Disconnecting the line from the wastegate actuator

[Generation X]

OK here's the deal guys.... about 9 months ago I purchased an internally gated FP Green turbo from Forced Performance. But... I've been having some spooling and boost problems with it and it's about to drive me crazy.

One of the first things that I tried for diagnosis was to do a boost leak test. I found one leak at the throttlebody shaft so I replaced the seals with some good ones from MACH V for $20 shipped. After that I tested it again to 20 + psi and it would take about 4 to 5 minutes for it to finally bleed off, so I felt good about that.

So, I went on to seafoam my car to see if I had any pre turbo exhausts leaks, in which I found one around the exhaust manifold gasket. I ended up purchaseing a new exhaust manifold gasket, a new SS 7cm exhaust manifold to turbo gasket, and to add to that I purchased a Evo III exhaust manifold. After all that I'm still having spooling problems and boosting problems go figure.

Then while I was at it, I proceeded to run a line from my boost source which is on my lower IC pipe straight to the wastegate actuator. It would spool perfectly fine up to 14psi which is what the actuator spring tension is set to. Then I went on to disconnect the line from the wastegate actuator and it would "only" go to 20psi. Now I was under the assumption that when you disconnect the line from the wastegate actuator all together that you would have uncontrollable boost, but mine only goes to 20psi and that's it!! WTF

I'm at a loss right now, but I was just trying to get some ideas from any of you guys before my warranty runs out on this turbo. I've tried everything including a compression test but still no luck. Do any of you guys think that I might just have a faulty wastegate actuator, bad flapper or something? Thanks for any ideas or help!!

 

[boostnhard]

If its boosting perfectly from your IC pipe, why dont you just install a MBC to add more boost if its thats what you want. im assuming you have supporting mods for 20+ psi!

 

[Generation X]

If its boosting perfectly from your IC pipe, why dont you just install a MBC to add more boost if its thats what you want. im assuming you have supporting mods for 20+ psi!

I do have a Hallman ES MBC and the most I can run is about 23psi with the MBC screwed all the way down and the adjustable rod on the wategate actuator shortened as far as it will go.

Plus I'm getting that 20 to 23psi at a miserably slow spooling 5000 to 5500 rpm. I've also checked for shaft play on the turbo and it has the same amount as it did when I got it. Just a hair side to side and no in out play at all. The turbo only has about 500 miles on it.

I'm also using FP's very own recommended SS oil feed line as well as FP's oil return line. I just don't understand why, that when I disconnect the line to the wastegate actuator that my boost doesn't shoot up like it's suppose to. I've always read that you should have uncontrollable boost as in rising quickly. I ran there Big28 for several years and never had an issue. Mods are in profile if needed, and that goes for anyone. Thanks!!

 

[boostnhard]

maybe a pre turbo leak????? you might want to check that!

 

[talontsi101]

maybe so much pressure your wastegate is popping open

 

[Generation X]

maybe a pre turbo leak????? you might want to check that!

Well I put a new 4 layer exhaust manifold gasket on, along with a brand and new SS 7cm manifold to turbo gasket, and a new Evo III exhaust manifold. I used to run a RRE 2g ported exhaust manifold, and I really can't tell that much of a difference.

 

[Generation X]

maybe so much pressure your wastegate is popping open

That's what I'm leaning torwards, but since I only have up until September for my warranty I'm thinking I'm just going to have FP check out the whole turbo. It runs awesome once it hits 20psi by an agonizing 5000 to 5200 rpm. But... I just can't seem to get it to run more than 23psi with my boost controller, or with removing the line from the wastegate. Slow spool and trying to run higher boost is my problem, so that's why I'm thinking wastegate actuator. But on the other hand when I run a line from my boost source straight to the wastegate actuator it spools to 14psi by 4000 rpm perfectly which is what the wastegate actuator tension is rated at per Forced Performance.