Alright guys, I'm new and getting this show on the road with the FD.

This weekend I'm planning on doing all fluid replacement.

Engine Oil:
I've searched up enough to know not to use synthetic oil, but now I'd like some peoples opinions on what type to use. I've been suggested 10-w40 but would like opinions and personal experiences. Shoot 'em up please!

Tranny Fluid:
My car is automatic, obviously good condition fluid is a must to keep it running straight. Any suggestions on brand/certification etc.?

Brake Fluid:
I was thinking about Motul DOT 3 brake fluid, but again, I'd like some personal imput from some of you.


First mods:
I'd like to install some bigger intake tubing and filter as well as a Complete 3" exhaust line. I've read though, that the slightest mods in breathing done to the car also require Fuel system upgrades. With simple open filters up front and a 3" downpipe-back system, would you really suggest bigger fuel supply?

Second mods:
I was thinking about installing a FMIC with 2.5 tubing, possibly 3". Would THIS require fuel mods if the earlier did not?



Thanks for all the advice in advance guys!

Cheers!

 

Read the stickies. All of your questions will be answered there.

 

I want opinions. Not definite answers. Brands/ slight differences, tricks, tips are what I'm looking for.

 

Search, search, and search.

 

It just hit me, I'm not a newbie anymore.

 

I'll say it, as it was said above, SEARCH.

However, to answer your questions:

Do not bring up the synth vs. dino juice argument. This is a horse that was beaten to death long ago. It's all personal preference. One of the most respected members on the forum, Howard Coleman, runs Mobil1 10w30 in his motors. His engine builder, who he says has a 1000rwhp drag car that runs meth, tells him to run this.

I try and stay away from trannys and their fluids...

If you aren't going to track your car, then DOT3 will be fine.

Bigger fuel supply? *probably* not necessary, however you will want to look up the fuel pump re-wiring mod so you get more fuel out of your stock pump (replaces thin, worn out stock wiring with thicker, new wiring, increasing voltage to standard levels to the pump).

Should you do these mods w/o a PFC? The magic 8ball points to NO. You will get boost creep (caused by your turbo's internal waste gate not being able to divert enough exhaust around the turbine hot sides, causing them to overboost your motor) and you will blow your motor. ~98% of people experience boost creep. It will happen, and you will be putting a rebuilt motor in your car.

 

Thanks whitey. That's more along the lines of what I wanted...the "I heard from this guy", or "so and so runs this". I didn't just want to get a "this is the best set up and its written in stone here, so search for it." I have searched and being new to the forum, it isn't always easy to find what you're looking for in short amounts of time.

I don't plan on tracking the car, it's just my toy, but I want to take care of it. So the mods I mentioned I will have to think about first.

I must say however that the welcome this site has given was not as warm hearted as I expected from some of the members... So a nice thank you to you, and you only (so far) whitey. (Y) <-- that's supposed to be a thumbs up

 

I believe synthetics are fine. But 10w-40 mineral will work very well.

The fuel upgrades boil down to the boost. With the stock boost control system, it only takes a couple of bolt-ons to make the boost level increase. This is not good, because it indicates the boost is not under a reliable control and with enough increase it means not enough fuel. Straight exhaust, intake, and intercooler are enough mods to cause this problem. You should begin by installing a boost gauge and boost controller. Far and away the biggest change you're proposing is to remove the main cat. I recommend you keep it, your boost control problems (not to mention stench) will be much more manageable with some kind of cat in the system.

With the boost controller you can keep your boost at 10psi until you've installed the fuel upgrades to go higher.

Also you completely missed the reliability mods. Definitely install them before putting a FMIC on the car. FM's cause enough complication for an upgraded cooling system - on a stock cooling system it might just be bad.

Dave

 

dgeesaman...thank you very much for this advice. I went out today and purchased all my fluids except tranny. I'll leave that for later. I'll look into the reliability mods before anything else for sure. I don't want to get into anything without knowing she runs perfectly. I'm not getting into mods right away either. Thank you very much for your answers! Very much appreciated.

 

You can control boost properly with the Power FC if you choose to get one and then you won't need an external boost controller, just pull the restrictor pills out of the lines and adjust the boost with the PFC commander if you know what you're doing. but with a full 3" exhaust you will creep at least under some conditions (cold weather) without porting the wastegate.



You will need the adapter harness from Banzai Racing to make the PFC work on an automatic.