Got my new turbo tune, and now my car sounds like a Subaru (w/ video)
02-03-2013, 02:06 PM
#158
weeeeeeeeee
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Well, well, well.... I'm back with another problem. Got my latest tune from MM and installed it and car was running great. I was finally able to go WOT and reach redline. Well I was on the autobahn in boost and then the car just seemed to lose power... The exhaust note changed (as if I was missing an ignition cycle) and the car could not accelerate and could just barely keep a steady speed. I came to a stop and the engine died right away, and would not restart.
Towed it to the shop... checked for spark coming out the wires, changed the spark plugs, checked for boost leaks, did the deflood procedures, cleaned the MAF, and engine still will not start. Finally decided to tow strap the car and get it up to speed then slip the clutch, and was finally able to get the engine turning under its own power but I have to blip the throttle to keep it alive and it will not idle on it's own. Drove the car around the block a few times and the car is extremely weak and just doesnt have any power.
It almost feels like (and sounds like) the engine is missing a cycle. I have spark coming out all 4 and fuel... what else do I need to look for ? I was also able to start my Accessport and get a datalog while the car was running, its not a very steady log since I was blipping the throttle most of the time.
Datalog: datalog1.csv
Below is a video of how the car is running now after we tow strapped it to get it started.
RX8 sounding like a Subaru - YouTube
Towed it to the shop... checked for spark coming out the wires, changed the spark plugs, checked for boost leaks, did the deflood procedures, cleaned the MAF, and engine still will not start. Finally decided to tow strap the car and get it up to speed then slip the clutch, and was finally able to get the engine turning under its own power but I have to blip the throttle to keep it alive and it will not idle on it's own. Drove the car around the block a few times and the car is extremely weak and just doesnt have any power.
It almost feels like (and sounds like) the engine is missing a cycle. I have spark coming out all 4 and fuel... what else do I need to look for ? I was also able to start my Accessport and get a datalog while the car was running, its not a very steady log since I was blipping the throttle most of the time.
Datalog: datalog1.csv
Below is a video of how the car is running now after we tow strapped it to get it started.
RX8 sounding like a Subaru - YouTube
Did you hear a ding or subtle bell ring right before you lost power? Detonation can be a very low audible ping. Any idea what your AFRs were while you were at 13 pounds of boost?
02-03-2013, 02:42 PM
#159
OP, forgive me if this has been asked and answered. I gave up on the thread after about the third page of **** matching.
Did you hear a ding or subtle bell ring right before you lost power? Detonation can be a very low audible ping. Any idea what your AFRs were while you were at 13 pounds of boost?
Did you hear a ding or subtle bell ring right before you lost power? Detonation can be a very low audible ping. Any idea what your AFRs were while you were at 13 pounds of boost?
02-03-2013, 03:07 PM
#161
I cannot remember what the lowest the Cobb reads again... is it 10.00 or 11.00 [it's been so long :-( ]? It was right around 10.5 or 11.5, but i was still running very rich. When the engine blew it seems to happen right as I let go of the gas, the exhaust sounded 'different' and I could barely maintain speed on the autobahn. Cruised to a stop and the engine died.
Did you have the hammer down in 6th gear or something?
02-07-2013, 01:15 PM
#169
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You have your pick of the lot with regards to builders. We have builders who will slap together an engine with mostly new parts to eliminate the possibility of failures with used ones. We have builders who rebuild on shoe string budgets and simply do the best job they can with the limited budget of the customer.
I took priority in choosing a builder that would keep the stuff that is good, throw away the stuff that is bad and had the attention to detail and knowledge to understand the difference between the two. You simply have to decide what its worth to you. I'll warn you though, pay now or pay (more) later.
While we have tuners on the market that offer their services, I found that even the best of them couldn't provide the kind of attention to detail that I was interested in. They certainly had NO stake in the car because if it blew up then it was on me to fix. If you want it done right, do it yourself. I saw my current situation coming years ago and started tuning my car while it was naturally aspirated so I was much more familiar with the process when I finally went turbo.
There are a lot of resources available on this very site that can give you a big leg up with using the COBB. It is perfectly capable of tuning an FI RX8 and has plenty of table resolution to get the job done.
