DaleClark's engine rebuild and single turbo time!
Another minor update -
Been slowly easing into the tune - drive around up to 4000 RPM, little to no boost, data log, then auto tune with FC-Tweak. Every pass the car has driven smoother and better. It's incredible how well that software works.
Today I just went and added more boost a little at a time and more RPM, making sure the map was safe before really getting deep into it. Again, auto tune is doing a great job.
I finally went full throttle today in 2nd gear.
I'm running a hose straight from the boost nipple of the 8374 to the waste gate can, no boost controller until I get the spring pressure dialed in and I'm comfortable with the tune and it's not over boosting.
I hit .7 kg/cm2 (about 10psi) of boost which is right where I want to be on the spring.
AND HOLY LORD WAS IT FAST. I'm seriously thinking it's faster now than 1.0 (14psi) on the 99 twins.
Down low is still OK, it definitely doesn't feel slow but it doesn't have that initial hit of the twins. But, that's the job of the boost controller to spin the turbo up fast.
VERY pleased at this point!
Dale
Been slowly easing into the tune - drive around up to 4000 RPM, little to no boost, data log, then auto tune with FC-Tweak. Every pass the car has driven smoother and better. It's incredible how well that software works.
Today I just went and added more boost a little at a time and more RPM, making sure the map was safe before really getting deep into it. Again, auto tune is doing a great job.
I finally went full throttle today in 2nd gear.
I'm running a hose straight from the boost nipple of the 8374 to the waste gate can, no boost controller until I get the spring pressure dialed in and I'm comfortable with the tune and it's not over boosting.
I hit .7 kg/cm2 (about 10psi) of boost which is right where I want to be on the spring.
AND HOLY LORD WAS IT FAST. I'm seriously thinking it's faster now than 1.0 (14psi) on the 99 twins.
Down low is still OK, it definitely doesn't feel slow but it doesn't have that initial hit of the twins. But, that's the job of the boost controller to spin the turbo up fast.
VERY pleased at this point!
Dale
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,622
Likes: 2,725
From: Pensacola, FL
I'm not sure on FC-Tweak's boost control. I'm going to be sticking with my tried and true AVC-R, it does a fantastic job of learning the boost curve and gives so much flexibility - boost by gear, by RPM, etc. And it self learns too.
See you in a week, Pete!
Dale
See you in a week, Pete!
Dale
Very nice!!
Another minor update -
Been slowly easing into the tune - drive around up to 4000 RPM, little to no boost, data log, then auto tune with FC-Tweak. Every pass the car has driven smoother and better. It's incredible how well that software works.
Today I just went and added more boost a little at a time and more RPM, making sure the map was safe before really getting deep into it. Again, auto tune is doing a great job.
I finally went full throttle today in 2nd gear.
I'm running a hose straight from the boost nipple of the 8374 to the waste gate can, no boost controller until I get the spring pressure dialed in and I'm comfortable with the tune and it's not over boosting.
I hit .7 kg/cm2 (about 10psi) of boost which is right where I want to be on the spring.
AND HOLY LORD WAS IT FAST. I'm seriously thinking it's faster now than 1.0 (14psi) on the 99 twins.
Down low is still OK, it definitely doesn't feel slow but it doesn't have that initial hit of the twins. But, that's the job of the boost controller to spin the turbo up fast.
VERY pleased at this point!
Dale
Been slowly easing into the tune - drive around up to 4000 RPM, little to no boost, data log, then auto tune with FC-Tweak. Every pass the car has driven smoother and better. It's incredible how well that software works.
Today I just went and added more boost a little at a time and more RPM, making sure the map was safe before really getting deep into it. Again, auto tune is doing a great job.
I finally went full throttle today in 2nd gear.
I'm running a hose straight from the boost nipple of the 8374 to the waste gate can, no boost controller until I get the spring pressure dialed in and I'm comfortable with the tune and it's not over boosting.
I hit .7 kg/cm2 (about 10psi) of boost which is right where I want to be on the spring.
AND HOLY LORD WAS IT FAST. I'm seriously thinking it's faster now than 1.0 (14psi) on the 99 twins.
Down low is still OK, it definitely doesn't feel slow but it doesn't have that initial hit of the twins. But, that's the job of the boost controller to spin the turbo up fast.
VERY pleased at this point!
Dale
Sweet...... tune is coming along nicely!! Glad to hear you're pleased with it.
The EFR 8374iwg will never out spool the twins BUT it'll be not far behind and then the power up top makes up for it, over the twins..(my 2 cents)
Also, the wastegate that comes with the 8374iwg is the standard 12psi medium canister.
Looking forward to seeing how you boost control is once you have implemented as it'll help with turbo spool/response.
