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Member Profile - Shaheenis

PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 5:34 pm
by Shaheenis
Hi There,

Thought I would start building a members profile as I have done a few mods lately. I have also made a fair investment in detailing products of late so hopefully before too long I will have some updated photos of the wags looking it's best. I have owned the car for 2 years now and absolutely love it. I have recently purchased a Pro Speed Racing (PSR) MAF hose and turbo inlet hose, a VF52 and Mishimoto TMIC. The car is off the road this week but will be driving this weekend with the above mods and a safe tune. I am looking to do a final street tune on this setup by the end of Feb if not sooner and then leaving it at that for performance mods (assuming I like it :)).

Performance
  • KiDo Tune - complete
  • Exedy HD Clutch - complete
  • BOV - Turbo Smart Kompact plumb back - complete
  • Sti Wagon Mufflers - complete
  • K&N Panel Filter - complete
  • Pierburg 3-Port Boost Solenoid - complete
  • TurboXS Dump pipe and high flow CAT with Grimmspeed downsizer - complete
  • VF52 Turbo - complete
  • PSR Intake Hose replacements - complete
  • Mishimoto TMIC with TB hose replacement - complete
  • Grimmspeed Up-pipe - Purchased. To be installed
  • Re-tune on road or dyno for Street -complete

    Handling
  • Rear Whiteline Sway Bar - complete
  • Goodyear Eagle D3 235/40/R18 - complete
  • Front Whiteline Sway Bar - complete
  • Group-N Mounts (Engine, Pitch & 6MT) Purchased. Pitch stopper and 6MT installed

    Asthetics
  • OTR front lip - planned
  • Internal and External LED upgrade - planned

That is it for now :).

Re: Member Profile - Shaheenis

PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 6:53 pm
by shav
*subscribed*

Nice work Tim. Keen to see your dyno results after the tune.

Re: Member Profile - Shaheenis

PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 7:15 pm
by HardwareBoB
Nice work, ticked off all the right boxes!

Re: Member Profile - Shaheenis

PostPosted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 11:12 pm
by Shaheenis
Well I have just finished installing the VF52, PSR Silicon intake kit, Mishimoto TMIC and front Whiteline Swaybar. While I was under the bonnet I also replaced the o-ring on the Power Steering return line, fitted two new parker LEDs and did some detailing under the bonnet. I will post some pics when I get time and also add some tips to the sections below which may help others.

VF52 - On its own a pretty standard turbo replacement and with the right tools and having done it before many times on the old wagon was pretty straight forward. The most annoying bits for me were re-fitting the vacuum hoses once turbo was in place (saves having them dangling in your way when installing the turbo though). Removing and refitting the coolant feed line and clamp (until I figured out the easiest way) and getting the aftermarket silicon hose properly on the inlet.

PSR Silicon Intake - This was a real bitch to be honest but the intense heat in Brisbane when I was doing it probably added to the difficulty. My biggest tip here is take your time, you will need it to do it properly and if you go in expecting it to take a day and you do it in 2 hrs you will be happy but the point being you don't want to rush it. Personally I would have not done this unless I was replacing my turbo at the same time.

Mishimoto TMIC - Doesn't bolt up as easily as the factory TMIC but there is a bit of a trick to it which comes down to which bolts you fit first and the order in which you tighten things. I will elaborate later. Looks great :)
http://forum.liberty.asn.au/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=27374&p=400942#p400942

Front Whiteline Swaybar - Harder than rear. You need to remove a chassis brace, quite a lot of bolts which will require a breaker bar and hex (impact) sockets - 12mm and 14mm. The bolts on the D-bushes are like butter and round easily. Do yourself a favour, spray them with Inox, go down the road and buy yourself a 1/2 inch 12mm Kinchrome hex socket from Bursons and save the bolt heads. Otherwise an easy job.

PS Pump O-ring - Easy as. $3 part from Subaru. Have a rag and paper towel to absorb some of the fluid when you remove the fitting. Make sure there are no contaminants (like paper towel bits) when you screw it back up. Fit o-ring to hose, not inside pump. Seat carefuly. Tighten ;).

