1jzgte In RA28, Running lean. Very painful!!!!

[77GZE]

Ok, I have just finished the 1j conversion in my ra28,
Ive been having problems since i got it running, The ecu was fekked when i got it, couldnt drive it it would backfire under load and what not. Changed it to a manual ECU that i got hold of and ever since appears to be running very lean!
Now Specs are

RA28 1jzgte (jza70)
bosch 044 fuel pump (fed from surge tank with lift pump ect..- Heaps of fuel)
3/8 fuel lines from front to back of the car
MA70 radiator
10.5" thermo fan
Aftermarket intercooler
Plugs - BKR6e

Everything else on the motor is stock as a rock,
Bar the restrictive exhaust its running (just to drive it around for now) - 2.25"
Still winds up to 10psi tho.

Now, all the plugs are burning clean as a wistle, and the oxygen sensor is burning crispy clean too, As shown in the pics
I can get the car to pump any smoke at all, and the engine gets a bit warm (i guessing because of the lean-ness)
It sounds very retarded timing when boost is on (unless very cold night) when it sounds alot nicer and pulls harder - goes without saying!
I have tried a mate driving behind me and giving it boot and he reckons not a scerek of smoke comes out the exhaust, even under full boost and gear changes.
Just seems to run out of legs in the top end. I have just about tried everything and im tearing my hair out...Could this be a problem with the ECU?

I had suspicions about the fuel pump, as its not always a constant sound, sounds LOUD sometimes, and quiet others, a bit up and down when the engine is idleing
I have 13v at the pump when the engine is running.
The pump is brand new. Could it be my fuel pressure reg gone bad? Losing pressure??

The cat is not blocked - Checked yesterday
All coil packs are in very good condition - No cracks or issues there
Have tried new MAP sensor - no luck.
The ECU does not throw any lean codes...and thats a bit strange to me as well.

Here are pics

[The Real Roadrunner]

looks normal to me,
i personally run BKR7es-11 gapped down to .8mm as the tips dont run as hot.

have you put a wideband AFR meter in to check it? it may well be lean but unless you are caning it the whole time you drive it plugs aren't a real good indicator.


044s have a tendancy to do that if you mount them level, try setting the outlet of the pump higher, generally having them at about 15+degrees shuts them up abit as they wont cavitate.

cheers
linden

[Mundoolun]

What type of fuel are using? Personally I only use BP Ultimate 98. No additives. Also check that thermostat is not stuck shut. Also check waterpump bearing is not seized or alternator pulley works freely also. Have you checked the water temperature sender is got crap all over it on the inside? Hope this helps. The best way to diagnose it after checking the above would be a dyno run to detirmine AFR. Also buy a AFR guage and wire it up to the oxgen sensor on your dump pipe. Worked for me before. Also the plugs suggested may suit your driving and weather conditions better. The reasons the power falls off in the top end is the dumps on your exhaust need to be 2.5 inches. The rest of the exhuast needs to be three inches after the cat you could go down to 2.5inches for more axel clearance. Combined with a highflow cat you will see atleast 15psi and need a FCD. Watch the power rise.

[oldcorollas]

still running old fuel from before conversion?
can you check the voltage of the stock O2 sensor (easy before putting it on a wideband)

[Toy77]

Hi Mate,

NOT good to hear....

Have you had the injectors cleaned and checked for flow?

Thats the only part of the fuel system you didn't mention.

Good luck with it!

Cheers
Stew

[77GZE]

Hey guys, thanks for the quick replys, i will spend today doing what i can (public holiday nowhere is open) and i willl report back tonight on how i go, i think its a combination of things, It has been 40 degree days here in perth too...probly no the greatest.
Thanks a heap will post again tonight.
Steve