Long post but please read/help: (I have this in the ITR forum but then realized that maybe I should put this topic in here)

I have a '99 JDM R engine with ~18k miles. Stock except for the JDM header, Icebox and Comptech filter I just cleaned and a Comptech exhaust. At high rpm's (8200-8400rpm's) I hear a popping noise from the car. Sounds like it's from the exhaust but not sure. I just started getting that sound about a week or two ago. At first it was with the JDM ITR ECU and now with the Mugen ECU. Is it detonation? I have a Halmeter a/f ratio meter and at 8200-8400rpm's it is showing that I'm running rich. I also run 93octane gas. (maybe it's bad gas? I usually use Chevron but I used Citgo this last time)

Here's what I've done so far:
I recently changed out the cap and rotor (OE Honda parts). I've done this twice before so it's nothing new to me. Could it be my wires are bad? I just ordered some NGK wires so I'll be replacing my old Magencore wires that were from my old GSR set-up. The NGK iridium plugs are a couple months old. When I pulled them out they were white on the top part above the electrode. Could that mean I'm running lean? The rest of the plug is black like I'm running rich. I put my B&M FPR back on and raised the pressure to 46psi, still within stock specs but at the high end. I also added 2-3% fuel on my VAFC from 7k - 9k rpm's. But I am still getting the popping noise.

Could it be my distributor? Bad iginitor? Anyone else have this prob?

I also checked my timing and I have it at 16 degrees, per specs and I did a compression check and I got 220, 220, 210, 210; still strong across the board.

Just a little while ago, I put my JDM ECU back in, reset my VAFC and added about 1-2% fuel from 7-9k rpm's. I ran the car and I'm not getting the popping sound anymore.

I've run both ecu's before with no popping so I want to know what could be causing this problem? I'd like to use the Mugen ECU for track days but if it's potentially a danger to my engine I'd like to know why and fix it.

Thanks for any help/suggestions. Let me know if you have any other questions about my setup and what I've done.

 

Anyone?

 

What color white? I mean, is it caked on white or just lightly white? It sounds like it's running good. I dunno how much that helps, but maybe it will narrow it down. Stock hondas run rich near redline.

 

Are you misfiring? Check your spark plugs out, see if there gap properly.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Padronis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What color white? I mean, is it caked on white or just lightly white? It sounds like it's running good. I dunno how much that helps, but maybe it will narrow it down. Stock hondas run rich near redline.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Light white, not anything heavy. I have the stock jdm ecu in and it's still popping at 8200rpm! Argh!!

I also checked the gaps on the plugs and they were fine.

Any other suggestions? Thanks!
Gary

 

Is it a low popping sound or a bb's in a metal can sound. Does it sound like the car is choking and won't go any farther?

Perhaps try the same tests with a test pipe. I had some issues with a cat going bad on me.

 

&lt;hammer to head&gt;

I decided to get back to basics and went back over everything I did over the last two weeks. My assumption that my ignitor was bad was partially correct. Turns out one of the wires to the ignitor was loose. I tightened that bastard and now the car runs perfect again!

Yay for me! Nay for my dumbass not doing the basics!

Thanks everyone!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gee3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">&lt;hammer to head&gt;

I decided to get back to basics and went back over everything I did over the last two weeks. My assumption that my ignitor was bad was partially correct. Turns out one of the wires to the ignitor was loose. I tightened that bastard and now the car runs perfect again!

Yay for me! Nay for my dumbass not doing the basics!

Thanks everyone!

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hey Gary, it sounds like that B18cR is conflicting with that Gs-R chassis, you better hand it over to me before it blows, and leaks all your headlight fluid out.



I'll be by to pick it up around 4:30 ish ....

 

Thanks Steve. But i got a new muffler bearing for my flux capacitator so the car is running good again. hehe!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gee3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks Steve. But i got a new muffler bearing for my flux capacitator so the car is running good again. hehe! </TD></TR></TABLE>
Got an extra?

 

For you man... I got two!!

Any track days coming up at MSR that you can bring a friend to? hehe!

 

Not to sure, but there is an autox july 20th I think. I missed the last autox because of a few broken bones.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gee3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks Steve. But i got a new muffler bearing for my flux capacitator so the car is running good again. hehe! </TD></TR></TABLE>


Sweeet ....did you get the jDm one .....


Btw Gary ....i need to order to cases of Amsoil, can you accomidate me ?? Por Favor ...