02-03 SpecV Kit: A/F ratio is too rich at mid-top end

VLuu · Tweet this Post! #1 (**permalink**) 05-12-2007, 04:41 PM

Went to get my car dyno today and the a/f ratio is too rich down to 10.0. I am concern that this will prematurely wear out the piston rings.

Would Turbonetics reflash my ECU to a PISTON-RING safe a/f ratio between 11.5-11.3 across the rpm?

Also, the a/f ratio at idle is too LEAN @17.4! I am getting lots of back fire (popping sound) at idle. Could the reflash fix this as well?

Vinh

Reggie Wynn · Tweet this Post! #2 (**permalink**) 05-13-2007, 08:20 AM

I will have our head tuner take a look at this. In the mean time can you please list the mods that you have made to your car? Like what spark plugs you are running and what not. What octane fuel are you running?

VLuu · Tweet this Post! #3 (**permalink**) 05-13-2007, 08:03 PM

Reggie, thanks for looking into this.

Here is the list of my engine-related mods. The car is running on 94 octane gas.

- NGK Iridium, 1-step colder, gapped to 0.035
- Mf Oil cooler with EARL's themostat
- UR pulley
- CM FX300 clutch with Fidanza fw
- Outlaw Engineering ThermoBlok spacers (TB, upper+lower IM gaskets)
- Stromung 3" Cat-back exhaust, stock mid-pipe

Vinh

Jayspec · Tweet this Post! #4 (**permalink**) 05-15-2007, 10:20 PM

i would like to know the same thing cuz my car is my ideling right

Ristar · Tweet this Post! #5 (**permalink**) 05-22-2007, 12:39 PM

Exactly my problem, at idle 16-17 = to lean. Under pressure from 1PSI = below 10 and no more power.
It never done that before, maybe the MAP sensor ??

Robert · Tweet this Post! #6 (**permalink**) 05-22-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ristar

Exactly my problem, at idle 16-17 = to lean. Under pressure from 1PSI = below 10 and no more power.
It never done that before, maybe the MAP sensor ??

it could definitely be the MAP sensor on your car Ristar. The Spec V doesn't have a MAP sensor so its not the case for that car. Also the setup you have was meant to run more boost then you are which may be the cause of your rich condition at full boost. Because your car is a bit different it may be worth it to alter the tune a bit.

VLuu · Tweet this Post! #7 (**permalink**) 05-22-2007, 06:34 PM

Reggie,

Any word back from the head tuner?

Robert,

Any suggestion? I checked the spark plugs and they have a very dark layer of carbon-like powder around the rim. Will running under this "rich" conidtion cause any damage?

Thx.

Robert · Tweet this Post! #8 (**permalink**) 05-22-2007, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VLuu

Reggie,

Any word back from the head tuner?

Robert,

Any suggestion? I checked the spark plugs and they have a very dark layer of carbon-like powder around the rim. Will running under this "rich" conidtion cause any damage?

Thx.

Running rich shouldn't cause any damage in the short term no.

VLuu · Tweet this Post! #9 (**permalink**) 05-24-2007, 11:23 AM

Thanks Robert.

What would be the damage running rich in the long term?

I want to attend a lapping event on June 22 at Calabogie -> http://www.calabogiemotorsports.com/overview.htm. Would running this rich cause any problem at the track?

Robert · Tweet this Post! #10 (**permalink**) 05-24-2007, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VLuu

Thanks Robert.

What would be the damage running rich in the long term?

I want to attend a lapping event on June 22 at Calabogie -> http://www.calabogiemotorsports.com/overview.htm. Would running this rich cause any problem at the track?

In the very very long term it could cause washing of the cylinders meaning it would "wash" the oil residue from the cylinders which could lead to piston ring issues in the future. I've yet to see this happen in my lifetime but theoritically its possible. In regard to the lapping event I doubt you will see any major issues occur. You are not running rich enough to cause any damage to the motor in my opinion and the lapping event certainly won't cause any damage as a result...