sutyak's turbo focus

[SlowSix]

The only boost leak I had was when I blew an intercooler pipe on the way home. This is why I always travel with 10 and 11mm deep sockets...

I feel your pain. I think I have them on there pretty good now though.

Sucks about the ignition thing. I'm sure you will get it figured out !

[sutyak]

I'm getting a lot of thoughts from the Focus guys also suspecting I'm running too hot of a plug. I ordered a set of two step colder plugs (7) that I'll try asap. I won't make it back to the dyno anytime soon since it's 1.5 hours away, and $100/hr.
Tom, yeah my goal of 11.9 1/4 is out the window until I get this figured out. I anticipate running 110-114mph even with the spark issues.

D you have a graph of your A/F?

It's 12.0 until 4.5K, then ramps down to 10.5 quickly when the meth injection starts spraying hard.

[JeffreyCole]

10.5, with meth? That seems kinda rich to me, but Every engine is different. I know my car likes about 11.0 on 93 for maximum power. Any richer and it feels sluggish. Leaner makes more power, but I pick up more knock that way, and knock is no bueno.

[sutyak]

10.5, with meth? That seems kinda rich to me, but Every engine is different. I know my car likes about 11.0 on 93 for maximum power. Any richer and it feels sluggish. Leaner makes more power, but I pick up more knock that way, and knock is no bueno.

Yeah, I did a pull with 5% fuel pulled up top and that just resulted in the knock sensor pulling timing. This spark advance/AFR/Meth balance wasn't contributing to the ignition issues on the dyno, so I didn't mess with it anymore. I do like a nice rich mixture for the 10.4:1 CR, as it is very picky about having enough fuel or it knocks very easily.

[JeffreyCole]

Yeah, 10.4 is pretty steep for a turbo motor on gas, even with the meth injection. What timing are you running out the top and at MBT?

[sutyak]

Yeah, 10.4 is pretty steep for a turbo motor on gas, even with the meth injection. What timing are you running out the top and at MBT?

It progressively ramps down to 3 degrees advance at 6500 RPM. My timing table is load/spark. So higher load, lower spark.

[JeffreyCole]

Damn. and I thought I wasn't running a lot of timing.

[sutyak]

Damn. and I thought I wasn't running a lot of timing.

There are guys running negative timing for the tradeoff of higher compression, but it works. At least that's what I'm told. It's not as if I build and tune for a living. This is my first ground-up motor build, and while I've tuned THIS car extensively, it's the only car I have tuned. I'm just happy it stayed together on the dyno!!

[JeffreyCole]

There are guys running negative timing for the tradeoff of higher compression, but it works. At least that's what I'm told. It's not as if I build and tune for a living. This is my first ground-up motor build, and while I've tuned THIS car extensively, it's the only car I have tuned. I'm just happy it stayed together on the dyno!!

There are guys who believe their way works better from both camps. I personally think it is a lot easier to tune a lower compression motor, with the trade off being that off boost throttle response.

Honestly though... That's what the little stick between the seats is for. Most guys in the DSM camp wont cross 10:0:1 without running Ethanol or race gas exclusively.

[sutyak]

I finally got a chance to look at the graph in detail, and the good news is the power up to where it breaks up is dead on where it should be. Actually a couple whp higher than I estimated.
Assuming the fueling is there, and I can get this ignition issue worked out, that estimate had a peak of 500whp at 8K RPM at 25psi. I'm keeping my hopes up.

[sutyak]

I had fitment issues with my other drag wheels, so I ordered a set of Team Dynamic Pro Race 1.2 15x8, and the fitment is excellent. I'll get the slicks mounted in the next day or so.



Also picked up a used 67mm throttle body (vs 63.4mm stock). Mainly to be able to clamp the T-bolt tighter, and be able to adjust the plate easier. This will take some getting used to. The spring is much stiffer than stock.

[sutyak]

Picked up 5 different sets of spark plugs to try out, ranging from 2 steps to 3 steps colder. I tried a 2 step colder plug and it did seem to pull harder and didn't miss any like it was on the dyno, but I should get better metrics at the track on Friday.
I went to reseal part of my intake manifold and decided to test the WMI nozzle to ensure they were still functional. I'm glad I did because one was completely clogged. I'll never use windshield washer fluid again for the methanol content. It has way too many other things in it that build up easily in the WMI system. All nozzles are spraying cleanly now.
I also checked the compression just for piece of mind, and all cylinders are spot on 190.
I won't have anymore time this week to tweak the tune, so there will definitely be some tweaking at the track.

[PaxtonShelby]

I can't wait to see that little beast run! You've got to be one of the hardest-working fellas out there when it comes to researching and tweaking your setup, especially considering how there aren't that many guys out there modding your type of car to this level. A big "ATTABOY" is definitely in order!

[sutyak]

I can't wait to see that little beast run! You've got to be one of the hardest-working fellas out there when it comes to researching and tweaking your setup, especially considering how there aren't that many guys out there modding your type of car to this level. A big "ATTABOY" is definitely in order!

Thanks!
I'm quite ready to be done working on it for a while, though. I just want to get it to a solid, tuned spot and get back to some other hobbies. I can only modify my car every couple years because I tend to "binge mod".

[sutyak]

I think the Autolite 103's were running just a bit hot. :)

A new 103 vs the one I just took out that I think was blowing out.




Autolite 103 vs. recessed tip NGK 3346
The 3346's seemed to run well.

[sutyak]

Well I learned something this morning about that oily ring around the base of the insulator. I thought it was related to something being too hot, or possible blow-by through the plug itself. It's called a "corona stain" and is completely normal for this type of head. The electrodes also look normal, so I guess visually the 103's look fine and I can't tell whether it's too hot of a plug just by looking at it.

[JeffreyCole]

I'd say the 103 is one step too hot, based on the coloration of the ground strap. You want the place where the ground strap changes color to be right at the bend. Yours looks to be all the way at the base of the plug, indicating the plug is too hot.

Edit. Check this out for reading plugs.

http://www.pcmofnc.com/index.php/blo...ad-spark-plugs

[sutyak]

I'd say the 103 is one step too hot, based on the coloration of the ground strap. You want the place where the ground strap changes color to be right at the bend. Yours looks to be all the way at the base of the plug, indicating the plug is too hot.

Edit. Check this out for reading plugs.

http://www.pcmofnc.com/index.php/blo...ad-spark-plugs

Thanks!

[JeffreyCole]

Not a problem.

[SlowSix]

I wanna see this car sometime.