Sorry it’s been so long. A little update on what’s been going on with me and my toys since my last post.

We’ll start with me. I graduated from Virginia Tech on May 15th. I was happy my parents got to see me walk across the stage and get my diploma. Also, the following Monday I was accepted into graduate school at VT for a Master’s of Information Technology. Anyone that knows me will confirm that I’m a huge IT geek so this degree definitely should help me in my career goals. It also made my parents extremely happy – haha.

After graduating, I continued my job search and moved to Pittsburgh with my mom. It was great being in Pittsburgh for the summer with my friends and family. I had a few interviews, but no job offers. As my lease ended in Blacksburg, I had to make a decision of what to do with my stuff there. I decided to take up my buddy’s offer for a room and moved to Hampton Roads, VA. Unfortunately, I should have thought this through more since I’m not having much luck finding a job here either. So, we’ll see what happens. I’m still looking in Pittsburgh and DC.

As for my toys and specifically the tC; it’s not turbo anymore. I needed the cash to finance my summer. I miss boost a ton and hope to have it again soon, but I don’t know what will happen. Some new additions have begun though, including an HKS exhaust, Progress springs, and new fogs and grilles. New tires are needed at some point as well, so that means I should get new wheels, right?!

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Well today I got the kit running properly. I had some issues with the AEM tune but got that sorted out as of this afternoon. I still want to check for boost leaks this weekend and also have to install the boost controller. I’ll only add a pound or so, but the 8.7psi spring is feeling good! I say this is a modified TT Simple Kit because I added the recirc’d wastegate dump (Thanks Eli!), switched up the cold side IC piping (Thanks Eric!), and used a larger T3/T04E with a millimeter to spare instead of the smaller T3/T04B turbo.

It’s fun again! We’ll see if I need to go to PTuning next week or not…

*Modified* Turbo Toyotas Simple Kit

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New part came in the mail today. ‘Twas a black Hallman ES Boost Controller. This thing is solid and is definitely one of the best manual boost controllers available. I had one of a previous setup and it held 10psi consistently in every gear up to redline. I’ll be dialing this in around 11 or 12psi for now.

Hallman *ES* MBC in Anodized Black

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So the past week has been really relaxing. I got a ton done to the car. Turbo kit is on, tune is scheduled, and exhaust is adjusted and added a high-flow cat (hey, PA still requires emissions). I was hoping my previous tune for the Dezod kit would work out well, but it’s running super rich so off to PTuning I go next Friday. I’m planning on having Toan (PTuning’s tuner) to go as far as he can go on my 550cc injectors. Hopefully that means around 11-12psi and something like 265-270whp. The extra 20-some ponies will be worth the cash for my 2nd tune. Maybe in mid to late summer I’ll upgrade my fuel system and shoot for the 300’s. We’ll see….

Updates and pics to come soon. Maybe a video or two of some turbo action, too!

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