I may have corrected my lack of power issue with the SC. Below is the response I sent to Comptech:

Instead of waiting on a response I decided to look into the problem myself since the FPR assembly drawings were available from Comptech’s website. I pulled the unit and disassembled it completely. Nothing jumped out at me as incorrect or damaged upon disassembly. So I reassembled it per the diagram and torqued everything down tight (no torque spec’s were given but it did seem too loose when pulling the main body bolts). I then noticed one thing that did not match up.

On the drawing it mentions an adjustment screw lock nut. I had a nut on this screw along with the sealing washer but it was not a lock nut. It was standard nut. So to assist with the sealing since a nut would not be the best retainer for a sealing washer I used a small washer. This washer was a bit too small but I Dremeled it out to the size needed; just big enough.

I installed everything back and cranked the car. Immediately I had a better response and better numbers; although the base pressure was about 45 PSI (I hadn’t made any adjustments yet) it went to about 75 PSI when I pulled the vacuum line. So I dropped this down to about 67 PSI and with the vacuum line reinstalled it read about 38 PSI. So I was right in the range Joe stated I should be now. I haven’t driven it yet as I had to move on to other things but I did hit the throttle a few times and saw the pressure jump to over 70 PSI; whereas before the rebuilding I only saw about 55 PSI.

Obviously there was something off about my FPR; whether that was a misaligned spring, a leaking adjustment screw washer, etc. I am unsure. But now it does seem to be correct and I will report back on the pressure while driving it tomorrow.

I would still like to discuss the potential implications of this matter. Was this an original problem or did it occur after some time?? If it occurred later then could it reoccur?? I now plan on continuously monitoring fuel pressure but I would also like to be reassured that this will not occur again.

 

so now maybe that higher boost pulley can go back on...?

 

BTW,
how are the wife and twins doing?

 

That thought has crossed my mind. But I will be taking small steps before putting that other pulley back on. But if this pans out and I have a full resolution it might get tested again.

 

Thanks Zapata ,

They are all doing well. In fact she is on schedule and the girls are at the same size as for a single pregnancy. Which has me a bit worried; Jennifer is a petite girl (5' 2" and just over 100 when not pregnant). I do not know where these two girls are going to fit inside Jennifer for much longer.

 

scalbert

so is this a problem that comptech is aware of? if so and if you found a solution for it, i think comptech should pay you for your research and findings!

sidemarker

 

I'm not quite sure what I found so far. This most likely will be an isolated incident and one I was just proactive in finding for myself. I am sure they would have replaced the FPR but I am stubborn and decided to look into myself to expedite the process.

 

wow that's really funny my business partner has a wife about the same proportions as your Jennifer, ironically her name is jennifer as well, --she was a cheerleader at PSU and weighs all of 95lbs at her normal weight-- anyway she just had her baby and we were all wondering where the kid was going to fit. Welp the baby, morgan-rose, ended up being like 8.5lbs and Jennifer was MASSIVE. Toward the end of the pregnancy she ended up having the brackson-hicks a bit too much the doc put her on light bed rest but the baby and she are doing well and Jenn is back at her cheering weight.

 

There seems to be many Jennifers in this rough generation. Wow, 8.5 lbs is a good size; particularly with a small mother. Congrats to them and her quick recovery. We have a good friend who grew up just outside if Philly and her two sons both weighed 10 lbs 15 OZ at birth. What is going on up there with large newborns???

Yep, the brackson-hicks are in place and we are monitoring them well. But they are mild at this point. In fact I am trying to accumulate them and do an Excel chart to help determine the potential delivery date.

Also, I am trying to urge Jennifer to stop working but according to the doctors if she is doing fine they prefer her doing light work as the mobility is beneficial. Plus, since we work together we get to see each other and go to lunch knowing that this will all change very soon.

 

You know,......when you fix something, but you're not sure how, It gives you a fealing of accomplishment knowing you fixed it, but it leaves you wondering,.....will I be back at this again?

Is fuel pressure one of the parameters on the OBD-II?

 

Steve.

Glad it was only the adjustment screw or block-off valve... this would completely negate the effect of a rising-rate regulator. Either Comptech forgot the screw or it fell off sometime (shipping or install) - I doubt it fell off as its screwed in pretty tightly!!

In terms of what effects this had on your motor:

(1) You probably ran very lean more often than none. I don't think anything could have really happened to the motor at 4-5psi... especially with a higher-flow fuel-pump, but I am sure it ran dangerously lean at times... your knocking with the higher-boost pulley can attest to this!

(2) I would do a leak-down & compression test immediately and report ANY negative results to Comptech. Leak-down would give an indication of melted rings/landings and/or valves.... from leaning out and the excessive heat associated with it - I doubt you will have any problems with the motor... but be better safe than sorry!

By the way... glad to hear things on the family front are going well!!

 

Ya, I will certainly be keeping an eye on it.

No, fuel pressure is not a required OBDII parameter. It is very rare when a manufcaturer actually monitors this.

 

I don't think anything has happened but I planned on doing at least a compression test just to be sure. That car feels fine right now but knowing for sure is always better.

 

I went out and took it for a drive. I see about 95 PSI at WOT so there is plenty of fuel being delivered now. I would suspect that I had about 60 PSI before.

After I do some more testing I will be heading back to the dyno.

 

Glad to hear it Steve... Lets keep our fingers crossed on the theory that it was an isolated incident....

As of date I am not aware of your tweeking the part before installation, if otherwise, please let us/me know.


Smitty

p.s. Your wife and twins will be fine...I am sure of it.. Best Wishes

 

Geesh, just shelled out $4.50 for a damn washer with a rubber backing on it... I adjusted my fuel pressure regulator the other day and the washer broke in half, so I just grabbed a washer and put one on... little did I know I needed a "special" washer from Comptech...

explains why I was only getting 80 psi fuel pressure at boost.

4.50 X 2 + overnight shipping = $23.00

There went my dreams of that M3...

A big thanks to Steve (Scalbert) for sharing a simular story with me and resolving my issue today.

Got to pay to play... oh well...

You guys with Superchargers should be real careful when adjusting that fuel pressure.

 

wow smitty... digging in the :smitty:

 

This was a find!!! Points for this one

 

........

i figured I would add to it instead of opening up a new thread...

 

scalbert

hopefully then this can be fixed... i plan to sc in the spring with my 3.5L block

 

well i tried putting on a new washer.. no luck... time for a new FPR..

 

Damn, I was hoping it was simple.

I did end up sending back my FPR and getting a new one in the end.

 

ditto..i was hoping for an easy fix.. no such luck... Oh well atleast CT is willing to help me out and get me a new without a deposit.

 

As long as they don't void your warranty because you fiddled with it

 

they told me to lower the FRP since it was rising on its own.