Hi,
this is my first time here so please cut me a little slack if I do something dumb.
I have an 87 tII with 160k miles. At 157k miles I put on a cone air filter, eibach/koni suspension, and a Racing Beat full race exhaust(with fuel cut defencer). Man, it was like driving a new car! But in 3k miles I lost all compression in my front rotor. My local speed shop says that exhaust is a pain in the *** and in order to use it without blowing a motor I will need an aftermarket adjustable ecu set up and more fuel pressure with higher flow injectors as well as an electronic boost controller.
Racing Beat says their exhaust will work fine on a stock car and that with over 150K miles my engine was on it's last legs anyway.
I don't want spend the money I have to on getting a rebuild only to blow that engine, but I also don't to spend twice the total amount by getting a rebuild AND everything my local shop says is needed IF it really isn't needed.
I read a review in SportCompactCar of boost controllers and there was a manual ball control unit that was the cheapest and performed well. I am looking to run no more 8.5 lb's of boost and feel that a unit such as this one will do fine for one tenth the cost of electronic units.
Any thoughts on this?
I am hoping some people here will provide some uncolored opinions of the issues I am dealing with. Anyone have working experience with the Racing Beat exhaust? Is my local shop trying to milk me, or do you really need to spend 3 grand to safely use RB's 1 grand exhaust?

Thanks for your time and I hope you guys can help me.

Darron

'87 turbo II
'93 audi 90cs
'75 vw westy

 

I don't have a t2 but your setup should be ok, at most you'd maybe want to get slightly larger secondary injectors and maybe an safc. but that is a big maybe. I know a couple t2 guys with just a full exhaust and the fcd.

 

While you have the engine out, have the wastegate on the turbo ported...that will keep boost creep down. You will probably want a better fuel pump for those mods, and maybe a piggyback fuel computer (Apex-i S-AFC) to be safe. An EGT gauge will tell you whether or not you are running lean...they are a very good investment.

 

Thanks for the quick replys.
An EGT was something else I was thinking of. What temperature range should I expect to see in "safe" conditions for the rotary?

Also, in regards to porting the wastegate, is this a do at home mod when I am swapping engines or should it be taken to a shop to port?

Thanks again.

Darron

 

D,
I'm in the same boat. I've done the same mods, slightly different exhaust, but have also done the wastegate porting. BTW its not very hard to do but you will have to remove the turbo to do it. Check the manifold for cracks wile you are there... Anyway I have no broblems with boost creep 6psi never more and my motor seems to be healthy so far...

 

http://fc3s-pro.com/TECH/MODS/TURBO/wg.htm

Have fun.... (at home... ) save some $$$ and learn!
(It doesn't get any better than that... )

 

(wastegate porting... ^^^^)

 

Things you need:

1)fuel pump(walbro is suggested and rewire it)
2)egt gauge
3)boost gauge

Now with that you can see what boost you are at and how lean you are running. With that you wouldn't want to run more than 10# if that. If you run 10# with that port the wastegate(or do it anyways) and if still too high put the stock intake back on. Oh and alot of people do not recommend autometer gauges(I know they are cheap) I have not had them so ask around to see if they are good for your application.

 

SPI gauges from PF supercars, and they match the stock interior lights. Your turbo sucks.....period. Might want to start looking at a 89+ unit or upgrade your stock one. The wastegate is entirely too small. I ran 10 psi with stock injectors and pump. But the injectors had been cleaned. It makes a big difference, especially in mileage. even tually you want to get an AFC or go as far as an EMS such as a Haltech or Wolf. The stock computer system and harness are old outdated and just too unreliable for me. I know this may sound like a lot, but all in good time. For now maybe look at a manual boost controller.......www.rx7.com has turboXS models for under $80 i believe. You should be able to run 10 psi without any hasle. Especially since you have the even lower compression TII. Are you going to port your motor, while it's out. It's a good investment.