5kcstq MM hose replaced, better power and driveability results

[Ken Keith]

While on a road trip, I noticed symptoms indicating a blown 
Michelin Man hose (juddering upon throttle lift off to part throttle, 
limited/1.1bar boost levels, maybe some 'sssshhhh' noise).  I had 
the replacement hose in the trunk, and put it on.

Wow, I think the old hose must've been leaking a little bit, before it 
became worse and very noticeable.  The car is now faster than it's 
been for quite a while, perhaps ever while I've owned it.  I did check 
the hose thoroughly in the past, and when I got the new hose, I 
didn't put it on because the old one was intact.  At the time, that 
hose wasn't the constraint or failed component in the system, so I 
focused elsewhere and kept the new one as a spare.

I'm starting to appreciate that these cars are decently quick when 
they are stock, as long as everything works.

Also, before I started my road trip, I noticed my upper WG hose, 
the one that comes from the WGFV, had broken and was hanging.  
I do still have some original/old hoses that I haven't yet replaced.

I'm now getting strong 1.3/1.4 bar indicated on the stock gauge.  
There is usable boost at almost those levels in lower gears, where 
lately I wasn't getting that much boost except at the very end of 3rd 
gear and up's usable rpms.

Very usable power on the 10 coming back from CA to AZ (400mi 
one way).  Absent any other high speed cars to show me 
otherwise, I would almost say that there is "enough" power to get 
the job done.  But a chip/spring combo is next.  This will most 
likely be followed by some new struts, since I'll be borderline 
popping wheelies when the boost hits, it seesaws so much.  I'm 
thinking Bilstein's and stock springs I guess.

It was a nice drive, I had just gotten a new cd player installed, and 
the new tires, tint, a/c charge, and eurolites were all welcome 
features of the trip.

I'm enjoying this car quite a bit now.  What a difference a hose 
makes.

It can't be stressed enough, to get all the stock systems working 
well before looking for other mods.

Later,

Ken

p.s.  I finally talked to a muffler shop in CA that I knew had 
advertised specials for mandrel bent 3" exhaust for like $250.  After 
the guy stood there speculating that he couldn't get 3" over the rear 
axle without even taking at look under the car first, and then tried to 
tell me that it was okay to have a 3" piece going into a 2.5", or that 
2.5" would be fine everywhere (too damn close to stock for the 
trouble, I say), I concluded that I'll probably end up piecing together 
and welding my own catback system when the time comes.