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Loss of boost


AstroDan

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Guys:

 

My SC seems to be putting out about 3lbs less of boost than it did a couple months ago. When I had the car dyno'd and until about May, I was seeing 10+ on the boost gauge. Now, it only gets to about 7. Also, there is a higher (really high, like 15000cps) "whine" than what I consider "normal". The car does not feel as quick either. It definitely does not put down 500whp now. All my fluid levels are correct, there is no other noises or any hesitation. It looks to me that all connections are where they belong and everything seems hooked up correctly. I'm at my wits end and hope the Yoda's in here might have an idea I can follow up on.

Thanks in advance

 

Dan

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Check your fuel pressure ? or change your fuel filter lately ?

 

Guys:

 

My SC seems to be putting out about 3lbs less of boost than it did a couple months ago. When I had the car dyno'd and until about May, I was seeing 10+ on the boost gauge. Now, it only gets to about 7. Also, there is a higher (really high, like 15000cps) "whine" than what I consider "normal". The car does not feel as quick either. It definitely does not put down 500whp now. All my fluid levels are correct, there is no other noises or any hesitation. It looks to me that all connections are where they belong and everything seems hooked up correctly. I'm at my wits end and hope the Yoda's in here might have an idea I can follow up on.

Thanks in advance

 

Dan

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Thanks for the input, guys.

The fuel filter is original. @ 12,500 miles. I don't think SAI changeed it when it was Whippled. I will check it and change if needed.

The fuel pressure looks normal. As a side-note, I went to clean my air filter, (@ 5000 miles) but you have to disassemble practically the whole contraption so it will clear the fender. I still need to do that.

 

All is well, Brian. Good to hear from you.

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Agree with checking for belt slip. If you are looking for other mechanical problems I would also check for a vaccum leak and/or a bypass valve problem.

 

Also consider that May average air temps versus July may be ~30 degrees hotter. That could easily account for ~1-2 psi loss and loss of power from higher intake air teperatures.

 

My neighbor's modified GT500 pulled 90 rwhp less on the same dyno a summer day than a cool (45 degree) winter day, but it's running over 725 RWHP to begin with. Still that's about a 15% loss of power. So for a 500 RWHP car 15% would be about 75 RWHP loss .

 

If you bring down your Intake Air Temps you will see a BIG difference in performace in hot weather (see these post):

 

http://www.teamshelby.com/forums/index.php?/topic/42673-upgraded-radiator-and-heat-exchanger/page__view__findpost__p__700211

 

http://www.teamshelby.com/forums/index.php?/topic/39247-moroso-supercharger-tank-install/page__view__findpost__p__625993

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Sounds like it could be belt slip Dan. You can contact Craig Robinson at craigr@shelbyamerican.com or call us at 702.943.7325 ext. 127

 

Roger

 

 

Thanks Roger. I will give you folks a holler tomorrow.

 

 

Agree with checking for belt slip. If you are looking for other mechanical problems I would also check for a vaccum leak and/or a bypass valve problem.

 

http://www.teamshelby.com/forums/index.php?/topic/42673-upgraded-radiator-and-heat-exchanger/page__view__findpost__p__700211

 

http://www.teamshelby.com/forums/index.php?/topic/39247-moroso-supercharger-tank-install/page__view__findpost__p__625993

 

 

 

Nice write-ups Brian. The exchanger looks like a sweet set-up, but kinda costly, no?

Oh well...one more thing to add to the Shelby mod shop spring excursion! :hysterical::spend:

 

Dan

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Dan

 

It is possible that you have belt slip as mentioned previously. Unless you've run C-16 Leaded Race Gas through the car it is most unlikely that your fuel filter is clogged especially with your fuel pressure remaining high which is measured post fuel filter at the fuel rail.

 

Belt stretching and glazing therefore causing belt slip etc. is fairly common. It's good insurance to have an extra belt around anyway so I'd pick up a new belt and replace it and see if your problem is resolved.

 

Ask any of the Shelby GT/SC guys that use the Shelby Heat Exchanger. You'll love it. Keep it on the future mod list for sure.

 

Van

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Dan

 

It is possible that you have belt slip as mentioned previously. Unless you've run C-16 Leaded Race Gas through the car it is most unlikely that your fuel filter is clogged especially with your fuel pressure remaining high which is measured post fuel filter at the fuel rail.

 

Belt stretching and glazing therefore causing belt slip etc. is fairly common. It's good insurance to have an extra belt around anyway so I'd pick up a new belt and replace it and see if your problem is resolved.

 

Ask any of the Shelby GT/SC guys that use the Shelby Heat Exchanger. You'll love it. Keep it on the future mod list for sure.

 

Van

 

 

Thanks Van. I have never run racing fuel, so that probably removes the filter from contention. I'll still check it, but that's good to know.

The HE system is definitely on the wish list...

 

Dan

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Thanks Van. I have never run racing fuel, so that probably removes the filter from contention. I'll still check it, but that's good to know.

The HE system is definitely on the wish list...

 

Dan

 

 

 

HEY DAN ,

 

SCOTTY HERE , SORRY TO HEAR YOUR HAVING A PROBLEM.

