FMII Hydra Install. THIS WEEKEND.

[LagunaRoadster]

As title states. I'm installing a FMII this weekend and part of next week. (I had a butt load of Paid Time Off, so I took the week off)

I think all I am worried about is selecting the correct vacuum hoses, and messing around with the hydra. I pretapped the oil pan when I put in the motor last year ;) So that's done.

Any tips, suggestions, or recommendations for a smooth install?

[nickt93]

Take your time, read and reread the instructions, and for god's sake don't forget to plug the fuel pump relay back in! That was my mistake ;)

None of the install is really that difficult, just a little time consuming. As long as you don't need any parts that can't be picked up from a local store, you should have no problem completing in a weekend. I could tell from our discussion last weekend that you understand the process.

If you get stuck, shoot me a PM and I can give you a call. Good luck!

[Doppelgänger]

dammit... why this weekend? Jenn and I are going out of town to visit her family...otherwise i'd be more than happy to come over and help.

[MeFryRice]

Let me see what I have going on and I may end up coming over to help. :)

[RotorNutFD3S]

I'll be there Sunday. Too much going on tomorrow, but we already discussed that.

[wildfire0310]

Good luck with your FMII install. This should be a great weekend for mx5 boosted family as we will have to new turbo members :D

If I get done with my install and not 100% dead. I will come on by and lend a hand also.

[LagunaRoadster]

Nick, thank you!
Mike - aww, sorry, well you can check out the results :)
Steve - sure, I'll PM you my address, as you already have my cell#
Eric - sounds great, I'll PM you my address, as you already have my cell#
Brian - sounds great. I'll PM you my address, as you already have my cell#

[matredd]

I could probably help out Sunday as well. I've been wanting to see a turbo kit install.

[LagunaRoadster]

matredd - sure, I'll PM you my address & cell#

and now i am going to take a nap as I just got off work about an hour ago. wake up around 3ish and start disassembling some stuff and running a few lines to some of the electrical stuff. I'll start off bright & early saturday, most of which will be hardware I'd imagine, some of sunday will finish up that, and then get into ECU stuff.

I'll try to keep updates here for those of you that are just reading along :)

[wildfire0310]

Brian - sounds great. I'll PM you my address, as you already have my cell#

I'll give you a call if I am able to come out and help. That and get your address as I don't really remember how to get to your place. Cause knowing my luck, it will 2am Monday morning when I finally get my car done :biggrin:.

[RotorNutFD3S]

:lol: at the PM. I felt like responding with, "Yeah, my cell phone has short term memory loss, thank God you sent me your number again."

Anyway, what time you planning on getting started on Sunday?

[wildfire0310]

:lol: at the PM. I felt like responding with, "Yeah, my cell phone has short term memory loss, thank God you sent me your number again."

Anyway, what time you planning on getting started on Sunday?


haha see my phone doesn't have short term memory loss.. it just hates him :biggrin:

[RotorNutFD3S]

You should just bring your car over to his house and we can turbo both at the same time.

Oh, and Steve, if you want to go Sunday, we should carpool. :D

[MeFryRice]

That works, Sunday would probably work better for me anyways as I told LB we would change her oil and lower the car some more and I need to change the tranny fluid in the S.

[wildfire0310]

You should just bring your car over to his house and we can turbo both at the same time.

Oh, and Steve, if you want to go Sunday, we should carpool. :D

Wait me bring my car to his place or for him to bring his car to mine???

[RotorNutFD3S]

You. Drive there. Turbo. Drive home. :D

[wildfire0310]

You. Drive there. Turbo. Drive home. :D

no can do... not unless I could drive there with a whole turboed 1.8motor in my car.

I am doing my turbo the easy way. Old motor goes out, and new motor with the turbo goes in. :biggrin: Some of the manifold bolts are hard enough to get to with the motor out of the car due to the EWG. I won't want to dare try it with the motor still in the car.

[LagunaRoadster]

glad I shot ya my # then :)
Saturday - aiming to start around 9 or 10 am.
dual turbo install would be pretty fun.
That sounds perfectly fine Steve.
I appreciate everyone :)

[RotorNutFD3S]

No no, what time are you getting started on Sunday?

