Where did my boost go?

[alik]

Like, all of a sudden I just noticed that my stock setup cuts out at 3 psi, add opposed to the usual 12.
Literally, the car won't go any faster than 55 in 5th and all I hear is the fuel cut off switch.
Sorry to sound like an utter newb, but I'm stomped.

 

[Kibby]

Check for boost leaks.

 

[prove_it]

+1 Start there. It will be a big leak, very noticeable. Is there any change in how the car sounds while driving like that?

A stock set-up will probably have some leaks around the throttle body seals and injector seals, but that is usally only a pound or two loss. Also, I once had the clip that holds the waste gate arm to the actuator rust out a break. The actuator arm fell off and it ran exactly as you just described. You can check that real quick too.

 

[alik]

No noticeable boost leak. Yet, under pressure (driving conditions) it seems like the cutoff is at 3 psi. I'm stumped.
Gonna bring the car tomorrow to a bud with GVR4. He's a mechanic. Hopefully he can figure something out.

 

[transparentdsm]

i had this happen to me a few times, intercooler coupler popped off and then sat right back on it. everything looked together.

 

[alik]

That sounds like it might be it.
I did pull the front bumper off (it's warped badly), and in the process yanked the intercooler piping. Time to recheck those clamps.

 

[holeshotmoe]

My car is doing the exact same thing right now. Takes about a mile of very light throttle to get up to speed on the highway. If I mash it, it breaks down real bad. This has happened to me a couple times in the past and it turned out to be boost leaks. And what/where is this fuel cut switch you are hearing click on/off? Good luck and let us know whatever you find.

 

[Kibby]

Also make sure your maf didnt fall apart. I had similar symptoms when I installed hard piping on my egsx. Gave it a few full throttle runs then it crapped out. Gimped it to work and the guy I bought it from said the honeycomb crumbled.

 

[holeshotmoe]

Found this split weld today in my IC

 

[MRmeeTooxD]

Couplers, turbo to manifold gasket, throttle body gaskets. I went through all of those symptoms lol.