Danny's And Jeff's 6A13 turbo Conversions

dannyboyau · Post by **dannyboyau** » Sat Feb 19, 2005 2:50 am

hey Jeff what is happening with yours

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 8:19 pm

Still not back.javascript:emoticon(':evil:')
Evil or Very Mad
The microtech was a big delay. It was ordered well before Xmas, but they delivered the LT12 not the LTX12. I have been waiting ages for this to arrive. It finally arrived on Thurs 17/2, and Subzero were hoping to wire it in and get it started and on the dyno by Sat. But of course they are having problems with the wiring. They rang me late Frid to explain, but I was at work so I couldn`t get much details. They did promise ( again ), that I should have it early this week. Everything else has been completed. It looks great. I will be really pissed if I don`t get it back this week as when they promissed mid January, I paid my money for a track day at Dorrington park on the 26/2. ( see Qld section). I was hopping to have the car for a few weeks to get used to it before I took it on the track.
Once I get it back I`ll let you all know, and post some new pics as well as the new dyno.
Jeff

GPXXX · Post by **GPXXX** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:03 am

welcome to the club Jeff... it took Microtech a good 5 weeks to deliver my ECU but luckily, they sent me the correct one at first go... it took 2 formal letters of complaint (with an intent to take legal action against them on my last correspondence) to really get the ball rolling... pffft

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 3:54 pm

Thanks GPXXX,
It seems they have to programme each one for each car before they send them. Obviously they don`t have any pre configured for the FTO.
I word of warning for anyone considering going this way.

Oh well ecu all in, am waiting for a phone call to say they have started it.
If all well dyno tomorrow and I`l get it back that evening.
Hopefully.
Jeff

FTO338 · Post by **FTO338** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 5:43 pm

Jeff wrote:It seems they have to programme each one for each car before they send them. Obviously they don`t have any pre configured for the FTO.
I word of warning for anyone considering going this way.

While we on the topic of warning on stand alone ECU (not piggyback), you might have a problem with cold start as well.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 10:25 am

F*&% F$%# F&^* F*&% F%$^ !
Sorry about the language.
Car still not back. I was supposed to pick it up last night, but once again the ominous phone call at 4pm.
The LTX12 all wired in, car started, running, all great, then they hooked up the tip box and no spark. They are stumped. They have booked an auto electrician for 8am Mon morning to sort out the problem. So another weekend without my baby. So much for the track day at Dorrington park on Sat. Hopefully they can get it going Mon am then Dyno in the afternoon then I will have it that evening. Last Wednseday was the 6 month anniversary of when my car enetered the workshop. I am sure their is a temporal anomally at the entrance of all workshops. Very simular to Restaurant mathetmatics.
So close.
But still so far.
How I miss my baby.
Jeff

GPXXX · Post by **GPXXX** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 10:45 am

ahhh... the memories... how i'm glad those painful days of waiting are over.....or is it???

FTO338 · Post by **FTO338** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 11:01 am

ahhah at the rate you going mikey, you'll be forever waiting for you new setup eheheheh you might even end up another danny who never satisfy with the result.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 1:07 pm

Still not back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Was promised car last weekend but again problems. Thursday my mechanic and an Autotransmission mechanic were working on the car until 3am to get it going for the weekend. Basically they got it going and thought they had it fixed. Friday my mechanic drove it down to dyno it and guess what, the auto box was slipping. Each change the engine would rev out of control. He took it to the dyno anyway and started to light tune it, but it was overheating badly and there was some bad engine noise so he only took it to 5k and 14psi.
It made 210kw atw, lightly tuned. With this in mind 330kw or 500hp looks possible.
So today I was down there checking out the problems.
1. Overheating - they were flushing out gallons of mud out of the engine. Obviously the engine had been sitting for awhile. This should fix it.
2. The noise - It definately sounded like the lifters. So we will ignore this for the moment. Danny or anybody- Does the 6A13TT have hydrolic or adjustable lifters?
This will effect my course of action.
3 . The auto box. I spoke to the guys that rebuilt and strenghtened my box, and they stated it would be due to the different pulse generators from the 6A13. They could not fix it. I again mentioned this to my mechanic who stated they transfered the original pulse generators and throttle sensors from the 6A12 but this is when the electronics started playing up.

