Boost Controller Question

[stevieraywolf]

Alright, I got a tough cookie for all of you. I just bought my gs-t slightly (and very poorly) modded. The guy modded it like a rich teenager, and as such, it has a 16G turbo, and absolutely no boost sensor or boost gauge. So, to be on the safe side, I have the boost controller engaged. Now, from what I've heard, it stops ALL boost at 7psi. Now, I need to know if this holds true for my aftermarket turbo or not.

And a quick question, if I order a boost gauge, it should have all the sensors I need with it, right?

 

[tkelly27]

Boost controllers are used to raise boost. Just take it out until you get a gauge. Hook the wastegate can up to a boost source and you'll be at or a little below stock boost which is around 9-12psi. Yes, this is the same with a 16G.

If you're worried you might be overboosting, use the stock gauge as a last resort.

A boost gauge is a mechanical gauge, it doesn't come with a sensor. The boost pressure causes the gauge to move. All you need to do is run the line.

 

[snowborder714]

A boost controller actually does what the name says - controls boost (whether that be raise or lower). Does the car have a manual or electronic boost controller? As for the way it controls boost, it is the same for any turbo you hook up.

If you order a mechanical boost gauge, you should have to hook up 3 things. A power wire for the light, a ground wire, and a vacuum hose (probably clear nylon tube). Tee the vacuum hose into the fuel pressure regulator vacuum line and not into the blow off valve vacuum line (which should have NOTHING teed into it).

 

[turboAWDfanatic]

A boost controller actually does what the name says - controls boost (whether that be raise or lower).

I think what tkelly27 meant is that you cannot use a boost controller to lower the boost below the minimum psi needed to actuate the wastegate...which is around 9psi. The BEST way to ensure lowest boost is to connect one line from the boost source (compressor outlet pipe on a stock 14b or 16g) directly to the wastegate, with no boost controller or BCS between them.

...or, I guess you could just disconnect the waste gate actuator if you wanted LOOWWW boost!

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

um yea this is how i blew my head gasket, your boost will go all crazy and shit. do not do this method. search and you will find the correct way to install a boost controller and boost gauge

+1

If you're not sure what boost you're running at and you have the stock BCS (Boost Control Solonoid), then hook up your wastegate and turbo up to that for the time being. That will give you stock boost pressure. Remember though, (I'm ONLY mentioning this for the techie guys) that your 16g will be flowing more air at say 11 psi then the stock T25 would at 11 psi. DON'T WORRY... YOU SHOULD STILL BE OKAY WITH THE 16G IF YOU'RE HOOKED UP TO THE OEM BCS.

If you don't have the stock BCS (then you're probably throwing a CEL) find out what kind of MBC you have (ball & spring, etc.) and turn your boost down as much as possible.

Then, get yourself that mechanical boost gauge.

 

[turbosax2]

um yea this is how i blew my head gasket, your boost will go all crazy and shit. do not do this method. search and you will find the correct way to install a boost controller and boost gauge

Ok, I'm not following you here. How did your boost "go all crazy and shit" if you had a line going to the wastegate from a boost source? This will just make the wastegate open as early as possible and is essentially the same thing as having a mbc hooked up and turned all the way down.

 

[romeen]

I think what tkelly27 meant is that you cannot use a boost controller to lower the boost below the minimum psi needed to actuate the wastegate...which is around 9psi. The BEST way to ensure lowest boost is to connect one line from the boost source (compressor outlet pipe on a stock 14b or 16g) directly to the wastegate, with no boost controller or BCS between them.

 

[stevieraywolf]

Cool, thanks guys. I've done a lot of drivetrain work, but Forced Induction is a little out of my expertise, so I'll be honest, I have no idea what you guys are talking about, (Hell, I just found out an hour ago that I have a FMIC, if that changes things, please tell me) but I'll figure it out. It's just air, how hard could it be.... (Those just might be my famous last words....)

Almost forgot to ask, the BCS would be right next to the FPS, right...?

To clear this up, that's one of the wires right under the driver side wiper, I hope....

And there's no electronic control on the boost controller, so I'm assuming manual, I think I've found my blow-off valve and it looks recirculated, (sounds like it, too. No pshhhhh....) but I'm not sure on that one. (It has what looks like a vacuum line running in to the fuel pump, if that's what it is.) And I have absolutely no idea where to find my wastegate. I didn't install it, so I probably woudn't recognize it if I saw it.

I'll get some pictures up as soon as I can.

 

[snowborder714]

Almost forgot to ask, the BCS would be right next to the FPS, right...?

To clear this up, that's one of the wires right under the driver side wiper, I hope....

No. The BCS is down near the MAS and the intake pipe/filter.

Look at this link - virtual tour of a dsm engine - quadrant q3

The BCS sits right near the bend in the blue pipe and to the left of the "stop" sign on the filter cover.

Here is that link for a 1G (full engine bay) - it'll come in handy a lot - Virtual Tour of the DSM Engine Bay - 1G Visual Index

 

[stevieraywolf]

You're my hero, I love you.