Engine Performance This section is for discussion on all engine building related questions.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: KPower

1990 NA6 Kraken Turbo - Less power than expected

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-01-2023, 08:17 PM
  #1  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
pingas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Dublin, CA
Posts: 16
Total Cats: 0
Default 1990 NA6 Kraken Turbo - Less power than expected

Hi everyone, first post here. I recently went turbo on my 1990 SNC NA6 with a Kraken 2560 kit. Running 6 PSI on CA 91octane fuel, I’m a bit underwhelmed by the power numbers. The torque graph isn’t zeroed properly, but the power graph is accurate. I’m a bit confused as to why I didn’t make more power. I expected roughly 150 whp.




Setup at time of dyno was:
  • SpeedyEFI ECU
  • Kraken top mount manifold
  • GT2560R
  • Kraken 3” Turboback exhaust w straight resonator and muffler
  • 7” Intercooler w 2” hot side piping, 2.5” cool side piping
  • Turbosmart Kompact BOV
  • 700cc Bosch Injectors from Kraken
  • ACT Stage 1 Clutch and Lightweight Flywheel
  • 6 Speed from NB2 (pulls done in 5th gear)
  • 4.3 Torsen
  • AEM X-Series Wideband
  • Stock internals
  • Stock PCV w hot side port vented to atm
  • Stock cooling system
  • 6 psi wastegate actuator, no boost control
  • NGK BKR7E gapped to .030”

My tune is attached.
​​​​​
My tuner, Jei at Blacktrax, mentioned issues with heat, so I think the spark map may be conservative? I am not sure though since I am new to tuning. We weren’t getting any misfiring or spark blowout. Jei suspected excessive exhaust back pressure or crank case pressure. What do you guys think my problem could be?

I recently installed:
  • dual catch cans
  • 323GTX PCV valve
  • MAC boost solenoid
  • Supermiata radiator and coolant reroute

I’m planning to go to the dyno again on 7/6 to turn up the boost. Anything else I should do to ensure max power? Thanks in advance!

Attached Files
File Type: msq
RUSSELL STREET 1.0.msq (73.4 KB, 8 views)
pingas is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 08:23 PM
  #2  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
pingas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Dublin, CA
Posts: 16
Total Cats: 0
Default


Maybe this sharp bend at the compressor outlet is too restrictive?

Also, I forgot to mention, compression test results were 150/140/140/150. Leakdown test results were 10/15/15/10. I was hearing leakage from the tailpipe on cylinders 2 and 3.
pingas is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 10:00 PM
  #3  
Tweaking Enginerd
iTrader: (2)
 
Ted75zcar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 1,773
Total Cats: 355
Default

Looks about right. 100 x (14.7+6)/14.7 ~= 140.

If you want more you need to turn it up.
Ted75zcar is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 10:18 PM
  #4  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
pingas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Dublin, CA
Posts: 16
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Ted75zcar
Looks about right. 100 x (14.7+6)/14.7 ~= 140.

If you want more you need to turn it up.
That makes sense… what about the weak top end? Does the torque taper at high RPM look normal?
pingas is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 10:21 PM
  #5  
Tweaking Enginerd
iTrader: (2)
 
Ted75zcar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 1,773
Total Cats: 355
Default

Move the WG reference to the outlet of the intercooler.

Hard to say about "normal"... it does appear to be ... not great.
Ted75zcar is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 10:24 PM
  #6  
All-round "Good Guy"
 
Lokiel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Brisbane, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 993
Total Cats: 245
Default

Consider replacing the 135* Si elbow with a 90* one - the 135* elbow looks like it's kinked.
Lokiel is online now  
Old 07-01-2023, 10:32 PM
  #7  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
pingas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Dublin, CA
Posts: 16
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Ted75zcar
Move the WG reference to the outlet of the intercooler.

Hard to say about "normal"... it does appear to be ... not great.
I have been meaning to do this. I should expect WG opening later from this, right?
pingas is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 10:42 PM
  #8  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
pingas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Dublin, CA
Posts: 16
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Lokiel
Consider replacing the 135* Si elbow with a 90* one - the 135* elbow looks like it's kinked.
It was originally a 90* elbow actually. I had to cut it to turn it into a 135* because the hood would not close.

The 3-bolt compressor housing outlet and adapter make the silicone elbow sit too high. The only solution I had was to cut it. I think even with it cut, it still gets smushed by the hood a bit…

I think anybody with an NA who orders a kraken kit needs to specifically request the circular compressor outlet to avoid this issue. I didn’t know.

