team3s            Wednesday, March 15 2000            Volume 01 : Number 082




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Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 08:57:15 -0800
From: gil_lee@usa.net
Subject: Team3S: I need a new engine

I think the AVC-R was too much on the old engine (installed at 120k miles)
and it now has a compression problem on one of the cylinders, plus it's
leaking oil (oil pump?) and has excessive "blow-by" or air leaks in the
crankcase.  It looks cheaper to just drop in a new engine.

Would it be wise to install the same engine (92 3KVR4) or something newer
(93+) or something completely different?  I need something that can handle
the extra boost, though I thought the stock would be able to handle 1.00bar
already.



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Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 11:18:20 -0600
From: "Vineet Singh" <billi_gates@hotmail.com>
Subject: Team3S: Clips

Hello Roger,

I just dabbed a bit of RTV onto TWO corners of the clips. Slipped it on, and
it stays put and can't "break" due to vibrations. I had to remove my intake
again because I had to fix a stripped thread in there, and 5 days later, the
clips come off pretty easily (not as easy as not having ANY metal clips, but
you do have to pull on them).

Worked for me!

(I hate those damn clips, they always fall into the most inconvenient places
:)

Vineet Singh
Manuals On CD - http://manualcd.dsm.org
Club DSM A/T - http://at.dsm.org  -  "Never Lift To Shift!"

***Info:  www.stealth-3000gt.st/Team3S-Rules.htm***

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Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 12:34:36 -0800
From: "Gula, James S" <gulajs@jmu.edu>
Subject: Re: Team3S: I need a new engine

On Tue, 14 Mar 2000 08:57:15 -0800 gil_lee@usa.net wrote:

> I think the AVC-R was too much on the old engine (installed at 120k miles)
> and it now has a compression problem on one of the cylinders, plus it's
> leaking oil (oil pump?) and has excessive "blow-by" or air leaks in the
> crankcase.  It looks cheaper to just drop in a new engine.
>
> Would it be wise to install the same engine (92 3KVR4) or something newer
> (93+) or something completely different?  I need something that can handle
> the extra boost, though I thought the stock would be able to handle 1.00bar
> already.

If I'm not mistaken, the 93+ engines use a "two bolt main".. after
talking with Arty I think that means where it attaches to the drive
shaft or something in that vicinity... which means you're limited to a
91 or 92 engine.. I'd be safe and get a 92.

- --Steve "Loco3KGT" Gula

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Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 10:04:53 -0800 (PST)
From: Jeff Lucius <stealthman92@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: I need a new engine

Steve, you're joking right?

Gil,

The absolute cheapest solution is to pull the engine yourself,
repair the short block, and re-install. Now if you want to
improve the engine or make it like new, that will cost some
money (see my mod list below).

To set the record straight, 1991 and 1992 blocks have "2-bolt
mains". This means that the main bearing caps are held on with
two bolts each. The 1993 and newer engines have "4-bolt mains",
i.e. held on by four bolts and so stronger. In addition, the
1993+ engines have surface-treated, steel crankshafts. The
1991-1992 have cast iron cranks. My engine builder thought that
my 92 engine (rod bearing failure in 1997) would have no trouble
standing up to 500 HP (which is my goal). But if you want
stronger, go with the 1993 blocks. I think they will bolt to the
1992 heads (has somebody done this? and what about the crank
angle sensor and wiring?).

Sorry to hear about your engine problems, but remember you are
not alone, especially on this list.

Jeff Lucius; StealthMan92@yahoo.com; 3SI #476
Red 1992 Stealth TT; 3.056 L, 186 CI; completely rebuilt,
race-prepped and balanced engine; 0.050"-oversized, forged,
no-silicon Venolia pistons (8.2:1 CR); head flow work and port
matching; Magnecor 8.5 mm plug wires; 0.034" plug gap; 380
cc/min (balanced-stock) injectors; TEC 15G turbos; GT Alley
intercoolers and 2" piping; front-mount oil cooler; K&N FIPK;
GReddy Type-S BOV; improved pre-cats; ATR downpipe, cat, and
cat-back exhaust; HKS EVC IV; Boost, FP, and dual EGT gauges;
Centerforce DF clutch; PowerStop cross-drilled rotors; Metal
Matrix pads; SMC brake lines; Nitto NT-555 P245/45ZR17; Autopal
lights w/ H4 ultrawhites; window tint; TMO Datalogger; G-Tech
Pro; [ARC2-GP, Denso 720 cc/min injectors, and Denso 90 gph fuel
pump to be added soon].

