Josh McClain's personal blog

AdWords Ads Now Free?

nospam@example.com (Josh McClain) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 09:50:02 -0700

A new breakthrough secret is all you now need in order to get your Google AdWords pay-per-clicks FREE!

A gentleman from New York discovered what he calls an "oversight" on the part of 99.9% of all marketers that allows him to get otherwise paid-for advertising at Google as well as all other search engines that allow sponsored ads.
Continue reading "AdWords Ads Now Free?"

Selling the Celica All-Trac Turbo ST165

nospam@example.com (Josh McClain) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 19:07:47 -0600

I've decided I don't have the time to put into getting the Celica put back together. So up for sale she goes, either as a big project for someone, or it will be parted out.

Here is the for sale ad: CLICK HERE

Tacoma Noise Persists

nospam@example.com (Josh McClain) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:22:00 -0600

I guess I didn’t mention that the whining noise coming from the Tacoma never went away with changing the snout bearings. Upon closer inspection, and more careful listening, I suspected it was actually the supercharger belt tensioner pulley.

So I took the belt off the supercharger yesterday, and gave the tensioner pulley a spin by hand. Oh! Even at that small rpm it made an awful noise – bad bearings! Doh! I’m an idiot – I really should have checked this before ever getting into the sc snout bearings.

So a replacement pulley was ordered, along with a belt, and some long-needed starter contacts.

Tacoma Love

nospam@example.com (Josh McClain) — Sun, 27 May 2007 14:22:00 -0600

This weekend the Tacoma finally felt some lovin’.

She had her supercharger snout bearings replaced, spark plugs replaced, and a new override brain installed.

Ok, I’ll stop calling it “her”.

For quite a while now … ok months … there’s been this awful, howling noise coming from the engine bay, and it is directly related to RPM. I rev up, its pitch goes up; down, down. So after some listening up close, I decided this 174,000-mile engine needed some help. (Remember, I bought this truck at just over 105,000 miles, and the Gen I supercharger was already in place. For all I know, it had been on there since day 1; the dealer who sold it to me didn’t know.)

So I ordered a bearing kit, with a new seal, and supercharger oil. I replaced it all, made a dumb mistake that will require me to replace the outer snout seal [again], and put it all together. It runs great and slightly quieter, but the noise is still there. I’m now suspecting the supercharger tensioner pulley is to blame. It’s so hard to tell exactly where the sound is coming from, but I’ll check with the various 5VZFE communities (Tacoma, 4Runner, T100), and see what they’ve experienced.

Since I had a free day today, I decided to also wire in the MAP ECU2, from http://www.mapecu.co.nz as well.

Other than the hot sun beating down on me while I made the connections to the oem ECU harness, everything was pretty painless. I soldered every joint, and heat shrinked where possible.

I have it wired and set for learning mode at the moment, so I can build a decent base map. I have an Innovate LM-1 wired for wideband AF logging (verified working) on O2 input primary, and will use the O2B circuit (MAF input, analog #1 output) for O2 correction. Once I’m done with Learning mode, I can put O2B input on the MAF input.

Once my 3-pin external MAP connector arrives, I’ll switch to an external MAP sensor (hopefully, this one I have from a 7mgte), and use the internal MAP sensor for baro adjustment. The IAT sensor I tapped into the stock intake tube, just pre-TB. It’s connected to the 2-pin connector hanging off the 16-way connector at the ECU2. I’ll be doing IAT correction.

I’ve verified I can adjust timing. I can’t wait to start tuning!

It wouldn’t start with the jumpers in the default positions, so I switched the drive jumper to HIGH, and she started right up.

Ooh, the Tacoma is Getting Excited

nospam@example.com (Josh McClain) — Wed, 16 May 2007 14:21:00 -0600

I finally managed to source a used injector resister pack from a MkIII Supra Turbo to use the Supra 440/430cc injectors in my Tacoma. See, the Tacoma ECU’s injector drivers expect high impedance (resistance); for that matter, so does the Supra’s. So how does one use low impedance injectors, you ask? Use a resister pack!

