HKS FTO

[Astron_Boy]

The EMS are a nice computer also.
Have one in the wagon, as easy as the haltech to tune as well, I do recomend.

Still reckon you should keep it HKS Original

[rock_it]

Yeah, this is the 8860 ... So the top of their range...

Which I believe EMS/Haltech use the same components to make their units... Or so I was told... The data logging and features through the EMS have never been an issue... But like anything, you still see some haters out there ...

[Astron_Boy]

EMS just aren't as well known or supported as the Haltech.
Just my perception.

[d_dan]

iv just read this entire build. and im loving it. Am I right in saying you dont have forged internals?
Any audio of the car from the outside when it hits mivec

[AJ]

Yeah, stock internals. No, no sound from the outside. Perhaps we'll get some on the 22nd Sep, if it's ready in time.

[d_dan]

Whats on the 22nd sept? track day?

[AJ]

Whats on the 22nd sept? track day?

Yes, down at Wakefield, check out the NSW section for more info.

[AJ]

I'm struggling here. The issue with the car is that at ~5,500 RPM (MIVEC) it's hitting the rev limiter in 3rd and 4th so I can't max out the car in those gears.

CRD (Croydon Racing Developments) have a rolling road and said that a new ECU would fix the issue. I've been quoted $2800 for Haltech Platinum Sport 1000 fitted and tuned in time for 22nd Sep.

I've also spoken to THR (Tune House Racing) who have a hub dyno. They've not had the car on it as their tuner is away on holiday at the moment and isn't back until mid September. They did say though that they might be able to flash tune the standard ECU and that might fix my problem. This'd cost around $1300 but they won't be able to do it in time, or if they could fit the car in and there was something really wrong then it wouldn't get fixed in time for the 22nd Sep. They suggested that it might be a gear box issue. The gear box might be slipping/spinning faster than the engine and causing the limiter to kick in. They said this is very difficult to spot on a rolling road but they can pick it up easily on a hub dyno.

Now they didn't do a hard sell or anything like that at all, it was friendly advice. So I'm thinking that I try to find somewhere with a hub dyno to take a look and see if they can identify the issue or do I suck it up and fork out the $2800? I really don't want to spend this much and I've had no luck finding an ECU for less than this.

Anyone recommend a tuner or any ideas on what the issue might be?

BTW, both CRD and THR were represented at the recent Motor Magazine Hot Tuner Shootout. CRD walked away with the silverware in the one of the categories.

[Bennoz]

Is it exactly at 5.5k? Or thereabouts? If not, it sounds like gearbox mate. If an ECU can manage to mix air & fuel for it to go all the way to 8k in 1st, then there's no reason it wont do it in 3rd. Gear selection is irrelevant for it.

I reckon your torque converter is either not up to the challenge, or on its way out.

I know its a long shot, but why not try PM Jeff in QLD? He had a similar issue & had one made up to do the job. I dont reckon yours is anything other than a standard one & the car is making a bunch more power now that it used too I reckon....

Or HTFU and dump a 5 speed in there with a decent clutch.... it'd be f**ken cheaper...

[AJ]

Is it exactly at 5.5k? Or thereabouts? If not, it sounds like gearbox mate. If an ECU can manage to mix air & fuel for it to go all the way to 8k in 1st, then there's no reason it wont do it in 3rd. Gear selection is irrelevant for it.

I reckon your torque converter is either not up to the challenge, or on its way out.

I know its a long shot, but why not try PM Jeff in QLD? He had a similar issue & had one made up to do the job. I dont reckon yours is anything other than a standard one & the car is making a bunch more power now that it used too I reckon....

Or HTFU and dump a 5 speed in there with a decent clutch.... it'd be f**ken cheaper...

It's thereabouts. And I'm not sure if it does it only high boost only, I'll have to give it a go on low too. but yeah, 1st and 2nd can be maxed out to 8k.

How can we test the torque converter? Once he got one made up, did that fix his issue? I'll try send a PM. Who could make one in Sydney? Can a 'box and clutch be sourced and fitted for 2k?

