superbean

I have a 5.3 swapped fairmont I'm trying to iron all the bugs out on.

Setup:
5.3
Z06 cam
ls1 intake
truck tb
on3 76mm
2.5 charge pipes
tial bov
ebay wastegate
Microsquirt V2 (Denmah base tune)

The car idles and drive great under 100kpa, but once it approaches that threshold it still won't make any boost.

I've tested for boost leaks, found one in my coupler, but tightened clamp and map will now see 20psi without any leaks.

I'm thinking I have an issue with either my wastegate or bov.

Anything else I should look into?

superbean

check again with boost leak tester, still no leaks... bypassed bov and still no change

mrstepheneades

Lol pin the gate shut and then try a partial throttle pull see of gate is the problem. What I'd do. May sound dumb though just throwing ideas.

superbean

I may do that. I see you're from Statesville, NC. I'm close to that area in Asheville (where I work), have some family in Morganton

jrpimp00

iTrader: (17)

Are you pressure testing through the turbo as well? If not maybe its coming through the seals on the compressor side

LT1RAY

iTrader: (21)

+1 for this. Just watch the map sensor.

superbean

It's a brand new turbo.. I hope it wouldn't take a crap that quickly

wild1100

iTrader: (3)

hate to ask, but are you sure you put the little ring under the wastegate when mounting to flange?

superbean

Funny you said that, I had just taken it off and put it in before I read your post. I put the ring in, but still not building boost, however it did spool much nicer and felt like the turbo was actually doing something.

superbean

I have bypassed bov, capped wastegate, pressure tested for leaks, microsquirt sees 16psi under leak test but still no boost! What the heck!! Any other ideas before I replace this turbo?

aknovaman

iTrader: (7)

Chk your txt messages.

Slim80

When you clocked the turbo did you tighten the case back down? Also in that pic it sure looks like your wastegate valve is open, I can see daylight through it. Or am I just seeing things?

superbean

It is in that picture, but that's without the ring in the bottom. It now currently has the ring.

I tightened the turbo down after I clocked it, but maybe not tight enough? It will hold pressure when I test it with a boost leak tester

Slim80

I didn't go too tight with mine after I tightened it down, just enough. I didn't want to spin a thread going into soft aluminium housing. That's weird that you say the turbo sounds like it is zinging up when you get on the gas, I would assume that noise could only be made when forcing air through the turbo. Could you test the pressure by taking the charge pipe off of the throttle body and stuffing a rag in there and seeing if you can shoot it out by snapping the throttle? That's the easiest test I can think of at the moment to see if the turbo is working.

Ferocity02

iTrader: (60)

Does the turbo turn freely by hand? Any excessive play? Contact with the housing?

Beatdown Z

iTrader: (18)

How is your hotside built/designed?

What intercooler are you running?

What does the exhaust system consist of?

Slim80

Can you do a quick data log of a full throttle event and post the .msl file?

superbean

Spins free, will spin for 30 seconds after I shut car off no problem. Tight as a tick

Flipped truck manifolds, 2.5 in piping into a 3in merge going into the turbo
Cheapy ebay small intercooler
Exhaust is a pie wedged 3inch off the turbo into an old flowmaster knockoff

I will next time I have it out

superbean

Well, baby step forward.. I got it to build 3 psi.. but it was running stupid lean so I backed out... I bypassed all my intercooler piping and intercooler with a short piece of pipe going from turbo outlet straight to throttle body. turbo spools fast as hell now.

So.. blockage from intercooler, or turbo is junk and the short pipe is helping it spool?
Going to mess with it some more tomorrow

Slim80

Good job!