| ID: 872 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: Best uprated brakes Question: Hi wizard, Could you advise me on the best uprated brakes for heavy street use and occassional track days. Thanks Answer: Try a big brake conversion if you have at least 15"" wheels. Couple these with kevlar pads (ie EBC Greenstuff) and you should have a good setup. |
| ID: 873 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: lowering Question: hi wizz how long is the splined shaft which has to be withdrawn on the torsion bar to allow you to lower the back end is it better to remove the rear body kit section as it looks tight when you have your extractor in position.....thanks...... Answer: The slined section of the shaft is about 2"" long so it is easier to remove the wheel arch to gain access. |
| ID: 874 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: leak somewhere? Question: hi wiz, hope u can point me in the right direction again.firstly theres no lag?used to hesitate then rocket,now its not as quick and there is no hesitation as there used to b,it hasnt happened overnight but slowly deterioated over a few months,and i can only open bleed valve about 3/4 of a turn to get max boost whereas it used to b 2 turns?it sounds like air leak when u use turbo to any amount,ive checked hoses and hose clips,all our secure and no splits i can c,dump valve diaphram only lasts3-4 months before splitting?any way of testing for an air leak while stationary?how many turns of the bleed valve is normal,also idling is eratic when u turn choke off and difficult to start when facing up a slope but not down,i have std turbo/inter/carb,but have std forge dump valve,pipercross cone,stainless exhaust.sorry 4 the essay,listed as many symptoms as i can but main thing is the loud sound of air under boost...many thanks tony. Answer: Have you still got the standard perc fan pipework connected to the intercooler to carb hose? If so, it may be the valve on the bulkhead leaking boost out through the perc fan. Try blocking off this pipe and get back to me if it doesn't cure the problem. |
| ID: 875 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: Original Camshaft? Question: I'm about to get some engine work done and one of the things I was gonna change was the camshaft. But when I got the car it had already had a couple of things done to it but I dont know what. Before I splash out on a new camshaft is there anyway of checking to see if the one thats in is the standard one? Answer: Try speaking to your local Renault parts dealer to see if the standard cam had a cast in part number as this will be a dead give away on a modified item. The other way to do it is to measure the valve lift with a DTI (Dial Test Indicator) to see if it is more than standard. |
| ID: 876 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: boost not rising fast enough Question: Hi Wizard, Just bought another gtt and it had a turbo gone,this car was in better nick than mine so changed all the pipes(including actuator and D/V, ECU), also the turbo as i new mine was good,the problem is when accellerating hard in first and second i dont reach full boost untill 5k,thus making it slower than a 1.1 fiesta off the lights,thought it might be the back pressure return pipe from the exhaurst elbow to actuator,tried the cup mod and all tis seemed to do was drop the boost by around 8 psi,any ideas, ps the intercooler was changed and i have no leaks in the system Answer: It could be that this new car is modified in the cylinder head or camshaft department and it requires more air than your little turbo can produce. You could also try checking the tappet adjustments as it may be a valve not closing or similar affecting it. |
| ID: 877 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: torsion bars Question: hi wiz ive just put some 50mm lowering springs on my car how many splines should the torsion bars be adjusted? cheers alex Answer: You may find that 2 splines is enough but it allways depends on your own view of how low you want the back of the car to be! |
| ID: 878 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: 10k boost Question: hi wiz,have u or anyone u know tried 10k boost to clean out your turbo,ie,says it cleans out carbon build up or is there a cheaper way to flush it through than £25? cheers as always.tony. Answer: You can use a cheap motor oil run for a while at working temperature to get rid of minor deposits but you may need something like 10k boost to remove a large build up. Problem with this is it may cause the turbo to smoke if you remove carbon that was making a seal! Your best bet is to do regular oil changes with a decent oil. |