So close and yet so far.
It drives but it needs to be fixed before I take possession.
My mechanic also said when he was driving to the dyno that he gave it a little kick and the torque steer almost pulled the wheel out of his hands.

Jeff

GPXXX · Post by **GPXXX** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 2:46 pm

can u please remind us which turbo are you using again and are you using any forged internals on the 6A13?

210kw at 14psi sounds pretty good - just make sure they don't add too much ignition advance - i know for a fact that there are a number workshops who lay claims about making big HP on lower boost than other tuners out there but what they fail to mention is the amount of ignition advance that they used to achieve those numbers at the expense of reliability - i'd rather have a blown turbo (from too much boost) than a blown piston (from too much timing + too much boost)

i think angela's car (EXC) had similar problems as well in the past when hooking up the ECU to the gearbox... i can't remember what the fix was but you might like to give RPM @ Adelaide a call to find out... (that is if they're willing to budge). at this stage i'd highly recommend a tranny oil cooler coz it's going to get hot real easily judging by how easily it heats up...

oh and a friendly word of advice - make sure you don't hit full boost when medium/hard cornering or the torquesteer will make the car very uncontrollable... I am using merely 8psi but the torquesteer nearly killed me on the twisties lol... (it's times like these I wish I had an NA car)

dannyboyau · Post by **dannyboyau** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 5:43 pm

Jeff wrote:1. Overheating - they were flushing out gallons of mud out of the engine. Obviously the engine had been sitting for awhile. This should fix it.Jeff

It Should fix it in most conditions, mine will get hot when the temperture gets over 35 degrees and it is under heavy loads frequently, I run toyota red coolant, one of the best available, but it is not cheap.

Jeff wrote:2. The noise - It definately sounded like the lifters. So we will ignore this for the moment. Danny or anybody- Does the 6A13TT have hydrolic or adjustable lifters?
This will effect my course of action.Jeff

deffinately hydraulic lifters, pull them out and soak them in desiel and then use a small drill bit or a big needle to pump them while they are in the desiel, you will see the black stuff come out as you pump them.

Jeff wrote:3 . The auto box. I spoke to the guys that rebuilt and strenghtened my box, and they stated it would be due to the different pulse generators from the 6A13. They could not fix it. I again mentioned this to my mechanic who stated they transfered the original pulse generators and throttle sensors from the 6A12 but this is when the electronics started playing up.Jeff

sorry mate can't help you with this one as you will need to speak with the trany experts, does sound like you need to strengthen it a bit more as well though.

Jeff wrote:So close and yet so far.
It drives but it needs to be fixed before I take possession.
My mechanic also said when he was driving to the dyno that he gave it a little kick and the torque steer almost pulled the wheel out of his hands.

Jeff

i did warn you about the torque steer, but you will get used to it, just take it easy till you do and make sure you keep both hands on the wheel when you nail it and be ready for the thrill ride of your life. It is like ridding a wild bronco. YE HAA

GPXXX · Post by **GPXXX** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 6:01 pm

just to add - even on the straights make sure that it is FLAT, not bumpy or the torquesteer can still throw you off if you're not careful!

Tim-YFT · Post by **Tim-YFT** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 7:23 pm

Guess this just made up my mind whether or not to keep my FTO, ah well. Ill be selling my FTO next year and upgrading to an Evo9

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 8:42 pm

GPXXX - That was 210kw at 14psi at only 5k. Due to the heat problems and the noise they didn`t fully let her rev out.
The turbo is a GT35/40 one size up from the GT30pro. And non forged internals at present. The box was fully done up with the turbo in mind. Tranny oil cooler inplace and billet steel pins in the torque converter.
I still plan to use this as my everyday car, so I have a four stage boost controller, 7psi or off for arround town and everyday. 14 psi for the track and very rarely 21 psi for the 1/4 mile. I understand about the advancement. Hopefully this should not lean out as I have a 1000hp fuel pump, fuel reg, and 6 x 850cc injectors.

