Couple of Radix questions...

[.justin.]

I joined the ranks of SSS owners with a radix this past weekend, and have a couple of questions/issues.

 

First off, when I start the truck up cold, it fires up normal and idles fine. If I kill it immediately and then re-start it, it will rev up to 2K before settling down. I'm also not making nearly the power I should under boost, feels/sounds like it is running pig rich.

I've read that it can be caused by the TB gasket being installed incorrectly, or the FPR o-ring not seated properly or possibly the tune (PCMForLess). My TB gasket is on correctly, but It is "chunked" along the lower portion, so I'd like to replace. Does anyone know off-hand if this is a GM part, and if so what the P/N is?

 

Second, I'd like to get my fuel pressure gauge installed, and using the port on the drivers side fuel rail seems like an ideal place. Unlike most others I've read about, my rail does not have a shrader valve there, just a plug. Any idea what type of threading/size that opening is so that I can go and pick up some fittings to hook this thing up?

 

Thanks for any help. I look forward to getting these couple of bugs worked out and having this thing really get up and move.

[BenKey]

I tapped into the plug also. I want to say it was a -4AN, but don't quote me on that. I called Magna and asked them. From there I was able to get the necessary hardware. Also, I thought I didn't have the schrader valve also, but looking over some old pics, sure enough, I had one. It sat down on the fuel rail where the injectors were, not even really close to the fuel block - which is where I removed the plug and plumbed in my fuel press. sensor. It will work both ways though.

 

As far as the rev up to 2k or so at startup, I think that is pretty much normal. Mine did it and others have posted the same. I will say that it decreases some over time.

 

Did you get the Superchips tune with yours? If you still have the stock PCM and haven't sent it back in, have you by chance tried to load in that tune and see if that happens to fix your power problem? Just a thought.

[wkdivr]

The schrader valve fitting on the fuel rail is -4 an. Make sure you remove the guts with a valve stem core tool, available from bike shops. If you take the whole schrader valve out, it's a 1/8" pipe threads. I ended up removing the whole valve, and threading the sending unit directly into the fuel rail. It make for a cleaner installation, IMO

[.justin.]

As far as the rev up to 2k or so at startup, I think that is pretty much normal.  Mine did it and others have posted the same.  I will say that it decreases some over time.

 

Did you get the Superchips tune with yours?  If you still have the stock PCM and haven't sent it back in, have you by chance tried to load in that tune and see if that happens to fix your power problem?  Just a thought.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I purchased my kit used and went directly with a custom tune from PCMForLess instead of purchasing that superchips one. The 2k Rev is slightly annoying, but definitely tolerable, I'm more concerned with figuring out why I'm not making any extra power at highway speeds.

 

The schrader valve fitting on the fuel rail is -4 an. Make sure you remove the guts with a valve stem core tool, available from bike shops. If you take the whole schrader valve out, it's a 1/8" pipe threads. I ended up removing the whole valve, and threading the sending unit directly into the fuel rail. It make for a cleaner installation, IMO

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thank you, thats exactly what I was looking for. I tested the threads on the sending unit with another nut/bolt combo that I was pretty sure was the same size as the plug that is in my rail right now. I will try to just thread it into the rail, hopefully the coil pack won't be in the way.

As you can see in my picture, I don't have a shrader valve there to remove. Just a plug. Don't really know why.

[wkdivr]

Looks like someone HAD a fuel pressure gauge in there, and lost the original schrader valve that was in there. They just put in a pipe plug. It should be 1/8" pipe thread. Mine does that when started, too. Both the Magnuson tune, and the one I got from Wait4meperformance do the same thing at startup. Just have to get used to it. Edited June 25, 2005 by wkdivr (see edit history)

[.justin.]

Looks like someone HAD a fuel pressure gauge in there, and lost the original schrader valve that was in there. They just put in a pipe plug. It should be 1/8" pipe thread. Mine does that when started, too. Both the Magnuson tune, and the one I got from Wait4meperformance do the same thing at startup. Just have to get used to it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thats what I had though too about someone having one in there. Especially with the crappy thread sealer they had used. I went out about 2 hours ago, pulled off the fuel manifold, re-assembled the FPR assembly, threaded in my autometer sending unit and re-installed everything. Started it up, no leaks :rocking:

Just gotta order a new intercooler (one i have has badly messed up threads, leaks constantly) and hopefully I'll have everything worked out. What plugs and gap are you (and anyone else) running? Thinking of picking up a set of plugs tomorrow one range colder than stock and gapping to 0.035"... good idea?

[BenKey]

NGK TR-6, one range cooler, factory gapped to .035".