colin: the screw holding the diaphragm in the external gate is missing. suspected that it was loose and dropped into the exhaust side fins while spooling hence damaging them. so without the diaphragm working properly and damaged fins, boost wasnt being generated and it was runing very rich and misfired a lot. i think thats what transpired.
nick & colin: yep those aftermarket babies are indeed tempting. but i have to factor into consideration that its my daily driver and my power target has always been 300hp at the wheels. furthermore, the s15bb is considered as a good upgrade for most 180 owners. can pull decent power with the right supporting mods and boost level. so with a new turbo comes ecu and injectors. im currently sourcing for a pfc and if that goes well, it would blend well with my 3.5" exhaust, fmic, skyline fuel pump. and while my car is in the garage, im gettin hoses converted to silicones, servicing my coilovers, and maybe plonk in a koyo rad, boost controller and do my 5 lug conversion, new brake rotors and new rims too.
wahahahahah just by thinking abt this makes my blood boil....and im supposed to be working!
p.s. know anyone selling pfc for redtop sr?