And here she is. The seller even left the MAP sensor attached.

Happy Turbo!

nospam@example.com (Josh McClain) — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 14:21:00 -0600

And now I present a freshly rebuilt Gen 1 CT26 turbo (single entry), complete with a mild T04E/46 compressor upgrade, a 7M-GTE turbine housing swap, brand new seals, and full balancing.

See where the compressor housing inlet was bored out and slightly ported for the T04E/46 compressor wheel?

And here is the turbine housing from the Supra 7M-GTE CT26.

It is has a larger A/R than the original Celica 3S-GTE Gen 1 CT26, and will, therefore, allow a greater CFM relative to back-pressure than the stock housing. This may hurt low-rpm spoolup, but that can be offset with an unrestricted turbo-back exhaust upgrade.

I love clean parts

nospam@example.com (Josh McClain) — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 14:20:00 -0600

I love clean parts, and so does my st165!

Yesterday, FedEx brought me a new manifold from Toyota. I really appreciate the lack of cracks.

Here’s the old manifold outlet—see the crack?

Then today, UPS delivered the injectors, all cleaned and flow-tested by RC Engineering.

Prior to the test, at 43 psi:

- 1 : 436 cc/min
- 2 : 429 cc/min
- 3 : 411 cc/min
- 4 : 428 cc/min

After the test, at 43 psi:

- 1 : 441 cc/min
- 2 : 440 cc/min
- 3 : 439 cc/min
- 4 : 440 cc/min

That will work just fine, and the two highest-flowing injectors will feed cylinders #2 and #3.

Supercharger rebuild

nospam@example.com (Josh McClain) — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 14:19:00 -0600

My Tacoma’s supercharger has been howling for a while now, which indicates bad nose bearings. I was anticipating spending $200+ (up to around $750 if more than the nose bearings were bad), plus shipping two ways, to get my 1st gen TRD supercharger rebuilt for the Tacoma. And then there would have been the downtime of my truck, too.

Then, thanks to the forums at Custom Tacos, I discovered an Ebay seller with the rebuild kit I needed for under $100! Woohoo! So now I can do the rebuild without pulling the supercharger off the truck—though I may anyway just to clean things up.

Update – April 9, 2006…

The rebuild kit arrived yesterday.

Coated Injectors

nospam@example.com (Josh McClain) — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:19:00 -0600

Can you say, grease and dirt?

I pulled enough off the engine today to remove the injectors. The gaskets were crispy and the cushions like hard candy—not so cushiony anymore. Anyway, I’m certain the injectors have been in there since day 1 in 1988, so they’re being sent to RC for a good chemical scrub and flow test.

I really meant to snap some pics of the injectors before I packed them for shipment, but here’s a nice picture of the fuel rail.

Shorewall Setup on a Gentoo Slice

nospam@example.com (Josh McClain) — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:16:00 -0600

So you have a Gentoo slice at Slicehost.com, and you want a host-based firewall? Go for shorewall, which makes configuring iptables a breeze.

I’m not gonna get into the specifics, because I’m way too lazy, but this should get you started.

1) emerge sys-kernel/xen-sources so iptables doesn’t freak out. You’ll have to edit package.keywords

2) Slicehost is nice enough to show us our kernel build options at /proc/config.gz. So copy that file to /usr/src/linux, then gunzip it. We’re not going to actually compile the kernel; emerging iptables simply needs to see the kernel build options.

