Topic: Twincharged Solstice = Turbocharger + Supercharger

[Steelmesh]

Where am I, it's all a blur, might repeat myself.  More entropy nipping me and my fleet of cars if it's not this it's that, getting rockauto'd with my questionable brand selections.  My HP tuners MPVI Pro took a dump, won't communicate with the PC.  All of my licenses are gone forever HPT cannot do anything but tell me to buy the new one and do the hands thing  , planning to see if the dang AI can help me figure out what to replace like the USB controller.  I didn't upgrade because they were all marketing Bluetooth as the main new feature of the MPVI 2, my (mis)understanding was they were flashing over Bluetooth which is extremely stupid and irresponsible, so I said No Way Jose I'm not stupid.  Turns out I kinda was stupid since they use a USB cable for flashing with all the new BT capable MPVI's is my understanding now.  I'm kinda butt hurt by HPT, and there are no comparable alternatives out there, EFI live is limited to GM basically, and they don't even support LNF tuning.  Started looking at the KESS3 and Titanium, so expensive but so cool. https://www.alientech-tools.com/kess3/

Leaky turbo cleaned up and reassembled and reinstalled. Replaced the VVT solenoid on the intake side, intermittently stops working, suspect it was messing with me at the autocross races.  -1 point for standalone ECUs, lack of DTCs.  Got an electric smog pump sucking from the crankcase now.  I got the car running again, dialed in the VVT PIDs in no time, where I kept messing with it thinking the ECU was struggling to PID; however was that bad solenoid. 

It was not smoking out the exhaust or dripping like before.  That 40psi turbo pressure reg was dropped during manufacture, dented the flare so it was leaking oil,  I am confident it was during manufacture because the damage was hard anodized!

Also added 3 pressure transducers (0-5v): engine out/turbo in backpressure, crankcase pressure, coolant pressure and bring that in through my Analog-to-CANbus box. 

[Sly Bob]

Really looking great Steelmesh despite the issues. Running out of popcorn...   
 
I hadn't thought of anyone cutting a rib off a belt but for a custom build I can see where it'd be common. Interesting ways to do it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3A-gpSGDQg

[Steelmesh]

Really looking great Steelmesh despite the issues. Running out of popcorn...   
 
I hadn't thought of anyone cutting a rib off a belt but for a custom build I can see where it'd be common. Interesting ways to do it.

Thanks Bob, that is a cleaner method I reckon.  Maybe this tool would be advantageous: https://www.amazon.com/NICAPA-Ergonomic-Crafting-Quilting-Replacement/dp/B07VYXZ758

[Steelmesh]

Spring 2026, the plan is to do whatever needs to be done to autocross the Solstice to dial in the Twincharger system.  I learned a lot taking it to autocross last season, learned it needs some more work.

In other news: Wanted a backup commuter car. Found a sound deal to me on a 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe 2.0 Performance trim with 100k miles. Rear wheel drive with an auto fit my budget.  Love these GM turbos, should take to a tune well, have a water methanol injection system to install before that step.

[Critterman]

Those Cady's are a sweet ride

[Steelmesh]

Those Cady's are a sweet ride

I have yet to put it to the test since I got it (parked through most of winter here), like testing the transmission and checking the rear differential for stress factors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXdZpYyqjPw

It is because my arm has been in a sling, that day driving out to the ski hill I broke out the ATS just in time to break my body later that day while snowboarding on a boardercross race course they setup, I'm an idiot.