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How do I know if both of my twin turbos are operating properly?

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Old 10-30-07, 08:18 PM
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How do I know if both of my twin turbos are operating properly?

I dont think I have any problems with anything, but I talked to another guy at my job who knows about RX7s and he said something but I wanna know if he right or not.
Well, from everyones experience, When do you "feel" the boost kick in? and would I feel 2 seperate power increases 1 for each turbo? I just wanna settle this once and for all thanks
Old 10-30-07, 08:20 PM
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and no, unfortuntley I dont have a boost gauge in case any one asks.
Old 10-30-07, 08:28 PM
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second turbo comes "online" around 4000k if i remember right. the whole purpose of the sequential setup however is to not feel the kick in the pants at any given rpm, but rather a steady powerband with a good curve.

when i still had the seq twins though, a 4th gear pull to redline really let ya feel how everything was working.
Old 10-30-07, 08:51 PM
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to check your turbos, your going to need a boost gauge...

if its completely stock, it should run in a 10-8-10 pattern. so when the second set of turbos kick in, it shouldnt be that noticeable... not like the first anyway.
Old 10-30-07, 09:06 PM
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Hmm, i seem to remember the second turbo kicking in around 4500rpm and it was MUCH more noticeable then the first turbo.
Old 10-30-07, 09:37 PM
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Ok then, I DO feel the "kick" at 4500 RPM its very noticable, but I dont feel the first "kick" or watever. Yes I know I need a boost gauge.. I will buy one soon. I dont have any check engine light on or any smoke out of the exhaust or anything like that...
Last question..... If a turbo was to go bad or if there was a problem, how would I know?
Old 10-30-07, 09:40 PM
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The boost/vacuum gauge is your diagnostic. Without one, you are pissing in the wind trying to determine if you have a turbo/boost problem or not.
Old 10-30-07, 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Ernesto13B
If a turbo was to go bad or if there was a problem, how would I know?
Technically speaking, it would sound like a tie fighter on crack cocaine, blow smoke, and/or produce no boost.
Old 10-30-07, 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by RE-Amemiya
Hmm, i seem to remember the second turbo kicking in around 4500rpm and it was MUCH more noticeable then the first turbo.
If the turbo control system is working properly, the transition shouldn't be that noticeable.
Old 10-30-07, 09:47 PM
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Ok, when I looked at the paper work for my car, I read from a diagnosis " secondary turbo not working to spec" and then the previous owner replaced the 1 turbo and all vaccum hoses and oil lines and gaskets... I guess I should be alright? what do you guys think
Old 10-30-07, 09:52 PM
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We think you need to buy a boost gauge and verify it. How can someone who has never seen/driven your car tell you it's fine?
Old 10-30-07, 09:59 PM
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ya I know what I have to do, well the only reason why I havent gotten a boost gauge yet is cause I got other more important problems im getting fixed, bu thanks for the help
Old 10-31-07, 11:59 AM
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Going by a but dyno doesn't do squat.

You can actually have a mechanically properly working system and have boost problems. That you feel the boost kick in at 2900 RPMs then again at 4500 RPMs but may only be boosting 7-5-7.

Don’t attempt to diagnose a boost problem without an ACCURATE boost gauge. It a complete waste of time.
Old 10-31-07, 12:10 PM
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for the most part if your 2nd turbo blows out completely youll feel a HUGE drop in power... and the smoke should prob be a sign. same thing goes for any clanging or chipping sounds from your engine bay.
Old 10-31-07, 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by phillip.ma
for the most part if your 2nd turbo blows out completely youll feel a HUGE drop in power
The problem with that approach is: if the car has always behaved the same way since he's had it, without driving a FD in proper working order he may not realize there is a problem without a gauge to tell him so. I don't have enough digits on my hands and feet to count the number of people who bought a FD and were loving it. Then they put on a boost gauge sometime later to start "modding" only to found out they had a boost problem.
Old 10-31-07, 02:01 PM
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well if the first turbos are pushing and the second one isnt, because they're running on a sequential system you should feel the drop in power immediately if the turbos are gone... and usually the seals will go first so youll be burning oil as well and youll definitely see that in your rear view...

but i hear what your saying...

long story short. you need a boost gauge or at least go to a place with a roller and have them measure the boost on your car while your on it.
Old 10-31-07, 02:18 PM
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1. get a boost gauge - even $40 from ebay one works

2. read 10-8-10 pattern on gauge

3. don't get that pattern? look up FAQ stickie for turbo trouble shooting for leaks and vaccum lines
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