Car will not boost past 20psi

[Big Bald]

I have tried everything under the sun. There are ZERO boost leaks. No matter what the boost controller is set at, it pegs 20psi on the gauge and sits there. DSMLink log shows me the same thing. Even when I run off the wastegate, the car pegs 20psi and will not move. Anyone with any ideas or suggestions? I am starting to think its the turbo itself....weird.


Click here for my mod list.

 

[DSMSpyder99]

well i dont know what kind of turbo you have (yes i looked on the mod list) but the problem might be the spring in the Tial Wastegate might be to soft.

http://www.extremepsi.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=16469&cat=446&page=1

 

[TargeT]

the 1g (un modified) gives out around 20psi, does TAIL have any simmilar issues?

how high do you pressureize your system when you say you have " no boost leaks" is that 5 psi. 10psi? 30psi?
how long does the system stay charged (pressurized for) when you do a boost leak test.. its very very hard to have ~no~ boost leaks (even minor ones) but it can be acomplished with effort

what is your spring set up? 1.5bar? seems like your could try some new springs at least.

 

[Big Bald]

1.5 Bar is what i have the gate setup for. The wastegate is brand new basically, as are most of the parts on the car. There is only 550 miles on most everything since the complete rebuild. The Wastegate is barely opening at 20psi with the setup as it is now.

The Turbo is sold by Victory Performance as a VP700CDB. It's made by innovative turbo. ITs a 75lb/min compressor wheel stuffed into a E Cover. The turbo housing is a .82a/r Garrett 4 bolt.

As far as boost leaks go, I never really check the boost gauge when testing the system. What I do is hook up the compressor for about 30-45 seconds to see if i can hear any leaks. I repeat this about 5-6 times. I have a little air tank i brought from SEars that i fill up with about 100psi of air.

If the Wastegate spring were indeed to soft, would not the gate blow open and I should hear it at all times?

 

[Dream On]

Some leaks you can't just hear. I'd look at the gauge, and put soapy water all over everything, so if there's a leak, you'll see the bubbbles.

 

[CanadianTSi]

Either the Boost controller isn't working or is Installed incorrectly.

 

[Big Bald]

Either the Boost controller isn't working or is Installed incorrectly.

I did mention that it does this w/o the Boost Controller installed....meaning completely removed from the car.

 

[CanadianTSi]

I did mention that it does this w/o the Boost Controller installed....meaning completely removed from the car.

Exactly, that means when the Boost Controller IS installed its doing nothing.

 

[Big Bald]

I just did another Boost Leak test with a compressor from the Gas Station. When I did this test, the boost would only hit 8psi very slowly and then struggle from there. The pressure would also realease very quickly so i know its going somewhere. I replaced the stock Brake Booster line during my rebuild so I am going to start there and see if that will result in anything.

 

[CanadianTSi]

If you have a leak that bad you should easily be able to hear the air hissing out.

Get a spray bottle with some soapy water and spray it on all your connections...watch for all the pretty bubbles

 

[AL92]

You have a lot of mods there guy!
I assume your battery is in the trunk..any pics of it..I am trying to decide it put one in trunk or get small one for engine compartment since big one wont' fit there anymore.

Yeah pretty much sounds like it has to be a boost leak .My gate is set for 1bar but my car isn't quite running yet a few more days. That spring setting is minimum boost and think my 1bar or around 15 is supposed to let me hit 22 or maybe 24 and then need the big spring which think you said you alreayd have.Big spring combo I mean!

you are right if the gate is not dumping at 20 then you are losing it in boost leak most likely.
There are many places for it to leak..intake manifold gasket,vacuum line,tb shaft seals,tb gaskets,intercooler connections.I would also say maybe had a problem at exh man to turbo that can happen also. Check torque on the turbo to exhaust man those loosen up a lot of the time.

Should be real quick car when you sort it out,imagine it goes good now at even 20psi.

Also how do you find your cop? Can you get it up there pretty good in rpm.I heard they cam misfire if you don't gap down to .026 or so. Unless you run msd or aem igntion amplifier.
I have a lot of very similar mods if you check my list.Was planning on cop.

Here is pic of my engine.

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Be following this thread with great interest to see if you figure out your problem.

 

[FlumpDSM]

If you have a leak that bad you should easily be able to hear the air hissing out.

Get a spray bottle with some soapy water and spray it on all your connections...watch for all the pretty bubbles

You won't necessarily hear the air hissing out. Way back in the day I had a boost leak coming out of the BOV flange that made no noise, but it was like a damn hurricane coming out of there. It was a BIG boost leak. Funny, come to think of it...the main symptom of this boost leak was that my Big 16G could only hole 12psi to redline. Interesting

I do agree with the soapy water. It always helps.

 

[Newlogics]

If it pressurizes to 8psi and then struggles, you mosat likely have a hole in a coupler or a loose clamp. All the little boost leaks that 'hiss' are enough to creat boost spikes and other nasty little headaches, but they will not limit the boost. For that, you gotta have a big one. 90% of times, that big one is ripped coupler, loose clamp.

 

[Big Bald]

Took apart the wastegate an seen that I destroyed the Diapragm when I installed the .6 bar spring with the 1.0 spring. I am assuming this is the cause of most of my issues. Going to order a new diaphragm and see if this solves my problems.

Also going to block off the wastegate as suggested and see if the car itself will make more then 20psi. I am pretty sure it will but I want to be completely sure.

I actually assembled my COP from a parts list on the AEM boards. It cost me roughly $200 in the end. The car runs great at 20psi on pump gas. However, I want 25psi...... This was a detailed and long rebuild process. I am now in the stages of working out the bugs. My battery is in the trunk of the car....just need to install a cut off switch. I am hoping to start hitting the track in July once these bugs are worked out.

 

[IMSmotorsports]

damn man that car has come a long way. i remember when we were at pruven what three years back for dyno day and you were talking bout doing all that stuff when the car looked ready for the junk yard. im very impressed. hey if u need any help fixing it let me know ill gladly help u out. plus i want to see the newly remodeled beast. Good job.