16g lagging, but not lagging?

[Benshooter]

Hi, I seached around for the last 20 minutes, couldn't find anything relevant enough.

I have a 16G turbo(small, ported, external tial wastegate,) and all supporting mods for this... I couldnt find any leaks

When I'm cruising around and slowly bring up the rpm's, it wont even show 5 psi until well over 5k.

If I go WOT from the get go, it hits around 3000 and its about 8-10psi by 4k.

Am I just an idiot and missing the basics of how turbos work on different rpm curves, or is there something else? Could my tubular headers be affecting the velocity of the exhaust gases?

 

[95talongirl]

Do you have the stock exhaust manifold on there? Perhaps its cracked? how's the exhaust manifold gasket?

 

[NycDSM11]

maybe your wastegate is slightly open, cracked manifold, exhaust leak?

 

[JusMX141]

A Small 16G responds instantly to engine load, much like a 14B. If you're having lag issues, there has to be some problem.

I suspect either a wastegate issue or possible exhaust leak. It should be making boost easier in the higher gears as you roll the throttle on as the engine load is greater in a higher gear. Some cars that are running lots of boost don't even reach their maximum boost level in first gear because the engine load is so minimal.

 

[Benshooter]

maybe your wastegate is slightly open, cracked manifold, exhaust leak?

I doubt the wastegate is malfunctioning. I pulled it out and the valve is seating fully and it has the stock tial silver 14.5 psi spring.

I got under the hood and manually revd it while inspecting my exhaust (I took the heat wrapping off to inspect for cracks) and i didn't see, hear, or feel any exhaust leaks.

jusmx141; I think you just answered my question...

No matter what rpm I'm at (well anything over 3k, yadda yadda...) if i gun it, the turbo starts boosting. Which would make sense if the turbo will only boost under load. When I'm cruising around and slowwwly bringing up the rpm, there isn't much of a load, and hence, not much boost...

Am I on the right track?

 

[95redturboawd]

Sort of but it should be at full spool way before 4k.

 

[reardrv]

You should definitely be hitting full spool earlier, and I don't know how hard your pushing the gas but I've seen as much as 20PSI at about 4500 and 3/4 throttle.
I'd check for boost and exhaust leaks.

 

[sketzshane]

I doubt the wastegate is malfunctioning. I pulled it out and the valve is seating fully and it has the stock tial silver 14.5 psi spring.

I got under the hood and manually revd it while inspecting my exhaust (I took the heat wrapping off to inspect for cracks) and i didn't see, hear, or feel any exhaust leaks.

jusmx141; I think you just answered my question...

No matter what rpm I'm at (well anything over 3k, yadda yadda...) if i gun it, the turbo starts boosting. Which would make sense if the turbo will only boost under load. When I'm cruising around and slowwwly bringing up the rpm, there isn't much of a load, and hence, not much boost...

Am I on the right track?

most likely u have a boost leak... check by the intercooler, intake manifold, throttle screw etc....