If you decide to go the FI route on your RX8 you might as well assume you're going much of the journey alone. If you have problems, you will have to diagnose them. If you need a tune, you'll likely have to figure it out on your own. Engine builds and factory mechanics of the car are still fair game for shops or experts but once you start highly customizing your own RX8 then you best be prepared to be the expert on it.
Good example. I needed my PCM reflashed after I fried one being a retard (during the diagnosis of another issue). Took the car to the dealership and gave very simple and specific instructions on what needed to be done. I got a call from the tech not 30 minutes after the car arrived in the shop because the guy was confused on the nature of the issue and the fix I wanted. After explaining it in person, everything was cool but it took intervention from me to get it done.
I don't have all the answers, but I make it by business to try to on my own RX8. That is the best advice I can give.
If you're Steve Kan and your mere name entices people to seek out your tuning services, you can charge whatever you want. Furthermore, you can charge outrageous prices to weed out the ricer boys who simply want to slap your sticker on the side of their car and brag that a nationally known tuner touched their car. I've seen it done plenty of times. So I'm sure Steve charges high prices so only the most serious customers apply and those people tend to be much easier (and mature) to work with.
02-07-2013, 01:20 PM
#170
SARX Legend
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I totally agree on doing it yourself whenever possible. Unfortunately trustworthy and capable builders and tuner are hard to come by.
When I typed, "(which is nuts to me)" I meant that it is nuts that people won't spend a measly $1,000.00-$2,000.00 on tuning. They will spend $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 to add forced induction to their car but yet they think $1,000.00 for a tune is ridiculous. The best turbo kit and engine build on the planet is useless without a proper tune.
When I typed, "(which is nuts to me)" I meant that it is nuts that people won't spend a measly $1,000.00-$2,000.00 on tuning. They will spend $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 to add forced induction to their car but yet they think $1,000.00 for a tune is ridiculous. The best turbo kit and engine build on the planet is useless without a proper tune.
Last edited by 9krpmrx8; 02-07-2013 at 01:22 PM.
02-07-2013, 05:03 PM
#171
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I totally agree on doing it yourself whenever possible. Unfortunately trustworthy and capable builders and tuner are hard to come by.
When I typed, "(which is nuts to me)" I meant that it is nuts that people won't spend a measly $1,000.00-$2,000.00 on tuning. They will spend $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 to add forced induction to their car but yet they think $1,000.00 for a tune is ridiculous. The best turbo kit and engine build on the planet is useless without a proper tune.
When I typed, "(which is nuts to me)" I meant that it is nuts that people won't spend a measly $1,000.00-$2,000.00 on tuning. They will spend $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 to add forced induction to their car but yet they think $1,000.00 for a tune is ridiculous. The best turbo kit and engine build on the planet is useless without a proper tune.
02-07-2013, 06:30 PM
#172
All that pointless blathering aside, the Cobb AP differs from an aftermarket ECU in that it works off the original factory mapping system for which neither one was designed to be used specifically with FI in mind. So you need to understand how the factory mapping is laid out, how the factory mechanical, electrical, and control systems operate and interact, whats missing from the equation that you have no access to or control of, and how to put it all together to have a reliable FI system. I can tell you that not only is it not detailed out fully on this forum, but that a lot of what is out there is incorrect, misleading, or just plain BS. Even if it is done to perfection that doesn't account for some clueless owner going out and hammering the **** out of it too early in the tuning process and not recognizing the warning signs to back off.
02-15-2013, 12:51 AM
#175
Good example. I needed my PCM reflashed after I fried one being a retard (during the diagnosis of another issue). Took the car to the dealership and gave very simple and specific instructions on what needed to be done. I got a call from the tech not 30 minutes after the car arrived in the shop because the guy was confused on the nature of the issue and the fix I wanted. After explaining it in person, everything was cool but it took intervention from me to get it done.
I don't have all the answers, but I make it by business to try to on my own RX8. That is the best advice I can give.
.
ill get a repair order that says " check noise" .....what noise? Engine, suspension, dash rattle? Talking to the vehicle owner almost always help clarify!