Mazdaspeed 3 2009 - need help fixing issues - fully built engine

[S3BAZ1091]

hello fellow msf members. would like to introduce my self. my name is sebastian. i bought a mazdaspeed3 2009 back in december, from a manager at a mazda dealer, this was his personal car. this is a fully built speed3. i live in florida. and this is my first turbo car. yes big mistake buying a fully built car. i learned my lesson. so il get to the point. this car has been through two engines. the stock oem engine and the engine it currently has. the 1st engine blew on the previous owner before the manager. manager bought the car and kept it for him self to build. the car has as far as i know this is the mod list:

- new engine block (dont know what stage or w.e)
-upgraded turbo GT3076R
-FMIC (fusion motorsports)
-Port and polish head
-upgraded pistons
-cobb downpipe
-greedy catback
-CPE FP
-cobb short ram intake
-oil catch can
-denso ivtt22 sparkplugs
-tuned with AP
-aem AF gauge
-defi boost gauge
-act street clutch

and thats as far as i know. the engine was built in a shop called velocity factor ( Import, European, Car, Performance, Parts, Tuner, Tuning, Shop | Velocity Factor ) which we alot of SFLA Mazda Crew dont really like or rely on. i took my car over there as soon as i bought to have them take a look at it. they told me that the project was not complete because Adam (manager at dealer) did not want to add a meth kit and that my car needed a meth kit. they were charging me $1600 for a meth kit and tunning. that same day they charged me $261 to change my oil and replace a oil catch can hose. well now moving foward. i joined the slfa mazdacrew met alot of people who knew about my car etc. met a member by the name of cory who was willing to help me tune my car. he found out by some logs we took that " wgdc is maxed at only 22psi, ur wot afr was all over the place, u had knock over 3* during wot" which he stated wasnt normal and something was wrong with my car. he wasnt able to tune it because didnt really wanna mess with it. velocity factor. told me that when they dynoed and tune the car the car was pushing 414hp 390whp which is amaizing. but cory calculated i was only making around 300hp which is what he was running on stock engine and stock turbo and just a minor mods. so with this car having everything done to it thats not normal. like i said the car runs fine etc. i still have the logs avaible i will attacth them to this post. if anyone here with experiece on tunning or etc is willing to help me find the issues or tune the car i would highly apreciate it.

[Raider]

Welcome. Velocity Factor is known all over for being dumblefucks.

Check links 2 on in my sig.

[adlpb]

I don't know if there's something wrong with your AP, but your logs are useless. Post some 3rd gear logs if you have them.

Edit: Datalog51 seems to be fine.

You definitely have a problem. First of all, as you know, either your tune is completely off, or your car is trying to compensate for some kind of leak. Which is why your AFR is inconsistent.

You have gigantic amounts of knock at the end of your run.

A 3076r should not run at 90%+ WGDC at 22psi.

Is this your daily driver? I ask because you will definitely need days without driving the car to diagnose why is wrong with it. Especially with that knock at low levels of boost (for a 3076)

[G26]

This kid needs help, bad. Let's not be huge dicks.
@Lex @rfinkle2 @atvfreek @Bucker

[Chimmike]

First, you need to tear that motor down and figure out exactly what's in it, pistons, rods, headgasket, headbolts or arp studs. Then you need to see if it's got an upgraded MAP sensor, and if it's running a larger MAF.

A whole lot of missing info. Never buy a modded car unless you get the full, comprehensive list of EVERY mod on it. Every single detail is important.

Then we need to see the tune, and some 3rd or 4th gear WOT logs (assuming your afr's aren't dangerously lean, of course)

[Alejo_NIN]

i heard there is a way of telling what pistons it has by removing the oil pan (?)

i dunno if you can trust what VF did tot his car so perhaps reaching to the last owner about receipts for parts and labor done might give you a clue as to what exactly did the car have installed at VF

is this Adam from lou bachrodt mazda?

[Pintozoz]

Good luck with all this buddy, I truly hope nothing wrong happens. Try not to go to aggressive unless the guys at MSF ask you to, don't wanna blow something up.

[adlpb]

Originally Posted by Alejo_NIN i heard there is a way of telling what pistons it has by removing the oil pan (?) i dunno if you can trust what VF did tot his car so perhaps reaching to the last owner about receipts for parts and labor done might give you a clue as to what exactly did the car have installed at VF is this Adam from lou bachrodt mazda?

Yeah that's him.

When I bought my Mazda I saw him driving it a couple times. He would tell me about all the shit he did to his car, like street race it on a constant basis. Judging from this and other factors (such as seeing him destroy his speakers), the "built" engine has definitely been abused.

Being the manager, he also drove 2011 MS3 given from the dealer. They offered to sell me this car with 2000miles on it. I sat on it, it looked like a 3 year old car. Turn the key and the radio was on max volume on a station along the lines of Power96. I walked out of the car. Adam is not the type of guy who would have taken care of his car.