[LagunaRoadster]

Oh. about 9am ish.

Here's todays progress:

Ran wiring for the Hydra
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/SIDEWYS/IMG_0514.jpg

Had to make the knock sensor fit correctly as it wouldnt fit in before.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/SIDEWYS/IMG_0510.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/SIDEWYS/IMG_0511.jpg

Broke both bolts that held on the hood latch, but finally got those off and got the intercooler mounted.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/SIDEWYS/IMG_0512.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/SIDEWYS/IMG_0513.jpg

And here's a picture of the garage
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/SIDEWYS/IMG_0515.jpg

So it seems a bit backwards, but wanted to get a few things done and out of the way.

[matredd]

no jackstands?

[LagunaRoadster]

I've got some, but we were just under there to have access to the undertray. it doesnt come out nicely when the car is on level ground.

Starting day 2!

[LagunaRoadster]

f you EGR pipe.

[RotorNutFD3S]

ROFL. That sir is why I deleted my EGR system.

[Oblio]

so how did it go today?

[LagunaRoadster]

still working. Finally eating something. Got the egr pipe on. Down pipe was a *****. I'll update again after were done for the day with what all was done.

[simontibbett]

Screw jack stands, I made some awesome wooden blocks when I was 15 and have been using them since lol.

[wildfire0310]

still working. Finally eating something. Got the egr pipe on. Down pipe was a *****. I'll update again after were done for the day with what all was done.

You think your downpipe was a *****.. trying dealing with the external gate also. I am just so glad A) the motor is not in the car and B) no EGR.

Hopefully your moving along nicely with you project as well.

[LagunaRoadster]

Today:
-mounted turbo
-fitted EGR pipe
-fitted bottom intercooler hoses
-installed intake cold air shield thingy
- connected catalytic converter

no pictures today, sorry.

[LagunaRoadster]

You think your downpipe was a *****.. trying dealing with the external gate also. I am just so glad A) the motor is not in the car and B) no EGR.

Hopefully your moving along nicely with you project as well.


ya thats gotta suck.

nice bonus of having the engine out of the car, it's going to be a ***** to wedge it in with all the turbo **** hanging off the side though. hopefully you've notched your frame already.

it seems to be moving along quite nicely. I think tomorrow will finish a fair amount up. no promises if it'll be driving by tomorrow evening, as I would prefer not to rush it. I also am pretty methodical about the wiring and stuff, IE using shrink wrap.

How do you feel about yours being done, have a ballpark of when you'll be streeting it?

[wildfire0310]

ya thats gotta suck.

nice bonus of having the engine out of the car, it's going to be a ***** to wedge it in with all the turbo **** hanging off the side though. hopefully you've notched your frame already.

it seems to be moving along quite nicely. I think tomorrow will finish a fair amount up. no promises if it'll be driving by tomorrow evening, as I would prefer not to rush it. I also am pretty methodical about the wiring and stuff, IE using shrink wrap.

How do you feel about yours being done, have a ballpark of when you'll be streeting it?

To be honest it going to be easier to put it in with the whole turbo system as one. I just pulled the motor and tranny with the exhaust already attached. When we pulled erics motor we pulled it with the downpipe as it was being a b***h. Realized at the point, that there is no reason to remove the turbo when removing or installing the motor. There is a **** ton of room in that engine bay.

[LagunaRoadster]

it could have been twice as big today, as I scraped the **** out of my hands ******* with that EGR pipe, lol.

[wildfire0310]

How do you feel about yours being done, have a ballpark of when you'll be streeting it?

So I totally miss this question.

I have work monday morning so I need the car to be up and running. If I have to I can go in on Tuesday. The thing is will the car be running via the turbo or will I have to by pass it is the real question.

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

It's good to see the install going well so far. I need to install something on mine soon! I'm getting all antsy at the moment :lol:

Your car always looked like it should have been boosted from its styling.

