I bought my MY 97 second hand, 18 months ago.
I thought it was totally standard.

Anyway, today I took it PE and got it tested for bhp and torque.

The results - 262 bhp and 256lbft torque.

Not quite right I thought for a standard
MY 97, and the reason, the boost was/is running at 18psi (some restricter was fitted).

The dilemma is what do I do.
Is it safe to keep running at this high level, as it has been for my 18 months of ownership (and probably more with the previous owner) or do I reduce it?

If I should reduce it, what is the recommended level?

Any help will be much appreciated.

JR

 

Is this peak boost or constant ?

Bob

 

JR,

Was the car detting? If not, and you're not seeing any other ill-effects, then odds are it'll be alright. As you point out, it's been like this for 18 months. If something was going to go wrong, it probably already would have done so. Also, let's not forget that there are other UK cars pushing out serious amounts of power; they don't appear to have blown up (yet... err... :-)

The innards on the UK engine aren't as strong as the Japanese ones, but then you're still not in WRX or STi territory [pretty damn close though, and the torque is very impressive!].

Of course this could all be completely wrong, so usual disclaimer applies :-)

Cheers,

Pat.

 

JR,

If you are concerned about det/problems with the high boost, I would consider giving Bob Rawle an email requesting possible solutions.

I have an Sti V, and over the last couple of months have made quite a few mods to it (full SS exhaust, Blitz induction Kit) and I must admit that I had no worries about performance issues.

From reading various other threads I thought it would be wise to understand fully what was going on so I got in touch with Bob who recommended various options.

Today Bob fitted the Knock Link and Lambda Link for me. This has helped tremendously, I thought I had no problems, but after the installation today I am now fully aware of what my car is doing, it's by no means catastrophic, but at least I now what is going on and on Bobs advise, I know the options available to me should I wish to correct the problem.

Do yourself a favour and email Bob, this guy knows his stuff! When Possum Bourne have made changes to the Link on his recommendations, I think this speaks for itslef.

Cheers,

Dave

 

In answer to the questions.

Pat - RE: detonation, the engine was/is working fine, no problems at all.

Bob Rawle - RE: boost, I don't know. Chris at PE simply said the boost was 18 psi.

From your experiences, should I leave things
as they stand or am I asking for trouble?

Thanks again.

JR

 

JR, when Chris checked it did he use the "earpieces" to see if it was detting ? You see you will not be able to hear it in the car unless it is very severe. It may be fine, if you are not certain about the detting then get it checked. If its peaking to 18 psi (short over boost) and then falling back to 14 say then its probably going to be ok, but if its holding 18 psi then you do need to think about it. Do you use 95 or 97 ron fuel ? If 97 then, again, may be ok.

Bottom line is ... it needs to be checked with det cans properly using your normal fuel type (ie the type you plan to stick with) If its found to be ok then it can obviously be left. From what you've said you do not have a boost guage fitted ... best to do that then you can see how the boost is during a wide variety of circumstances. A car does not just det under high load but under all sorts of "innocent" circumstances, like sharp throttle lift off for example. Demon Tweeks do some relatively cheap ones, the Racetech one is the most accurate and costs about £30 plus you need a fitting kit from them. (its on page 125 of the Motorsport catalogue)

 

Bob

Thanks for the info.

I've just tried to call PE, but no reply. I guess they are closed for the near year holiday. I'll call Chris next week and find out if he used earpierces and to ask about how long the boost was at 18psi.

Regarding fuel - I've always used 95.

Thanks again.

JR

 

JR

I cant add anything to the comments above BUT i suggest you run 97 Ron only until you decide what to do.

Regards

 

JR,

I would second Sunil's post - use 97RON until you have got the car checked.

Increasing the octane rating reduces (but does not eliminate) the chance of detonation.

Thanks

Gavin

 

Use 97 by all means but ... it takes at least three tank fulls to change octane. So if you get it checked remember to make sure that the fuel grade in the car is what you are going to use in the future ie not a part 95/97 tank full.

Bob

 

JR,

Running 18psi on 95RON without detting? Cool! Obviously a good engine.... it's weird how simple things like subtle differences in the cylinder head can have an impact on detting.

I'de agree with Bob that 18psi peak is OK but 18psi held is perhaps of concern. If it ain't detting it will be placing a higher than normal load on the engine... which hasn't been blueprinted or uprated. This will probably shorten the life of the engine while making your life more enjoyable.... just to which extent is difficult to say.

Be safe.... keep an eye on the engine... fit a boost gauge and perhaps a Knock Link. Neither are are expensive, both significantly cheaper than a rebuild!

Cheers,

Pat.

 

Dear All

1. Would Chris at PE know if the 18 psi was
short or long term or have I got to go back
and redo the test?

2. In view of the enigne not suffering any
apparant problems (so far), yet being run on 95 ron for 18 months and with the high boost, do you think it's likely that any other mods have been done?

JR

 

JR,

Chris @ PE should know whether this was held or peak... give them a bell and ask... they're very friendly chaps and should be able to help. If they can't you can a) go back and pop it on the rollers for UKP 40 or b) fit a boost gauge for UKP 30 upwards. Of the two, the boost gauge seems more appealing since you can then keep an eye on it all the time :-)

Since the car has been running well now for 18 months on high boost, you'de think that if anything was going to go wrong it would have done so already. Given the fact that it hasn't and that it wasn't detting on the rollers, it seems that either a) you have a very good engine or b) someone somewhere has modified other areas (remap, perchance?) to compensate...

Cheers,

Pat.