3) emerge iptables

4) emerge shorewall

5) rc-update add shorewall default

6) Here are my various shorewall settings:

# egrep -v "^#|^$" shorewall.conf
STARTUP_ENABLED=Yes
LOGFILE=/var/log/messages
LOGFORMAT="Shorewall:%s:%s:"
LOGTAGONLY=No
LOGRATE=
LOGBURST=
LOGALLNEW=
BLACKLIST_LOGLEVEL=
MACLIST_LOG_LEVEL=info
TCP_FLAGS_LOG_LEVEL=info
RFC1918_LOG_LEVEL=info
SMURF_LOG_LEVEL=info
LOG_MARTIANS=No
IPTABLES=
PATH=/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/local/sbin
SHOREWALL_SHELL=/bin/sh
SUBSYSLOCK=/var/lock/subsys/shorewall
MODULESDIR=
CONFIG_PATH=/etc/shorewall:/usr/share/shorewall
RESTOREFILE=
IPSECFILE=zones
FW=
IP_FORWARDING=Off
ADD_IP_ALIASES=Yes
ADD_SNAT_ALIASES=No
RETAIN_ALIASES=No
TC_ENABLED=Internal
CLEAR_TC=Yes
MARK_IN_FORWARD_CHAIN=No
CLAMPMSS=No
ROUTE_FILTER=No
DETECT_DNAT_IPADDRS=No
MUTEX_TIMEOUT=60
ADMINISABSENTMINDED=No
BLACKLISTNEWONLY=Yes
DELAYBLACKLISTLOAD=No
MODULE_SUFFIX=
DISABLE_IPV6=Yes
BRIDGING=No
DYNAMIC_ZONES=No
PKTTYPE=Yes
RFC1918_STRICT=No
MACLIST_TABLE=filter
MACLIST_TTL=
SAVE_IPSETS=No
MAPOLDACTIONS=No
FASTACCEPT=No
BLACKLIST_DISPOSITION=DROP
MACLIST_DISPOSITION=REJECT
TCP_FLAGS_DISPOSITION=DROP

# tail -3 interfaces
#ZONE INTERFACE BROADCAST OPTIONS
net eth0 tcpflags,nosmurfs,norfc1918,blacklist
#LAST LINE -- ADD YOUR ENTRIES BEFORE THIS ONE -- DO NOT REMOVE

# tail -5 zones
#ZONE TYPE OPTIONS IN OUT
# OPTIONS OPTIONS
fw firewall
net ipv4
#LAST LINE - ADD YOUR ENTRIES ABOVE THIS ONE - DO NOT REMOVE

# tail -6 policy
#SOURCE DEST POLICY LOG LIMIT:BURST
# LEVEL
$FW net REJECT info # YES, I'm paranoid
net all DROP info
all all REJECT info
#LAST LINE -- DO NOT REMOVE

# tail -3 routestopped
#INTERFACE HOST(S) OPTIONS
eth0 # so I can get in from my remote host when I stop shorewall
#LAST LINE -- ADD YOUR ENTRIES BEFORE THIS ONE -- DO NOT REMOVE

# tail -40 rules
#ACTION SOURCE DEST PROTO DEST SOURCE ORIGINAL RATE USER/
# PORT PORT(S) DEST LIMIT GROUP
#SECTION ESTABLISHED
#SECTION RELATED
SECTION NEW

# INBOUND
Ping/ACCEPT net: $FW # ping from for nagios
ACCEPT net: $FW tcp 22 # ssh from for nagios and remote access
ACCEPT net $FW tcp 80 # http
ACCEPT net $FW tcp 443 # https

# OUTBOUND -- because I know exactly what my server should be connecting to, and I'll REJECT and log otherwise per policy
DNS/ACCEPT $FW net:63.76.232.182 # dns to slicehost
DNS/ACCEPT $FW net:63.99.9.195 # dns to slicehost

SMTP/ACCEPT $FW net: # smtp to
SMTP/ACCEPT $FW net: # smtp to

Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:209.59.138.21 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:209.221.142.124 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:209.189.242.21 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:208.209.50.18 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:206.75.218.53 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:198.7.230.249 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:156.56.247.193 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:150.135.81.231 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:141.219.155.230 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:134.153.48.2 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:132.207.4.160 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:129.110.111.9 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:128.61.111.9 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:128.213.5.35 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:128.104.70.17 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:216.194.64.133 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:216.176.132.235 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org
Rsync/ACCEPT $FW net:216.165.129.134 # rsync for portage to rsync.namerica.gentoo.org

ACCEPT $FW net:141.218.143.14 tcp 80 # http for portage to prometheus.cs.wmich.edu
#LAST LINE -- ADD YOUR ENTRIES BEFORE THIS ONE -- DO NOT REMOVE

A little update

nospam@example.com (Josh McClain) — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:16:00 -0600

So I contacted the turbo rebuilder today, and confirmed that progress is under way. They’ll be getting a shipment of T04E/46 wheels in within a couple of days, and then they can get started on the rebuild.