[darknessprevails]

dam its looking good man Since i seen you at barret that night finally got mine tuned and atm its running open pipes no cat. really not to load with the muffling of turbo i ll have to check out how your FM kit looks compaired to my begi. but good luck with the kit

[LagunaRoadster]

everything's in, it runs! Thanks to Eric, Sean, Ben & Chris, and my father of course. Now just to dick around with the idle and stuff via the Hydra, and it'll be driving :)

[matredd]

awesome man. Not bad at all. Now you have a week off to have fun with it? I wish I could've come but I got stuck in Athens.

[wildfire0310]

u sucks... well not really great to hear your car is running.

I need work out a few little issues with the swap(most with the new motor).

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

Congratulations! Videos!

[RotorNutFD3S]

I tried to get them to take the first start up video, but no one would take it. And I was stuck behind the wheel with a laptop in my lap starting the car... Here's some pics though. :D

1. People driving by in the neighborhood slowed down to see why there were so many Miata's in one driveway.
2. Interior torn out for Hydra Install
3. Turbo by Flyin' Miata
4. Engine shot
5. The happy boosted owner

[Doppelgänger]

your engine loves you now :D

*if* you decide to have it dyno tuned, call Ed up at Balanced Performance in Buford. He has Hydra tuning expeirence. My last trip there cost me $125 and I picked up nearly 30rwhp only adding 2psi of boost.

[FE3tMX5]

:werd: I came home with another 30whp too, no boost added. Ed knows tuning.

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

I bet you're one happy camper right now. I know I would be :) Damn I want power and mods!

[MeFryRice]

Awesome to hear that everything was installed and working properly. I apologize for not making it up there like I told you I would, I got distracted with somethings around the house. When I texted Eric, he had indicated that all the hard stuff was already completed and knew you had it under control. :)

[nickt93]

Congrats! Glad to see everything went well with the install. We've got a growing number of bad *** Miatas in Atlanta!

[RotorNutFD3S]

To be honest it going to be easier to put it in with the whole turbo system as one. I just pulled the motor and tranny with the exhaust already attached. When we pulled erics motor we pulled it with the downpipe as it was being a b***h. Realized at the point, that there is no reason to remove the turbo when removing or installing the motor. There is a **** ton of room in that engine bay.

Just because I found a picture of this... :lol:
The load level helped a lot, but it can be done without it.

[ben91]

Good job Steve! And we have pefect weather for this week for you to get it broken in. :) Datalog and datalog and datalog, and send it to Jeremy so he can get you started with a decent street tune.

Dyno tuning is the ****. A/F autotuning will get you so far, but the power is all in the spark map, and the spark map is tuned on the dyno.

Congrats! I'm calling for a photoshoot with your turbo blue/black car and my turbo blue/black car. :)

[LagunaRoadster]

Today:
Worked a lot on the idle...meh. The temp sensor is reading -20.. so I think its bad. That will need to be replaced, and then anything that was done today will have to be redone if need be. This hydra thing isnt as smooth as expected. I called Fm Tech multiple times today.
Good news... I drove the car around the block, I got into maybe 2-3 lbs of boost, there is something else going on limiting that, but I have to deal with one issue before the next. Regardless, that little boost made me smile, and I think once I get it to 15 psi, this car is going to be a f'n BEAST! :)

oh and the timing is at like 17* advance too, which needs to be fixed.
oh wait, i also forgot one of my stock fans.. it's iffy, you have to tap the fan blades for it to start working. so I have to get another motor for that.
someone owes me 20 $ :) and I owe someone a oil feed line swivel adaptor

[RotorNutFD3S]

The ECU will not let you get hard into boost if it's not getting a reading from the IAT sensor, Links are the same way. The timing will come down when your idle comes down to the 900 RPM target, as long as the display matches the pulley, you're fine, there may be a timing setting that the previous owner set.

I was thinking about it today and agree that it would be a good idea to get a fresh base map and start over so you don't have the previous owner's settings in there. No two cars are ever the same.

[LagunaRoadster]

The ECU will not let you get hard into boost if it's not getting a reading from the IAT sensor, Links are the same way. The timing will come down when your idle comes down to the 900 RPM target, as long as the display matches the pulley, you're fine, there may be a timing setting that the previous owner set.