| ID: 879 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: Turbo Question: Hi Wiz I would like to know what u think of the new Roller Bearing Turbos, i have asked many people about them and they all seem to say it's the way to go. The problem is that i have been told that some of the cheaper ones only have a roller bearing on the compresor side of the core while still retaining the std 360 bearing on the turbine side is this right? or are they just after sales? I love the idea of the roller bearing turbo as they have a low spool up time for such a big turbo (capable of 40 psi) but a big down fall is the core is not rebuildable and there for if it goes it will cost u £900 Do u think the gains out weight the extra cost ? Cheers Answer: I know people with similar power outputs to you that are using both normal and roller bearing turbo's. They can both spool up quickly if they are the correct spec for the car. Your best bet is to speak to an independant turbo manufacturer like Universal turbo's to talk specs and bearings. |
| ID: 880 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: Ignition Question: Hi again. I took my car to the rollers today to get it set up, The problem is the guy that did the tune says that when it was on the rollers under boost (about 26 psi) it developed a missfire he says it is the boost blowing the spark out is this possable or is it more likely to be something fuel related? I know it is difficult when u havent even seen it but i dont get it, the car is just run in and it has a Group a carb(bigger jets),uprated fuel pump & a ajustable timing sensor etc the car runs fine but i am after the 250 bhp i spent all the money on. By the way it ran 231 bhp at 26 psi does that sound about right ? Cheers Answer: That is a nice power output you have there! Try using a different spec set of plugs or play about with the spark plug gaps and see if this makes a difference. If not, you may have to upgrade to a seperate ignition coil of a higher voltage. |
| ID: 881 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: electrical Question: the problem seems to b my indicators only work when they want could this b the bulb fitting or something more technical also my electric window button seems to enhance my lights brighter when dipped and makes my oil temp and petrol gauge rise when pressed Answer: It seems to me like you have an earth fault somewhere. Try the earth point behind the headlights or the one behind the dash. Clean up the contacts and try again. |
| ID: 882 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: Bearing Question: Wiz, you answered my previous question, and you told me that I might have a problem with engine bearing. I plan to have the car checked over the next few days, but if it is indeed the bearings, is this a big job? Mucho Gracias Answer: It is a job best left to the professionals if you are not a competant mechanic with a Haynes manual for torque figures etc. |
| ID: 883 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: No air mixture screw Question: My air screw is missing and the thread on the hole has been ruined and filled with silicone and so it doesn't idle properly also the car is kind of stuttering when accelerating I dont have a clue Answer: The missing screw will affect the running of the car so i am afraid you are going to have to either shell out on a new/second hand carb or get the thread repaired and a new screw fitted. You will have to get the mixture set up again before you can continue to look for further problems. |
| ID: 884 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: Styling Mesh Question: Wiz, Where can i get some quality styling mesh for the front bumper and grill as i have removed the slats good job too! Cheers from TurboMiller Answer: You can get mesh from any of the tuners or you could try your local Garden centre as they can do some nice ones. |
| ID: 885 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: Phase 2 ECU on Phase 1 car Question: I know from previous post's that you have mentioned it is possible to use a later ecu on an early car but could you please offer some suggestions on fitting. I have purchased a mint phase 2 ECU complete with plastic cover and mounting bracket. Where is it mounted on a phase 2 car? i know it is behind the firewall but where exactly and will i have to drill holes etc to get it to fit properly. Also will i have to drill holes etc for the cables to pass through? Also i have previously been told that the R5GTT did not have any form of rev limiter but have seen documentation that suggests that the later ECU had a 500rpm higher rev limit. Is this correct??? and what are the differences between the two ECU's Answer: The differences between the ecu's is down to slight mapping changes for the ignition advance curve. You can use the shape of the mounting bracket to get a good idea where the ecu fits, it is the opposite side of the bulkhead to the phase 1. You will have to drill holes, so don't forget to paint them to prevent rust. I have never known a rev limiter to cut in on a five so i am assuming that is a mistake or it is just set very high. (over 7000rpm?) |
| ID: 886 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: New Carb Question: Wiz how much will i have to shell out for the new carb and is it worth buying a group A for a standard car? Cheers from turbomiller Answer: It is not worth getting a group A carb if your engine is on standard or lowish boost. You are looking at about £250 for a new carb. |