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Gula, James S" <gulajs@jmu.edu>
To: <gil_lee@usa.net>
Cc: <team3S@stealth-3000gt.st>
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2000 1:34 PM
Subject: Re: Team3S: I need a new engine

On Tue, 14 Mar 2000 08:57:15 -0800 gil_lee@usa.net wrote:

If I'm not mistaken, the 93+ engines use a "two bolt main"..
after talking with Arty I think that means where it attaches to
the drive shaft or something in that vicinity... which means
you're limited to a 91 or 92 engine.. I'd be safe and get a 92.

- --Steve "Loco3KGT" Gula

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
http://im.yahoo.com

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Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 22:12:11 +0100
From: "R.G." <robby@freesurf.ch>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Crankcase Oil Treatment

> The guy said both oil feed lines were almost completely closed off with
> crud, which in turn caused the turbos to fail.

Dino oil and shutting the car off with too hot oil in the lines are the
causes for this :-(

> He is suggesting using a 3 step crankcase flush to ensure the inside of
the

Yes, an engine flush IS necessary. But you can do this by yourselfs too
after the new turbos found their way into the engine bay.

> Has anyone had any experience with this stuff and, more importantly, ended
> up with an oil burner afterward?

No, there is no drawback but you must really follow the right steps to clean
the engine.

> mechanic is ballparking at least an additional $800 to replace the valve
> stem seals if it does began burning oil.

I doubt that the seals are gone. Even if they are, one can do this later as
the heads must not be removed for this.

Good luck
Roger
93'3000GT TT



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Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 22:18:17 +0100
From: "R.G." <robby@freesurf.ch>
Subject: Re: Team3S: I need a new engine

NO, you DON'T need a new engine.

Of course you can go that way but it will be about twice the costs !


> I think the AVC-R was too much on the old engine (installed at 120k miles)
> and it now has a compression problem on one of the cylinders, plus it's
> leaking oil (oil pump?) and has excessive "blow-by" or air leaks in the
> crankcase.  It looks cheaper to just drop in a new engine.

First, do a good engine flush and use a good cleaner stuff to remove all
carbon deposits on the valves and seats. If they are closing well the
compression test must be done again. Only then one can tell if there is
really somethign going wrong. Also provide the comrpession readings !

> Would it be wise to install the same engine (92 3KVR4) or something newer
> (93+) or something completely different?  I need something that can handle
> the extra boost, though I thought the stock would be able to handle
1.00bar
> already.

What is extra boost ????? 2 bars ?? The stock engine is able to handle more
than 1 bars. You probably did not listen to the engines signs as well as you
already had some problems.

To do the job right get six forged pistons (JE or so) and good rings
(TotalSeals or so). The engine MUST NOT BE PULLED to do the job. We did it
with the engine in the bay and had no problems. Cost including (stock)
pistons and rings was about $2800. Can you find an engine for that price
including the swap ?????

Welcome to the rebuild club
Roger
93'3000GT TT


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Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 22:34:24 -0500
From: Jason Barnhart <phnxgld@erols.com>
Subject: Team3S: Urgent question on tire size...

    Shame on me for not getting an alignment check after my tranny swap,
now my
front Pzeros are hosed.  I'm just getting down to the belts on the front
right
so I need to do something ASAP.  I'm considering AVS Intermediates or
Sports,
Pzeros are expensive...  I'm also considering going wider, traction is
beginning
to be a problem.  According to a tire calculator size calculator I found
275/40s
would be VERY close in circumference.  Would 275s fit?  Anyone tried
this size
successfully?  I'm at stock ride height currently but want to change
that in the
future, would this pose further problems?

thanks,
Jason

p.s.  Anyone interested in 2 slightly used Pzeros?




