Review of the spec stage 3 - Page 6 - 3000GT/Stealth International Message Center

Bret Brinkmann · 06-29-2004, 09:13 PM

If you guys are breaking in engines then you may want to read through this thread. It has some pretty good info in it. It would be nice to have more members contribute data also.

engine breakin

awesomedave · 06-30-2004, 06:06 PM

The Stage III was a severe pain in the ass for me during break-in, too, and I was really thinking I should have gone with the Stage II...but then, magically, the break-in period was over, and after a few hard launches from 6000 rpm, it became extremely easy to use. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Don't worry.

Oh, and I'm getting my technique down pat with this thing now. I like to let it out until I'm barely moving, and then just let it out the rest of the way...the engine drops to like 300 rpm, but it's real smooth and quiet (no bucking if you do it right), and there is no unnecessary wear and tear on the clutch. Poifect.

red3kgtvr4 · 06-30-2004, 09:11 PM

Well I sure am glad to hear that. I like lights at the end of tunnels!

I think mine might be getting a bit better. Either that or I'm getting used to it - or both. It's still not as smooth as the stocker, but better than it was. I don't know if it's the clutch/fw, or the port & polished heads, or the bigger pistons, or just a combination of everything, but man does this car seem like it has a ton of torque now. Can't wait to get a couple more hundred miles on it (I'm at 330 now), and do some pulls. I need to recalibrate my EVC4. And I got a new Gtech pro - so I should be able to get a close reading on times and hp/torque.

smokinvr-4 · 06-30-2004, 09:33 PM

the heads make a HUGE difference IMO

red3kgtvr4 · 06-30-2004, 10:16 PM

These heads aren't from DR, they were done locally while the block was being bored. He did a good job, but they're not quite as opened up as Matt's.

I just remembered you're in Nebraska. My wife's mother lives in Pickrell. It's half way between Lincoln and the KS border. We're taking our 2 kids up there next month to stay for a few days. How far are you from there?

Hmmm???

18_SSX · 12-01-2004, 02:19 AM

do any of you guys have a whooshing sound when Spec stage III is installed? It makes that sound when accelereting just in front of the driver, not even under boost. My car is in the shop... they removed the clutch booster and the sound is gone... any help?

red3kgtvr4 · 12-01-2004, 03:39 PM

I've got a whooshing sound under my dash on the driver's side - but it's some kind of air/boost leak right behind the clutch. But I can't find the hose that's leaking. Didn't notice it before the clutch was installed... coincidence? maybe. I'm sure it's booster related, but I've heard pedal pressure is much stiffer with it removed.

Bret Brinkmann · 12-03-2004, 09:18 AM

I'd recommend making an intake pressure tester as described on www.stealth316.com. If you guys have a boost leak it will make it very easy to find.

mjannusch · 12-03-2004, 10:29 AM

I'd check the hose from the plenum to the clutch booster. Its on the driver's side of the plenum - large hose. There's a check valve in there, and you need to be able to blow air through the hose from the booster end towards the plenum end and not in the other direction.

Super easy to install it backwards and be putting boost pressure in the vacuum assist which will make you clutch harder to push in as well as make a hissing sound under boost under the dash.

red3kgtvr4 · 12-03-2004, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bret Brinkmann

I'd recommend making an intake pressure tester as described on www.stealth316.com. If you guys have a boost leak it will make it very easy to find.

Been there, done that. That's how I knew where the leak was. There's air rushing out of a hose or something right behind the clutch pedal inside the car. Seems to be coming out of the accordian-looking rubber boot. Any ideas how to get to the leak?

06-29-2004, 09:13 PM	#51 (permalink)
Bret Brinkmann Gear Head Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Charlotte NC Drives: Rear wheels only... Trader Rating: (4)	Re: Review of the spec stage 3 If you guys are breaking in engines then you may want to read through this thread. It has some pretty good info in it. It would be nice to have more members contribute data also. engine breakin __________________ 250 RWHP If you want the exploded views of both 5 and 6 speeds or pics e-mail me at SavagTiger@AOL.com. 94 VR-4 Panama Green Tan Interior RPS II, gutted cats, flipped BPV, 3SX control arms, 3SX shift bushings, Red Line, Auto-Meter. Rebuilt TC, transaxle, steering rack, heads, and turbos. 360cc's blue printened with in 1%. New short block. RWD convertion and welded rear end.