Steve
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,622
Likes: 2,725
From: Pensacola, FL
I'll be honest, I tried to port the waste gate and really didn't do much at all. I didn't really have a good bit to get in there and really move material. So it's minimal at best and just a minor shine really.
I saw that Turblown is developing a new turbine housing that's supposed to flow better and have better wastegate passages so that may be a thing.
I'm also running 3" exhaust with a high flow cat, it's not some 4" straight monster at least. I really won't know for sure how well the boost control is until I do a full pull in 3rd gear and also see what 4th gear looks like (not gonna full pull in 4th, that's go to jail territory LOL)
Dale
I saw that Turblown is developing a new turbine housing that's supposed to flow better and have better wastegate passages so that may be a thing.
I'm also running 3" exhaust with a high flow cat, it's not some 4" straight monster at least. I really won't know for sure how well the boost control is until I do a full pull in 3rd gear and also see what 4th gear looks like (not gonna full pull in 4th, that's go to jail territory LOL)
Dale
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,622
Likes: 2,725
From: Pensacola, FL
Car is washed up and ready to head to DGRR, even looking like hell with red fenders, a sanded hood, and missing trim 
But she's got a new engine and fresh tires so I got that goin' for me!
Interested to see how the new setup does on the Dragon. Hope to see some of you there!
Dale
But she's got a new engine and fresh tires so I got that goin' for me!
Interested to see how the new setup does on the Dragon. Hope to see some of you there!
Dale
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,622
Likes: 2,725
From: Pensacola, FL
Had a great time at DGRR! Some notes -
- Up there and back with zero issues. YAY.
- Car is running 85 deg. C viewing on the commander ALL THE TIME. Temps are very stable.
- 22 to 25 MPG on the long highway legs of the trip, 19 MPG on the legs up there where I'm getting after it. If your tuner says "rotaries just can't have good MPG" he's an idiot.
- I still need to do some fine tuning on the map with FC-Tweak but it drove and ran awesome. Also looking forward to getting the higher boost setup.
Very pleased so far, my concern was some hose on the single turbo would pop loose or something. Looks like I did a good job putting it all together
Did 1200 miles in total on this trip!
Dale
- Up there and back with zero issues. YAY.
- Car is running 85 deg. C viewing on the commander ALL THE TIME. Temps are very stable.
- 22 to 25 MPG on the long highway legs of the trip, 19 MPG on the legs up there where I'm getting after it. If your tuner says "rotaries just can't have good MPG" he's an idiot.
- I still need to do some fine tuning on the map with FC-Tweak but it drove and ran awesome. Also looking forward to getting the higher boost setup.
Very pleased so far, my concern was some hose on the single turbo would pop loose or something. Looks like I did a good job putting it all together
Did 1200 miles in total on this trip!
Dale
Had a great time at DGRR! Some notes -
- Up there and back with zero issues. YAY.
- Car is running 85 deg. C viewing on the commander ALL THE TIME. Temps are very stable.
- 22 to 25 MPG on the long highway legs of the trip, 19 MPG on the legs up there where I'm getting after it. If your tuner says "rotaries just can't have good MPG" he's an idiot.
- I still need to do some fine tuning on the map with FC-Tweak but it drove and ran awesome. Also looking forward to getting the higher boost setup.
Very pleased so far, my concern was some hose on the single turbo would pop loose or something. Looks like I did a good job putting it all together
Did 1200 miles in total on this trip!
Dale
- Up there and back with zero issues. YAY.
- Car is running 85 deg. C viewing on the commander ALL THE TIME. Temps are very stable.
- 22 to 25 MPG on the long highway legs of the trip, 19 MPG on the legs up there where I'm getting after it. If your tuner says "rotaries just can't have good MPG" he's an idiot.
- I still need to do some fine tuning on the map with FC-Tweak but it drove and ran awesome. Also looking forward to getting the higher boost setup.
Very pleased so far, my concern was some hose on the single turbo would pop loose or something. Looks like I did a good job putting it all together
Did 1200 miles in total on this trip!
Dale
Dale, the single swap looked great! Glad to see you're happy with the 8374!
Awesome times as always!!
Steve
Last edited by estevan62274; Apr 28, 2025 at 08:47 PM.
Had a great time at DGRR! Some notes -
- Up there and back with zero issues. YAY.
- Car is running 85 deg. C viewing on the commander ALL THE TIME. Temps are very stable.
- 22 to 25 MPG on the long highway legs of the trip, 19 MPG on the legs up there where I'm getting after it. If your tuner says "rotaries just can't have good MPG" he's an idiot.
- I still need to do some fine tuning on the map with FC-Tweak but it drove and ran awesome. Also looking forward to getting the higher boost setup.
Very pleased so far, my concern was some hose on the single turbo would pop loose or something. Looks like I did a good job putting it all together
Did 1200 miles in total on this trip!
