Hello,

I want to start this post off with the fact that I did search first for answers to my questions.

I have a 1989 vert with an S5 TII swap. The engine (3K miles since rebuild) was rebuilt by a reputable shop with a streetport but otherwise stock. I had the stock injectors rebuilt and all emissions removed but kept the BAC. I am running ac, and ps. The turbo was NOT rebuilt but was inspected and had very little to no shaft play. I am running a RB 3" dp, no cats and a greddy power extreme 3" exhaust. TB mod. No electronic mods and the only fuel mod was a walpro 255 fuel pump.

Now to my questions. I was driving a few days ago, air temp 70 and from a stop sign I pulled to 6K in first at about 3/4 throttle, shifted to 2nd and pulled again to 6K 3/4 throttle. The boost gauge showed about 9psi both times. When I got close to 6K in 2nd the car felt a little off song and I had a slight power dip. I shifted to 3rd and it felt fine but I did not go past 4.5K. I got home and it was idling fine but I had oil smoke coming out the exhaust. I revved it to 4K and held it there and it did not smoke, but back down at idle after a few minutes it began again.

I shut it off after idling for another minute still smoking a little, Not a cloud but wisps of blue smoke that has not been there before.

I started it back up after letting it sit for 20 minutes and it fired right up and began smoking again.

I shut it off and let it cool for about 15 minutes and did a compression test( not a rotary tester) and it had three pulses around 30 psi with the check valve out on both rotors. I tried again to do a compression check and my starter crapped out on me.

My question is, did my turbo go or did I blow an engine seal?

Thanks
David

 

Did you fully depress the throttle when doing the compression check? Seems strange to have 30psi on all rotor faces font and back consistently.

 

Yes I had the throttle floored. I think part of my problem was the starter was going out. I have ordered a replacement and it was shipped today. The pulses were around 30 psi probably with a fluctuation of 5psi give or take. I was looking at the gauge through my windshield as I had no one to help me when I did the test.

 

Well since the compression test isn't really going to work right now, putt your TID off and check the turbo for in and out (bearing) play. My car lost power pretty bad past 6k and I found it was due to the turbo going out.

 

a buddy of mine had the same prob at the track like two weeks ago and it was his turbo

 

Thanks guys for the help. I will pull the TID and see if the turbo has excessive play. I certainly hope it is the turbo. If so, can I run a BNR stage I without upgrading the injectors? Or should I go with the BNR stock rebuild?

 

Update:

Finally got my starter replaced and did a compression check and front and rear rotors are showing between 90-95 psi on all faces. Good pulses on all three faces. The engine was cold however. I do not know how much of an effect this will have on the reading but do not have the time to run a comp check with it warm. I have to get back to work.

 

On a cold start turn on the car and inspect the turbo. See if the hotside starts getting a "wet mark" that would be oil and you will need to replace it.

 

Another Update:

I drove the car to work the back way with far less traffic. Before I left I took off my oil filler cap. It was smoking at first but after driving about 5 miles it stopped. I did a pull in first to 6500 and it boosted fine, shifted into second, no smoke, pulled again to 6500, boosting fine again, then shifted into third and it barked the tires and boosted fine again. No smoke. Got to work and let it idle for about 10 minutes. No smoke. Revved it between 4-5K and no smoke. It idled great at about 900 rpm where I have it set due to trying for a smooth idle with the street port. I shut it off for about 15 minutes, went back out to the car and it fired right up. May be in need of a catch can to help vent? Any other possibilities? In my engine bay where am I going to put a catch can?

Thanks guys for all the help,
David

 

you can use the braket for part of the AC in front of the car, and a water bottle shaped catch can, right where the AC and powersteering mount went, if you don't have it any more. maybe you can just drill a small hole in the oil cap??? thats what FD owners do to help that issue.

Also have you checked the small line in the TID???