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Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 09:35:36 +0100
From: "R.G." <robby@freesurf.ch>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Urgent question on tire size...

275/40-xx are an over-over-kill. I run 255/40-17 and am not happy with them at all. The best compromise for our car is 245/45-17 all around. The wider the tire the more the rotating mass and less riding quality.

For the AVS I'm not happy at all with them and will rub them down at the next driving lesson or when tourque becomes sooo much that I can do a 15 minute burnout on all four !!

I made damn good experience with the Dunlops, SP8000 or SP9000, both are damn good. Otherwise the Firestones SZ-50 and Bridgestone S-02 as well as the Goodyear Eagles are my first choices.

> so I need to do something ASAP.  I'm considering AVS Intermediates or
> Sports, Pzeros are expensive...  I'm also considering going wider, traction is
> beginning to be a problem.

Traction a problem ? Go with the right tire and you don't have traction problems. If the front wheels (ahem do you have a VR4 or what ?) are slipping you may check your output shaft to the transfer case.

Roger
93'3000GT TT


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Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 04:02:14 -0600
From: "Vineet Singh" <billi_gates@hotmail.com>
Subject: Team3S: Intermittent wipers not working right???

It was raining really lightly today, and I noticed that no matter what I
did, the intermittent part of the wipers could not be made faster or
slower... I would say it's "stuck" in the "middle" of what should be a range
of speeds.

I also had noticed before that pulling the stalk back DOES spray washer
fluid, but does NOT turn on the wipers for a few strokes to wipe it away. I
had always done it manually, but now I think these two things are related.

Anyone have/had this problem? What do I need to fix it? Thanks!

Vineet Singh
- -Service Manuals On CD - http://manualcd.dsm.org  -
-Club DSM A/T - http://at.dsm.org  -  "Never Lift To Shift!"-

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Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 11:16:08 +0100
From: "R.G." <robby@freesurf.ch>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Intermittent wipers not working right???

The intermittent relay is not switching. Look at the electrical part of the manual and you can see it. Dunno if you need to replace it or if the contacts are just bad or oxidated.

Roger
93'3000GT TT

> I also had noticed before that pulling the stalk back DOES spray washer
> fluid, but does NOT turn on the wipers for a few strokes to wipe it away. I
> had always done it manually, but now I think these two things are related.
>
> Anyone have/had this problem? What do I need to fix it? Thanks!


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Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 05:32:36 -0500
From: Jason Barnhart <phnxgld@erols.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Urgent question on tire size...

        The response is appreciated and your opinion noted, but I'm
fairly certain that I'm going to go as wide as possible.  I see the
argument for rotating mass, but ride quality isn't a large concern.
I've got an economy car I can drive if I want to, but hopefully I will
soon be living within 5 miles of work.
        I love my Pzeros, but price is more of an option now.  The set
only has about 12k miles on them, but the fronts are gone.  Because it
is a VR4 I'd rather do all 4 tires at once than risk running 4 tires of
differing circumferences and life.  I am considering the Goodyear GSCs
again, mainly because I got 40k miles out of them.
        Yes, traction is becoming an issue.  On cold pavement (I live in
Virginia) it will often break all four tires loose from a rolling
start.  I have to be EXTREMELY cautious while applying the throttle
through turns.  I've even had the rear step out from a 30 mph rolling
start in 2nd gear, around a tight turn of course.
        Does anyone know if 275/40/17s would cause a clearance issue?
What if the car was lowered in the future?  Would 275s be too wide for
the factory 17x8.5 in rims that come on the 94 VR4s?

thanks,
Jason

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Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 04:50:14 -0600
From: "Jeff" <spydervr4@home.com>
Subject: Team3S: Odd tach and AC problems after VPC installation.

I've completed installation of a VPC on my car and now some oddities have
crept up.  Now my tach dies if I turn on the high beams and it acts odd on
deceleration (jumpy/moves sporatically) when I have the AC fan turned up
high.  Also, my AC compressor isn't kicking on anymore.

This all seems really weird to me because as far as I know the tach,
headlights, and AC are unrelated.  Any ideas?

jeff
'95 Mitsubishi Spyder VR-4
'90 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX




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Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 13:04:15 +0100
From: "R.G." <robby@freesurf.ch>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Odd tach and AC problems after VPC installation.