I was thinking about it today and agree that it would be a good idea to get a fresh base map and start over so you don't have the previous owner's settings in there. No two cars are ever the same.
I could get the idle down by adjusting the idle screw. it didnt fix the oscillation in the idle, but I think I am trying to hunt down a lot of stuff and if that sensor is bad, then its all wasting time. I'll find a sensor tomorrow, hook that up, and if thats straight, then I will start fresh and see what happens.

[ben91]

There should be a procedure where you check timing with the gun and compare it to what the spark map is called for, and adjust or offset a value such that actual timing and called timing are equal. Then it does not matter from that point forward if the CAS were ever turned, as all timing adjustments become electronic.

Really, what would be cool though, would be to run both a crank and a cam trigger so you could go full sequential. That's baller if you ask me.

What pistons are in that motor? They're like 8.5:1 if memory serves me, right? You'll want to run a **** ton of timing with that CR anyway.

-20 could be a bad sensor, but I'd triple check the wiring to it first since bad wiring is way more likely than bad sensor. Is it a GM type sensor? Those pigtails are usually put together yourself deals, and are really easy to disconnect the wire out from the pin. If you examine the pigtail at the sensor, you'll see what I mean.

There's no use in dicking with tuning idle until the AIT sensor is functional. The fueling for smooth idle must be very precise, especially with humounoid injectors. You're probably going to be stuck suffering the effects of the rich-lean oscillations until that's corrected.

Also something I've found to work for helping smooth up idle is adding a small MAP filter in line with the MAP signal hose. It will prevent the hydra from jumping through lots of load cells rapidly... but the resolution is so high on the unit, it may prove unneccesary. Works well on Link, MS, and EMU from my experience.

[RotorNutFD3S]

Yeah, you definitely want the Hydra to be controlling your idle. Since you had a good idle before the Hydra, it's safe to assume that your idle valve was set correctly. The oscillation in the idle comes from the Idle Speed Control settings not being able to be set up properly. Once the ISC is set, you'll be in good shape with the idle, and then can move onto the fuel tuning. Hopefully replacing the IAT sensor will fix the main issue.

[RotorNutFD3S]

There should be a procedure where you check timing with the gun and compare it to what the spark map is called for, and adjust or offset a value such that actual timing and called timing are equal. Then it does not matter from that point forward if the CAS were ever turned, as all timing adjustments become electronic.

Yep, that was the first thing we did after getting the car started.

[LagunaRoadster]

Ok, I didnt know that the advance could easily be run like that with wiseco 9:1 pistons. So that is good to know. I thoroughly checked the wiring, and seems all good. I think quite possibly it could be a sensor.
Yes, we did go through the procedure to set the spark to match the hydra read out, that was fine.

[ben91]

Ok then, the wiseco 9:1's are more like 8.5:1 so don't be suprised if you see some stupid high numbers in your spark map when it's said and done.

Failed sensor is an oddity. But installing a turbo kit is always an adventure.

[LagunaRoadster]

Ok then, the wiseco 9:1's are more like 8.5:1 so don't be suprised if you see some stupid high numbers in your spark map when it's said and done.

Failed sensor is an oddity. But installing a turbo kit is always an adventure.

Ok, thanks.

Hmmph. Well hopefully a new sensor will solve it.

Touching that car is an adventure, I don't believe I have ever had a "by the books" sort of install. I'm surprised just going to get gas for it doesn't involve something crazy that is unexpected, lol.

[RotorNutFD3S]

I'm dreading my install somewhat. I'm basically redoing everything mechanical on the car. Nothing is going to be "by the book".

[LagunaRoadster]

mechanical... I really have no issue with that. It's all this electrical stuff that's driving me nuts. I just checked continuity from d9 (hydra harness) to the ATS sensor = perfect-o. also checked the ground again = perfecto. So I really am leaning towards bad sensor.

[LagunaRoadster]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/SIDEWYS/continuity.jpg

Continuity from the hydra to one side of the sensor inside of it = okay

Continuity from the ground to the other side of the sensor inside of it = okay

[RotorNutFD3S]

mechanical... I really have no issue with that. It's all this electrical stuff that's driving me nuts. I just checked continuity from d9 (hydra harness) to the ATS sensor = perfect-o. also checked the ground again = perfecto. So I really am leaning towards bad sensor.

