so not long ago, i did a HG job and have been driving the car on weekends since. it runs great, super smooth idle, smooth acceleration, and everything seems great.
except that i cant really feel much of a difference between 5psi and 10 psi. i can only vary this by throttle position, though (no boost controller). i am almost stock in terms of boost; i have one small washer on each wastegate bolt. as it stands now, my boost gauge (stock) goes just above the top line at WOT.
so yea, i cant tell a difference in acceleration when im at 4psi on the boost gauge (which is like 60% throttle) and 9 psi on the boost gauge (100% throttle). is this abnormal?
also, i hear a slight and completely regular ticking sound coming from my catalytic converter.
another fact: when i smogged my car, my HC count was only one point under the max allowed. i think max is like 175 ppm and i was at 174. the average score for this category is like 25ppm. all other emissions readings were near the averages and thus "normal".
is it possible my cat is damaged/malfunctioning? is it possible it is installed backwards? i was thinking about taking it off and seeing if the car runs better, but i know these cars run better without the cat so it wont really tell me THAT much.
my mods are intake, full turbo-back 3" exhaust, 2.5" hard pipes and spearco replica front mount.
i know high HC's can indicate incomplete combustion or too much fuel. should i start checking stuff like fuel pressure and the o2 sensor? is there a way to test the quality of the ignition system? (obviously it works, as the car runs smoothly. could it be running at less than optimal levels?)
sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance for any input.
except that i cant really feel much of a difference between 5psi and 10 psi. i can only vary this by throttle position, though (no boost controller). i am almost stock in terms of boost; i have one small washer on each wastegate bolt. as it stands now, my boost gauge (stock) goes just above the top line at WOT.
so yea, i cant tell a difference in acceleration when im at 4psi on the boost gauge (which is like 60% throttle) and 9 psi on the boost gauge (100% throttle). is this abnormal?
also, i hear a slight and completely regular ticking sound coming from my catalytic converter.
another fact: when i smogged my car, my HC count was only one point under the max allowed. i think max is like 175 ppm and i was at 174. the average score for this category is like 25ppm. all other emissions readings were near the averages and thus "normal".
is it possible my cat is damaged/malfunctioning? is it possible it is installed backwards? i was thinking about taking it off and seeing if the car runs better, but i know these cars run better without the cat so it wont really tell me THAT much.
my mods are intake, full turbo-back 3" exhaust, 2.5" hard pipes and spearco replica front mount.
i know high HC's can indicate incomplete combustion or too much fuel. should i start checking stuff like fuel pressure and the o2 sensor? is there a way to test the quality of the ignition system? (obviously it works, as the car runs smoothly. could it be running at less than optimal levels?)
sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance for any input.