Either your battery dies, alternator isn't producing enough power or you have left a ground connection unconnected somwhere. I'd let one check the batt first.

> This all seems really weird to me because as far as I know the tach,
> headlights, and AC are unrelated.  Any ideas?




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Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 08:49:35 -0800
From: Errin Humphrey <errin@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Urgent question on tire size...

Jason,
Thanks for writing in a more readable format.  Your earlier post was
all chopped up (i.e. alternating long line, short line), so I didn't bother
reading it . . .

Jason Barnhart wrote:

> Does anyone know if 275/40/17s would cause a clearance issue?
> What if the car was lowered in the future?  Would 275s be too wide for
> the factory 17x8.5 in rims that come on the 94 VR4s?

Here are snippets off the Starnet list written by the invenerable
Edward Fein some time ago:

Ed Fein wrote:

>Re: Suspension Setup

>Going to wider tires definetely helps some. If you're going to stick with
>the stock 17" rims, move to 255/40R17 - they still fit, give you a shorter
>sidewall (reducing overall diameter by about 3%), and 10mm more width.
>If you afford another set of rims, I strongly reccomend 275/40R17 tires
>(<1% change in overall diameter). However, you will need to change the
>offset of the wheels to keep them from rubbing on the inside. What offset
>to get? Well, stock is 46 and rubs. I'm running 275's on 36 offset (10mm
>further out from the car) with sufficient clearance, so I would look for wheels
>in the 31-40mm offset range.  Also, make sure the wheels are 9 or 9.5 inches
>wide. 10" would probably work too. Also remember that you wan to cover
>the contact patch of the original tire with the new one, which is why I recom-
>mend 31mm offset as a minimum [46 - 31 = 15 = (275 - 245) / 2]. [snip]

>If you can afford a second set of wheels, get BF Goodrich Comp T/A
>R1's for race use. They're DOT-legal race tires. For street tires, I have
>Firestone Firehawk SZ-50's, and absolutely love them, and would recom-
>mend them over anything else in the same price range. For better, more
>expensive tires, look at the Bridgestone Potenza S-02 Pole Position, the
>Yokohama Nexus, or the Michelin Pilot MXX3 (none of which I have
>test driven).

>My setup:
>Street: 275/40R17 Firestone Firehawk SZ-50 on 17"x9" 36mm offset OZ F1's
>Track: 255/40R17 BF Goodrich Comp T/A R1 on 17"x8.5" 46mm offset
>OEM '94 VR-4 wheels

>another post of his:

>RE: 275/40/17 tires

>Yes, they fit on the wheels, but they rub. How much they rub will vary by
>the exact tire you use, but both Kash and Bob Fontana have been running
>275/40R17 GS-C's on stock rims and living with the rubbing - so it is livable.

>and yet another snippet:

>To run 275's on a 46mm wheel, you would need 8mm spacers for an
>effective offset of 46 - 8 = 38mm. If you do this, get 10mm longer studs to
>hold the wheels on, and open-ended lugnuts. And torque to 100 ft-lbs,
>minimum.


Hope that helps,

- --Errin
Seattle


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Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 09:02:02 -0800
From: Ken Middaugh <Kenneth.Middaugh@gat.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Urgent question on tire size...

I think whether or not a 275 will fit depends on the tire brand.  Different
brands have different tread profiles.  With that said, you will be risking a fit
problem unless you go with a brand someone has confirmed will fit.  The most
likely clearance problem will be with the front strut's lower spring perch.

With that said, I and several others run Firestone Firehawk SZ50 275/40/17 on
stock wheels with no problems (mine is a '91 VR4).  I originally had a little
rubbing on the inner plastic wheel well covering at full turn, but really no
problem.  Lowering the car actually improves things.  When I installed Eibach
Prokit springs, the lowering induces more negative camber in the front wheels.
When you have an alignment done to try to get the camber back to zero, you
actually pull the top of the tire away from the lower spring perch thus giving
you even more clearance.