So you think the intake tubing is too restrictive there? I was hoping that wasn’t it because fixing it would be laborious.
pingas is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 10:44 PM
  #9  
Tweaking Enginerd
iTrader: (2)
 
Ted75zcar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 1,773
Total Cats: 355
Default

Originally Posted by pingas
I have been meaning to do this. I should expect WG opening later from this, right?
Not really, but it should compensate for pressure losses caused by restrictions between the turbo and the outlet of the intercooler, like that less than optimal bend you got there.
Ted75zcar is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 10:59 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
SpartanSV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Greeley, CO
Posts: 1,224
Total Cats: 163
Default

Where's the log from the dyno pull? It's all guessing without it
SpartanSV is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 11:02 PM
  #11  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
pingas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Dublin, CA
Posts: 16
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Ted75zcar
Not really, but it should compensate for pressure losses caused by restrictions between the turbo and the outlet of the intercooler, like that less than optimal bend you got there.
Once I get my boost solenoid going, pressure loss between turbo and manifold should not matter right? The ECU will be controlling the solenoid and wastegate based on manifold pressure.
pingas is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 11:57 PM
  #12  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
pingas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Dublin, CA
Posts: 16
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by SpartanSV
Where's the log from the dyno pull? It's all guessing without it
I don’t have it unfortunately. I can ask for it
pingas is offline  
Old 07-01-2023, 11:59 PM
  #13  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
pingas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Dublin, CA
Posts: 16
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by SpartanSV
Where's the log from the dyno pull? It's all guessing without it
I do remember though that we were getting overboost above 6k rpm, rising up to 8 psi. Torque went down despite the increased boost.
pingas is offline  
Old 07-02-2023, 04:13 PM
  #14  
Newb
 
icemang17's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2023
Posts: 10
Total Cats: 0
Default

The kink in intake doesn’t help……I also wonder what the afr was.
icemang17 is offline  
Old 07-02-2023, 06:23 PM
  #15  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
pingas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Dublin, CA
Posts: 16
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by icemang17
The kink in intake doesn’t help……I also wonder what the afr was.
AFR was 11.5 from 3k onward
pingas is offline  
Old 07-02-2023, 08:22 PM
  #16  
Newb
Thread Starter
 
pingas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: Dublin, CA
Posts: 16
Total Cats: 0
Default

I went out and did some pulls. Here are the logs for anyone curious
Attached Files
File Type: mlg
pulls1.0.mlg (60.7 KB, 11 views)
File Type: mlg
pulls1.2.mlg (74.2 KB, 13 views)
File Type: mlg
pulls1.1.mlg (69.7 KB, 7 views)
pingas is offline  
Old 07-02-2023, 09:45 PM
  #17  
Tweaking Enginerd
iTrader: (2)
 
Ted75zcar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 1,773
Total Cats: 355
Default

Post a screen shot of a pull from roughly 2krpm to 7krpm with MAP, RPM, spark advance, AFR, and injector pulse width. Put the cursor at ~5500rpm
Ted75zcar is offline  
Old 07-04-2023, 05:56 AM
  #18  
Junior Member
 
Mr Plow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 199
Total Cats: 95
Default

Originally Posted by Ted75zcar
Looks about right. 100 x (14.7+6)/14.7 ~= 140.

If you want more you need to turn it up.
This ahead of anything else. 140hp at hubs as a pressure ratio back calculation may even be considered high.

Edit - re-looked at figures. Say 136hp@ hubs = estimated c.152bhp at fly. 152/(14.5+6)*14.5 = c.108 hp fly NA equivalent. Don't know what yours would book at standard. Potentially a little low.

Last edited by Mr Plow; 07-04-2023 at 06:28 AM.
Mr Plow is offline  
Old 07-04-2023, 01:03 PM
  #19  
Supporting Vendor
iTrader: (3)
 
emilio700's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 7,327
Total Cats: 2,379
Default

Originally Posted by pingas
Also, I forgot to mention, compression test results were 150/140/140/150. Leakdown test results were 10/15/15/10. I was hearing leakage from the tailpipe on cylinders 2 and 3.
Motor is toast. I'm not of the opinion that throwing boost at a worn out motor is a good idea. Do a basic OEM rebuild and the power will appear.
__________________


www.facebook.com/SuperMiata

949RACING.COM Home of the 6UL wheel

.31 SNR
emilio700 is offline  
Old 07-04-2023, 03:07 PM
  #20  
Elite Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Arca_ex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 1,628
Total Cats: 427
Default

Compression and leakdown indicates the engine is tired so it kind of makes sense that it's struggling. Also not good that the exhaust valves in cylinders 2 and 3 don't seal very well.
Arca_ex is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ogasman
DIY Turbo Discussion
19
09-01-2020 05:05 PM
fpscolin
DIY Turbo Discussion
14
07-20-2017 09:15 AM
mntech
Build Threads
0
05-24-2017 05:57 PM
bdohaney
DIY Turbo Discussion
7
04-17-2011 02:18 AM
F20turbo
DIY Turbo Discussion
21
12-15-2006 01:14 PM



Quick Reply: 1990 NA6 Kraken Turbo - Less power than expected



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:07 AM.