Dale
- Up there and back with zero issues. YAY.
- Car is running 85 deg. C viewing on the commander ALL THE TIME. Temps are very stable.
- 22 to 25 MPG on the long highway legs of the trip, 19 MPG on the legs up there where I'm getting after it. If your tuner says "rotaries just can't have good MPG" he's an idiot.
- I still need to do some fine tuning on the map with FC-Tweak but it drove and ran awesome. Also looking forward to getting the higher boost setup.
Very pleased so far, my concern was some hose on the single turbo would pop loose or something. Looks like I did a good job putting it all together
Did 1200 miles in total on this trip!
Dale
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,622
Likes: 2,725
From: Pensacola, FL
Thanks for all the good comments!
On twins versus single - I will say that the twins just work, they can make a ton of power (easily 350hp to the ground), they are reliable, and it's all OEM level engineering.
The Turblown kit I got is a VERY well designed and engineered kit but it's still not OEM-grade. Needed to goof around with bending water lines, needed to fab heat shielding (you can buy their heat shielding but it's WAY overpriced IMHO), lots of trial and error fitting of the lines is involved that would be a chore to do in the car, need to fab an intercooler pipe, need to fab an intake....it's a LOT of work for the install where installing OEM parts is just bolt it all together and done.
But, compared to traditional single turbo kits it's light years ahead. Lots of old setups with oil cooled turbos, turbos that don't do ANYTHING until 4000 RPM, external waste gates dumping straight out to atmosphere, welded tubular manifolds that crack every few months, constant overboost or underboost, failing waste gate diaphragms, you name it.
So, a pros/cons:
PRO:
- More potential power than the stock twins
- Spools as good as the stock twins, even down at 2000 RPM
- Eliminates the sequential control system
CON:
- Harder to install, possibly harder to pull the turbo and service (not sure on that yet)
- Louder than the stock twins - no turbo control door to quiet things down
- Fab work to install
I'm pleased with the end result. It was a good personal challenge to install it and install it WELL. There's still more that I want to do install-wise - clean up the intake a bit more, some better ducting to the cooling system, maybe fab a better battery tray, and of course get the boost controller installed and going.
The only thing I'm concerned with in the back of my mind is how well this will all work long term. I want a setup I can pretty much forget about and have it be reliable, I don't want to have to dork around with it constantly. Doing the DGRR trip and having no issues was great, that really bumped up my confidence in all this.
My only real big complaint at this time is the noise and drone on the interstate. May look into a resonator to help with that or a different cat-back.
The big thing too is for a layman this is a VERY advanced install. I'd only go this route once you've pegged out the twins - you have exhaust, intercooler, a programmable ECU (PFC or Haltech), some fuel system upgrades, etc. You need to be VERY comfortable working on the car to do this RIGHT or have a fat check book and a GOOD shop to do it right.
Dale
On twins versus single - I will say that the twins just work, they can make a ton of power (easily 350hp to the ground), they are reliable, and it's all OEM level engineering.
The Turblown kit I got is a VERY well designed and engineered kit but it's still not OEM-grade. Needed to goof around with bending water lines, needed to fab heat shielding (you can buy their heat shielding but it's WAY overpriced IMHO), lots of trial and error fitting of the lines is involved that would be a chore to do in the car, need to fab an intercooler pipe, need to fab an intake....it's a LOT of work for the install where installing OEM parts is just bolt it all together and done.
But, compared to traditional single turbo kits it's light years ahead. Lots of old setups with oil cooled turbos, turbos that don't do ANYTHING until 4000 RPM, external waste gates dumping straight out to atmosphere, welded tubular manifolds that crack every few months, constant overboost or underboost, failing waste gate diaphragms, you name it.
So, a pros/cons:
PRO:
- More potential power than the stock twins
- Spools as good as the stock twins, even down at 2000 RPM
- Eliminates the sequential control system
CON:
- Harder to install, possibly harder to pull the turbo and service (not sure on that yet)
- Louder than the stock twins - no turbo control door to quiet things down
- Fab work to install
I'm pleased with the end result. It was a good personal challenge to install it and install it WELL. There's still more that I want to do install-wise - clean up the intake a bit more, some better ducting to the cooling system, maybe fab a better battery tray, and of course get the boost controller installed and going.
The only thing I'm concerned with in the back of my mind is how well this will all work long term. I want a setup I can pretty much forget about and have it be reliable, I don't want to have to dork around with it constantly. Doing the DGRR trip and having no issues was great, that really bumped up my confidence in all this.
My only real big complaint at this time is the noise and drone on the interstate. May look into a resonator to help with that or a different cat-back.