06-30-2004, 06:06 PM	#52 (permalink)
awesomedave Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Drives: 94 Stealth R/T turbo Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Review of the spec stage 3 The Stage III was a severe pain in the ass for me during break-in, too, and I was really thinking I should have gone with the Stage II...but then, magically, the break-in period was over, and after a few hard launches from 6000 rpm, it became extremely easy to use. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Don't worry. Oh, and I'm getting my technique down pat with this thing now. I like to let it out until I'm barely moving, and then just let it out the rest of the way...the engine drops to like 300 rpm, but it's real smooth and quiet (no bucking if you do it right), and there is no unnecessary wear and tear on the clutch. Poifect. __________________ First self-installed mod: Saner rear sway bar (the perfect mod to start with!) Second self-installed mod: SPEC stage III carbon 6-puck clutch and RPS segmented flywheel (man that sucked) Also: Porterfield cryo-treated disc brakes Porterfield R4-S carbon-kevlar pads 3SX SS brake lines Motul 600 racing brake fluid Tein S-Tech springs Saner front sway bar A'PEXi Power Intake A'PEXi AVC-R FINALLY!! A brand new Mitsu shortblock with DR Stage III heads and 3SX WebCam street weld cams Propane injection should be here any day Now I just need to figure out what turbos are gonna go on...hmmm... Looking for the wood and carpet (charcoal) from the hatch, if anyone's got one.

06-30-2004, 09:11 PM	#53 (permalink)
red3kgtvr4 Just havin' fun! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Wichita, KS Drives: Every chance I get! Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Review of the spec stage 3 Well I sure am glad to hear that. I like lights at the end of tunnels! I think mine might be getting a bit better. Either that or I'm getting used to it - or both. It's still not as smooth as the stocker, but better than it was. I don't know if it's the clutch/fw, or the port & polished heads, or the bigger pistons, or just a combination of everything, but man does this car seem like it has a ton of torque now. Can't wait to get a couple more hundred miles on it (I'm at 330 now), and do some pulls. I need to recalibrate my EVC4. And I got a new Gtech pro - so I should be able to get a close reading on times and hp/torque. __________________ Car/mod pics

06-30-2004, 09:33 PM	#54 (permalink)
smokinvr-4 Banned from Classifieds Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Arizona Drives: Smokinvr4@hotmail Trader Rating: (100)	Re: Review of the spec stage 3 the heads make a HUGE difference IMO

06-30-2004, 10:16 PM	#55 (permalink)
red3kgtvr4 Just havin' fun! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Wichita, KS Drives: Every chance I get! Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Review of the spec stage 3 These heads aren't from DR, they were done locally while the block was being bored. He did a good job, but they're not quite as opened up as Matt's. I just remembered you're in Nebraska. My wife's mother lives in Pickrell. It's half way between Lincoln and the KS border. We're taking our 2 kids up there next month to stay for a few days. How far are you from there? Hmmm???

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12-01-2004, 02:19 AM	#56 (permalink)
18_SSX Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nebraska Drives: his girlfriend mad Trader Rating: (14)	Re: Review of the spec stage 3 do any of you guys have a whooshing sound when Spec stage III is installed? It makes that sound when accelereting just in front of the driver, not even under boost. My car is in the shop... they removed the clutch booster and the sound is gone... any help? __________________ Sold: 1995 3000gt vr4 with dr800's and other pimp sh$t

12-01-2004, 03:39 PM	#57 (permalink)
red3kgtvr4 Just havin' fun! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Wichita, KS Drives: Every chance I get! Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Review of the spec stage 3 I've got a whooshing sound under my dash on the driver's side - but it's some kind of air/boost leak right behind the clutch. But I can't find the hose that's leaking. Didn't notice it before the clutch was installed... coincidence? maybe. I'm sure it's booster related, but I've heard pedal pressure is much stiffer with it removed.

12-03-2004, 09:18 AM	#58 (permalink)
Bret Brinkmann Gear Head Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Charlotte NC Drives: Rear wheels only... Trader Rating: (4)	Re: Review of the spec stage 3 I'd recommend making an intake pressure tester as described on www.stealth316.com. If you guys have a boost leak it will make it very easy to find.

12-03-2004, 10:29 AM	#59 (permalink)
mjannusch Pro xfercase destroyer Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Hudson, WI Drives: 2005 Toyota Prius Trader Rating: (20)	Re: Review of the spec stage 3 I'd check the hose from the plenum to the clutch booster. Its on the driver's side of the plenum - large hose. There's a check valve in there, and you need to be able to blow air through the hose from the booster end towards the plenum end and not in the other direction. Super easy to install it backwards and be putting boost pressure in the vacuum assist which will make you clutch harder to push in as well as make a hissing sound under boost under the dash. __________________ -Matt '95 3000GT Spyder VR4 (11.838@117.56) '93 3000GT VR4 (Project for 2009) '91 3000GT VR4 (Only a shell of its former self)