How to bullet proof an EFR 8374 setup?
 

So I've had my mind set on the EFR 8374 turbo for my next upgrade and was wondering if anyone who's used this turbo before can give me some advice on what are the CRITICAL components (Must haves if you wish) that must also go in along with the turbo to avoid any possibilities of a blown engine.

I currently have:
- HKS V-Mount intercooler and radiator system
- Fcon V-Pro and Power FC ECUs
- 3" down pipe, 3" mid-pipe (no cat), 3" titanium Knight Sports exhaust
- 4 x 850cc Denso injectors
- A GTR R34 fuel pump (not sure what the actual flow rate is but is between 250-320lph)
- HKS Boost Controller

All comments or advice appreciated~! Thanks.

I don't think you need the Fcon with the PFC, but you may need more injector and/or fuel pump depending on the boost you plan to run.

P

I have both because my last tuner, RE Amemiya, uses both in their D1 race car and that's what they've replicated in mine.

According to them, 4 x 850cc injectors and the Denso GTR pump are more than enough to support up to 550hp. My target boost is around 1 bar (15 psi) and making anywhere between 400-450hp.

RE-A should sort you out just fine.

For what it's worth, I have that turbo running on a PFC only, a Bosch 044 pump, and 550/2000 injectors. Made 430rwhp @15psi.

4 850s with a fairly rich AFR are good for 500 hp on gas at 3 Bar static.

the turbo might make 550 if boost gets away from you so you will want some protection in the form of ignition cut.

Howard

Water injection, a working wastegate, good fuel, and a good tune.

What manifold / downpipe are you running? Planning on IWG or EWG?

Thanks for the reminder~! Proper fail safes are very important for me on this build. I remember reading somewhere that some ECUs (Adaptronic? Motec?) have ignition cut functionality built in. Or do I have to buy extra hardware?

What do you think about the stock ignition system? Capable of handling a 450hp tune without upgrading?

What does the water injection do? Do people install them into a street FDs?

Everyone seems to recommend the IWG for simplicity, durability and cost savings. What do you think?

Currently all the manifolds and piping are all HKS till midpipe. The turbo exhaust manifold has cracked right between the V-flange, like the heat and boost just took a bite thru that steel weld.

Which is why I'm also looking for a manifold that just doesn't crack! I've read that high heat coatings are available to reduce the chance of cracking... but seemed kinda expensive.

Even though I have written extensively about the Power FC, and there are a lot of good things about it, I think you'd be better off going with something more modern. Rather than going into technical details, let me talk about service. Your location is listed as Tokyo, so I'm going to assume that's accurate for the near future.

If you stick with something Japanese, whether it's an ECU or hard parts, are you going to go to a Japanese tuning shop for service and trust somebody there? Do you have a personal relationship with somebody in that scene? Do you speak and read Japanese fluently? If you don't, and you want a mostly DIY build (including DIY tuning), anything that requires major support (like ECU/electronics) is best purchased from a US/Aus/UK/strong English skills vendor (German is ok for example).

I have personally attempted fitting the 8374 on the cast and tubular HKS manifolds. It doesnt work. Even after trimming the LIM, not even close.

If you want durability, go with the turblown cast IWG manifold.

Yes. It mitigates the risk of detonation when running higher boost(1bar+) on crappy fuel.

Thanks for the feedback~! I think the PFC is a great standalone as well which is why a lotta JDMs have them. It's not as configurable and powerful as other higher end ECUs but for its price and the majority of peeps that are not using their rides for racing purposes, it's the best thing over the original ECU.

Yes you're right. I'm in Tokyo so support is extremely important due to the bi-annual inspection that's required on all cars older than 3 years. That's why I have the PFC and the V-Pro till date. However, I believe I need to upgrade the ECU this time round along with the turbo.

The shop I'm now with, Scoot, are famous for their 3 and 4 rotors in Japan. I'm in discussion with them atm but they seem to be OK with using non-Japanese made ECUs like Motec or Link. So like most gearheads on this site, I started reading all forums on ECUs and found that recently there's a lotta hype on the Adaptronic developed outta Sydney. Not only that, I found a pic on the net showing the Adaptronic tuning application in Japanese!!! Sick~

So I was hoping to get some advice or insight from those who's used it before to tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly about that ECU. Preferably by someone who's used a few ECUs before, including that one, so there's real experience and data that his opinion is based on.

Our high octane gas here in Japan is 98 and that's all I use. Since I'm concerned with the longevity of my engine, I won't be running any higher than 1 bar. Seems the 8374 will already produce around my target of 400hp at 1 bar anyway, do you reckon I'll still need water injection?

ArmenMAxx, are you running a 8374IWG and the Turblown manifold now? If yes, can I ask a few questions?

1) What boost are you running now and what are your rwhp figures like?
2) Did you port your engine? Modified Apex seals?
3) Did you modify your ignition system?
4) You're using the Power FC as well. Have you had any issues with that?
5) What do you normally use your ride for? Track, street, drift?
6) Do you have the new cast manifold from Turblown? How long have you had that and have you ever taken it off to see what condition it's in after using?

Sorry for the many questions but I'm in dire need to make up my mind on a setup, so anyone who's had prior experience with the gear I'm looking at has very valuable information that I'd love to have. :-)

98 RON or 98 MON? There is a difference.

Water injection is a nice safety net to have, even at somewhat lower boost levels. It also has the nice side benefit of helping clean the carbon from your motor.

I think 98 octane in Japan, like in the UK and Australia, would be equivalent to about 93 octane in the US. Some stations do 99-100 octane which would be equivalent to 94-95 in the US. The lowest octane you can buy in the UK is 95 which is equivalent to about 91 octane in the US.

I think a simple aux injection system is a must have on any serious turbo rotary running pump gas.

Not saying its not beneficial, but Ive been tracking my car for years now at 15psi only on pump gas without any issue. Recently, 17psi due to the creep but its still running strong. No voodoo with my engine, just a safe tune and reliable components.



To the OP. I am running the Turblown cast manifold. Havent put many miles on it to give a durability comment. Cast manifolds are generally more durable.
-Tuned PFC at ~15-17psi depending on how much I creep. Again, its a safe tune. Feels more than 400rwhp. No issues with the PFC
-Engine has a large streetport with ALS apex seals. I premix w/ a working OMP
-Rx8 plugs w/ OEM Coils and HKS Twin Power
-Car sees ~6 track days a year and many canyon miles. Its more track oriented.

Good on ya. I feel like a little WI would save a lot of old-fashioned rotary butthurt for the people that have some setup hiccups along the way.
Your setup is similar to what I'd like to run one day.

Good oem coils, good plugs, good wires, and an HKS twin power will work with those power levels.

However, after installing the SBG ignition setup I'd never run anything else. Car runs so much better, smoother. 2016 ignition > 1993 ignition any day.... or 2002 in your case ;)

IGN-1A High Performance Ignition System (FD3S RX-7, LHD Mount) - SakeBomb Garage LLC

Thanks and awesome to know that your setup (exactly what I'm looking at) runs fine even on a PFC. :icon_tup:

We have a customer in Japan( not on the mainland) running the cast IWG efr 8374 on his FD- pump gas with an Adaptronic. Would you like me to put you in contact with him?

YES PLEASE~! Thanks, if its not too much trouble. I'd love to speak with him and see what he's done with his setup.

Kinda bummed that someone else in Japan has beaten me to the 8374 setup tho. Lol~:egrin: