Phoenix from the flames - Porsche Boxster with an Audi 2.7T
Discussion
Why on earth wouldn’t you get someone in the U.K. to tune it in a day or a couple at worst. There is a wide range of specialists of the 2.7tt, 2.0t, 1.8t in the U.K.
if something goes wrong from this remote tuning you will hate yourself. Not the correct way to go about it in my opinion
if something goes wrong from this remote tuning you will hate yourself. Not the correct way to go about it in my opinion
As with most of my decisions it's cost based. I've paid £250 for a tune, I would be looking at £650 plus in the UK usually. I don't want to spend that, for a start, my spec isn't nailed down, when I can afford to I might want to go for bigger turbos. I've seen a few UK tuning companies that just do runs and send logs off to someone remotely anyway so it's no different to what i'm doing. The other thing is, i'm not totally happy about using the standard ECU with no airflow meter, it's basically being tuned with it's hands tied around it's back. All in all, it's just a case of get it running tidy enough that I can use it properly.
I've seen a standalone ECU I like the look of, called LPC8. They've got some money off for Black Friday so I might take the plunge. I like it because it's got some good CAN features. Some of the dash isn't working on my Boxster (coolant gauge being the main one), on this ECU there is a scan function where you send a range of CAN ID's to the dash and when you get a reaction on the dash you know the CAN data for that specific thing. All the CAN data has been figured out on the Boxster already which is handy. The plan is i'm going to slowly learn to tune it myself, it's the only thing I don't do myself and I want to learn (probably take some online courses). I will wire the ECU to be plug and play on the standard loom, then I can switch between the factory ECU and the aftermarket one which will take the pressure off when it comes to tuning.
I've seen a standalone ECU I like the look of, called LPC8. They've got some money off for Black Friday so I might take the plunge. I like it because it's got some good CAN features. Some of the dash isn't working on my Boxster (coolant gauge being the main one), on this ECU there is a scan function where you send a range of CAN ID's to the dash and when you get a reaction on the dash you know the CAN data for that specific thing. All the CAN data has been figured out on the Boxster already which is handy. The plan is i'm going to slowly learn to tune it myself, it's the only thing I don't do myself and I want to learn (probably take some online courses). I will wire the ECU to be plug and play on the standard loom, then I can switch between the factory ECU and the aftermarket one which will take the pressure off when it comes to tuning.
Nunga said:
There are not many threads on here where, when I see an update, it feels like Christmas.
Ho ho ho!
I was very pleased to read that the result of snap-oversteer was not going backwards off the road into Armco. Good save. Still love the car and I think the graft you’ve put into it is something else.
Ha ha, thanks. Ho ho ho!
I was very pleased to read that the result of snap-oversteer was not going backwards off the road into Armco. Good save. Still love the car and I think the graft you’ve put into it is something else.
Thank you.
I've finally had a chance to get it back over my pit. I knew it had an oil leak, I could smell it burning off on the exhaust manifold. It was an oil leak from the cam cover gasket. The 2.7t is a PITA for it. Luckily removing the cam covers isn't a big job in my car, takes half the time it does on an Audi and about a quarter of the time it would on a flat 6.
I've finally had a chance to get it back over my pit. I knew it had an oil leak, I could smell it burning off on the exhaust manifold. It was an oil leak from the cam cover gasket. The 2.7t is a PITA for it. Luckily removing the cam covers isn't a big job in my car, takes half the time it does on an Audi and about a quarter of the time it would on a flat 6.
I've given in to the temptation of tuning it and unlocking some of the potential of the Audi engine. I got stuck into some Black Friday deals
I wanted to switch over to a standalone ECU. There are a few things i'm not happy about on the Audi ECU that's currently running the engine. I've got a load of things on the dash not working correctly as it's all on CANbus. The EML light is on (MOT fail now), coolant temp doesn't work, overheating and low coolant lights are on permanently. Also, i'm not using a MAF now so it's tuned around that and it's a bit of a bodge, drives alright but could be better. I don't like the software used to log the standard ECU (me7logger and VCDS). It's going to be a much more sorted engine conversion on an aftermarket ECU.
