binx811 said:
Thanks for all the info!:thumb: Thats why i love the whole evo comunity:dsm: I'll keep you guys posted, this weekend i will be installing the boost gauge and i will also take a look at the plugs and make sure they are gapped at 28. how do i know if the plugs are fouled? what should i look for? as for the bov, when i got the car it didnt have the stock one, the guy had a blitz bov leaking massivly. i have the hks and i picked up the recirculating kit, so i will do that this weekend too. Also, if the boost is over 19 how do i lower it? do i have to buy some kind of tool for this or will reg home tools work? Wish me luck!!!!
Hmm, wow, sorry that I didn't see this right away. We could have nipped this in the bud a long time ago. There were a couple of misleading things early on, but I think you are on the right track now. This is what you should have done, and I highly doubt this is a spark plug issue unless you just aren't explaining the situation properly. I can't tell if you are stumbling/stuttering at 5500rpm after a high rpm shift, if you are stuttering at 3500rpm in the next gear after a shift at 5500rpm, or if you are just having trouble when accelerating around 5500rpm. All of these scenarios indicate different problems, so it would help if you are more specific about what is happening and when it is happening.
1) Get rid of the HKS SSQV now and forever, no matter what. Sell the SSQV, then use your stocker until later when you will need a stronger one if you do certain mods.
2) No, the stock, plastic BOV on 03-05s is NOT good up to 24psi. In fact, it has been tested (by me and others) and shown to leak as early as 13psi. It is only "ok" for stock boost levels, which is where you are now.
3) You really, really, REALLY need to study up on your Evo. The fact that you're asking if there is some kind of tool (reg home tools????

WTF ) to adjust boost just really scares me. Having a car like this, you should definitely understand the basics, such as the fact that almost all of us use Manual Boost Controllers ($85 "tool" for adjusting boost) while some use fancy Electronic Boost Controllers. You need to take the money from the sale of your SSQV and get an MBC - I prefer the Forge UNOS.
4) Holy cow, yes you need to get that boost gauge installed asap. It is the single most important "mod" you can ever do on your Evo. Once it's installed, you will see what your boost is. It SHOULD be stock still, which is ~19psi peak and ~16psi by 6500rpm - it is designed to taper down naturally, but an MBC will remove that taper while also allowing you to raise it to the proper boost levels and gain power all over the place.
5) Do NOT try to re-gap your stock plugs if they are the Iridiums (BPR7EIX). They should be gapped fine, but it's always possible that they have fouled or been damaged during installation. If they are already NGK BPR7ES, then check the gap and put it at .026, not .028. If not, then purchase some copper NGK BPR7ES at Advanced Auto (or Autozone), then gap them to .025-.026 and have them ready. Your actual issue should go away with the installation of the stock BOV, but if it doesn't for some reason, then try the new plugs. Do not try to regap your current plugs unless they are already aftermarket copper plugs.