3800-Turbo Project+ build thread

[Sinister Fiero]

The IC fans are wired so they will run at 1/2 speed any time the key is on until the PCM kicks on the Fan1 output (currently set at about 170 deg F coolant temp); when Fan1 output is energized, the IC fans both run at full speed. The PCM Fan2 output activates the radiator cooling fan.

[Jinxmutt]

Darth, is he running a 160 stat in this car? I ask because I have one in mine and I notice on the highway the car will actually drop to right at about 160. I drive the car long trips as I've stated before, and even a few hrs into the trip the hottest my car will get is about 165 when its about 40-50 (driving at night). Do you think this is because its drilled? Over the winter the 'average' operating temp is actually around 155.

I can literally drive back home from school with the fan never coming on. I changed temp senders when i did the intake swap and I get the same values, so I know that isn't an issue.

[The Dark Side of Will]

That sounds like it's too cold to me...

[AkursedX]

Darth, is he running a 160 stat in this car? I ask because I have one in mine and I notice on the highway the car will actually drop to right at about 160. I drive the car long trips as I've stated before, and even a few hrs into the trip the hottest my car will get is about 165 when its about 40-50 (driving at night). Do you think this is because its drilled? Over the winter the 'average' operating temp is actually around 155.

I can literally drive back home from school with the fan never coming on. I changed temp senders when i did the intake swap and I get the same values, so I know that isn't an issue.

It will run anywhere between 83-87*C which is 181*-188*F. It'll hop into the 90* range in traffic on hot days.

[p8ntman442]

plans for wheels?

[AkursedX]

plans for wheels?

I have 5zigen Fn01r-c's in matte black. 17x7et48 for the front and 17x8 et38 in the rear. I'm not changing these any time soon, I love them.

The rear tires are going to get changed from the Falken Azenis 612's to a pair of Nitto 555R Drag Radials in 245-45-17

[Jinxmutt]

That sounds like it's too cold to me...

yeah, it is, thats why I was asking. I didn't get to drive the car too much this winter so I didn't worry about it. In the summer it heats up to 180 just fine, just not in the colder months.

[Sinister Fiero]

Darth, is he running a 160 stat in this car? I ask because I have one in mine and I notice on the highway the car will actually drop to right at about 160. I drive the car long trips as I've stated before, and even a few hrs into the trip the hottest my car will get is about 165 when its about 40-50 (driving at night). Do you think this is because its drilled? Over the winter the 'average' operating temp is actually around 155.

I can literally drive back home from school with the fan never coming on. I changed temp senders when i did the intake swap and I get the same values, so I know that isn't an issue.

We put a 180 t-stat in this engine. My opinion on 160 t-stats is: they are too cold for street cars. In most cases, the engine never gets ran hard enough to heat the oil up for most trips so it can properly lubricate if you are running a 160 t-stat on the street. Racing applications don't usually have to worry about this because they are running the engines hard most of the time which heats the oil up quickly; or they are using oil pre-heaters before they start the engines in the first place.

We were instructed in college about the need for the oil to be up to a certain temperature before it could properly lubricate. In addition, I have seen many people try to run 160 t-stats in street applications over the years and saw a lot of their engines prematurely wear out (excessive blow-by). Your pistons, piston pins, and piston rings all rely on splash lubrication. And if the oil isn't warmed up enough, then it cannot properly splash-lubricate these components.

But hey, some people swear by using a 160 t-stat in all their applications and will tell you they've never had any problems. I've seen evidence to the contrary so it's not something I advise.

[Jinxmutt]

Yeah, I was thinking it could be an issue, that is why I asked. Its also dyno proven that cars are making more power with higher oil temps.

What temp range is this car programed to run at, 180-195?

[AkursedX]

What temp range is this car programed to run at, 180-195?

I have the fans set to kick on high at 189* I've seen that this keeps it cooler in the summer. The fans used to be set at 195* but I saw that it would get up above 200 on hot days. Having the fan kick on at a lower temp has corrected that.

[AkursedX]

Fortunately we had a nice 70* day so I was able to get some good tuning in. I lost a good amount of boost with the huge temp increase. I had to switch ports on the wastegate to raise my boost level. I'm at 11.5psi right now. I'm totally knock free still and will continue to turn the boost up. Traction is also a bit better with the warmer weather,

I have also e-mailed about some dyno time. I'm going to try to schedule for next thursday or friday as long as I get some weather that will allow further tuning.

[AkursedX]

Jinx, you are running the same WG right (Synapse 40mm)? Are you running an additional boost controller?

[darkhorizon]

Jinx, you are running the same WG right (Synapse 40mm)? Are you running an additional boost controller?

I thought he had the AEM running boost by gear for him?

Those synapse things are goofy, cant believe you lost boost due to warmer temps... Do you have the WG reference on the intake, by the throttle blade, or by the turbo?

[Jinxmutt]

I'm running a turbosmart wastegate with a synapse BOV. I'm running an electronic boost controller controlled by AEM, as DH said. I'm surprised you lost boost because of the weather. Did you check for leaks?

[Sinister Fiero]

I'm not surprised he lost a little boost with the warmer temps. The same exact thing happens on my car. If I set the boost at say 10psi when it is 75* degrees outside and then drive the car again when the temps are in the 40* range, my boost increases to 12psi. That's without touching the wastegate. I've seen the same thing happen on just about every Turbo Buick GN I've ridden in and worked on.

Akursed's car was set up and tuned in 20* weather; which is what it was here after I finished it thru to the day before he came and picked it up. So I can't say I'm surprised to hear the boost dropped a psi or two when he drove it again on a 70* day. The engine is getting a much denser air charge on a 20* day vs. what it would see on a 70* day.

The Synapse wastegate has 4 ports on it. You connect the boost reference line to one or more ports (or different combination of ports) depending on how much boost you want. There was no boost reference port on the turbo itself so I mounted one in the charge air pipe as close to the turbo as possible before it goes into the intercooler.

[AkursedX]

Well I damn near wrecked today.

I was starting off and rolling into the boost. I was at about 85% throttle and hit the 1-2 at near full boost and I started having massive wheelspin. I let off and tried to correct and reacted too late. Fortunately the area I did this in has no curbs so I just rolled up into the mud and spun about 90*.

Boost+cold tires=Massive FAIL

[The Dark Side of Will]

Lifting off abruptly in a Fiero = massive fail (jinormous fail? I think failures are massless, ergo "massive failure" is an oxymoron).

[AkursedX]

Lifting off abruptly in a Fiero = massive fail (jinormous fail? I think failures are massless, ergo "massive failure" is an oxymoron).

Agreed. I usually remember this in cornering situations, but this happened too fast.

<------Driver skill- FAIL. At least I can admit a mistake though.

[The Dark Side of Will]

Lifting off abruptly in a Fiero = massive fail (jinormous fail? I think failures are massless, ergo "massive failure" is an oxymoron).

Agreed. I usually remember this in cornering situations, but this happened too fast.

<------Driver skill- FAIL. At least I can admit a mistake though.

That's good. Some can't admit that. I occasionally have problems with it.

[Aaron]

Lifting off abruptly in a Fiero = massive fail (jinormous fail? I think failures are massless, ergo "massive failure" is an oxymoron).

If that ain't the complete truth! I learned this very quickly on the AutoX track!