On the last car I got it running and took it to a tuner for mapping. This time around I want to do it all myself, which means some learning. I'm not in a rush, happy to take my time with it. I've given myself a tough start by going for a bit of a random ECU called an LPC8 from a company in Iceland called Stjórntækni. It's got drive by wire throttle control and wideband lambda built in but the main reason I wanted it was the the CANbus functionality, there is a feature where it sends random CAN data to the dash and you can see what does what and work it out from there. Ideal for people doing engine swaps. It's actually all been worked out for the Boxster already which is nice. For anyone that's interested here are the specs https://controls.is/lpc8.html
Since i've got the ECU it'd be rude not to get some bigger turbos. I've bought some K04's which are what the RS4 would have come with as standard. I'm rolling the dice on some Chinese specials, they cost £209 delivered for a pair (had an ebay money off promotion). I know people like to slam Chinese turbos but they've been selling them for ages now, i'm sure they'll do the job. A pair of re-built genuine ones are about £1500. I can see why people pay that on an Audi as it's a huge engine out job to fit them but on my car it shouldn't be too bad.
I bought a set of 550cc Bosch fuel injectors from Opie Oils. I wanted to get injectors from someone reputable so I didn't end up with snides. They were surprisingly cheap, cost me £160 for 6. I think they must be standard fit on something common.
That's pretty much all the bits I need to shoot for 420-450bhp. It's going to take a while to do it, especially the ECU side of it all so the first stage of it is to get myself a daily driver. I've picked up an Alfa Romeo GT 1.9 JTDM Blackline for £300 with a snapped cambelt. These only break the rocker arms when the belt snaps so it's not that much work or money to put right. It's going to cost me about £550 all in. I do like an Alfa, had a few in the past and the GT is a decent looker for that sort of money.
I wanted to switch over to a standalone ECU. There are a few things i'm not happy about on the Audi ECU that's currently running the engine. I've got a load of things on the dash not working correctly as it's all on CANbus. The EML light is on (MOT fail now), coolant temp doesn't work, overheating and low coolant lights are on permanently. Also, i'm not using a MAF now so it's tuned around that and it's a bit of a bodge, drives alright but could be better. I don't like the software used to log the standard ECU (me7logger and VCDS). It's going to be a much more sorted engine conversion on an aftermarket ECU.
On the last car I got it running and took it to a tuner for mapping. This time around I want to do it all myself, which means some learning. I'm not in a rush, happy to take my time with it. I've given myself a tough start by going for a bit of a random ECU called an LPC8 from a company in Iceland called Stjórntækni. It's got drive by wire throttle control and wideband lambda built in but the main reason I wanted it was the the CANbus functionality, there is a feature where it sends random CAN data to the dash and you can see what does what and work it out from there. Ideal for people doing engine swaps. It's actually all been worked out for the Boxster already which is nice. For anyone that's interested here are the specs https://controls.is/lpc8.html
Since i've got the ECU it'd be rude not to get some bigger turbos. I've bought some K04's which are what the RS4 would have come with as standard. I'm rolling the dice on some Chinese specials, they cost £209 delivered for a pair (had an ebay money off promotion). I know people like to slam Chinese turbos but they've been selling them for ages now, i'm sure they'll do the job. A pair of re-built genuine ones are about £1500. I can see why people pay that on an Audi as it's a huge engine out job to fit them but on my car it shouldn't be too bad.
I bought a set of 550cc Bosch fuel injectors from Opie Oils. I wanted to get injectors from someone reputable so I didn't end up with snides. They were surprisingly cheap, cost me £160 for 6. I think they must be standard fit on something common.
That's pretty much all the bits I need to shoot for 420-450bhp. It's going to take a while to do it, especially the ECU side of it all so the first stage of it is to get myself a daily driver. I've picked up an Alfa Romeo GT 1.9 JTDM Blackline for £300 with a snapped cambelt. These only break the rocker arms when the belt snaps so it's not that much work or money to put right. It's going to cost me about £550 all in. I do like an Alfa, had a few in the past and the GT is a decent looker for that sort of money.
Some good developments in the pipeline there. Interesting ECU I've not heard of those.
I know some have a downer on cheap ebay/Chinese turbos but in reality it often seems to be the armchair critics, lots of guys vlogging on youtube are getting on with using them to good effect. There's nothing very high tech about a basic turbo is there, it's just a machined casting with a journal bearing in the middle. I've got a T3/T4 for my turbo conversion project.
I like the Alfa project, potentially a really nice motor for the cash, providing it doesn't prove to be too much of a pain in the arse to fix. I had a 156 2.0 TS and loved it, but my more recent 159 1.9 jtdm wasn't as enjoyable and always seemed to be awkward to work on.
I know some have a downer on cheap ebay/Chinese turbos but in reality it often seems to be the armchair critics, lots of guys vlogging on youtube are getting on with using them to good effect. There's nothing very high tech about a basic turbo is there, it's just a machined casting with a journal bearing in the middle. I've got a T3/T4 for my turbo conversion project.
