Performance help?

[Byromax]

I have recently purchased a 1989 CH TC 8 V, new turbo, new rebuilt engine. The inside was not so good the convertible top and frame needed work. I had the interior Ree done and new top liner ect.I have looked on sites for performance improvements and conclulded I need a second job.I have put a high flow cat And muffler,stlii slow but improving out of extra money at this point but I would greatly appreciate any advice on how to continue.

Thank you in advance, Byromax.

[Willhelm Reichert]

http://www.turbododge.com/forums/

<a href="http://www.turbo-mopar.com[/url" title="They have links to vendors for the 8 valve engines Do lots of reading before spendingurlhttpwwwturbomoparcomforumscmpsindexphphttpwwwturbomoparcomforumscmpsindexphp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">

They have links to vendors for the 8 va.../cmps_index.php</a>

Read donovan 3 times minimum start to finish. the A413 transmission as built is a weak spot unless altered. For $5,000 you can buy one good for 900 hp. Just scaring you. Everthing you need to do 300 hp can be found on these sites. Or you can do a dohc 2.4 Stratus head conversion and go for 400 +. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

[Guest Jeffn]

If you've got the exhaust, get a hotted up SMEC-it's makes it like a different car. That and 50 or less series perf. tires and at least a rear sway bar, maybe KYB shox and you have a car equivalent to perhaps a riced up Civic-mine is anyways.

[Byromax]

Thank you for the advice.

I never had even herd of this car two months ago and I want to make It a gem .

My wife hates the day I bought it .LOL

[Willhelm Reichert]

Hmmm.....get rid of car or.......Nevermind. Why would your wife not want to cruise the blue highways with you on beautiful summer weekends enroute to special bed and breakfast inns?

[anirishpub]

I'm a newbie to, we have the same car and it sounds like we're going through perty much the same thing except I started upgrading from the front side back and you from back to front.

A couple of resources you should know about if you haven't come across them already are TC America Inc. the national TC club, their quarterly newsletter is full of tips and advise from pro's that know the TC:

http://www.chryslertcbymaseraticlub.com

Another is the The TC Pages, a website that has maintaining, performance, detailing info and links, very extensive coverage of about almost anything you want to know about the TC. Be sure to read the TC Garage section for tips about how to prevent your car from catching fire and taking care of the ABS:

http://members.aol.com/TCMasratiPage/TC/Maserati.html

As far as performance increase is concerned from what I've read the simplest and most effective is changing the SMEC to a hotted up version or finding one out of a 1988 Daytona in the junk yard, there are a couple of part #'s to look for if you go that way you will find them in the above or in the postings on this forum which are fantastic help by the way.

As I said I began at the front and working my way back and will be happy to share that with you along with the recommendations and pricing I got from a performance guy that contributes to the newsletter for the complete job if you will email me. It is too lenghty to post here.

Hope this helped a little, have fun!

[Byromax]

Thanks again.

If I buy a SEMC from FRD performance stage 3 will I be able to use all existing hard ware on the car and get the 12 pounds of boost?

If so sounds like a no brain er.

[anirishpub]

In theory that is correct, unbolt the old SMEC and bolt on the new one. However, I have read and been advised once you do, you should use only premium gas to prevent engine damage and there are issues with the stock blow off valve.

I think the way it was put to me is "it's a piece of junk, if you change it out be sure to throw it away", seems the valve floats off the seat @ 7# of boost. If you change it out you might as well move it outside the air filter housing, smooth up the ridges inside the housing and use a K&N air filter adding a couple of extra horsepower in the process.

I'm using RDI Performance, Rick Diogo as my supplier for all performance parts. Made a decision early on in my upgrade project that since I knew so little about the TC I would find pro's that knew the car and follow their recommendations. I'm buying all the parts from him so he will know my car and can better advise me. The kit I got from him to change out and move the blow of valve ran @ $200.00 which included a filter for the valve since it's no longer using the air intake filter. He's very helpful and a nice guy to visit with either over the phone or email:

http://www.rdiperformance.com/

Hope this helps, shoot me an email and I'll send you parts, pricing and recommendations Rick provided me.

Have Fun!

[Guest Jeffn]

from rdi perf site

"Hands down the best performance increase you could do for your TC. Involves simply removing your old SMEC engine controller and installing this new one. **Must run premium fuel at all times!**"

[Byromax]

I cant thank you guys enough for all of the help and advice.

I ordered the SMEC(says waiting on charge?)I hope I can send the core after receiving the part.

If I put 87 OCT gas in and add oct boost fuel cleaner(before adding gas) will that do the trick?

Thanks all.

[Guest Jeffn]

I've run mine on regular but just don't redline it or hit max boost very long. I think one step down on plug heat would also help especially in summer.

[TwinCamFan]

Do a couple of internet studies on the effect of octaine boosters. You will find that most of them only raise the octane a FEW TENTHS of a point! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

If cost of premium fuel is your big issue, you could always back the initial ignition timing down 2-3 degrees and run the cheap stuff but then you are giving up some of your new found power <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Alan

[Byromax]

How much does the rear sway bar help and what thickness should I order?

Does the rear sway bar help in the wobble when the hard top is off?

You seem to be a great source of info,so do you know if they make a strut tower brace.

Thanks in advance.

[Guest Jeffn]

Massively and search the threads for group buy on swaybars last year. It's like a diffrenet car-as though you welded the hinge in our chassi (chasses?) shut.

The guy who makes them as needed in Portland OR.

[Byromax]

How Do you do a quick search?

[89TC-16V]

shouldnt a stock 89 Module from a 5spd TURBO II car, not a TC be a basic cheap upgrade over a custom caribration

[Byromax]

Hello all.

I replaced the SMEC and it runs like a bat out of he__>

I do have a couple of problems though.The alt gauge spiked out and check engine light came on.

Cindy at FWD performance told me me that the power sensor in the SMEC was at fault She is sending me a replacement.(Didn't cook the battery)

I also noticed from second to third the shift was fine but it losses boost.(at around 85 mph)If you medium Pedal It will go as fast as you dare?

At WOT it blows off the PCV valve hoses Too.

I was told to set the plugs at .032 also and I did It runs like a new one.(lots of turbo noise now LOL)

If any one has any sugestions that would be great.

Thanks again.