 

BESIDES THE CHECK LIST THAT YOU HAVE FROM ALL OF THE OTHERS. THE TWIN FAN

HEAT EXCHANGER I HAVE FROM SHELBY/REVAN RACING HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT

DIFFERENCE IN THE HEAT SOAK AND BOOST MY CAR MAKES DURING THE WARM AND HOT

WEATHER. IT WILL ALSO PROLONG PARTS AND ENGINE LIFE. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR

ISSUE AND IT IS MY GUESS YOU HAVE A GLAZED AND SLIPPING BELT. LOOKS LIKE IT'S

TIME FOR AN NEW ONE.

 

THAT IS THE 1ST PLACE I WOULD CHECK GIVEN YOUR SYMTOMS AND

SOME OF THE BELT ISSUES THAT A FEW PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THE WHIPPLE 550 AND

BECAUSE BELTS LIKE TO EXPAND , STRETCHING AND SLIP IN THE HOT WEATHER. OH ONE LAST THING ; DO

NOT EVER USE BELT DRESSING ON YOUR S/C OR OTHER BELTS. IT IS ONLY A SHORT TERM

FIX ; IF AT ALL AND ONLY WORKS PART OF THE TIME AND WILL EVENTUALLY DAMAGE THE BELTS

BY CAUSING GLAZING , DRY ROTTING AND CRACKING.

 

B.O.L.

 

SCOTTY :salute:

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This Forum is great! A lot of good paths to follow here.

I e-mailed and got a response from Craig at Shelby. I will take her out after work this afternoon and double-check my fuel pressure at WOT.

More to come, and thanks for all the great input Folks. :salute:

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OK. I made a few WOT runs in 2nd, then 3rd gear down Grizzly Island Road.

As you can see in the vids, it looks like @7.5# boost and maybe 65# fuel. I think its worth noting on the 1st run, I hit the rev limiter and the fuel pressure hits about 80+, but the rest were pretty uniform. Also in the 1st vid is the engine, SC at idle...The 2nd vid is from September last year on the road to Sears Point for a 1/4 mile run. I was taunting my Corvette buddy, Javier and you can see the 10# boost and interestingly (only) about 60# fuel. If you listen closely, especially the last couple (1st vid), you can hear the extra high whine I noted earlier.

 

th_WOTrun1.jpg

 

th_WOTSP2.jpg

 

To me the belt looks good. What do you folks think?

 

Belt3.jpg

Belt2.jpg

Belt1.jpg

 

I'm gonna stop thinking about this for a while and enjoy my Custom Elite...

 

Os01.jpg

Dan

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In the month of May I saw 11-12lbs. of boost and ran 12.0's@118mph all day long. Now in July in 90 degree temps my boost level never goes above 9lbs and I run 12.3@114mph. The power and boost falls off in the heat. I drive my car everyday and it runs fine just slower in the heat. From the vids the numbers look fine along with the belt. It could all be temperture related. From what Ive learned the FRPP tune is very conservative and takes alot way in the heat. You might just be seeing normal things going on. I would still change maintance items because they are probably due anyway. Good luck.

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I would probably attribute it to the heat. I just took my car out for a drive (in miserable heat) and where the boost is usually 9lbs. at wot, it is now at 7. I'm not an expert, just giving you my perspective and experiences from today. Hopefully that is what your problem is.

 

Dan

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...

Well, I now have the "smoking gun"!

I took Betsy over to Walnut Creek Ford yesterday and the excellent staff there figured out my problem. Thanks Vince, Dan and Sean!

It seems the gasket between the blower and the intake is bad and that is where the loss is coming from. They have ordered the replacement and I'll bring her in and they'll swap out the BO gasket. I am so glad it turns out to be something as simple as this.

 

I will leave my camera with Sean when he does the work to take a couple shots. I also asked to try to get clarification as to why this happened. I will post up with follow-up info to share with all. I miss my beast and it'll be great ot get her back! :)

 

More to come...

Dan

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I bet that is where the rush of air was coming from, that Rick found.

 

Maybe. He thought it might be at the joint between the back of the blower and the air intake. I could not feel anything there, myself.

More to come...

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Well, she's perfect again!

 

I had the gasket changed out yesterday at Walnut Creek Ford. Betsy now has 10 lbs boost again and the sound is back to sweetness again.

If this happens again, I will do the swap myself. Shawn took a couple pictures that I will post up if there is interest here.

Since traffic was very heavy on the ride home, I drove her in to work today in the "Friday-light" Bay Area traffic this morning...Delightful.

 

Dan

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Well, she's perfect again!

 

I had the gasket changed out yesterday at Walnut Creek Ford. Betsy now has 10 lbs boost again and the sound is back to sweetness again.

If this happens again, I will do the swap myself. Shawn took a couple pictures that I will post up if there is interest here.

Since traffic was very heavy on the ride home, I drove her in to work today in the "Friday-light" Bay Area traffic this morning...Delightful.

 

Dan

 

 

Dan,

 

Great to hear you got the problem resolved and that Betsy is breathing heavy again. Now it's time for another "mixed" run!

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Thanks guys.

 

The old gasket, that I kept, looked to have a small tear in the area around the drivers side, rear near the TBS.

The gasket material looks like a Durabla-type material, which I can make myself to save the ~$40...

 

Hector talked about one more mixed run before the season's over, Jim and Brian. I'm in.

 

Dan

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