I like the Alfa project, potentially a really nice motor for the cash, providing it doesn't prove to be too much of a pain in the arse to fix. I had a 156 2.0 TS and loved it, but my more recent 159 1.9 jtdm wasn't as enjoyable and always seemed to be awkward to work on.
I spotted the imitation turbos before reading the post - the lack of KKK logo on the compressor housing gave it away.
Have a serious think before using them. They have a bad reputation for a reason: the materials are terrible and they have a propensity to grenade themselves. Compare the quality of even the alloy on the comp housing to a genuine unit.
If you're happy with the risk...
Have a serious think before using them. They have a bad reputation for a reason: the materials are terrible and they have a propensity to grenade themselves. Compare the quality of even the alloy on the comp housing to a genuine unit.
If you're happy with the risk...
I'm happy with the risk. I'd have to go through 7 pairs of these to end up at cost of a set of genuine rebuilt ones. (which probably have exactly the same Chinese sourced bearings and wheels fitted).
I think the bad reputation came with the stuff being made 15 years ago. I remember pictures circulating of a compressor housing that had the 2 halves glued together. The only criticism I could find on the Internet for these specific turbos was the wastegate port was too small which gave boost control problems. This was about 8 years ago. They look fine on mine. The castings aren't as pretty but I'm not bothered.
I think the bad reputation came with the stuff being made 15 years ago. I remember pictures circulating of a compressor housing that had the 2 halves glued together. The only criticism I could find on the Internet for these specific turbos was the wastegate port was too small which gave boost control problems. This was about 8 years ago. They look fine on mine. The castings aren't as pretty but I'm not bothered.
Escy said:
I bought a set of 550cc Bosch fuel injectors from Opie Oils. I wanted to get injectors from someone reputable so I didn't end up with snides. They were surprisingly cheap, cost me £160 for 6. I think they must be standard fit on something common.
Shelby Mustang GT500 
and possibly other stuff too....Escy said:
I'm happy with the risk. I'd have to go through 7 pairs of these to end up at cost of a set of genuine rebuilt ones. (which probably have exactly the same Chinese sourced bearings and wheels fitted).
I think the bad reputation came with the stuff being made 15 years ago. I remember pictures circulating of a compressor housing that had the 2 halves glued together. The only criticism I could find on the Internet for these specific turbos was the wastegate port was too small which gave boost control problems. This was about 8 years ago. They look fine on mine. The castings aren't as pretty but I'm not bothered.
It's about doing your homework. The majority of people would be very surprised how much is outsourced by the proprietary brands these days and there is some fantastic product coming out of the far east. The problem with something like a turbo is the collateral damage if they do grenade themselves, top end engine damage is not a fun prospect so I imagine that's why so many people avoid them.I think the bad reputation came with the stuff being made 15 years ago. I remember pictures circulating of a compressor housing that had the 2 halves glued together. The only criticism I could find on the Internet for these specific turbos was the wastegate port was too small which gave boost control problems. This was about 8 years ago. They look fine on mine. The castings aren't as pretty but I'm not bothered.
MrBig said:
It's about doing your homework. The majority of people would be very surprised how much is outsourced by the proprietary brands these days and there is some fantastic product coming out of the far east. The problem with something like a turbo is the collateral damage if they do grenade themselves, top end engine damage is not a fun prospect so I imagine that's why so many people avoid them.
Yeah, it's a risk i'm willing to accept as it's not an expensive engine.Chris Type R said:
You'll find the Alfa is a bit of a Tardis when you drop the rear seats. Space for lugging stuff (and mine has the V6) makes it hard to get rid of.
Yeah, it's got a decent boot which is handy. I can't say i'm in love with the car, buying a non runner is a gamble and I feel i've lost this one. It's got loads of knocks and clunks from the suspension, front and rear. It already had new arms top and bottom, i've replaced the inner and outer track rod ends and a rear shock top mount. I think it's probably steering rack and/or anti roll bar which is a big job. I'll sort it out when I get the chance but driving it around clunking frustrates me so i'm on a downer with it. Once the Boxster is done i'll be getting rid.C350 said:
I saw many a horror story on AudiSRS with Chinese turbos 
Search for chow mein and plenty come up! Yes I’m being serious
I've got a duplicate of this build thread running on the AudiSRS forum and i've been given some 'advice'. A guy that happened to be selling a used pair of turbos for £2400 told me they'll definately blow up. I'm happy to take my chances. Search for chow mein and plenty come up! Yes I’m being serious
I've not been doing anything to the Boxster over the last few months, it's currently on SORN and i've been busy with other cars. I did fit some new rear suspension arms before it went off the road which did sort out a clunk it was making. Couldn't see any play in them on the car but once the arms were off the joints were a mess.
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