hey guys...i just took my fd for a run...just went on the highway to see how it feels to redline it...i have a few questions. Can you hit full boost(10psi) at first gear? no right? also, how come after 4-5rpm first gear seems so long..take a while to reldine?cuz im not flooring it? i wasn't flooring it, but it seems faster to shift around 4-5000rpm to 2nd and redline it from there....seem like it reaches around6-7psi i think on first gear and doesn't go any further and car just doesn't go much faster......like i said feels like it's faster to just shift at that point? how is first gear supposed to feel on an FD? From 2nd and on i hit 10psi and goes to redline pretty easily...first gear just seems weird...3rd great is great...is something wrong with my car? it's just that on first gear it's just dragging on to redline from 5000 and on...any thoughts? am i worrying too much?

 

I have the same experience with first gear (or at least very similar). Obviously there's a lot of troubleshooting to do the the turbo control system - but maybe someone can point me (us?) in the right direction.

 

also, my mods, stock airbox, dp, cat, cb, boost guage

 

The problem is simple, at least i think. I had similar problem with my fd. In first and 2nd gear i got 5 psi till redline and 3rd and on was 10. The problem was tca Solenoid that is bolted on the ACV under manifold.

Since it is bolted right on the ACV and lower intake manifold all the heat goes to him and kind of makes it not to function when car properly warmed up.

All you have to do is take the manifold off, replace it and see how the car handles then. I think that solenoid is around 70 bucks, not sure though. You can buy a used one that works just fine.

You should have 10psi in every gear, in first as well, but since the first gear happens so fast, you can't really tell.

 

is ti a big problem though, is it somehting i really need to get fixed? cuz im short on cash right now...i hope it's not bad..but yeah, it def doesn't hit 10psi on first

 

or maybe it does, but it drops back down to alot after it hits right?

 

it's probably that solenoid valve, or it could be one of the check valves. I don't think you have to fix it, but i like my fd to work and boost properly. If it boost 10 psi and starts droping it could be couple of things.

Either that solenoid.
Check valve below pressure chamber
check valve going from vacuum chamber.

 

I easily hit 13 psi in 1st gear, you have a problem.

Boostin FD gave you good advice on what to check.

 

my friend told me...power drops off at first after 6000...i think i am ok...im gonna check my boost pattern 1 more time..thanks for the info guys

 

I have the same problem in first. It sounds like the flapper isn't opening(in the y-pipe) I can hear it open up and get sweetly loud after 4500 in the other gears. Shift to second and boost is restored. I think i've heard the TCA solenoid being a culprit before as well. Maybe i'll try that, and let us know!

 

ill try it....i gotta borrow some tools from my buddies to take the manifold off

 

didn't check yet but looks like it's hitting 10psi now...weird...one time car choked in 2n gear...then tried again and i boosted it all the way in 2nd...maybe i hit a spike

 

Old thread . Doesn't seem like anyone found the root cause?

 

quoted for truth

 

Guaranteed fix for solenoid problems, get Azeknightz solenoid rack. It'll clean up your rats nest, relocate the solenoids, and give you a more reliable sequential set up. But if you can't afford that, check the vacuum and pressure sources for the TCA

 

thanks Matt for the recommendation.

Yes your TCA is faulty. Either you can buy an used OEM solenoid OR you can go with my custom solenoid rack and fix the problem overall with better response and reliability. Hitting two birds with one stone!

-AzEKnightz

 

Maybe a newbie question.....just getting into the FD scene...what does TCA stand for?

Also if I get a new set of 99 spec twins do all the solenoids come with it? I.e. getting new twins will solve all the boost , valves , and solenoid problems ?

Thanks

 

TCA = turbo control actuator (in my previous post, I meant TCA solenoid. The solenoid that controls your TCA).

No, you do not get new solenoids with the 99 spec twins. Getting new twin WILL NOT solve your boost, valve and solenoid problem as they are controlling unit for the twin.

-AzEKnightz

 

Here's a good overview of the system:

http://www.autosportracetech.com/RX-...erOverview.htm

 

I d like to look onto the solenoid rack from you. Could you send me some info? Thanks

 

Pm sent =).

-AzEKnightz

 

I can hit 4psi in netural and 10psi in first gear easy (although 1st gear goes by pretty quickly). you might have a leak or one of the other problems listed above.

 

I can get full boost in first gear, but I don't get the transition spike that I get in 2nd and 3rd.