ACT XT, Fidanza flywheel, gutted cat ZOMG!
11-29-2007, 01:01 AM
#1
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ACT XT, Fidanza flywheel, gutted cat ZOMG!
I finished with the install earlier today. I couldn't get the nuts off the catalytic converter to remove the downpipe so I dropped the entire exhaust.
I had a coworker come over to help me do some stud excavation on the cat flanges, both sides. In the process we knocked some stuff lose inside the cat so I decided to gut it and buy a high flow one come smog testing time.
Gutting a cat is something everyone should do once in their life, it's a good form of stress relief.
I installed an ACT XT (Overkill, but hey you never know when I might randomly pick up megasquirt) with street disc and an 8lb Fidanza flywheel.
Anyways the rest of the install went without any hitches. I drove around for a bit without no exhaust after the downpipe just to see how it was and boy was that exciting. I love the ominous whistle of the turbine in the exhaust. Too bad I couldn't keep it that way lest I get pulled over by the law.
Had my fun, bolted up the rest of the exhaust and I was surprised to see the performance was still there, first gear actually became useless past 5k rpms. So between the flywheel and gutted cat I gained a massive performance increase, which one is to blame the most?
I love the flywheel so far and I've already put 50 miles on the new setup today. It gives a much more crisp throttle response perfect for heel-toe rev matching. I also switched to Pennzoil synchromesh transmission fluid from Redline MTL.
I have the wastegate actuator rod tightened all the way to make up the lost boost from the intercooler and made 5.5 psi (on the highway) before I gutted the cat. Now on the highway it gets up to 7! Is this ok or should I loosen the wastegate rod some?
I had to adjust the freeplay in the clutch at first to be able to shift out of neutral. I know this clutch is supposed to engage low, but I think it seems too low, the instant I move my foot it's already engaging. I sometimes have trouble shifting into gears even though I have my foot burried into the floor. I have the freeplay adjustment rod turned out as hard as I can with my fingers, is it ok to use a wrench on it or would that preload the throwout bearing? Or is there another adjustment to increase clutch travel?
Well that's all the questions I have for now
I had a coworker come over to help me do some stud excavation on the cat flanges, both sides. In the process we knocked some stuff lose inside the cat so I decided to gut it and buy a high flow one come smog testing time.
Gutting a cat is something everyone should do once in their life, it's a good form of stress relief.
I installed an ACT XT (Overkill, but hey you never know when I might randomly pick up megasquirt) with street disc and an 8lb Fidanza flywheel.
Anyways the rest of the install went without any hitches. I drove around for a bit without no exhaust after the downpipe just to see how it was and boy was that exciting. I love the ominous whistle of the turbine in the exhaust. Too bad I couldn't keep it that way lest I get pulled over by the law.
Had my fun, bolted up the rest of the exhaust and I was surprised to see the performance was still there, first gear actually became useless past 5k rpms. So between the flywheel and gutted cat I gained a massive performance increase, which one is to blame the most?
I love the flywheel so far and I've already put 50 miles on the new setup today. It gives a much more crisp throttle response perfect for heel-toe rev matching. I also switched to Pennzoil synchromesh transmission fluid from Redline MTL.
I have the wastegate actuator rod tightened all the way to make up the lost boost from the intercooler and made 5.5 psi (on the highway) before I gutted the cat. Now on the highway it gets up to 7! Is this ok or should I loosen the wastegate rod some?
I had to adjust the freeplay in the clutch at first to be able to shift out of neutral. I know this clutch is supposed to engage low, but I think it seems too low, the instant I move my foot it's already engaging. I sometimes have trouble shifting into gears even though I have my foot burried into the floor. I have the freeplay adjustment rod turned out as hard as I can with my fingers, is it ok to use a wrench on it or would that preload the throwout bearing? Or is there another adjustment to increase clutch travel?
Well that's all the questions I have for now
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11-29-2007, 01:14 AM
#2
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I'd back it down. Less restriction in the exhaust = more flow = more restriction in the intake = more boost
The ACT XT engages low. Just something you have to deal with. :(
The ACT XT engages low. Just something you have to deal with. :(
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11-29-2007, 12:54 PM
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Mmk thanks for the input everyone. I'm digging the new setup
Got pics of where you might put the bung on a stock downpipe? I've been told 10 inches upstream of the cat, but where? I'm wondering how I'll get a wrench on it.
Got pics of where you might put the bung on a stock downpipe? I've been told 10 inches upstream of the cat, but where? I'm wondering how I'll get a wrench on it.
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11-29-2007, 04:34 PM
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I've heard the clutch problem over and over again.
Has anyone had the slave cylinder re-sleeved to the next smaller size?
This should increase the length of travel of the actuating rod and at the same time give a softer pedal. I intend to get this same clutch but don't want the low pedal.
This would be the logical fix to me but I would like peoples opinions.
Thanks Col
Has anyone had the slave cylinder re-sleeved to the next smaller size?
This should increase the length of travel of the actuating rod and at the same time give a softer pedal. I intend to get this same clutch but don't want the low pedal.
This would be the logical fix to me but I would like peoples opinions.
Thanks Col
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11-29-2007, 05:20 PM
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How about the braided stainless steel clutch line that replaces the stock rubber bits. Like the one from Thompson Automotive. That'll put more of your work into working the slave cylinder instead of expanding like the stock rubber lines.
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11-29-2007, 05:32 PM
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Lol. Nope don't have any backfiring even with the open downpipe. Turbo spools what seems to be 200 rpms earlier and I've got a bit more of that lovely turbine whistle in the exhaust.
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11-29-2007, 07:20 PM
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Ok, new problem, or should I say annoyance. I'm getting a fairly loud cricket sound related to engine rpm. It's clearly audible in the cockpit with the top up at 60mph. It only makes this sound when the clutch pedal is out. If I push the clutch in just slightly, it changes timbre and goes away.
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