Cant Built Max Boost

[1gentalonfan]

First off im starting to doubt that i know what stock boost pressure is, i thought it was 12, but for some reason my car only builds 9 and it pegs right at it and stays steady from about 3k to like 6.5k, its the stock 14b, my question is what would cause it to do this, also my car starts to smoke a little at like 5.5k and above but it smells like its running rich not oil. i just bought the car and need some help getting it running smooth before i mod it. thanks

 

[turbolover10]

Boost leak maybe??

 

[1gentalonfan]

i thought so because when i bought it there was a ghetto patch covering a hole that there was in the upper ic that the battery terminal chafed into it, but i replaced that (which for some reason was like silicone radiator hose?) i replaced it with the stock piping i got from a friend, there is still one piece of the silicone on though from the ic to the BOV flange, he hastn found that piece yet for me, but i thought boost leak but if it was wouldnt it be an unsteady amount all the time?

 

[bpestilence]

My car does the same thing because my OEM boost control solenoid is broken and I bypassed it. I have to either get an aftermarket boost controller or find another OEM one if I hope to get stock boost output again.

 

[1gentalonfan]

well i can try that im pretty sure my friend has one laying around ill just get it from him.

 

[turboglenn]

The stock ECU has the capability to pull boost back to 9 if it hears knock... 9 psi is the stock wastegate spring rate, and then it has a small solenoid to increase it up to 12 as long as everything is going smoothly. It would be my guess that as long as the wastegate lines are all hooked up to their stock locations, that the ECU is pulling boost back to eliminate knock... it is probably pulling timing as well... for a first gen car the TMO logger is a great tool to understand what's going on with your car

 

[1gentalonfan]

what would cause knock because i run only premium gas either 91 or 93. would it be from needing a tune-up real bad?

 

[turboglenn]

weak fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, carbon build up, loose tolerances in the engine making noises that hte knock sensor is picking up as knock...there's ton's of things that can cause real knock or a false knock reading... clogged/dirty stock injectors, timing set up advanced too far and so on.

that's whya logger is so important, knwoing what's going on in your engine is more important than adding parts or increasing performance on your engine..personally i put stand alones on everything i own or build unless the customer requests different.... stock ECU's are designed to keep the motor alive even if it sacrifices power....that's how they can offer a warranty on your car. there's almost oo much to list.. i'm off for tonight..lots to do tomorrow..i'll be back on then