IMHO, the 275's on the 17x8.5 wheels look great.  The wider tread is
noticeable.  The side walls are still almost perfectly vertical and do not bulge
out.  In this size and with the Firestones protruding bead, it will actually
protect the edge of your rim from curb damage (if you are so prone :)).

I expect to get about 25K, maybe 30K out of this set.  This is not too bad at
all since I used to only get 30K out of tires on my Taurus SHO Z rated tires.  I
drive every day on twisty roads aggressively to and from work, and I have had a
little track time on these too.  On my last trip to the track, I measured an
instantaneous (note: not average) lateral G of .97 using my G-Tech pro.

For the price, I am very happy with the performance, longevity, and look of the
Firestones and will probably get them again.

YMMV (your mileage may vary :)),
Ken

>         The response is appreciated and your opinion noted, but I'm
> fairly certain that I'm going to go as wide as possible.  I see the
> argument for rotating mass, but ride quality isn't a large concern.
> I've got an economy car I can drive if I want to, but hopefully I will
> soon be living within 5 miles of work.
>         I love my Pzeros, but price is more of an option now.  The set
> only has about 12k miles on them, but the fronts are gone.  Because it
> is a VR4 I'd rather do all 4 tires at once than risk running 4 tires of
> differing circumferences and life.  I am considering the Goodyear GSCs
> again, mainly because I got 40k miles out of them.
>         Yes, traction is becoming an issue.  On cold pavement (I live in
> Virginia) it will often break all four tires loose from a rolling
> start.  I have to be EXTREMELY cautious while applying the throttle
> through turns.  I've even had the rear step out from a 30 mph rolling
> start in 2nd gear, around a tight turn of course.
>         Does anyone know if 275/40/17s would cause a clearance issue?
> What if the car was lowered in the future?  Would 275s be too wide for
> the factory 17x8.5 in rims that come on the 94 VR4s?

- --
If you're not the lead car, your view never changes!

Ken Middaugh (858) 455-4510
General Atomics
San Diego

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Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 18:02:02 +0100
From: Matthews <matthews@wiesbaden.vistec.net>
Subject: Team3S: tire rubbing on shock

Anyone know why the inner sidewall of my left-front Michelin Pilot would start
rubbing against the shock?  This started almost a year ago and has become
progressively worse.  It is most noticeable (and extremely annoying) when making
hard right turns, especially downhill or while decelerating (i.e.- when more
weight is placed on that corner).  I've tried rotating the tires, increasing the
air pressure (up to 10 psi) and getting an alignment, but nothing made a
difference.

I just chalked the tire and verified that it is in fact the sidewall that is
rubbing (vs. a wheel weight or something else on the wheel).  My only guess is
that the sidewalls have become weak with age, causing the tire to bulge enough
to interfere.  The tires were bought and installed in fall 1997 and have plenty
of tread left on them.  Am I looking at a new set of tires already?!  $$$

TIA for any suggestions (wheel spacers?) or ideas you might have.

-Jim

- --
Jim Matthews - Wiesbaden, Germany (soon to be Munich, Germany!)
mailto:matthews@wiesbaden.vistec.net (64 Kbps ISDN)
http://rover.wiesbaden.vistec.net/~matthews

*** 3000GT-Stealth International (3Si) Member #0030 ***
http://rover.wiesbaden.vistec.net/~matthews/stealth.html (Europe)
http://members.stealth-3000gt.st/~matthews/stealth.html  (U.S.A.)
Jet Black '94 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin-Turbo AWD AWS 6-spd
Adjustable Active Suspension, Adjustable Exhaust System
K&N FIPK, A'PEXi Super AVC-R (1.0 bar @ 72% BADC)
A'PEXi Turbo Timer (30 sec), Blitz Blow-Off Valve
Magnecore spark plug wires, Redline ShockProof fluids
Porterfield brake pads, custom braided brake lines
Michelin Pilot XGT-Z4 245/45ZR17, Top Speed: 171 mph
G-Tech Pro: 0-60 4.79 sec, 1/4 13.16 sec @ 113.9 mph
1 Feb 99 Dyno Session: 406 SAE HP, 354 lb-ft torque



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End of team3s V1 #82
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