I started it up and no leaks :). Topped up radiator with demineralised water as I lost some coolant. Ran car up to temp, all good so far. That is it for now. Haven't even uploaded my new tune and driven yet. Tomorrow morning :)

Re: Member Profile - Shaheenis

PostPosted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 11:20 pm
by shav
Great write up and tips Tim. Thanks for this. Keen to see how good it goes post tune

Re: Member Profile - Shaheenis

PostPosted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:53 pm
by Shaheenis
Thought I would post some pics and an update.

Performance Mods
Since the last update I have uploaded a base tune from Matt at Kido and have been driving in S mode only. I am doing some logging and will get an update as the tune was only for the VF52 upgrade, not the TMIC and PSR intake but Matt said it would be fine until we could tweak it which hasn't happened yet. Good news is that I have been driving the car for a couple of weeks since with no leaks or issues. I have given it a good run in S mode and I can say that the car pulls a lot harder to redline. Some of the timing has been pulled for safety so it is a bit hard to comment on bottom end yet but there is minimal noticeable lag when compared to the VF46. The VF46 punches harder down low but mid-range and top end of the VF52 are a worthy trade-off. I am really looking forward to getting the tune sorted because the performance mods stop there for me. The car will be going in with Serge for 125K service (timing belt) in the next month and I may get the fuel pump replaced with filter just as some extra insurance.

Handling
I installed the front Whiteline swaybar and to be honest I wasn't expecting much as most benefit comes from the rear (or at least in the wagons). What I did notice was the factory swaybar is thick and heavy so I automatically knew there wouldn't be a massive difference in the Whiteline. When compared with the rear where the factory item is hollow and light weight. I set the front to maximum and rear is also maximum. I am no racecar driver but my impression is that it definitely stiffens up the front and reduces roll but I feel that I have altered the balance and I prefer the old configuration. When I get a chance I will set the front to softest setting and I reckon this will be just right but probably not much different to stock. You are however installing new bushes and grease at the same time so it is worth doing and you have the option of re-configuring how the car handles.

The goodies :)
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All installed :)
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I will keep this thread updated as I move forward with the tune and other improvements :). Thanks for your interest.

Cheers,

Re: Member Profile - Shaheenis

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 7:37 am
by ferret89
Looking good Tim, still looks almost stock with the engine cover on there too

What kwatw do you expect once re-tuned?

Re: Member Profile - Shaheenis

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 8:00 am
by WIDELOAD
Nice work Tim.
Should be a good kick in the bum once fully tuned.

Re: Member Profile - Shaheenis

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 9:02 am
by shav
Again, great progress Tim.

Re: Member Profile - Shaheenis

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 9:08 am
by HardwareBoB
ferret89 wrote:Looking good Tim, still looks almost stock with the engine cover on there too

What kwatw do you expect once re-tuned?

On 98 and no fuel system increase, about 200ish I would think. Pump+injectors would allow you to get more, e85 a bit more again. Then, as I understand it, the ej255 ringland fails :)

Re: Member Profile - Shaheenis

PostPosted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 4:57 pm
by Shaheenis
To be honest not that interested in peak power figures, more how the car performs and feels so I reckon power will end up around 180atw but you could probably push more but personally I will always keep a nice safety margin as I have learnt the hard way as a lot of us had in the past by pushing too much. One of my favourite sayings, 'just because you can, doesn't mean you should' ;).

Re: Member Profile - Shaheenis

PostPosted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 3:43 pm
by peadya100
Intersting thread Tim!
Cars coming along very nicely :good:

