PA Ultra- New Owner

[aye_b]

I didn't see myself getting a buick, Ive always been a Bonneville person. Ive actually been at the bonneville forums for a long time, but now Im here. My buick did come with some problems though. Ive did a full tune up and did not notice any restored power and those spark plugs were old and over used. It looked like they came with the car. The middle coil pack had like rust powder or some type of dirt on the electrode post, i never seen anything like it.

It drives ok but seems sluggish. I hope this is due to the damaged boot on the cv shaft, as theres grease everywhere. I have a new cardone cv shaft and dloaded a vid to replace but I still need some tips on replacing it as to removing the tie rod end, other parts, and things Ill need so i dont have to run back and forth to the auto store.

I also have the torque app and checked to see if everything is running fine, but dont know what the actual readings for the sensors should be. Also Im trying to figure how to check kr, ive added torque scan but it still doesnt pick up, none of the extra pids work.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks

 

[bigsky]

I think you are probably right, a well running PAU should "feel" like one; this car should not be sluggish. How many miles are on the car? It would be good to replace those lower intake manifold gaskets with the improved metal-framed ones (GM has a version but I believe the Fel-Pro ones are preferred).

The manual does call for premium gas for optimal power, though it will run "OK" with regular 87 octane. Some people have access to 93 octane, but I run the 91 with no ethanol if possible.

Replacing the supercharger oil is another maintenance item. The upper SC pulley should probably also be replaced, along with the SC belt.

Many people have done lots of mods with this engine. Check out the forum at the rivperformance site if you really want to get into it. Once you start modding, monitoring KR is important. Some use the Aeroforce Interceptor. BTW...the people at the Riv site will recommend replacing ALL the plastic pulleys (if you have any), except for the debate on that upper SC one.

 

[aye_b]

111K miles. I plan on changing the LIM but not at the moment. Im not ready to tackle that job. Starting to think the sluggish feel couldnt come from the cv shaft, it has to be something else. What are the maf readings suppose to read?

 

[84ZZ4]

I've got some scans from my Ultra, I can post up some MAF values this evening.

If you're used to non-supercharged 3800, it does tend to feel slightly more sluggish from a dead stop at anything below about half throttle. Keep in mind the L67 is lower compression, and factory these engines run a low part throttle timing map. Really, the L67 should run way more timing with no boost than it does, without increasing the timing under boost at all. If you look around, you find a 2001 and 2005 comparison for a Pontiac Grand Prix.

 

[bigsky]

If you're used to non-supercharged 3800, it does tend to feel slightly more sluggish from a dead stop at anything below about half throttle.

Good point...I would agree with this. Sometimes I will notice a slight hesitation as well.

 

[aye_b]

Ok got it, thanks in advance for those maf readings. Im dying to get the 3" dp and 3.4 pully, but have to sort these minor problems out first.

 

[84ZZ4]

Here's some MAF readings. Lower number is when the engine was untuned; higher number is the most recent tune (which does modify the MAF table).

For mods I've got a gutted airbox (with an additional hole cut in the bottom), K&N, ZZP headers, aftermarket cat, 3" resonator, dual 2 1/2" mufflers. Stock pulley and blower.