1987 CSX for SDAC 2015

[mopar-tech]

Duster finally loaded on the trailer, it was very cranky today.

Pulled the carb and cleaned it, pulled the dash cluster to get at the cluster regulator and replaced, replaced the voltage regulator and replaced the battery.

Runs good.

[mopar-tech]

Beat on the car like it owed me cash, ran flawless for almost a dozen passes. I had not planned on taking the car but with the CSX is still giving me fits, wanted to see what the Duster would run with the mods (overdrive-cam-carb) done since 2010.

I was in for a disappointment.

2010 14.2 at 94 mph
2015 14.1 at 95 mph (2.08ST)

318 exhaust manifolds are just killing the car, time for upgrades!

P.S. Best and last pass of the day was with my son on board. We had lined up against a 392 Challenger and I took him out on the tree and he never caught up in time even though at the traps he had 15 mph more speed! Was flipping great!

Gary

[wheming]

Congrats on the last run! That does sound like fun!
Too bad you didn't get the improvement you hoped for in the mods. But sounds like you have a plan.

[mopar-tech]

Congrats on the last run! That does sound like fun!
Too bad you didn't get the improvement you hoped for in the mods. But sounds like you have a plan.

Were going back in 2 weeks, headers going in this week.

[mopar-tech]

Been thinking about the problem with the CSX- The car seems to hiccup right on the torque peak of an 87 Turbo II engine, 4500 rpm.

I'm starting to think I'm seeing some sort of knock retard. Fueling looks fine, I see nothing odd on the O2 when it happens. Been driving the car to work the last two weeks and it will do it even with the boost below 14 pounds.

For some reason the car is very prone to knocking, more than any TII I have ever seen. I'm going to have Jon Genesky drive it while I'll manning the scanner so I can watch what is going on. Maybe I'll do up a second logic module with a cal with a few less degrees of timing and a revised knock table for testing.

[Ondonti]

What was the difference in 60's with your tire change on that old Duster? 60' seems really weak for RWD, slicks. Boring converter?

[mopar-tech]

What was the difference in 60's with your tire change on that old Duster? 60' seems really weak for RWD, slicks. Boring converter?

Possible, I'm told its tough to get a good converter with a 44RH due to the clutch taking up space in the shell. I'm considering getting a non-lockup converter and replacing the input shaft.

The car is on the heavy side (3700lbs estimated) and only running 3.55's out back. Its very possible it will pick up a bunch after the headers are installed. The engine is clearly being bottle necked by the exhaust manifolds.

Lets see what it runs next weekend (10th) and go from there.

[mopar-tech]

@ Brent

Someone on another board pointed out that the converter is weak --- as it only drops about 100 rpm on lockup (converter is too tight) if I have time I'll talk to the builder.

More I dwell on the CSX issue the more I'm convinced it is somehow knock sensor related, I guess we will find out on Sunday when I go for a road test with Jon. Driving to work and back I can even get it to happen on minimum boost (7 psi) right around 4500 rpm. The more load there is on the engine (3-4 gear or when the boost is higher) the more apt it is to happen. There is no way the engine is knocking at 7 psi with 93 octane so I'm thinking it has a bum sensor or there is some other issue going on. Chambers and pistons have no carbon, different injectors are being used (+20's turned down) fuel curve is fine, intercooler is unobstructed, ignition is all new stuff, plugs are RN9YC.

I have considered it might be tolerance stack on the flywheel-crank-bellhousing but even then I don't see it knocking at 7 psi. I'm going to setup a dial indicator to check just in case though. The calibration is bone stock 87 TII Daytona aside from 2 degrees REMOVED from the GOV table.

The roller cam had some pitting on it but the engine is quiet so I don't think that is a factor. Engine has typical 2.2 "growl" under accel but nothing I hear that should be causing an issue.

Edit- It doesn't always happen, maybe 25% of the time at low boost/low gear and 75% at higher boost/higher gear. High load or higher boost makes it more show up more often.

[mopar-tech]

Question- Does anyone know the interchange for the Shelby steering wheels? Momo? NRG? I'm thinking about a different steering wheel for the CSX and just tuck the stocker away for the moment.

[mopar-tech]

Anyone want to buy a car? I don't think this thing likes me very much.

[shadow88]

Looks like the detonation was a real thing, compression or leak down test coming up?

[mopar-tech]

Looks like the detonation was a real thing, compression or leak down test coming up?

That is turbo smoke.

Car is in the back of the garage, it can sit there a few months till I have time to take it apart.

[Pat]

Ugh...the TM gods are punishing you for something.

[mopar-tech]

Compression is 120 across the board, the spark plugs all look perfect and you can grab the compressor shaft and tell the exhaust side bushing is shot.

Cranking the engine over with the turbo oil line off it has great volume going to the turbo.

Pat you had it right the first time, I think this car is cursed.

Going to take a break from it for a bit.

Have the Duster going to the track in a week (and still not ready) a new furnace being installed a week after that and several other things going on.

[wheming]

Ok, but this was a spare turbo that you had kicking around right? Or was it a recent rebuild?
Sure it is a pain and a setback, but sounds like the engine might be ok. It did kind of look like a miss at times watching the smoke. Did it sound normal?

[mopar-tech]

Ok, but this was a spare turbo that you had kicking around right? Or was it a recent rebuild?
Sure it is a pain and a setback, but sounds like the engine might be ok. It did kind of look like a miss at times watching the smoke. Did it sound normal?

1) Turbo was a take off from a Consulier and looked brand new.

2) Engine sounds fine, good compression, cell phone camera has poor sound quality.

[mopar-tech]

Just back from a road test with the Duster.

Holy Sheep dip!

Car is just brutal on the tires now. Before from a dead stop it would just haze the tires a little bit and just take off, a nice launch from a light if you will.

Now? The tires instantly go up so hard it bangs into second and then THIRD before it starts moving and gets that lazy "I'm going to put you in the ditch in about 2 seconds" tail motion that indicates lifting would be your wisest next option. pronto.

And it sounds like a NASCAR stocker shooting out of a corner when you are wailing on it. Me likey. A lot.

I'm going to have to invest in some tires.

[Ondonti]

Question- Does anyone know the interchange for the Shelby steering wheels? Momo? NRG? I'm thinking about a different steering wheel for the CSX and just tuck the stocker away for the moment.

How about something boring like the pre airbag P body steering wheel? I like that one.

[2.216VTurbo]

50WHP from just headers? Nice. Gonna be a good day at the track this wekend Only time I've ever experienced that is after I put headers on my girlfriends 86 454 Chevy Dually tow rig. Amazing difference. It went 17.20 at terminal island raceway after that No 'before' time tho.

[mopar-tech]

50WHP from just headers? Nice.

I doubt 50 hp, but it did wake it up in a big way.

On a 300 hp crate engine on a dyno there was a 10 hp and 20 ft/lb between 318 manifolds with GOOD pipes and headers. My front pipes were a mess and its making more than 300 hp. We will find out on Saturday.

Car just flies now.