John Larkin
Sublime Master of Turbology
- Joined
- May 25, 2001
As would be par for the course, I went to the Nats and experienced mechanical problems.
First, my PowerMaster brake switch went bad intermittently. I borrowed one to get home on (big kudos to BlackCar for having a spare one) and will now convert to vacuum altogether. Just tired of the money pit. My question is: Can I tap the back of the upper plenum for a vacuum signal? I really don't want to use a TTA vacuum block because I just don't like the way it looks with the hose coming over the side of the engine. Several people at the Nats felt I could do the plenum thing but I'd like an opinion from someone who may have already done this or something similar. I also got a comment that I wouldn't be able to hold as much boost on the starting line with vacuum. Any comments there as well?
Second, on the way down the TC didn't lockup. I was running 2350 rpms in 4th gear. On the way home, I was running 2100 rpms in fourth gear. This is at the same speeds of around 72mph. The car never got hot, fluid never smelled burnt, had plenty of power, cruise control worked and would release with a touch of the brake pedal, etc. It just didn't lockup. Freaky but true. Matter of fact, on the way home, I tried touching the brakes on the highway and the rpms didn't jump up the traditional 200 or so like you normally would see on the tach. Surely this wasn't related to the PM brake switch, since after I changed to the good one I came home and experienced the lower rpms on the highway (and that's all I changed)? I suppose I should consult gnttype wiring diagram and test the TCC wiring. I didn't force a lockup on the way down by jumpering the ALDL because I didn't want to potentially goof up.
First, my PowerMaster brake switch went bad intermittently. I borrowed one to get home on (big kudos to BlackCar for having a spare one) and will now convert to vacuum altogether. Just tired of the money pit. My question is: Can I tap the back of the upper plenum for a vacuum signal? I really don't want to use a TTA vacuum block because I just don't like the way it looks with the hose coming over the side of the engine. Several people at the Nats felt I could do the plenum thing but I'd like an opinion from someone who may have already done this or something similar. I also got a comment that I wouldn't be able to hold as much boost on the starting line with vacuum. Any comments there as well?
Second, on the way down the TC didn't lockup. I was running 2350 rpms in 4th gear. On the way home, I was running 2100 rpms in fourth gear. This is at the same speeds of around 72mph. The car never got hot, fluid never smelled burnt, had plenty of power, cruise control worked and would release with a touch of the brake pedal, etc. It just didn't lockup. Freaky but true. Matter of fact, on the way home, I tried touching the brakes on the highway and the rpms didn't jump up the traditional 200 or so like you normally would see on the tach. Surely this wasn't related to the PM brake switch, since after I changed to the good one I came home and experienced the lower rpms on the highway (and that's all I changed)? I suppose I should consult gnttype wiring diagram and test the TCC wiring. I didn't force a lockup on the way down by jumpering the ALDL because I didn't want to potentially goof up.
