best manual boost controller?

[WhyteSpyder]

What is the best/cheap manual boost controller that will hold 21+ psi of boost? I currently have the turboxs high performance but the core adjusting screw has gone bad so it's time for a new one (a cheaper one that will do the job).

 

[Violater101]

What is the best/cheap manual boost controller that will hold 21+ psi of boost? I currently have the turboxs high performance but the core adjusting screw has gone bad so it's time for a new one (a cheaper one that will do the job).

I'm not saying its the best, but a friend has an Extreme XBC and he runs around 30psi. It's also abit pricey though.

 

[Royalty]

i'm assuming by your question that you are a n00b. please be careful becasue there are may posts setup to answer your question about an MBC and these guys will get on you fo rnot looking. Trust me

but to answere your question its a toss up between hallman and Joe P. It all comes down to personal preference

 

[rarson]

Joe P. MBC (www.joepmbc.com); it's the best boost controller I've ever used. I like it because it works exactly like it's supposed to and I'm never guessing whether some computer chip is screwing around with the wastegate signal in a vain attempt to better control boost. A lot of the EBC's I've tried have been pretty flaky.

And it seems to provide the same performance as the best EBC's without the price and flashy gimmicks (I bought mine for $45 shipped). Weather doesn't affect mine much at all, but I live in a fairly consistent climate. I set the boost once and forget it. If I want to adjust it, I just adjust it and test. If that's so much of a pain in the ass for you, you can get the optional in car adjustment add-on that still costs less than an EBC (but yes you won't get some of the features of an EBC).

I take it you're not interested in an EBC anyway since you specifically asked about MBC's. But in my opinion, the boost controller's job is to control boost, primarily. Anything else is just extra. And the Joe P. just controls boost on my car better than anything else I've tried.

And no I'm not affiliated with Joe in any way, I just love his boost controller.

 

[kpt4321]

Yup, Joe P and the Hallman are the best two I have seen. However, lots of shops have "their own" MBC that does the exact same thing a the aforementioned two.

Don't waste money on some 150 dollar MBC from Greddy or some crap, that is for sure.

 

[WhyteSpyder]

A thank you goes to you all. I just ordered a Joe P MBC for $45 shipped. Can't wait for it to get here.

 

[Defiant]

The MBC isn't what holds the boost, it's what controls the opening of the wastegate through the wastegate pressure solenoid. The BOV is what holds boost in most setups.

 

[RipperXX]

I use a Joe P, I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it's performance. Would be nice if they used a SS adjustment screw though.

 

[jmakado]

i painted my joe p black. in back to back dyno tests i gained 50hp by just painting it!! j/k anyway, the joe p has always done great on my car and i would recommend it to anyone.

 

[DSMSpyder99]

I have the Hallman ES and i have to say it was the best $50 i have spent on my car so far

 

[sherloc123]

are the turbo smart controllers any good?

 

[Phatty95GSX]

How about the Turbo XS Duel Stage Boost Controllers? are the worth the 100-150? must be kinda nice to run low boost for better gas mileage and better on motor then runnin a set 18-20psi all day long. Let me know as thats what im lookin for atm.

 

[pianoman]

weld the wastgate shut.




j/k $15.00 dollars, home depot mbc.

 

[jmakado]

How about the Turbo XS Duel Stage Boost Controllers? are the worth the 100-150? must be kinda nice to run low boost for better gas mileage and better on motor then runnin a set 18-20psi all day long. Let me know as thats what im lookin for atm.

you really get the same gas mileage no matter what boost you are running. since *most* people don't drive around hitting max boost every shift, it doesn't really matter what you have your boost controller set at. if you have it set at 30psi or 18psi, you probably only hit 4-7psi before you shift when you are cruising. if you are getting max boost every shift then gas mileage is not your top priority. for example: i get the same or better gas mileage with my car now (16g,550's,afc,FMIC, etc., etc.) as i did when my car was stock. the only advantage is that when you go to the track you don't have to open the hood to change boost......which takes all of 20sec.
so IMO, no it's not worth the extra $100 over a joe p or hallman.

 

[BrokenTsi]

i'd have to say joe p is a terrible mbc. Most people who used them like them because its the only one they have ever tried. I've had two, and they have both failed. Sure worked great at first, then all of a sudden it spikes to 25lbs+ and never worked again. My friend ordered one too. Worked fine at first, then he started running like 30lbs for no reason. Had another friend order a joe p, and it wouldn't work as soon he boosted. Joe p isn't anything special, he make the parts at home depot for like 3 bucks and sells it to you for 45 or so. Pull em apart and you'll see how easy they are to make. And you'll also see how easy they are to fail. I'm using a turbosmart boost controller and i love it. I've also used TurboXS and they have worked fine too. Joe p can go to hell!

 

[rarson]

I've never had a problem with my Joe P. I have had problems with other controllers, including electronic controllers. I can't believe someone would pay $80 or more for some brand name version of the same exact thing that Joe's selling for $45 shipped.

Half the people that I've seen having problems with MBC's at all didn't know how to install them correctly.

 

[BrokenTsi]

you get what you pay for. 45 bucks for a ball and spring inside some brass hardware. Yeah, its budget performance witch is always nice when it comes to dsm's. Almost all of us spend way too much money on our cars. But in any case, I would rather pay more for a better product then to risk blowing my investment up in smoke on a cheap part to save 40 bucks or so. I do not trust the home depot ball and spring.

 

[sherloc123]

the home depot ones are the same exact set up as any other mbc and are a hell of alot better then the turbo xs junk

 

[BrokenTsi]

its not the same as my mbc. Mine doesn't have a ball and spring, so its not the same as home depot. Dudes will spend thousands on an engine and tuning devices and whatever bolt ons, but then make a home depot mbc and risk blowing their shit up because you took your eye off your boost gauge.

 

[rarson]

Why, because suddenly the screw breaks due to the intense pressure of 20 psi air? Is the boost controller going to just spontaneously fall apart for no reason? I don't think so. You're right, the TurboXS isn't the same thing, because it wasn't as consistent as a Joe P (I've tried the TurboXS). And as far as making my own goes, I couldn't find the right combination of spring and length so I decided to just go ahead and trust Joe and the years he's put into making the boost controllers.

You can go ahead and use whatever MBC you want. But the question was "What is the best MBC?" and obviously the answers will be subjective. It's my opinion that the Joe P. is the best for the money.

 

[BrokenTsi]

you're right. The question is "What is the best MBC." You said, joe p is the best for the money. So.....joe p is not the best mbc. Its good for the price. But is it? Its made up of parts that you can get at the hardware store for about 85 cents. But go ahead and pay 50times that much because we are all looking for a way to save money with our cars. I could make a joe p replica and you would never know the difference. The ball and spring does fail. It wears out. And if it does, you will build unlimited boost levels and blow up your engine.

 

[sherloc123]

they do work fine if you build them right. mines lasted for years

 

[pianoman]

my home depot has worked fine for over 2 years i've been boosting 15-20 psi. the only time it bothers me is when the weather changes cause you gotta go out and screw around with it, which i believe is the case for all mbc, which is why im getting a greddy profec b spec II