No, I don't mean I have a problem with mechanical, I mean that everything mechanical is being replaced. There's bound to be an issue in there somewhere. :lol:

Yeah, now it really sounds like sensor.

[FE3tMX5]

You should be able to bench test the sensor with some hot water and a meter.

[LagunaRoadster]

wasnt the sensor, it was a pin in the hydra, it was in the wrong location.

got the car idling nicely, ran on mech boost, and it feels great. electronic boost, im having issues with. seems like the car is cutting off at about 4k rpm. i emailed jeremy a copy of my map, and we'll see what he says. i may just take it to a dyno shop to perfect the EBC, any suggestions?

[RotorNutFD3S]

Which pin? I thought the only pins that were messed with was for the WBo2?

But cool it's running. Did you follow the Going Into Boost section of the book?

[LagunaRoadster]

pin d9 the lead/wire was mistakenly put in d8

I did

[RotorNutFD3S]

That must have been done before Sean and I got there?

[LagunaRoadster]

it wasa fault in the harness when it was shipped.

[RotorNutFD3S]

OK. Whew. :D

[LagunaRoadster]

went out for a decent run, suh-weet. 6psi = good. 15 psi will be NUTS. yay!

[ben91]

Sweet dude. I knew it was a wiring problem. ;)

Do you have a mechanical boost controller? Use it to slowly bring boost up to maybe 10psi then try the ebc.

At 4K, what happens? Rich? Lean? Misfire? What are your plug gaps?

[wonton]

Sweet dude. I knew it was a wiring problem. ;)

Do you have a mechanical boost controller? Use it to slowly bring boost up to maybe 10psi then try the ebc.

At 4K, what happens? Rich? Lean? Misfire? What are your plug gaps?

they are 34

[LagunaRoadster]

i may just go with a manual boost controller, and worry about the ebc when i get it dyno tuned. it seems like a much simpler solutions.

http://15psi.com/mbc.htm

[Doppelgänger]

i'm not using an EBC, I have a nice Hallman MBC on my car, and Jenn's and they're rock solid for boost.

[LagunaRoadster]

i'm not using an EBC, I have a nice Hallman MBC on my car, and Jenn's and they're rock solid for boost.

sweet, thanks. I think a MBC (non bleed type) will work fine. I'm excited to feel more boost.

[LagunaRoadster]

mechanical boost controller in. 14psi = sexcellent.

[RotorNutFD3S]

:D :banana: :D :banana: :D :banana: :D :banana: :D :banana:

Now make damn sure that tune is good so there is no DANGER TO T3H MANIFOLD!!11!!1!!

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::b anana::banana:

:hi5::hi5:

[LagunaRoadster]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/SIDEWYS/20090211_6810.jpg

[RotorNutFD3S]

Nice. All buttoned up. Like the ACT sticker placement. lol

NOW WHERE ARE THE VIDEOS?!?!

[LagunaRoadster]

ah, thanks!

no video camera... :-(

[LagunaRoadster]

:D :banana: :D :banana: :D :banana: :D :banana: :D :banana:

Now make damn sure that tune is good so there is no DANGER TO T3H MANIFOLD!!11!!1!!

sav3 the floor panz !!!11oneone!!

[ben91]

Boost is good.
Built engine is good.
Boost and built engine is very good.

Next time I see you, wer're cranking the boost up until you're out of injector.

[LagunaRoadster]

:) hell why not. if we pop something... i'll blame it on you. jk :)

[ben91]

wisecos stand strong in the face of stupidity.

[LagunaRoadster]

lol. I just don't know if I would pop the top half of the motor, that's all stock 99 head.

[RotorNutFD3S]

:lol: Just don't over-rev the engine and the head will be fine. Your pistons and rods sure as hell shouldn't let go.

So what are you doing Friday? :D

[LagunaRoadster]

ah okay, sweet.

hmm, not sure yet.

[RotorNutFD3S]

I've got the day off. Let's go shoot some car action videos. :D

[LagunaRoadster]

:) kekeke

[RotorNutFD3S]

The Empire might should tag along too.

Check the ramble thread, I added some slim fan info in there for you.

[LagunaRoadster]

sounds like a fun friday.