The big thing too is for a layman this is a VERY advanced install. I'd only go this route once you've pegged out the twins - you have exhaust, intercooler, a programmable ECU (PFC or Haltech), some fuel system upgrades, etc. You need to be VERY comfortable working on the car to do this RIGHT or have a fat check book and a GOOD shop to do it right.
Dale
Thanks for all the good comments!
On twins versus single - I will say that the twins just work, they can make a ton of power (easily 350hp to the ground), they are reliable, and it's all OEM level engineering.
The Turblown kit I got is a VERY well designed and engineered kit but it's still not OEM-grade. Needed to goof around with bending water lines, needed to fab heat shielding (you can buy their heat shielding but it's WAY overpriced IMHO), lots of trial and error fitting of the lines is involved that would be a chore to do in the car, need to fab an intercooler pipe, need to fab an intake....it's a LOT of work for the install where installing OEM parts is just bolt it all together and done.
But, compared to traditional single turbo kits it's light years ahead. Lots of old setups with oil cooled turbos, turbos that don't do ANYTHING until 4000 RPM, external waste gates dumping straight out to atmosphere, welded tubular manifolds that crack every few months, constant overboost or underboost, failing waste gate diaphragms, you name it.
So, a pros/cons:
PRO:
- More potential power than the stock twins
- Spools as good as the stock twins, even down at 2000 RPM
- Eliminates the sequential control system
CON:
- Harder to install, possibly harder to pull the turbo and service (not sure on that yet)
- Louder than the stock twins - no turbo control door to quiet things down
- Fab work to install
I'm pleased with the end result. It was a good personal challenge to install it and install it WELL. There's still more that I want to do install-wise - clean up the intake a bit more, some better ducting to the cooling system, maybe fab a better battery tray, and of course get the boost controller installed and going.
The only thing I'm concerned with in the back of my mind is how well this will all work long term. I want a setup I can pretty much forget about and have it be reliable, I don't want to have to dork around with it constantly. Doing the DGRR trip and having no issues was great, that really bumped up my confidence in all this.
My only real big complaint at this time is the noise and drone on the interstate. May look into a resonator to help with that or a different cat-back.
The big thing too is for a layman this is a VERY advanced install. I'd only go this route once you've pegged out the twins - you have exhaust, intercooler, a programmable ECU (PFC or Haltech), some fuel system upgrades, etc. You need to be VERY comfortable working on the car to do this RIGHT or have a fat check book and a GOOD shop to do it right.
Dale
On twins versus single - I will say that the twins just work, they can make a ton of power (easily 350hp to the ground), they are reliable, and it's all OEM level engineering.
The Turblown kit I got is a VERY well designed and engineered kit but it's still not OEM-grade. Needed to goof around with bending water lines, needed to fab heat shielding (you can buy their heat shielding but it's WAY overpriced IMHO), lots of trial and error fitting of the lines is involved that would be a chore to do in the car, need to fab an intercooler pipe, need to fab an intake....it's a LOT of work for the install where installing OEM parts is just bolt it all together and done.
But, compared to traditional single turbo kits it's light years ahead. Lots of old setups with oil cooled turbos, turbos that don't do ANYTHING until 4000 RPM, external waste gates dumping straight out to atmosphere, welded tubular manifolds that crack every few months, constant overboost or underboost, failing waste gate diaphragms, you name it.
So, a pros/cons:
PRO:
- More potential power than the stock twins
- Spools as good as the stock twins, even down at 2000 RPM
- Eliminates the sequential control system
CON:
- Harder to install, possibly harder to pull the turbo and service (not sure on that yet)
- Louder than the stock twins - no turbo control door to quiet things down
- Fab work to install
I'm pleased with the end result. It was a good personal challenge to install it and install it WELL. There's still more that I want to do install-wise - clean up the intake a bit more, some better ducting to the cooling system, maybe fab a better battery tray, and of course get the boost controller installed and going.
The only thing I'm concerned with in the back of my mind is how well this will all work long term. I want a setup I can pretty much forget about and have it be reliable, I don't want to have to dork around with it constantly. Doing the DGRR trip and having no issues was great, that really bumped up my confidence in all this.
My only real big complaint at this time is the noise and drone on the interstate. May look into a resonator to help with that or a different cat-back.
The big thing too is for a layman this is a VERY advanced install. I'd only go this route once you've pegged out the twins - you have exhaust, intercooler, a programmable ECU (PFC or Haltech), some fuel system upgrades, etc. You need to be VERY comfortable working on the car to do this RIGHT or have a fat check book and a GOOD shop to do it right.
Dale
Yeah, DIY is serious when welding comes into play. I had Agile Automotive in MD fab my downpipe transition to the old exhaust and they made all of my lines. I've done 90% of my car, but there are some things one doesn't feel like doing, or can mess with.
@DaleClark Any updates? How's she running?
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