2012 L99 LSA Supercharger - Almost No Power Gain

[Tzarro]

Thanks for checking that out again for me Don. I was really dreading having to re-position that pump! :P Glad it's correct.

As far as the boost bypass, I'll take another stab at it after work (I work swing shift here in Washington state). It appears to be closing all of the way but I'll try using your technique to gauge it.

When I had it in the shop, Alex made sure that it was making sufficient boost and there were no leaks. He ran a vacuum test on the manifold and the MAP sensor was outputting expected results. The MAP sensor would be measuring boost after the bypass valve, correct?

Thanks again!

[hammdo]

I like to eliminate the obvious first. If we know 100% the valve is right, then you go more difficult. Plugs would be next, are they gapped to the correct gap and are the the right temp range? Am I making sufficient spark and not bowing out the plug?. Then timing and fuel.

The checking of the easier things don't cost money unless they are incorrect. Knowing the basics are spot on helps...

-Don

[Tzarro]

That makes sense. As far as the plugs, I did the installation of the entire kit myself and kept the stock SS plugs, but after taking it in Alex recommended I go with better plugs. My car has about 51,000 miles on it, so I had them go ahead and install the AC Delco iridium plugs out of the ZR1. I wasn't there for the installation, but I would assume they gapped them correctly. This is where I'm left wondering if it's timing or fuel related. With the new plugs the advance seems good; Alex said they have it at around 17 degrees, which should be capable of a good deal more power than it's currently making. Is it possible the pump is responsible, or would it be more obviously manifesting itself in other ways?

[hammdo]

Just out of curiosity, did you happen to leave in the wedge in the blower?

Just want to make sure...



-Don

[hammdo]

Stock SS plugs won't be correct. You'll want to install and gap these NGKs (mine are set to .040)



They are specifically for this setup...


Not sure if the ZR1's AC/Delcos are incorrect -- that may be up to ADM to say. I know the ones I have were spec'd for this kit...

-Don

[hammdo]

I know some have the SS pump in until they make more power. Before going that route, you'll want to verify the 'little' things first -- once those are done, then you can verify the fuel delivery. You'll want to make sure you have what the 'kit' was designed for (and since you're a 'stock' L99), it would be best to make sure of that -- Is AFM disabled and do you still have the L99 valley cover on (Lifter Oil Manifold Assembly LOMA:

)?

-Don

[Tzarro]

Yeah I thought about buying those NGKs, but the shop seemed to think the AC Delcos would be more than sufficient since they were designed to handle more than the 5 - 6 psi my car is making, so I let them just go ahead and throw those in. I'll run it by ADM on Monday though.

My blower did not have the wedge, so it is open and clear. I got AFM disabled when I had my headers installed earlier this year, but I do still have the factory L99 valley cover in place. I did not install the DOD delete kit. The instructions from ADM indicated that it should work fine retaining it and that the LS3 valley cover was not a requirement.

[hammdo]

NP, the valley cover is not a requirement -- just asking.

I can't comment on the plugs -- since I went with what was recommended -- Andy will know for sure on those.

Good to know about the blower dust cover -- just eliminating 'unseen' items to be sure. I've seen where those were left in and it killed the performance...

Just wanted to verify the plugs re: heat range, gap, and if they hold up to boost -- so just asking to be certain.

Once you get to that -- verifying fuel rail pressure to the injectors would be another check -- I'm assuming your tuner already has done that.

Andy architected these kits, so, he KNOWS what makes them tic ;o)...

I personally try to stay close to the basic requirements -- although I did deviate with the VVT cam and dog-bone, but I can't complain with 590 RWHP on 6 PSI with 45K miles.

There has to be some 'oddity' that is overlooked with yours -- you should be 500 RWHP+ if running the stock blower et. al....

-Don

[Tzarro]

No worries, the extra suggestions are helpful. Always good to check and double check. I'll talk to the shop and make sure I have the right part numbers and verify the specs. I am fairly certain they did check the rail pressure as that was a potential concern that came up.

My shop sent the telemetry and tuning files to Andy before the start of the weekend so when he gets back in tomorrow I'm hoping he will have had a chance to review them and get back to my shop with any potential insights.

I too was trying my best to stay at close to the basic requirements as possible. I was aiming for somewhere between 450 - 500rwhp, but >400 was completely unexpected. Not going to crazy power at this point in time as this is my DD and reliability is still an important factor.

I'll be checking back in with any new developments, but in the meantime all the input has been great!

[Tzarro]

So on the way home from work I got on it a bit and low and behold, the CEL came on with the following codes:

P0300 - random multiple misfire detected (this one's a repeat offender)
P0157 - Oxygen sensor circuit low voltage bank 2 sensor 2
P219A - Bank 1 air-fuel ratio imbalance

Not great news exactly but hopefully it'll shed some light on what might be going on.

[Batmanntexas]

Do you have a wide band O2 gauge by any chance? I'd definitely get at least a boost-a-pump on the stock SS pump. The ZL1 pump would be a decent upgrade for pretty cheap, comparatively speaking, and once you pair it with Andy's FPCM (fuel pump control module) it will cover 600+RWHP (I'm at 650RWHP). Hope you get it figured out...and soon. You are missing out on all sorts of good times

-Scott

[Bill@RaceProvenMotorsports]

Probably not effecting results, but why are you using a 6 rib belt instead of standard 8 rib?

[Trob85]

Originally Posted by Tzarro

So on the way home from work I got on it a bit and low and behold, the CEL came on with the following codes:

P0300 - random multiple misfire detected (this one's a repeat offender)
P0157 - Oxygen sensor circuit low voltage bank 2 sensor 2
P219A - Bank 1 air-fuel ratio imbalance

Not great news exactly but hopefully it'll shed some light on what might be going on.

You're going to have to pull the tune and see what exactly is going on. It's fuel if you're reading on a dyno and it fell off at 550-580 then yes I would say it's fuel. My guess is that you have a something restricting flow and not reading correctly.

[hammdo]

Originally Posted by Bill@RaceProvenMotorsports

Probably not effecting results, but why are you using a 6 rib belt instead of standard 8 rib?

Just and FYI:

ADM's kit is setup to keep the stock pulley setup. I have the 6 rib and no issues.

I believe Andy has his tune so hopefully he will get back to him...

-Don