Boost Problem Fixed
 

Well, Im happy to report that my boost problem has been fixed. It was not the usual boost leak or tie rap job that did it, but actually my catylitic converter that was BLOCKED. That really blows. I wish I could have figured that out myself but oh well. After that problem was fixed I had PFS put on a BORLA midsection and add a PMS to my setup.

GOOD GOD!!! This thing is nuts. I had no idea that I would be this impressed with the amount of power this car now has. PFS turned up the boost a little and the fuel, which made a good improvement, but I think the bulk of my power gain came from the Borla midsection.

I went to MIR this weekend and found out just how much of a gain I actually obtained. A friend of mine has a 94 Supra TT and he's got an intake, full exhaust, no cat., a manual boost controller and an AFC.

Coming home on 495 and getting right beside the Supra was just the beggining. He dropped it in third and took off, then I dropped mine in third and took off. About five seconds later I was in front of him. This was my own personal Heaven.


Later my friend asked me what the hell I had done at PFS. And I told him I basically have the same amount of work done as he does, and he didnt quite believe me so I had to pop the hood and prove it.

With my 13 pounds of boost to his 17 pounds you would think his car would be faster, but this was not the case. Just goes to show you how powerfull these things can really be.

How much was the Borla midpipe?
Is it a standard part from PFS?

I did not know anyone sold a MP with a Borla in it.
I was thinking about having one custom made.

Does your car shoot flames now?

3rdgenowner,

Just the cat? what about the pre-cat? you ran 0 psi on the 2nd turbo right?

Chris

Hi 3rdgenowner...
I have a borla in the MP as well. And it keeps the rotary exhaust
noise down until you open it up... and yes it occasionally does
have a flame...
I had a Random tech. high flow... but it clogged after 2 mths...
Random replaced it and it clogged as well. My exhaust guy then
cut it out and put in a Borla xr-1 and I couldn't be happier.
enjoy the new found power jack

3rdgenowner.. man now I need to fix this crap... shoot me an email asap Krush000@hotmail.com

Yeah I called my warranty company and it ends up that I dont have the coverage they told me I had. Therefor I have no warranty.... and problems with my car... not cool... im pissed. :mad:

Ok, It was just a clogged cat. I was runnin only five on the 2nd Turbo. It would run normal on the first turbo but when the transition came in it would drop to 2 and then 5. If your runnin Zero pounds on the 2nd turbo then you might have other issues. You might want to take off the cat and then dissconnect the lines for the wastegate and see if the turbos kick in like hell. BUT BE CAREFULL!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant stress that point enough BE CAREFULL!!!!!! When you see the turbos go nuts then thats your problem. BUT BE SURE TO CATCH IT BEFORE IT BOOST CREEPS AND THEN BOOOOOOM!!!! There goes your motor.

Just a suggestion.

The Borla XR-1 is $128 from Summitracing.com

I personally find that it makes a huge difference in noise levels, especially when just cruising around town. But under heavy throttle, the car screams, and still shoots all the flames you want.


Mike

is that cat the borla a bolt on? Is there any cats like that?

Thanks,

Ravi

Yeah man I am not making any boost on the 2nd. Doubt it's the cat then... might be a possible problem ill run into if i get things fixed, doh :rolleyes: I'm getting a few responses on other topics so maybe I might figure things out or if anyone has something to say at the Mazda Club of DC meet tomorrow.

3rdgen you are my savior. YOU ROCK. hopefully that is my problem not a vacumn hose. instead ill get a dp as soon as my budget lets me. i hope thats my prob

the borla is just a muffler right? you can't pass emissions with that, if you need a daily driver.

Hey guys,

Just thought I would add my $.02. I recently bought a second third gen that had boost problems. After about two weeks of wrenching and testing, I have it solved!

The symptoms were great boost up to 4500 RPM on the first turbo (even spun new firehawk tires!) and then ......... nothing! I did not have a boost gauge in the car, but I could tell that it was getting very little boost after 4.5k transition. :(

After pulling the upper intake, I found a vaccume hose had popped off the back of the charge control solenoid down in the "rats nest". That sucker was hard to find! The mighty vac was a great help in this discovery.

I also tested the solenoids by hooking them up to 12v from the battery. Sure enough, the Turbo Control solenoid that bolts to the air control valve was toast. Would not move when 12v was applied! All others were fine. Replaced that one! $37 + shipping

I also discovered that the EGR valve was dangling off of the lower intake manifold, so I bolted it back on. (Goodby to Check Engine Light!) Probably why I had such great boost in first gear too!

Put the car back together and test drove. I could now feel the first and second turbos kicking in, but the car was still really slow. I had noticed that the car had a small, aftermarket cat on it, (rest of the car is bone stock) so I pulled it off. Sure enough, it was all clogged up and chuncks of the core were falling out! I shined a light up into the precat, and it looked good.

A test drive with only the precat hooked up proved to be loud, but sweet reward for my efforts. The car screamed all the way up to 7K (didn't want to push too hard without some back pressure). I have ordered a cat and hope to be back in business soon!

By the way, this car that I am discussing is for sale now. 93 VR touring. 73K miles on original motor. Interior is awsome! Body needs some work on right side. Was a theft recovery car in CA (salvage title), but never wrecked. Asking $10,900.

Thanks for the space!:cool:

Jeff

How does an XR1 flow compared to a midpipe and high flow cat?

I want a MP, but my 7 is loud enough with a DP and cat-back, and I read that high flow cats can't handle rotary heat.

BTW: being able to get flames would be a nice too. :D

Well My Borla Midsection makes the car run a little louder when cruising, but when under load, it is deafening. But I love it. It does replace the cat. so it isnt exactly legal and there might be a stiff fine if you get caught so it is not for the street, or so Im told. It does however add a certain something to an already quick car.

I hope this post has helped a few people. Always remember to check the hoses 1rst.

What did your car run like withe the clogged cat?
Did it run rough or did it run smooth, but with low boost pressure?

It ran ok, but when under boost it did some weird stuff. I mean gettin boost on the 1st turbo and only 5 on the 2nd turbo is kinda strange.

How much did it cost to put it on?
Where did you go to put it on?
Did you just goto a regular exahaust shop and ask them to weld the xr1 into a 3" pipe and replace your cat section with it?
Would a regular exhaust place even do that?
What size xr1 did you buy?

Thanks for any answers.
Hoainam

Here is something I would like additional comments on: When I replaced my main cat with a mp I noticed a change in exhaust tone as well as the additional sound level. The mp has a high pitched typical rotary engine sound now. I would like to see comments on the tone of the mp w/ Borla XR-1 in place. Thanks.

What size did you buy? The 12" long w/ a 3" in/outlet or the 16" long?

Any answers to spyfish's question would be great too since I'm wondering the same thing.