Tim, if your after performance the FTO is not the car for you. If you want a fantastic looking sports car with a boot that drives fantastic, then keep your FTO. The EVO is ugly compared to the FTO, and face facts, you pull chicks in town not at race tracks.
Jeff

GPXXX · Post by **GPXXX** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 9:19 pm

you wanna run 21psi on stock internals with your GT35/40 equipped 6A13??

for what it's worth dannyboy's stock pistons didn't survive very long on 18lbs, let alone 21 pounds lol...

i'd be concerned about the strength of the rods at that boost level Jeff - dannyboy can vouch how puny they are.... it's only going to be a matter of time until the car goes in again for an expensive rebuild. 7-14psi is fine, but NOT 21psi i'm afraid... that's just asking for trouble.

Tim-YFT · Post by **Tim-YFT** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:51 pm

I really dont know why people say 'Dont buy an FTO if you want a performance car' and then go and make it into a performance car themselves, doesn't make sense. Anyways, the car itself can be a performance car, but the cost in doing so isn't worth it when you consider current insurance levels for a stock FTO, getting the car engineered and other associated costs.

I meant that I wouldn't keep my FTO because 1) most mechanics that have done custom jobs on an FTO wont touch them again after their first and 2) Cost vs time and reward. Cost of getting an FTO to performance levels far outweighs the fact you could get a newer EVO or even a Supra and do it for far less trouble and money, and resale value is a negative for the FTO too when you pump that much money into it.

I don't really care about the look of the car, some people think they're ugly and others don't. I think that the FTO is a nice looking car, but only with a decent bodykit. I also like the EVO, but only with a custom bodykit.

EURO · Post by **EURO** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 5:59 pm

I dont think everyone says "dont buy an fto if you want a performance car" ....

insurance levels on ANY performance/ even non performance car is high for anyone under 25... thats why i decided to get an FTO (i was quoted the same for a sh*tty lancer).

The whole idea about some of these guys working on FTO's, is that they havent been done before... everyone has seen fast supras, rexs, evos, a fast FTO is a novelty! and if your prepared to realise, that "yeh its going to cost a lot" then who cares, good on them for trying....

resale value is a negative on all cars... have a look at AUDI - great car, terribel resale same for alfa, and most other cars...

Most people who choose FTO's do like the look. its the exact reason i bought one (coupled with the fact that they are still farily quick). I think they look great as is, nice clean pain, nice wheels and you dont need a kit to make them look nicer...

anyway, sorry to hijack the thread, just dont agree with you there tim.

GPXXX · Post by **GPXXX** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 6:29 pm

let's assume u bought the FTO for $15K... throw at least another 15k into performance mods like a turbo mivec or something and then line it up against a stock Evo (same age) for the same amount of money needed to buy one...

i know which one has a better chance of winning...

D-TRAIN · Post by **D-TRAIN** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 9:24 pm

GPXXX wrote:let's assume u bought the FTO for $15K... throw at least another 15k into performance mods like a turbo mivec or something and then line it up against a stock Evo (same age) for the same amount of money needed to buy one...

i know which one has a better chance of winning...

Gotta give it to you bro...spoke like a true FTO enthusiast. Wouldn' t have expected anything less from you Mikey

)

But Tim, these guys are hard-core FTO peeps, and have time and interest to nurse their FTOs to a level they want. And as they say in the classics, time is money. But you have to give them credit for what they're trying to achieve.

I didn't have the time nor patience for such a project. Finding time to service my car was difficult enough. That's why I went to Evo route too. Easy way out I know...

But don't expect the 9 to arrive anytime soon. There are still people waiting on delivery of their 8s. And will also be interesting to see how de-tuned the local 9 will be compared to JDM. Checkout http://www.evolutionoz.net for more info

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Fri Mar 11, 2005 2:33 pm

Help!.
It has been 3 weeks since the car has been finished but still no luck with the Tip box. The car has been to 1 auto electrician and 3 Autotransmission specialists but no-one can get the box to change properly. Every time it changes gears it revs very high so you have to back off the accelerator. Everyone says it is the pulse generators that feed the rpms to the tip ecu, but no one knows how to fix it. We have tried going back to the original pulse generators and the original throttle body sensors, but these do not work either. Looks as though I may have to do a manuel conversion. ( sh*t! I love my tip box.)
Has anyone heard of anyone doing a 6A13 conversion with a tip box?
If so please get back to me ASAP with their contact details so I can find out how they did it.
Also all the people that have done a manuel conversion, could they please post any details of any problems they faced, or any tips.
Please help.
Desperately trying to keep auto.
Jeff