[phunkydude]

manual box + relevant stuffs for the conversion = about 600 bux
labour = beers for ben
clutch = 1000 for a top one.

[silverGPX]

Try a fluid flush, check error codes and change fuel filter

[rock_it]

Hmmm .. $1300 for a flash vs $2800 for a stand alone... Even if I was selling the EMS, you would walk away paying around $2k ...

Honestly, I wouldn't waste $1300 on a tune and re-flash.. For that as a price, and just my opinion you are better off saving up, and going the full hog... Spend $1300 now, then maybe not be happy, and go back and spend $2800 is a bit of a waste...

I have gone through projects where I have put parts on, and made decisions based on cash and short term problems... From intercooler piping, to wastegates, to turbo's and injectors, intake manifolds etc.. Only to come back and re-do them because as I hit the limit in 1 area, I needed to upgrade another... (this was after the decision I made that was to keep the 4g63 stock cause it had enough power) ...

My last splurge when I was building the Evo was all the forged internals... But, not putting the car back together until I got the HKS 272 cams... Which means the last time the car was properly tuned was when the engine was in the Sonata... Some 4+ years ago ...

I don't want to tune the car now, until I get my Tomei adjustable cam gears... And the fact that I had to put together a new rocker cover with better attachments for the oil catch can ... So, when all that is in place, then comes new fuel rail and tune... Then done...

I know you say you don't want to do more to the car ... But as you have already poured an additional 10k into it since you bought it, well, it just doesn't seem right to just use a re-flash ... I am all for keeping the history of a car, but, at the sacrifice of performance and safety ... I wouldn't risk it ...

I am old school... Build it up, push the limit, and if it blows re-build it...

[AJ]

Yeah, that's what I'm worried about. Spend $1300 on a tune and it doesn't work. Spend $2800 on an ECU and that doesn't work either.

Would like a proper diagnosis first.

Fuel filter was changed less than 12 months go.

[silverGPX]

Fuel filter was changed less than 12 months go.

Lol im joking thats what the advice most ppl are giving nowadays

[AJ]

Fuel filter was changed less than 12 months go.

Lol im joking thats what the advice most ppl are giving nowadays

Ah ok, lol.

[rock_it]

It makes things hard when the car is as unique as it is...

I do wonder if it is as what Ben has stated... Torque converter ...

I haven't had too much experience with auto/tiptronic boxes... But, I did see a lot of auto silvia's and 180's where the first thing they did was replace the TC because they were aiming for some huge mods... And looking at all the old XF V8's that would change the same thing...

So maybe that is the solution??

Maybe do the ring around, and see if anyone can test for you ... Maybe a transmission specialist may be able to do it ...

[Astron_Boy]

only limitations I've come across when it's come to revs and power was fuel.
Having said that, there's no difference from 1st to 4th except for the speed, engine is still doing same amount of revs regardless if it was planted.
The fact that the car is stopping itself at 3rd, I think Ben to is about right on the money.
Think about all that cars gone through, history I don't think includes a gearbox...

Sorry, I may have missed, but has the auto been given a complete drain, including cooler, filter change and new 'mitsu' oil?
May cost you the good side of $100, however it may give a bit more insight and stop you spending any more beyond that.
If the oil is a bad color, then you know where the tc is heading.

[AJ]

only limitations I've come across when it's come to revs and power was fuel.
Having said that, there's no difference from 1st to 4th except for the speed, engine is still doing same amount of revs regardless if it was planted.
The fact that the car is stopping itself at 3rd, I think Ben to is about right on the money.
Think about all that cars gone through, history I don't think includes a gearbox...

Sorry, I may have missed, but has the auto been given a complete drain, including cooler, filter change and new 'mitsu' oil?
May cost you the good side of $100, however it may give a bit more insight and stop you spending any more beyond that.
If the oil is a bad color, then you know where the tc is heading.

I've not touched the 'box and you're right, I've not heard of anyone else taking a look either. Are you free on the weekend to take a look Dan? Or anyone?

[Astron_Boy]

ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
I'll get back to you on that, having a Homer moment where I know I'm supposed to do something, but all I can think of is Dental Plan.