[S3BAZ1091]

@adlpb it is my daily driver, and alejo yeah adam. il try and contact him to see if he has a full list of the mods. or try contacting VF. as for a shop that can help me tear down the engine i dont know where..

[Chimmike]

If you can't do any of this work yourself bro, honestly, you need to sell it. Dealing with a shop is going to give you headaches and cost a LOT of money.

[S3BAZ1091]

oh man.. maybe i should just go back and trade it in ? for a stock?

[adlpb]

Originally Posted by S3BAZ1091 oh man.. maybe i should just go back and trade it in ? for a stock?

You're going to take a huge loss trading it in - granted you paid more than a brand new MS3 for this 4 year old car. But as stated previously you probably will spend a lot more fixing it at a shop if you are not willing to do it yourself.

[S3BAZ1091]

im willing to do it myself. but i dont know how. like i said im just learning alot my self. but taking an engine part thats way out of my league..

[adlpb]

Originally Posted by S3BAZ1091 im willing to do it myself. but i dont know how. like i said im just learning alot my self. but taking an engine part thats way out of my league..

That's what I'm saying.

We have a bunch of guys at FL willing to help, but mostly on weekends. Taking an engine apart is not something we can do on a day. Especially since none of us do it on a regular basis.

Taking it to a shop like VF is going to cost you $100/hr labor, plus overnight fees, etc.

[Raider]

Hell, even getting and posting pics will hep us confirm the outside.

I would also confirm the fuel pump, as if that is not CPE you will be getting a new motor.

[adlpb]

[rfinkle2]

Agreed on almost all points above.

1) Get rid of all the logs except # 51 ... that will allow people who can help you to get right to the point.

2) the car is lean @ wot, so I would take it easy until you get that sorted (could be a cause for your kr)

The best thing to do at this point is take it easy on the car until you can be sure it is mechanically sound and then you will want to be sure it has a decent tune.

From what I can see, the only immediate issue in the tune is that your trims are off substantially, but not to the point that you cannot drive the car (will be fine @ anything less than wot).

As far as the KR, built motors may have a tendency to throw more kr due to piston slap, tolerances that aren't as tight as oem, different harmonic resonance etc... so the KR that you are experiencing is definitely concerning, but not necessarily KR.

In summary,

-find out what pistons, rods are in the car
-who the engine builder was
-who tuned the car


AND in the meantime, ask Cory to add some fuel for you.

[Chimmike]

Those OEM pistons?

Do this: drain the oil, take off the oil pan. See if the balance shaft is in there. If it is, remove it, try to shine a flashlight into the cylinders to see the rods and bottom of the pistons. You should be able to tell if they are aftermarket or stock just looking at them. That's first.

[helmetface]

Originally Posted by chimmike If you can't do any of this work yourself bro, honestly, you need to sell it. Dealing with a shop is going to give you headaches and cost a LOT of money.

But I haz racecar?

[atvfreek]

Originally Posted by adlpb Yeah that's him. When I bought my Mazda I saw him driving it a couple times. He would tell me about all the shit he did to his car, like street race it on a constant basis. Judging from this and other factors (such as seeing him destroy his speakers), the "built" engine has definitely been abused. Being the manager, he also drove 2011 MS3 given from the dealer. They offered to sell me this car with 2000miles on it. I sat on it, it looked like a 3 year old car. Turn the key and the radio was on max volume on a station along the lines of Power96. I walked out of the car. Adam is not the type of guy who would have taken care of his car.

Another thing we need to know is what is being used for boost control? Is it a 2 port solenoid, or 3 port and how is it hooked up.

The maf cal is way off, which is making calc load very low, and in turn running way too much timing for the boost you are at. Dial in the maf cal, lower the ign timing and figure out your boost control set up. That will get you going safely until you can get the rest of the internal engine details from the previous owner

[adlpb]

Originally Posted by atvfreek Another thing we need to know is what is being used for boost control? Is it a 2 port solenoid, or 3 port and how is it hooked up. The maf cal is way off, which is making calc load very low, and in turn running way too much timing for the boost you are at. Dial in the maf cal, lower the ign timing and figure out your boost control set up. That will get you going safely until you can get the rest of the internal engine details from the previous owner

If he brings the car to any of us we can identify the BCS and fuel pump.

As far as identifying the internals...that's another issue

[rfinkle2]

If the car is hitting 21 psi by 4,000 rpm's, but is also @ 99% wgdc @ redline and 21-22 psi, he is on a 2 port with a restrictor (especially with head work).

[adlpb]

Originally Posted by rfinkle2 If the car is hitting 21 psi by 4,000 rpm's, but is also @ 99% wgdc @ redline and 21-22 psi, he is on a 2 port with a restrictor (especially with head work).

