Turbo not boosting correctly after 14B install

[mattn]

I recently installed the 14B on my car, and it won't go past 4 psi. I brought it to a performance shop yesterday (Lugo's Performance out of Apopka, FL) and they tried to diagnose the problem for about 2 hours. They said there didn't seem to be any boost leak. They checked all the hoses, and said that my turbo install, and the MBC install looked fine. Once they tied some safety string to the wastegate flapper, and took it for a test drive, the boost seemed to come on earlier (about 3.5 - 3.7k RPM, rather than the 4.5 - 5k RPM when I first brought it there.) However, it still will not boost over 4 psi. I'm all out of ideas, and so were they. They told me to try putting washers on the actuator to make the flapper a little tighter, so it wouldnt be open at all. If that didn't work, they suggested I drop the turbo and check the flapper for cracks. When I put the turbo on however, everything appeared to be fine. They even took off the intake and noticed the polishing done to it, and the lack of any excessice shaft play. I'm going to give there suggestions a shot, but in the mean time, do any of you guys have any suggestions for me? Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[splattj]

How did they check for leaks? Did they do a visual inspection or did they pressurize the intake path? If they didn't pressurize it then you might want to. It could be that the wastegate actuator is bad and that the spring is weak and is unable to hold the WG flapper shut. If you end up dropping the turbo off the car you can check to make sure the flapper valve functions properly. Just push the actuator arm and watch the path of the valve. Make sure it isn't getting caught on anything. Good luck.

 

[RipperXX]

I know out of like 5 boost leaks it all visualy looked just fine and dandy but when I pumped her up I found them.

It doesn't sound like they put any pressure at all on the intake. So I would make an intake tester yourself (not hard and it's cheap) and see if you can find a leak.

 

[mattn]

Thanks for the advice. I figured it out. I put some washers on the WG actuator and it tightened up the connection to the flapper, therefore keeping the flapper closed at all times. I'm now boosting nicely at about 15 psi