Hi all! My evoX (beaterX - check build/dyno/tuning sections for history) is having problems starting, and I am at my whits end trying to figure out what is wrong.

beaterX setup (extremely simplified):
-built motor, kelford cams, MAP cast manifold, ef3-ish turbo, full exhaust, FMIC, intake, etc. 3.5" intake.
-w450 pump, KB BAP (bypassed for now), FIC1680cc injectors, boomba fuel rail w/ gauge

Facts:
-car sat for a few months in storage, battery was dead. Replaced battery with fleet farm special (for now).
-it starts SOME TIMES. and once its running, it runs great. Idles great, cruises fine, boosts 30+psi no problem, the car rips....until I shut it off.
-sometimes i twill sputter while cranking and then slowly come to life
-most of the time it just cranks cranks cranks and never starts.

Example:

Replaced all related relays under the hood and checked for blown fuses.

Checked all grounds I can think of; I've had grounding problems in the past after motor swap

I've checked for spark, and I got spark. New plugs and a known-good set, both act the same.

I have fuel. I replaced the fuel pump and got the injectors cleaned by FIC. The fuel rail shows 42psi while idling and a little higher while cranking.


I thought the coils may be bad so I swapped in some Prius coils from my evo9 COP kit. After re-wiring them, plugging them in, it fired RIGHT UP and I was sure that was the problem. After testing some old coils and then back on the prius coils, it won't start again. Back on OEM coils now.


Totally stumped. Totally bummed, I want to drive this thing; the setup on it is the bomb. It's got to be something stupid, a bad ground or something, I just don't know.

Thanks in advance guys!

 

seems to be an odd one.. what I can think of is maybe a camshaft/crankshaft sensor, MAF sensor or possibly ECM .. It seems electrical since it only happens at times. You have already check fuel pump/pressure so rule that out.

Also just looking at this again make sure the gas you have in it is good gas since it sat for a bit. You can have good fuel pressure and firing injectors but if the gas is not igniting that will be an issue.

 

If you have fuel and spark and compression, the car should technically run. You obviously have all three because of your excellent diagnostic skills .

A couple of things I would check.

Try priming the fuel pump a few times before starting (turn key from off to on wait a few seconds, then turn it back off, repeat four or five times then try to start)

How full is the fuel tank? Did you try draining the fuel and refilling with fresh fuel?

Was any maintenance done on the vehicle while it was in storage?

Check all connections X3 that were disconnected when battery was replaced.

Did you do any maintenance on vehicle prior to putting it in storage?

Were any modifications recently done?

How are you tuned?