Figures.

Velocity factor demanded he get meth, but left him on a 2-port setup. lol

Also, $1600 for meth and a tune. Yeah.

[rfinkle2]

another note: unkink the valve cover to tip vent hose. LOL

@chimmike and @atvfreek... $10.00 says that oem valve is leaking the remaining boost that should be hitting the motor.

[G26]

One of you guys can tune it I'm not touching it.

[rfinkle2]

Originally Posted by G26 One of you guys can tune it I'm not touching it.

Just add 15% fuel to the whole curve.

I'm sure he'll relieve you of all responsibility. HAHA!

TBH, it looks as if someone who knows what they are doing tuned it, and somehow, the trims came out of whack.

[S3BAZ1091]

Hell I hace ny weekends off. Uf you guyd are willing yo help me take a look at all this I highly appreciate it , il buy beer for everyone.

[adlpb]

Originally Posted by S3BAZ1091 Hell I hace ny weekends off. Uf you guyd are willing yo help me take a look at all this I highly appreciate it , il buy beer for everyone.

Where do you live? Do you have a place to do it?

[S3BAZ1091]

I live in coralsprings fl. I live in apartments so i dont hace a place and all friends live in apt also :/

[dereeek]

Originally Posted by S3BAZ1091 I live in coralsprings fl. I live in apartments so i dont hace a place and all friends live in apt also :/

He lives near my neck of the woods in Coral Springs.

[adlpb]

Right...but the issue is finding a place to do it, since it might require overnight work.

[S3BAZ1091]

Pj from the sfla crew has his own shop. The owner of cartek in davie, his going to install my rmm so i will speak to him about using his shop

[dereeek]

Originally Posted by S3BAZ1091 Pj from the sfla crew has his own shop. The owner of cartek in davie, his going to install my rmm so i will speak to him about using his shop

Let the NATOR FL guys in South Florida put the RMM on for you, that way they can also look at your car. Any family friends, storage units, someone who knows someone with a place?

[adlpb]

Originally Posted by S3BAZ1091 Pj from the sfla crew has his own shop. The owner of cartek in davie, his going to install my rmm so i will speak to him about using his shop

I don't know what's up with you SFLA guys handing out cash to this PJ guy for simple fucking jobs like a RMM installation. We can do that shit in 10 minutes.

And you're telling me that you're on a full BT turbo setup on a built engine and you don't have a RMM? Holy fuck. Your car was built backwards.

[NJSPEED3]

Damn it must be something about florida and shitty vendors. Raider has his work cut out over there.

[S3BAZ1091]

Cause I honestly dont have the tools or place. Like I said uf we can gather up and help me im more willing to help and learn and no I dont. :/

[Constantin]

@S3BAZ1091 first of all welcome! As probably you already found out, you came to the right place!

Hey guys, lets set up another install day and help him out to find out what is under the hood! However, it is best if you can get all the info from previous owner!
@speeed may be your warehouse and will get your coilovers in the same day!

I have EBCS brand new laying around. So, if it turns out you need one quick, I can give you mine.

And DON'T go to VF.... Charging around $300 for oil and OCC house change, besides other things is ridiculous!! It is max an 1 hour job!

EDIT: Pay for installing RMM!!! I remember my first NATOR install day when guys through in JBR trilogy in like two hours Anyhow, come by Fort Lauderdale after work, we'll install it in like 10 min, like @adlpb said!

[ericrapp0507@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by S3BAZ1091 Hell I hace ny weekends off. Uf you guyd are willing yo help me take a look at all this I highly appreciate it , il buy beer for everyone.

you sir are in a pickle for now. drive easy till one of these MSF elves can at least look a the tune.
reduce boost and add fuel and or reduce timing till the mechnicals can be sorted. certainly drop boost target at wot. I hope you get the help, it may not be that bad if you can source someone who is worth a fuck with laptop. Hang in there and no rash decisions.
it seems some of those knowledgable guys are here already.

[S3BAZ1091]

@constatin thanks and that sounds great yes all of you guysi really appreciate the quick response the support and effort in willing to help me. Loor I said in willing todo w.e beer ir me and foodw.e it is. And thanks @erricapp0507 there is alot of great help here !

Btw it has cpe rmm bit as we all know they suck so i Bree it replaced

[Constantin]

Originally Posted by S3BAZ1091 @constatin thanks and that sounds great yes all of you guysi really appreciate the quick response the support and effort in willing to help me. Loor I said in willing todo w.e beer ir me and foodw.e it is. And thanks @erricapp0507 there is alot of great help here !

Shit...your cell phone typing sucks!

Try looking for a place where we can all meet (besides the RMM install). You can even try to negotiate a rend of a warehouse somewhere for a weekend...

The place for the next install/research day is crucial aspect at this time...
@dereeek you back home yet?