Re: Member Profile - Shaheenis

PostPosted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 11:12 am
by Shaheenis
MAP Sensor Disconnected - Vacuum/Boost Leak Identified
Well I have been driving the car for a few weeks now but it has had a few minor issues like hunting idle and generally feeling a bit less responsive. I had put this down to the tune as it hasn't been re-tuned to allow for the TMIC and intake but Matt said this should be fine with the VF52 only tune until I can get it road tuned as it is running less timing = safe. I was starting to do some logging to get an update in case I don't see Matt for a long while and sent a learning view across. Matt highlighted that the learning view was suggesting a vacuum leak post turbo. I found this leak last night. The actual MAP sensor connection to the intake manifold was completely off. The one right down low behind the alternator, very hard to see. The hose has gone hard (like a few of them) so I pulled the alternator out this morning to get good access and replaced any old hard vacuum hoses and zip tied them tight. I am guessing there may be some ECU relearning involved now but hopefully it will drive better now :). I am surprised how little this leak effected the driving of the car. Thanks Matt, your findings helped me fix a leak I never knew I had, especially as I was so meticulous putting everything back after the mods! I haven't driven the car yet, just started it any reversed down the driveway and I noticed idle was dipping right down after releasing the throttle which was the same symptom as before. Hopefully this is ECU learning related but if not, may need a tune tweak after all.

Re: Member Profile - Shaheenis

PostPosted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 11:32 am
by shav
Shaheenis wrote:MAP Sensor Disconnected - Vacuum/Boost Leak Identified
Well I have been driving the car for a few weeks now but it has had a few minor issues like hunting idle and generally feeling a bit less responsive. I had put this down to the tune as it hasn't been re-tuned to allow for the TMIC and intake but Matt said this should be fine with the VF52 only tune until I can get it road tuned as it is running less timing = safe. I was starting to do some logging to get an update in case I don't see Matt for a long while and sent a learning view across. Matt highlighted that the learning view was suggesting a vacuum leak post turbo. I found this leak last night. The actual MAP sensor connection to the intake manifold was completely off. The one right down low behind the alternator, very hard to see. The hose has gone hard (like a few of them) so I pulled the alternator out this morning to get good access and replaced any old hard vacuum hoses and zip tied them tight. I am guessing there may be some ECU relearning involved now but hopefully it will drive better now :). I am surprised how little this leak effected the driving of the car. Thanks Matt, your findings helped me fix a leak I never knew I had, especially as I was so meticulous putting everything back after the mods! I haven't driven the car yet, just started it any reversed down the driveway and I noticed idle was dipping right down after releasing the throttle which was the same symptom as before. Hopefully this is ECU learning related but if not, may need a tune tweak after all.


Interesting regarding the leak. A log of whats going on and sending it to matt for a retweak is order by the sounds of it. It would make the idle a bit more bareable by the sounds of it until Matt arrives. I find once Matt is in your car hands on, the magic happens. E-tunes are great to get you out of trouble, but until you get Matt to thoroughly look at the tune while in your car, it's just a temporary fix. Hope you are able to get the car happy soon.

Re: Member Profile - Shaheenis

PostPosted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 8:32 pm
by KiDo_Tuning
Shaheenis wrote:MAP Sensor Disconnected - Vacuum/Boost Leak Identified
Well I have been driving the car for a few weeks now but it has had a few minor issues like hunting idle and generally feeling a bit less responsive. I had put this down to the tune as it hasn't been re-tuned to allow for the TMIC and intake but Matt said this should be fine with the VF52 only tune until I can get it road tuned as it is running less timing = safe. I was starting to do some logging to get an update in case I don't see Matt for a long while and sent a learning view across. Matt highlighted that the learning view was suggesting a vacuum leak post turbo. I found this leak last night. The actual MAP sensor connection to the intake manifold was completely off. The one right down low behind the alternator, very hard to see. The hose has gone hard (like a few of them) so I pulled the alternator out this morning to get good access and replaced any old hard vacuum hoses and zip tied them tight. I am guessing there may be some ECU relearning involved now but hopefully it will drive better now :). I am surprised how little this leak effected the driving of the car. Thanks Matt, your findings helped me fix a leak I never knew I had, especially as I was so meticulous putting everything back after the mods! I haven't driven the car yet, just started it any reversed down the driveway and I noticed idle was dipping right down after releasing the throttle which was the same symptom as before. Hopefully this is ECU learning related but if not, may need a tune tweak after all.


ECU needs a LV reset to help it relearn idle parameters. 25% being added at idle is now making it dip rich ;)

Shav above had a similar issue, suggested a boost leak somewhere and sure enough, in person I found a boost solenoid vacuum hose had slid off