| ID: 887 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: BURNING Question: wiz;when i take my car up to 90-100mph i get a burning smell.could this be my clutch as i pratically have to let my foot off the pedal to take a bite. Answer: It could well be! Do the revs rise without much acceleration when this smell is about? If not it could be something else like brakes binding slightly or oil leaking onto the exhaust etc. |
| ID: 888 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: TURBO HOSE Question: wiz;ive just bought samco turbo hoses x2 for my 5.the hose which runs from the intercooler to the turbo is minus a boost sensor.the company that supplied them told me to do away with them and tape them up.surely the boost sensor is there for a reason.please give me piece of mind and let me know if its of not great importance. Answer: The sensor you are on about is the overboost switch. Most people with samco hoses have got modified engines or raised boost levels which will cause the overboost to cut in and make the car backfire quite severely. As long as you dont have a major problem with removing the switch then do as they say and tape up the wires to stop them shorting out on the bodywork. |
| ID: 889 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: better cooling Question: wiz;i am thinking of buying samco water hoses and alloy header tank.is there any great importance in buying these or are my standard set-up just as good Answer: For cooling, the standard parts are the same as the new ones but for looks and reliability the new ones are far superior. The standard header tank can split and the rubber hoses can go brittle and leak due to repeated removal or splitting. |
| ID: 890 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: rear styling Question: i have just been onto the BB tuning website looking at the lowering service they provide and there is a 5 turbo on the advert with an exellent rear spoiler on it (the red one) any ideas where it is from and how much cheers again mate !!! Answer: Your best bet is to speak to Andy at BB tuning and ask him! |
| ID: 891 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: lowering Question: hi wizz hope you can help me (again) I have just lowered my gt and it went v well the torsion bars slid straight out and the job was done in no time the only thing is I got a little carried away and I am not too sure how much I have lowered it how many mm drop does each spline represent .do you know what the standard height is at the rear from the floor to the bottom of the wheel arch trim any help v much appreciated..... Answer: I seem to remember that each spline is about 20mm but i may be wrong. There are measurements in the Haynes manual for standard height but i seem to have misplaced mine! Who cares how low you have gone as long as you are happy with it!!!!! |
| ID: 892 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: Strange POP noise Question: Hey whiz kid, Quick question for ya. I have a Ph1 with a dodgy turbo, its oil seals had gone, not a problem, the other day we took it for a spin and the was a POP, its wasnt loud, just loud enough so you could hear it and the turbo stopped spinning completely, 5 minutes later it started to spin again, 5 minutes later it stopped again....I just put this down to the dodgy turbo. BUT it still makes a pop noise. it seems like its coming from the turbo and echoing down the boost hoses to the carb according to my m8 but I think its coming from the carb area! like I say its not a loud pop, and u dont need to be driving it either, u can just rev it and it'll do it! could it be something stupid like the choke flap in the carb is sticking....thats an amatuer guess. Cheers whiz Answer: You can check to see if it is the choke flap by removing the carb top and revving it. The pop is most likely a backfire through the carb. Are you sure the turbo is not spinning, or is the boost gauge not registering? |
| ID: 893 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: TURBO flames Question: i have just bought an armtech rev limiter from bb tuning and fitted it correctly and am very pleased with it but one slight problem the only reason i bought it for is so every time i hit the limiter i get turbo flames out of the exhaust but it doesnt and i have a full scorpian system and i am running 15psi and have a 145 jet so it must be over fueling any ideas cheers Answer: It could be the silencers in your exhaust are stifling the flames. I know people who only get a sort of burble sound with rear exit exhausts and others with side exits that blow two foot flames! It could be down to boost pressure and cam or max revs used as well. |
| ID: 894 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: Anti-perc solenoid Question: Is it OK to remove the anti-perc solenoid and do away with the pipe? (Obviously blocking off the holes left in the boost pipes). I have heard many different opinions on this matter and was wondering what (if any) difference it would make to the overall running of the car? Thanks Answer: It is perfectly fine to remove it as long as your car doesn't suffer from hot starting problems. The thing to do is disconnect the wires for a while to see if you get a problem before doing away with it all together. |
