DC2R714

Well as some of you read I had a problem making power on my first dyno session. The power increase from my stock pull was sick until 4500rpms when I flatlined. Something was hindering me from making any power over 4500rpms. I made 45whp over stock at 4500rpm but then the power was trying to keep going but something was stopping it. No detonation occured. Egt's were good, A/F was 12:1, Fuel pressure never reached above 85psi. So we decided to go to the dyno a week later and try everything we could think of. Here's the story:

I arrived at the dyno my tuner and his other mechanic were there waiting for me. We hooked up the car to the dyno monitoring a/f, boost, fuel psi. Did a baseline run. flatlined. When I say it flatlined it looked like a torque curve more than a hp curve. So we tried switching out the FMU thinkin it was bad to a 10:1 disk FMU. DId a pull nada same thing curves looked almost identical. Checked timing it was at 14degrees. Pulled RC 310's put in stock did a pull. Same thing. Pulled VAFC out. Same thing. Took apart distributor see if it was f'd up, nothing. put on adjustable cam gears and advanced exhaust 5degrees. Helped a little but still flatlined after 4500. We tried many combinations and still got the same results with a little increase in hp but not what it should be. We narrowed it down to 2 things.
Either it is the ignition or it is the ECU pulling timing. So the journey continues. Doing an OBDI conversion with a P28 with mugen setup without timing. also going to put in an MSD ignition. Hopefully this will do the trick. SKR Performance has been very gracious throughout this process trying to help me get the problem fixed. They took the bill for the 9hr dyno session yesterday plus I have gotten a B&M FPR and Spoon Oil cap (bling bling) for my troubles. They are one of the best customer oriented shops I have ever been to. I will keep you posted but any input is greatly appreciated. thanks. sorry its sooo long.

Cliff notes: Car runs crappy after 4500rpms, what the F is the problem?

VaporTrail

silly question, but are you sure VTEC is engaging?

DC2R714

Yes many people have asked me that. Vtec is engauging and kills power but then tries to make more but somethings not letting it go higher. ITs weird. I have talked to many people and everyone is stumped.

VaporTrail

reason I ask is, the ecu changes fuel and timing maps at vtec. However, if your solenoid is malfunctioning, it'll sound sorta like vtec is engaging due to the timing change, but it may not actually switch cam lobes. I've seen this before...

Jared

I agree. I sounds like maybe the ecm is switching over to the vtec maps but the engine is not actually switching. can you hear it switch over? have you tried checking for 12v at the solenoid when it is supposed to engage? tried a known good solenoid?

DC2R714

I dont think thats it. Vtec is very noticable. When engaged it leans out then gets richer. There is a noticable change in the graph. A dip then starts going back up. Vtec is loud just like when I was N/A. I am trying to get a pic of the graph so I can post it. I don't believe it is a Vtec problem.

Jared

are you sure its not a boost leak? ive seen very few cars that were as loud in vtec after turbod compared to before.

DC2R714

reason it was loud was because it was very lean. We richened it and the sound went down. It's not a boost leak. Boost held throughout the powerband. We put the graph against another Type R turbo and the graphs were similar but alot lower.

Also did a compression check and everything was good. So it's not the engine. Car has 24k miles on it.


[Modified by DC2R714, 10:15 PM 9/1/2002]

DLB1994

what size turbine housing u got on your turbo the engine is a b18c5 right

DC2R714

B18C5 Garrett T3/T4 .48 a/r 60 trim.

DLB1994

thats your problem right there your turbine housing is to small for a b18c5 u need a .63 with a stage 2 or 3 turbine wheel and that will the fix why u not making power past 4500rpms

DC2R714

I dont believe thats correct. This turbo is bigger than they give the B18C5 on the drag kit I believe. Spools great, keeps boost, it feels like it keeps wanting to rise but somethings stoppin it.

DLB1994

yeh the comp is bigger then the drag 3 but the exhaust turbine is smaller then the it
The drag 3 kit comes with a .63 stage 2 wheel

DC2R714

WOuld that really affect it that much. I am only making 153whp at 4500rpms then it flatlines. I thought the turbo was good for WAY MORE POWER than that.

Brandon

Well, you are getting too much backpressure with the small turbine.

DLB1994

what exhaust manifold are u using and are u still run the stock compression

DC2R714

stock compression, SFP manifold, 3in exhuast no cat. 2.5" DP.

93LSivic

You getting any CEL's?? I know that usually the ecu is really lazy in getting the light to come on. I once had a major problem that the ecu never did anything about lighting up the idiot light. Well ****, most times I check for codes I will have atleast one.....usually from disconnecting various plug harness's when the motor is running.

DLB1994

yeh its the turbine but get u a .63 or a .82 and u will be set

there like $220 brand new

DC2R714

only code I got with the RC injectors was a rich code. Haven't thrown one with the stock injectors in, but the car is sluggish as hell at narrow throttle.

lbz34

It is not your exhaust housing A/R. I have a .48 on my gsr and i made 308 on stock motor, 2.5 in dp and exhaust. this is not your problem. I would look into fuel, timing, and vtec. My car pulled harder and harder as the revs came up finally peaking at 308.

DC2R714

Thanks LBZ34 I didnt think it was the problem. We will see how the OBDI ecu and MSD ignition help.

h0mesk1let

try a different exhaust manifold.

AB16A2T

My neighbor had a problem similar to this with his car (not a honda but similar concept) He had just gotten cams installed, and the car made power up until a certain RPM and then just died, he took apart his heads and apparently his cam went "flat". So might be a problem with the camshaft itself. ~shrugs~ just an idea, trying to throw something out there.

Drew Peacock

That is an idea perhaps the aggressive cams that are on the type R have to much overlap causing the power to go straight through into the exhaust??