I am still looking for a used manifold without cracks. Here are pics of the current, cracked manifold:

I may just have to buy one new.

And here is an entire engine picture:

More news to come!

New brain for a taco

nospam@example.com (Josh McClain) — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 14:15:00 -0600

Well, here it is. Mister FedEx just arrived with a package. I better heat up the soldering iron!

It feels very solid, yet light. I can’t wait to dive into this!

Oh, and Luis at Paradise Racing threw in a free shift knob, too – what a guy!

Mods are about to begin

nospam@example.com (Josh McClain) — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:12:00 -0600

Many of you probably know of the fuel/timing issues with the TRD supercharger kits, especially for the 3.4L 5VZFE. Well, this is the setup in my 97 Tacoma 4wd 5spd.

In the winter, it’s pretty easy to drive around all the load/rpm sites that ping, clearly indicating a timing advance problem in addition to the known under-fueling issues. But with the onset of Spring and upcoming Summer – which I’m not eager to drive it ever so cautiously this year – ping happens everywhere. So it’s time to fix it once and for all.

Stock injectors are 238cc/min! And TRD [USA] decided no upgrade was necessary for a supercharger (Eaton M62) putting out 8 psi. Additionally, there’s no pump upgrade, timing mods nothing. So here’s the plan:

- 440cc injectors from a 7MGTE, which is why I’m in search of a used resistor pack. The 5VZFE ecu expects high Z.

- Walbro 190 lph. I’m only going for maybe 350hp. Maybe the 255 will be needed who knows.

- MAP ECU2 piggyback. I really couldn’t justify an SMC or SM4 for this truck, even with my dealer discount. So we’ll give this ECU2 a go the JZA80 guys seem to be in love with it here in the USA. Also, due to my crazy altitude changes on even short (30 minute) trips, I’m using an external MAP sensor to watch MAP, and will let the internal MAP sensor monitor baro. This ecu also has an O2 sensor override function, which will let me trick the ecu into open loop at will.

- Exhaust – undecided at this point. Probably a test-pipe and catback for now.

- The stock MAF will go to the shelf, since this is a speed-density system.

- There’s no intercooler in this setup, unlike the Lightning’s w/a sandwich system. So I may modify the intake to accept water injection maybe direct port.

After all this is done, I should be able to get away with a 12 psi pulley. Should be a nice DD.

Cracked Turbine Housing on the ST165

nospam@example.com (Josh McClain) — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:11:00 -0600

It was clearly leaking oil anyway, and had a wee bit of shaft play. So off to the rebuilder it was shipped!

It will get a Supra 7MGTE turbine housing, allowing a lot more top-end flow than the stock housing, at the expense of a small amount of lost low-rpm spool-up. Of course, a wide-open exhaust compensates for this dramatically.

The cold/compressor side will be upgraded to a T04E wheel, with either a 46 or 50 trim. The jury is still out on this one, though I only have one day to decide. I’m leaning toward a 46 trim, since this car will not be mine, and will be sold to someone mostly likely not to put the mods into it to support the increased capabilities of the 50 trim. On a basically stock engine, with upgraded exhaust and some tuning which is all most people will ever do the 46 trim makes more sense. See how I convinced myself? 46 trim it is.

Back to the wide-open exhaust. I’ll probably throw a quality Aussie Exhaust 3” downpipe on this car as added incentive to the buyer. This mod alone really helps spool-up, and considering the 7MGTE turbine housing which will be used, this will be essential. If fact, the new owner of this car will REALLY want to upgrade the entire exhaust to a 3” system to realize the full potential of this turbo setup.