car is going to be exposed for the plugs/coils anyway, making it easier to find and fix them.

 

Hey, I resemble that remark!
Yes, I will freely admiit it. I did most of the damage in three days at Gingerman with Randy and the crew from CIRPCA.

 

Wow, and that's not a real fast track either. Of course, you had a lot of track time since there was hardly anyone there...

 

Here are some more photos. First one shows the new boost hoses.

The next two show coil packs. The one on the bottom (first photo) and right (second photo) came from the right side, the other from the left. If you look carefully, you can see the track of exhaust soot up the shaft, and it is clearly visible on the top of the coil pack. You can't even read the P/N through the soot.

The plugs were installed after a leak-down test during a PPI 20k miles ago. By a dealer! I won't mention the name, but the owner runs 4 NASCAR teams that are at the top of the standings this year.

Jon