Engine swap-Tuning/ diagnostic help needed. 3.6 turbo in a Lotus Elise - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

dereklburt · 04-26-2016, 05:42 PM

I am hoping to get some help figuring what is going on with my car. Have a 2006 Lotus Elise with a 2013 3.6 V6 LFX direct injection engine swap and a custom turbo set up. Running a 6 speed manual.

Have two problems:
1) The first problem is the tune. My tuner was making good power up to 4000rpm (approx 300whp and 300ft/lbs torque and then it just fell off and would not make any more power or rev beyond 4000rpm. He told me that he thought the throttle body was closing and he read about the issue.

Could the tune being off cause this or is it some other problem that I need to address? Will from Overkill was going to look at it but I lost contact so Will, if you are out there, please get in touch.

I had someone else look at the tune and they mentioned some things that should be different but didn't say anything about the Throttle body issue so I do not know if something with the tune is causing some type of safety feature to shut it down or if it is a different issue.

After talking it over with someone I am wondering if it was fuel starved and that may be why I have the second problem? Read it before answering.

2) Second problem- was driving the car as I was told it was safe to drive but just wouldn't make more power and it had been running just fine until I was going down the highway the other day and went to pass someone. All of a sudden it was like I was running out of gas and the car started sputtering and slowed until I stopped and it would not stay running.

I found out later that I had fuel pressure from my main pump but no high fuel pressure when cranking and my mechanic thinks the direct injection fuel pump failed? The engine was purchased used but it only has about 100 miles on the engine total.

Does it sound like the high pressure DI pump went? No codes showed up.

Other things to know. 1) I recently changed the battery. 2) There is a chance that my initial fuel pressure might not have been set high enough on my tank pump 3) I have a high volume Walboro pump that was in it from before but maybe it is not big enough? I am pretty sure it is a Walboro 255. I used it to make 450+hp with the stock 1.8L 4cyl engine but maybe it isn't supporting the V6 turbo?

Right now the car will crank and almost start but won't start up. Before I run and buy a new pump (one or both) I am wondering if it could be in a fail safe mode or something and if that is even my problem.

Thank you and any help is greatly appreciated!

04-26-2016, 05:42 PM	#1
dereklburt Drives: 2006 Lotus Elise GM 3.6DI Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 16	Engine swap-Tuning/ diagnostic help needed. 3.6 turbo in a Lotus Elise I am hoping to get some help figuring what is going on with my car. Have a 2006 Lotus Elise with a 2013 3.6 V6 LFX direct injection engine swap and a custom turbo set up. Running a 6 speed manual. Have two problems: 1) The first problem is the tune. My tuner was making good power up to 4000rpm (approx 300whp and 300ft/lbs torque and then it just fell off and would not make any more power or rev beyond 4000rpm. He told me that he thought the throttle body was closing and he read about the issue. Could the tune being off cause this or is it some other problem that I need to address? Will from Overkill was going to look at it but I lost contact so Will, if you are out there, please get in touch. I had someone else look at the tune and they mentioned some things that should be different but didn't say anything about the Throttle body issue so I do not know if something with the tune is causing some type of safety feature to shut it down or if it is a different issue. After talking it over with someone I am wondering if it was fuel starved and that may be why I have the second problem? Read it before answering. 2) Second problem- was driving the car as I was told it was safe to drive but just wouldn't make more power and it had been running just fine until I was going down the highway the other day and went to pass someone. All of a sudden it was like I was running out of gas and the car started sputtering and slowed until I stopped and it would not stay running. I found out later that I had fuel pressure from my main pump but no high fuel pressure when cranking and my mechanic thinks the direct injection fuel pump failed? The engine was purchased used but it only has about 100 miles on the engine total. Does it sound like the high pressure DI pump went? No codes showed up. Other things to know. 1) I recently changed the battery. 2) There is a chance that my initial fuel pressure might not have been set high enough on my tank pump 3) I have a high volume Walboro pump that was in it from before but maybe it is not big enough? I am pretty sure it is a Walboro 255. I used it to make 450+hp with the stock 1.8L 4cyl engine but maybe it isn't supporting the V6 turbo? Right now the car will crank and almost start but won't start up. Before I run and buy a new pump (one or both) I am wondering if it could be in a fail safe mode or something and if that is even my problem. Thank you and any help is greatly appreciated!