[s-cars] "Negative Boost", Oh yes Martha its that dreaded subject once again

[Hap Maguire]

S-Heads

A sporadic boost issue has been driving Tufty Jones, Brendan Rudak and yours truly very crazy for the last several months. Last week Brendan and I set about logging runs on da computer to see if there was a software issue and everything checked out perfectly. We even tried swapping out the Tial 44mm wastegate for a plug and play Turbosmart WG with a minor change invloving a slightly laggier but still inconsistent boost between 10-15 lbs due to a 7 lb vs 1 bar spring in the Turbosmart WG. Tufty and I finally decided to do an intake tract leak check even though we knew it couldn't be that as this car has basically a full hard pipe tract with the only silicon pieces at the joints for engine flex. This would also eliminate the BOV as a potential source. Well as the pressure built upwards of 30 lbs the only leak we found was from the test valve. The intake was solid. To do the test though, we had to remove the 4" elbow that runs from the air cleaner to the turbo inlet. As Tufty was scratching his head yet again he took a good look at the cleaner and Voila, we had found our "Negative Boostie". 

As you can see from this inside view, the plastic frame has broken down. This allowed the cleaner to shrink in on itself as Da BEEG Comp turbo literally sucked the life from its veins. You can also see the crease lines on the outside of the cleaner and visualize what was going on. 

http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad199/hapster47/a-1-3.jpg

http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad199/hapster47/a-3-1.jpg

This air cleaner was mounted to a 4" aluminum pipe that had a 90 degree bend and the cleaner just hung from the pipe without touching anything else. You can just see the pipe here in this shot.

http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad199/hapster47/dm-63.jpg

Well mucho thanks to Tufty and Brendan for their continuing help in perfecting this beast. Something tells me this is gonna be a long story. Throughout this all, the car still ran beautifully if somewhat muffled because of the cleaner. I gotta see if I can get a refund or do you think AEM will just laugh???

Hap, wit dakine "Negative Boost" nomoh not(and yes Mr Baloney that's 3 negatives) from Evahboost, Maguire