Just got ELAN prepped by GTI and BBR

[ElanOman]

Hi!

I have recently made my girlfriends ELAN turbo roadworthy after sitting in a state of total disrepair for a few months. It has less than 60k kms on it. I am normally a V8 muslce car kinda guy but something attracted me to this car.

In the glove box I found a blue card that says the car has been worked on by BBR and GTI engineering. ' Conversion KT ONE' Boost lvl 14 0.94bar. Is this just normal on elans? This thing backfires alot. Like my bmw Z8

Now the wastegate actuator was stuck and i freed it up. There is a total difference and just out accelerated a modified ford mustang. However I am still getting the 4000rpm rev limit in 3rd/4th and 5th gear under hard throttle. In 1st and second the boost guage will reach almost 1 bar and no rev limiter..

I have checked the cpu and have code errors for the MAP 31 and O2 13 sensor.

How can i go about getting this thing running properly? The O2 sensor fine, but the MAP malfunction? Should i just buy a whole new turbo?

[Sy V]

The BBR is a known upgrade that was very expensive.
You certainly don't want to go buying a new turbo.
Apply to download the Manuals (Manual section) and you will find dichotomous diagnostic decode diagrams to help you unravel the dilemmas!

[davidjt]

Don't quite see the dichotomy, even if it does alliterate nicely.

[ElanOman]

I found this module just taped to the back of the bulkhead (u can see the green tape in this picture). Right behind the intake manifold.


Any idea what it is? It was not connected.

Also i included some other pictures of the engine bay...



The actuator is now working. I can hear the waste gate chirp open.

[ElanOman]

Would the faulty O2 sensor trip the CPU and activate the 4k rpm limiter?

I cant think of anything else as the wastegate is working and the boost seems good.

[Dave M]

The Code 31 is for overboost, meaning the MAP sensor is seeing more voltage than the ECU likes. The "black box" you found is a voltage modification device that tricks the MAP sensor into allowing more boost than normal. Somewhere between the turbo compressor outlet and the wastegate actuator is likely a bleed valve (connected to a hose) to make the wastegate open later, allowing more than the stock .65 bar. Since the box wasn't connected, the extra boost is likely tripping the MAP sensor. If you want to hook it back up, you'll find the MAP sensor to the right of the clip on the firewall you noted. Unplug the 3-prong GM plug from the sensor, and put the black box in-line.

Make sure all small hose connections in the turbo area are attached and clean all contacts to the black box you've got. If the black box has an adjustment screw, that also may need to be tweaked, but I don't know enough about the kit to say which way to turn.

Note that the kit allows for some overboost, but the fuel delivery is NOT modified. If too much is allowed, there could be damage. Not sure where you are located, but if you're near a forum member, might be worth meeting and having them give the car a once over.

If it still doesn't run right, and after checking the plugs (gap ~.035"), you may consider getting rid of the BBR kit for a modified computer chip. See http://www.astb91.dsl.pipex.com/MountainChipMenu.html The BBR kit is a "quick-fix" for more boost. The chip is a proper, safer way using stock components to raise the boost.

[ElanOman]

I installed black box. Had trouble as the connections were corroded. Used some contact cleaner and it started right up. I cannot believe the damn dealer let my gf run the car with 4k limiter constantly engaging since 97!

I filled the car up with 104 octane fuel and took it out. I cannot believe how quick it is. The turbo surge is incredible. A benz SL600 V12 could not even catch me! In first gear it will do over 110kmh. You are up at 200 in no time. I raced my dad in his E500 with Kleeman mods and left him in the dust!

I cannot believe it...This car deserves some respect.

I will be replacing all the hoses with steel braided ones asap.

Guys thanks for the help. I have done in one day what a dealer could not do in 10 years!

[Dave M]

I cannot believe it...This car deserves some respect.

Glad it's running like it should! We won't bring up turbo conversions at this point.

[Sy V]

Well it's mildy dichotomous!

[DeeAitch]

I have done in one day what a dealer could not do in 10 years!

Name & shame 'em

[Aurora40]

In first gear it will do over 110kmh.

Sorry to bring up a rather old thread. I am extremely bored right now and was reading around a bit.

Am I missing something on the gearing and tire sizes on the Elan? Wouldn't it need about 12,000 rpm to hit 110kmh (almost 70mph) in 1st gear? That's like halfway to the top speed with 4 gears to go.