First of all...I am not mechanically inclined. Just bought a 94 RX7 single turbo that was dynoed at 402 WHP last month. Ran like a dream, but needed a new clutch...as long as I was doing that I had had them install a lightweight flywheel as well as a new transmission (original had 102k on it and a couple syncros were going). I would like some feedback on the experience I had when picking the car up. When they pulled out and reinstalled the center console piece, they must have "bumped" the APEXi boost controller that is installed where the ashtray was. It somehow got set to the "B" setting which wasn't programmed. When they took it out for a test drive I heard what sounded like a few loud backfires when boost started to spool up. When they came back, I looked things over and noted the boost controller had been changed and that the peak boost for their test run was 2.04 Bar. I usually run it at 1.0 Bar. I was a little upset to say the least. Here are my questions....What was I likely hearing, and what would you expect the affect of allowing almost 30psi of boost to go to the system? I reset the controller and no gross problems seemed to occur when I took it out to see what was going on and how it drove. I seem to hear a small "clicking/ticking" noise that wasn't there before when I'm idleing. I want to move on any potential damage that may have been caused before the owner of the shop can say it was me. Any thoughts? I don't have a rotary specialist in the area (closest is about 150miles away). Was this detonatioin I heard and what should I watch for Thanks for any help from those who really know these cars!

 

Detonation usually sounds like really loud popcorn popping, but with more of a metallic sound.

 

Since it wasn't tuned past 1 bar, I would guess the base setting are extremely rich. This could cause the backfires you heard (probably had some nice flames to go w/ them). If you don't see any problems in the near future i wouldn't worry about it.

-Marques

 

So far I haven't had any clear problems, but have been taking it easy. I appreciate the feedback.

 

It's very hard to say what the noise was.

If the car was not tuned to run all the way to 2.0 bar, it could have just been a severe lack of fuel because it was way outside the fuel maps.

Does the car still idle at the same RPM? Do you have a boost gauge; if so, has the vacuum at idle speed dropped?

Brian

 

it seems hard to think that the car hit 30psi and didn't blow!

det. does not sound anything like a loud backfire. you'll hear it in the front of the car and it would sound like marbles in a tin can.

if the engine blew, the idle will be very rough. your boost gauge should also show much lower than usual when idling.

basically, if your idle is still smooth, then i doubt you blew the engine.

make sure you set the "B" controller to something safe!

 

I have a boost gauge and the readout on the AVC-R, but I'm not sure what it was typically reading during idle before...never really paid direct attention to it and haven't had the car very long. Now it says about -400 or so. I reset the boost controller so it won't go beyond 1bar if it ever got changed again. The idle was a little rough before the incident..seems really rich...don't really note any dramatic change in idle.

When you say "if the engine blew" what do you mean exactly? Gasket, something else? Thanks

 

Would there be other clear symptoms?

 

sent you an email-

 

Grab a wrench......and tap it against ur intake manifold.....thats the sound of detenation........but many at once....