| ID: 895 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: flushing Question: wiz , my car is getting very hot on the motorway, how do i flush the rad Answer: Remove the radiator, get a hose pipe or outside tap and put it into the bottom outlet of the rad. Turn it on and 'backflush' the rad. This will rinse out any blockages rather than forcing them further into the rad. I hope this does the trick. You could also try using a super coolant mix available in places like Halfords to lower the running temperatures. |
| ID: 896 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: plug gaps Question: wiz what is the optimum gap size on the sparkplugs? Answer: It all depends on what spec plugs you have, which fuel you use, and what spec engine/ampount of boost you use. If your car is standard or nearly standard then use the Haynes manual as a guideline. |
| ID: 897 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: stiff steering Question: Mr Wizard i learned from FAQ what might be causing this but how do you change the steering column universal joints Cheers from turbomiller Answer: It is a fiddly job which requires access to the underside of the car so is best done on a ramp. Remove the plastic cover on the rack/column joint if fitted and replace the joint as removed. You may have to do the other joint which is done from inside the car. Your best bet is to get a Haynes manual if you don't have one already as they are an invaluble aid. |
| ID: 898 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: A Friend In Need - Running Problems Question: Wiz, hope that you can extend your wisdom to help a friend that also has a 5. He's owned it for roughly 2 years, and over the past 3 weeks he's been having a lot of problems. He's replaced his carb as he was told the old one was knackered (£252), but the car still idles erraticlly. When he puts his foot down in any gear there seems to a flat spot and the car kind of goes nowhere (boost gauge shoots to the other side though), then a split second later the Turbo kicks in. The Turbo is relatively new, just before Xmas, and brand new from BB Tuning. A mechanic had a look at it this week for him and he told him that he needs a new Turbo Intercooler as his has a large split in it. Would this be the cause of all his problems with it all being air pressurised etc...? He's keeping his £10 membership fee to himself at the moment as he's considering selling up because of the problems and buying a Nova GSi. You can't let this happen!! Wiz, you are a STAR. Answer: If the intercooler is split then it will allow extra air into the engine at idle which will weaken the mixture and cause idle problems and it will take more air pressure through it to make normal boost levels. On the other hand the idle problem may be down to a leaking or split ignition module to carb pipe. Get him to squeeze the pipe closed with the car running at idle and see if the idling improves. You could lend him your intercooler just to see if it cures his problems and then we will both be his mate! If he buys a Nova then he can't be much of a mate, so stop him! |
| ID: 899 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: front bumper Question: may sound lazy, but do you know how much the front bumper of a R5 gtt phase 2 weighs in kilos, even a rough guess will do cheers G Answer: No idea! Why? p.s. Yes it is lazy as it is only 4 bolts to take it off and weigh it yourself! |
| ID: 900 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: Strange POP noise still Question: When I say the turbo stops spinning, There is no reading on the gauge and the car feels like the turbo has been taken off, if that makes sense! I cant see why you would get a back fire through the carb, can you pleaseeee explain how that could happen, is there any other way you can block the boost through to the carb? when the car is running, even at idle the gauge sort of says there is boost in the system (just) then when the turbo stops working the gauge sits as if the car had been turned off! Hope this describes it better. Cheers wiz Answer: To get a back fire through the carb you must have the inlet valve open whilst the mixture is burning. This could be down to timing or a damaged valve. Your problem is one i have never come across before and it is a bit baffling to try and sort out from a description. I am afraid i will have to say try taking the car to either a rolling road or a tuner. |
| ID: 901 | Date: Archive | Member: Archive | Wizard: Archive |
|
Subject: ecotek Question: hi wizz have you heard any reports of anyone using one of those ecotek devices on a gt turbo other car mags have been v impressed with them reducing emissions improving fuel cons improving performance rough ideling among other things I just wondered what the score was with the 5 and wondered if one could improve hot starting by the way it works...cheers Answer: I am sorry, i have not come across anyone using one but i will keep my ears open! I doubt it would affect hot starting much if anything though. |