Tweaking the ALDA...wish me luck...
 

After some research and time, I've strapped on a pair of balls to try and tweak the ALDA myself. Although I still have 3 questions:

What is the set point for the alda? Is it set all the way CW or in between or more towards CCW?

Can you get these shims at Home Depot or something? I prefer to do this than to mess up the screw.

Should I be EXTRA EXTRA careful with the locknut and screw? AKA being extremely delicately turning it CCW?

I'd be careful with the screw, but I don't see why anyone would need to be so rough with it that it would break. I just took the lock nut completely off and then adjusted it.

Be aware though- I don't know if others had this problem, but when I was re-tightening the locknut, it turned the screw along with it. In other words, I turned the screw CCW to enrich, but then when tightening it got turned back CW.

So, I think mine is turned out about 1/2 to 3/4 turn. It made a difference, but nothing huge. I might try a bit more; my car was pretty quick before I messed around with it though, so I don't know how much of a difference it will make.

just remove it.

got any pics of this process? i've read as much as i could find with the search function but i'd feel more comfortable with some before, during, and after shots of this process.

Thats not a good idea unless you have a pyrometer and boost gauge installed in eye-movement view.

It's an adjustment, there is no base setpoint.

Give it 1-1/2turns CCW and see what you've got. Be careful to not force it, if it's already at the limit of adjustment you will need to shim or replace it. Also check the diaphragm for leaks with your faithful mityvac.

removing the alda
 

I have been wanting to the same thing. I have a boost and pyro gauges. I would like to find the steps to do it.

Thanx

Ian

Two 27mm wrenches, remove it like a bolt, plug the boost line.

The size of the wrenches is depending on which pump.........which vehicle?

The 603 uses one 27mm wrench on the bottom of the ALDA and one 24mm wrench on the nut.

UPDATE: I must say that I'm a big time newb and I did this pretty easily. I tweaked the [what was once virgin til now] ALDA 1.5 turns CCW. There were 2 things I was expecting and I'll say that I got 1 and 1/2.

1). It got faster (Big surprise) It's not as quick as the gasser, but a step closer to one. My head felt strange when I took it out for a drive and floored it.

2). It didn't smoke so much (I was kind of expecting a lot of smoke to be pouring out like a sooty truck). I press on the pedal for 1 second and it makes some smoke vs before the TWEAKING I didn't have much smoke at all.

I personally want to adjust it even more! But I don't want to force the screw or even stretch it to the limit so I'm leaving it at 1.5 CCW. I'm not sure about the shim thing either so I'll have to get back to that sometime later....for the meantime, the car is that I don't have to floor it to get up to speed with cars passing me.

Next on my DIY is the fan clutch upgrade so I hope fellow members can give me some tips. I saw the DIY on the R&R of the fan clutch so I'm refering to that. I'm still lost on the locking tool mechanism and the 8mm Hex socket.

I also have a purge that I'd like to do today and an oil change at 185k.

My understanding, you adjust UNTIL you get smoke, then take back some until the smoke goes away. Meaning, if you're seeing smoke now, you are probably at the end of the worthwhile adjustment.

I question the flexibility got the ALDA diaphragms, wondering if they stiffen with age. I recommend shimming over removal. 20mm crush washer from a banjo bolt i had laying around worked like champ.

I yanked mine, but I'm running a custom setup with proper gauges...

Are you talking about smoke at idle or smoke while flooring it?

Flooring it. I don't have any abnormal smoke at idle and my ALDA is gone.