Finished!! Forged piston block, Custom valve head (flowbenched)

[Ondonti]

So I went out to put some miles on my Duster and I happened to have the granger valve on set as low as possible so that the ball and spring wont rattle unless you shake it really hard. I was trying to run 6psi but have the boost controller lie to the wastegate so the wastegate would not open early like they are designed to do. BUT because of the bleed after the ball and spring, I cant get less then 8psi boost unless I loosen the grainger more...and I think that negates the effect of the boost controller helping spoolup.

Drive away from a light not very quickly, and get into 2nd gear and lightly accelerate while I see the nose of a very new e46 M3 start to pull past my car. I quickly proceed to hit the limiter in 2nd and then shortshift into 3rd (since 2nd is useless) which puts a lot of cars on him...but my car was alllllll over the place. Had to stop at the next light after it turned into one lane.Douch had his girlfriend with him who had a big smile on her face. I made some unkind gestures, felt bad about that and repented with an exuberant shoulder shrug that they could see and went on my way. :P
Probably wasnt one of his best ideas trying to race me.

Driving down another big empty road between some industrial parks, I found that the car would NOT go straight. It wouldnt just pull to one side, but all over the road that I could not keep the car straight in 3rd gear no matter how hard I tried.

I pulled over because that seemed quite dangerous. Pulled off the boost controller, and 6psi again (with more lag because wastegate opens early) makes the car go straight

I dont really want to get an alignment but I know the car needs it. I think the tires are toe'd out in front because of a problem I had last year and I hope that is what makes the car squirley.

[lookin]

It must be nice having to deal with such a problem, and I am so glad you repented also.


I would post a picture, of my new plug wiring job, but it would be pretty darn anticlimactic now.

[Reaper1]

A little toe out isn't a bad thing...but no more than 1/8" TOTAL out! The tires actually pull straight under acceleration. A little toe in will help with stability, but it will also kill any sharp handling the car may have.

Any more luck with the air-shocks?

[Ondonti]

I think they are at around 20psi right now. I removed air from the rear tires and it feels more stable.


The car was totally uncontrollable in 3rd gear @ 8psi so I think the alignment must need a fixing. I got it screwed up when the wheel spacer I was using locked up on the new thick brake pad. Had to get different spacers. It pulled my passenger side wheel back while the other went forwards. I didnt get farther then a few inches.

[Shadow24V]

an alignment will do you WONDERS. once i got a 4 wheel alignment on my car, the thing tracks WAY better now than whatever messed up alignment i had after reassembly. its really worth it

[Ondonti]

Can the rear actually be aligned? I dont quite understand what there is to align.

I just know that adding 20-40whp or whatever that boost did makes the car unsafe in 3rd gear. It doesnt matter in 2nd or 4th, but 3rd gearing makes it unsafe.

if I could get the car to not have its current problem i would be very happy :P
I dont really want to have someone touch the car because I wont be able to trust them and alignments are not free. So $ plus stress = me avoiding it. Maybe I cant any longer. Maybe the car would drive better at 6psi too. Its just a huge difference when I go to 8 that I cant go straight.

[lookin]

Yes they can align the rear end. They used shims and adjusted a few bolts on my van. Just ask around, and find out who knows what they are doing and what kind of a machine they have. A pro with the right machine can do a much better job than a DIYer.

[BAKES]

get 4 wheel alignment and you will see the difference

iIf you realy want to get tech find some one to lend you a set of corner scales set you tire preasure fuel level rear air shocks put simulate body weight in the drivers seat and adjust your spring rate preasures front side to side should only have to corner jack one the rear springs by shiming
now take some video of a pull at the 100-150 ft mark note front lift you are getting on the front end and how much rear squat
next loosen the stut bearing mounts and with a bar pry the mounts as for back as they go you can slot the bolt holes for more adjustment if needed
loosen off the k frame bolt and pull the frame forward holes can be slotted
this will increase caster
now place a jack in the middle of the k frame and simlate the lift you saw in the video
now take a long level and set the camber to 0* and toe in to 0- 1/16"
should get you in the ball park

[mopar3.0]

my duster with the stock suspension and the headders and 3 inch exhaust was also un safe in 3rd gear, had a job keeping it straight. but that shoud be fixed now

[BAKES]

does your MS have retard inputs if it does try an switch on the 1-2 gears to reduce the power and gain traction then use waste gate sol to limit 3rd then use the granger valve adjusted for the traction that 4th & 5th can hold

[Ondonti]

It was a bit squirrelly today in 3rd with 6psi following Bansheenut back to his house today. I think the problem is that it is on the verge of breaking traction but the warmer weather means the tires stick better so they dont let loose like they do in 1st and 2nd.

I dont know where to go to get an alignment unless its just some normal tire shop. I will not be slotting any of my suspension until I have the basics working for me.

I might try to ghetto measure the alignment in front today since the sun has not gone down yet and I am home again.

[lookin]

Ask around town about who does the best alignments.

What is so hard about that?

[Ondonti]

"Hello, big O tires, who does a better job at alignments? You or Walmart? Thanks"

Who exactly do I ask? I just asked on a local board but I dont know if that will bring any results because its pretty slow on that board.

[lookin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ondonti "Hello, big O tires, who does a better job at alignments? You or Walmart? Thanks" Who exactly do I ask? I just asked on a local board but I dont know if that will bring any results because its pretty slow on that board.

Ask the other "car enthusiasts" in your area.

Go to the local speed shop.

Ask around at a custom paint shop.

At least ask them who to ask.

sheesh .... ffs

[Shadow24V]

any reputable mechanic's shop would have an alignment machine. i took mine to the guy my family goes to and he does a good job.