An Eagle that smokes, skips, and needs Apexi tuning help

Bolster633 · Dec 20, 2009

I got a 92 Eagle Talon TSI with an Apexi boost controller and I have no idea how to run it. I just bought the car and all the settings are screwed up. Does anyone have any basic tuning tips for me?

Its got a stock turbo with a K&N, catback 3" exhaust, and some kind of aftermarket intercooler.

The car runs but smokes black sooty smoke and skips when u step on it. It will idle normal for a minute then rev right up then calm back down. I put a new camshaft sensor on it, and have done maintance stuff like oil change, fuel filter and cleaned the air filter. Also the previous owner had the BOV venting to the atmosphere so I hooked it back up to vent back into the intake instead.

Also when i start the car up the stock oil pressure gauage goes to about halfway then drops back to 0 within a few seconds with the car running. Is this a faulty gauge you think? Any ways to check oil pressure with a mechanical gauge?

Spoolin69 · Dec 20, 2009

OP are you sure that you do not have a Apexi SAFC I or II rather than a boost controller? Please take pictures of it and post them for us to see. Have you changed your spark plugs with a fresh set of NGK BPR6ES or BPR7ES?

It also sounds like you have idle surge going on so perhaps you will need to have your TB gaskets replaced.

Your oil pressure will fluctuate quite a bit in these cars, that is normal.

Lastly If you purchase a new oil pressure gauge it should come with a new sending unit so just replace the one that is by your oil filter housing with the new one and run the wires as per the directions.

Hope this helps.

Shane

Bolster633 · Dec 20, 2009

I have a Apexi SAFC. Thats what it says on it it doesnt say one or two. But it uses graphs and charts that you have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how to use lol.

No i havent put any plugs in it yet i pulled them all out and checked them and they didnt look all that bad but i'll just put a new set in anyways prolly wont hurt. I'll try the TB gasket.

The oil pressure is zero like the needle is all the way down thats why im concerned lol but i've run it enough so it should be knocking and poundin if it didnt have any oil pressure.

Spoolin69 · Dec 20, 2009

Bolster633 said:
I have a Apexi SAFC. Thats what it says on it it doesnt say one or two. But it uses graphs and charts that you have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how to use lol.

This is not a boost controller this if a piggy back fuel tuning system. If you do not how to use this please take it to someone who does know how to tune your car. Look it up online and read the directions! If you do something wrong you will blow your motor to pieces!

Bolster633 said:
No i havent put any plugs in it yet i pulled them all out and checked them and they didnt look all that bad but i'll just put a new set in anyways prolly wont hurt. I'll try the TB gasket.

It sounds to me like you are running pig rich which will foul your plugs. Put a new set in and make sure that they are gapped correctly.
Your TB will most likely have to have the butterfly O rings replaced and since you have it off check your ISC to see if that is the issue. See RED1991TSI on this bord for the TB rebuild. He is the MAN when it comes to that type of thing!

Bolster633 said:
The oil pressure is zero like the needle is all the way down thats why im concerned lol but i've run it enough so it should be knocking and poundin if it didnt have any oil pressure.

Do a leak down test on the motor that will tell you if your rings are bad.

Hope this helps.

Shane

Bolster633 · Dec 21, 2009

Took my TB apart today cleaned everything put it back together with new gaskets...seems to idle much more smoothly and calmly thanks.

My Apexi tuner is a SAFC I. Can I just unplug that fuel tuning device and run on stock? Or must it be tuned?

Thanks alot Shane, you've been a great help.

15psi88 · Dec 21, 2009

Given your mods you could easily remove the afc. You can't just "unplug it" though. The signal wire for the maf has been cut so the afc can intercept it, modify it and send it back. When you remove this you will have to reconnect this wire.
If I were in your shoes though, I would leave it installed and zero it out for now. Do some research on wideband o2 sensors, data loggers, and finally how to adjust the afc and what each adjustment will do. You'll figure it out in no time.

Bolster633 · Dec 21, 2009

Okay im just going to zero everything out and go from there. If everything is zeroed out the ecu essentionally reads the maf as the "stock" reading, correct?

Bolster633 · Dec 24, 2009

Did a compression test and got 150, 145, 135, and 140psi in the cylinders and checked them all for leak down and they didnt seem to loose any pressure so the rings must be good. Put new NGK's in. Zeroed out the Apexi, and fixed a boost leak from turbo to intercooler and the car runs much better but still smokes alot. Thanks alot everyone.

15psi88 · Dec 24, 2009

Make sure your boost controller is turned down for now too. You do have an aftermarket boost gauge?

Bolster633 · Dec 24, 2009

Yea i have a boost gauge and a manual boost controller. Im not quite sure how to tell how much boost its running at tho. The controller is the knob that turns right next to the BOV correct? Any tips on how to tune it? Also how much boost should I be running?
Thanks

15psi88 · Dec 24, 2009

You cant tell the boost level?
Smash on it and watch where the needle goes. I'm not sure where your mbc is located but I guess it could be mounted somewhere around the bov. For now I wouldn't run more than 14 or so psi.
You can search on tuning basics, there are many things that you need to be aware of before you start turning knobs.

An Eagle that smokes, skips, and needs Apexi tuning help

Bolster633

Spoolin69

Bolster633

Spoolin69

Bolster633

15psi88

Bolster633

Bolster633

15psi88

Bolster633

15psi88

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