Vortech 2011 - Breaking down/stuttering - Won't accelerate

[5PointOHNO]

Hey guys,

Lately the upper most intercooler pipe (leading from Maf to throttle body) has been popping out on my vortech'd 2011 GT. I clamp it down, only to have it pop out a few days later (I am investing in t-bolt clamps, because apparently VORTECH wouldn't).

Anyhow, I went to the track today on the factory tires and canned Vortech tune. 1st and only pass was 12.1 @ 124.5 (I hit the rev limiter 2x because Vortech reduced it to 6800 and I'm not used to the fast rev-up yet).

2nd pass (i knew it was going to nail an 11.XX), the pipe pops out on the 2-3 shift. I limp home with the pipe pressure fitted in - drives fine. I stayed out of boost.

I get home, install new clamp, tighten it up and re-align the inlet pipe (pipe that goes from intercooler to TB); on the ensuing test drive it was bucking and loading up very badly, and running like absolute crap. NOTE: this is not under boost.... just cruising from 2000 - 4000. When I felt that, I decided to stay away from boost.

What could have happened? I did jiggle the intercooler pipe a bit (this pipe also contains the MAF), could I have disrupted the MAF somehow?

 

[Bad Intention]

I would check the MAF. With the pipe blowing off it may have disrupted something.

 

[ngnichols]

Yeah, check all of your piping to see if any other areas blew off. Sounds like you are leaking air from somewhere else.

Stock clamps suck if you haven't already noticed. You'll be glad after you get the T-Bolts in. I had them on my 1998 Vortech'd Cobra and never had a problem. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[fiveoh]

Sounds like a MAF problem. Nice mph, what are your other mods?

 

[5PointOHNO]

^The JLT Airfilter (made for vortech/paxton systems)

Other than that. Nothing yet. Planning to do a boss intake and slicks soon!

I'll tighten up what piping I can this morning.

 

[fiveoh]

What was the 60' on the first run?

 

[5PointOHNO]

2.09 60ft.

This was my 1st (and only) pass in the car with the blower.

60ft... 2.09
330... 5.451
1/8... 8.084
MPH.. 94.54
1000. 10.30
1/4.. 12.151
MPH.. 124.51

I re-positioned the piping and cleared the ECU by removing the negative terminal for about an hour and everything is fine.
Still needs T-Bolt clamps though. The intercooler pipe is still popping off under heavy throttle. It's easy to see why. The TB inlet pipe and the intercooler pipe are malaligned and the coupler is expected to take up the slack I suppose. I have re-positioned it time and time again, but it's just not lining up as I had hoped.
In any event, more clamping power should fix it. I am only at 6.5-7.5 PSI - I can only imagine what 10PSI would do.

 

[beefcake]

2.09 60ft.

This was my 1st (and only) pass in the car with the blower.

60ft... 2.09
330... 5.451
1/8... 8.084
MPH.. 94.54
1000. 10.30
1/4.. 12.151
MPH.. 124.51

I re-positioned the piping and cleared the ECU by removing the negative terminal for about an hour and everything is fine.
Still needs T-Bolt clamps though. The intercooler pipe is still popping off under heavy throttle. It's easy to see why. The TB inlet pipe and the intercooler pipe are malaligned and the coupler is expected to take up the slack I suppose. I have re-positioned it time and time again, but it's just not lining up as I had hoped.
In any event, more clamping power should fix it. I am only at 6.5-7.5 PSI - I can only imagine what 10PSI would do.

I've had no issues @ 16 psi

 

[2c5s]

With that MPH and a decent 60ft., you're in the 10's.

 

[beefcake]

i'll be honest, i think this could be an install issue.

The tubing is going to be the same tubing as my kit. And with over 700 rwhp and countless passes. Have never had one tube think about coming loose.

 

[19COBRA93]

I recomment pulling the coupler off, cleaning it real good with brake clean or anything that will get rid of any oil residue. Then reinstall. You can also use hairspray under the coupler then clamp it on and let it sit for an hour to set up.

You may also need to reposition some of the piping to get it to fit better.

 

[beefcake]

I recomment pulling the coupler off, cleaning it real good with brake clean or anything that will get rid of any oil residue. Then reinstall. You can also use hairspray under the coupler then clamp it on and let it sit for an hour to set up.

You may also need to reposition some of the piping to get it to fit better.

good tips

 

[KungFuHamster]

this may be stupid, but its worth a shot. are you using a flathead screwdriver to tighten the clamps? if so, ditch that for an 8mm socket...that tightens them down much more snugly.

 

[schuhanks5.0]

check all the other pipes. i had a few issues with a customers car after installing his blower. it was alil late in the evening and had to run with the worm clamps. they suck! a t-bolt clamp swap and 4 layer couplers solved the problem.

 

[5PointOHNO]

With that MPH and a decent 60ft., you're in the 10's.

I hit the rev limiter twice - first time in the seat with the blower. I know that if I get that lame 6800 rev limit extended to say, 7300, I won't have to shift into 5th (I didn't have to when I was N/A); this should bring the MPH quite a bit. I am optimistic for 10's with a slick and launching nice and high.

Just an update for you guys, the T-Bolt's are holding fine now. The car is working great, and I'm a little surprised by the power to be honest. I wasn't expecting a 7PSI blower that, by most accounts, isn't as great as some of the roots offerings, to make 125MPH.

@Beefcake - did Joe DaSilva call you yet?

 

[beefcake]

@Beefcake - did Joe DaSilva call you yet?

He did, tt him and Matty, I got the call, the shipping info, but no paypal, lol.

 

[VTXFrank]

I recomment pulling the coupler off, cleaning it real good with brake clean or anything that will get rid of any oil residue. Then reinstall. You can also use hairspray under the coupler then clamp it on and let it sit for an hour to set up.

You may also need to reposition some of the piping to get it to fit better.

Dude, you're showing your age right there! ROFLMAO!! When I got my C&L Intake for the 5.0L, I had the friggin coupler popping off of it about every 200 miles. Went to K-Mart and bought a can of Aqua-Net and haven't had the issue since.

Sorry OP. But that hairspray comment threw me into the way-back machine. LOL! But I am glad to see you've got it fixed now with the T-Clamps. When I go F/I, I am seriously leaning towards the same setup. I think I will have the T-clamps before I install it!

 

[jeffie on juice]

Sorry for the Hairspray comment I used that shit on my bicycle and still use it on my street bike and atvs. Do work 1982 aqua _net

 

[VTXFrank]

Yep, I used hairspray to keep my new grips on my motorcycle handlebars. Worked like a champ.

 

[tylerxfire]

sounds like an install issue..pipes are not aligned correctly