Full Boost, No Power

[sk8er629]

Ok I searched the forums and couldnt find anything on this but maybe I'm bad at finding things. Anyways I have a 99 GST and everytime I hit WOT, boost will hit 16 psi which is what i have my BC set to. It'll hold there maybe drop to like 15 or so in the higher gears, but the problem being the car feels like it is an all motor car. I feel no boost at all and I can't figure out why. I thought it could be a boost leak, but then wouldn't I not be building any boost at all. It's got me totally stumped and is really starting to annoy me. I was gonna boost leak test it this weekend, but I honestly dont expect to find much. Anyone else have any ideas on what it could be? Mods list is in the profile if anyone needs it. Forgot to mention, I can still here the turbo fine and the BOV still releases and everything you just dont feel any power.

 

[CanadianTSi]

I was gonna boost leak test it this weekend, but I honestly dont expect to find much.

Expect to be surprised...

 

[crunchymilk]

most likely knock that is reducing your timing. Driving our cars without timing advance makes them feel slow as balls. You'll have to use a datalogger to find out what's going on, man.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

boost leaks
phantom knock

 

[HIGHPSI4]

Dead Knock Sensor.

 

[No_Skillz]

You know I did a boost leak test for the first time the other day for the hell of it. Car felt strong, I didn't expect to find anything. I built a whole 2 psi with a 5 gal tank @ 75 psi.

 

[sk8er629]

When I first hit WOT it feels like its gonna go, but as soon as boost starts to build it feels like it falls on its face and feels as fast as my Esi Talon. So I guess I can just boost leak it pray that thats what it is and if not look at timing being pulled from knock. I'll post the results of the boost leak test when I'm done. Also just so I'm clear on this, it is possible for me to have a boost leak, but it still be reading 15-16 psi on my boost gauge. In other words a boost leak wouldn't cause my gauge just to read zero, because that's what made me think it wasn't a boost leak at first.

 

[daren_p]

Sure you can have a boost leak & still read 15-16 psi, depending on the size. The turbo will try to overcome this boost leak, which pushes it harder & could possibly make the turbo work outside its effiency range. This creates a hotter intake charge, producing less power & will knock alot easier, which will pull timing. Not to metion will defently shorten the life of the turbo. Add to this boost leaks will also creat a rich condition, producing less power. When you add all these up the car can be much slower with boost leaks.

 

[FlumpDSM]

This sounds exactly like a boost leak. I often wonder how many problems that are posted on this board could be solved with a boost leak test. Do a test and then post after you've fixed the leak(s).