I just bought this from a friend this week knowing of the problems it had. When I first got it I did the following things to it,
1. Changed oil (added engine restore//Leak fixer)
2. Plugs
3. Oil filter

It smoked when I got it, but now it smokes even more. Now after what I did when it start the oil light comes on and it bogs down almost to shutting off. Once it gets going (30 seconds later) I can drive it like normal, even hitting vtec, it even sounds like its running fine at higher speeds. Theres even less smoke after you run around for a bit. I put mid grade in it, im trying to figure it out. I think I [freak]ed up on the spark plugs, because after 15 miles after the change there already looking like there at 2000, with black smoke all around. Its also been throwing ecl at me since I got it.

Little information, lots of possibilities, one for sure answer, my engine isnt running right and im no professional mechanic.

[b]Specs/[b]
Engine:
B18b bottom end bored 81.5
Pr3 pistons (11.7:1)
Ls rods shot peened

B18c gsr obd1 head
AEM adjustable cam gears
skunk2 Intake manifold

airtech(i think) header
2.5 inch catback
obx twin loop 3in tip

JDM sir-g tranny with factory lsd

chipped p28 4k launch control 8k rev limit

 

Ill be doing a compression test soon, I just havent bought the tool yet. But with the few things I know, im almost certain theres definitly something im gonna have to change. The smoke is grey, its burning oil like mad sometimes, its sounds like ****, im getting the ecl and the maintence light. But for the price I paided a **** built lsvtec in a dc was well worth the price I paid, it could throw a rod and it would still have been worth it

 

Sounds like that thing is ready to blow on you..how well is it tuned?

if its burning oil thats a good sign the rings are going, i really suggest you do that compression test and do a leakdown test too..

 

+1 sounds like the piston rings will need to be replaced soon.

 

It isnt tuned, previous owner was a idiot

 

well i suggest you do that compression test asap and then depending on results do a leakdown if its all good go get a tune thats certainly part of your problem

 

I know tuning was always a very good option but it almost isnt a option. Theres barley imports period around here let alone a shop I could trust to tune. Also the fact that tuning isnt cheap, added on top that by the time I drive down to a place that would tune, it would prolly blow up.

 

250 across the board on the compression test, isnt my max 275?????? Me and my dad have ruled it down to prolly a rocker arm messed up, it got over reved at some point, it at least solves half the fact it runs so shitty, not so much the smoke, though it may just be gas

 

it sucks that it's inconvenient to get it tuned, but that's your only option. i've seen ls/vtecs blow up from not being tuned correctly more than once. if you want the motor to last you'l have to get it tuned. plus lsvtec's arent even fun untill they are tuned. when i did my base run dyno before any tuning on my fresh motor i think i made about 160 whp, (i can't really rememberbut it was low) but after tuning i was up to 195. they just can't run right on a stock ecu. it isn't by any means a stock motor, and therefore needs all kinds of adjustments (its one ecu program) to get good air/fuel mix, timing, etc... good luck

 

Yes, listen to the man! If your goin LS-Vtec you have to get it tuned in order for it to run correctly. Contact HT member MTBER or http://WWW.Phearable.net. He's experienced and can ship you a good dyno proven base map as long as you give the details about your motor if you cant get it to a dyno locally.

 

You NEED that tuned for sure, p28 = single cam, it's probably a horrible fuel to air mixture. Just spend the money to get at least a decent tune put on it. That's what makes the motor reliable in the end.