Gizzmo Electronic Boost Controller anyone?

[v8s_are_slow]

I'm sick of MBC's and about to get an EBC. Had been planning on a Greddy Profec-b for the longest time now but saw a few reviews here lately about people having issues so started looking around. Found this one and it looks really nice but does anyone have one/heard of anyone that uses one? My MBC sucks (TurboXS) and as soon as I put it on it spikes to 23-25 psi when I'm only trying to set it at 17. Anyway, here's the one I'm looking at. Don't care about the price. Just want it to be easy to set and reliable.

EXTREME PSI : Your #1 Source for In Stock Performance Parts - Gizzmo Electronics Multi Scramble Boost Controller (MS-IBC): 3.5 Bar

 

[the_mork]

Wow, that is a lot for boost control. Personally I would avoid a standalone boost controller like that and instead switch to an evo8 ecu or donate some money to Ceddy as encouragement to finish up boost control on the 98/99 ecus. That way all that you have to buy is a 3port GM BCS for about $40 and wire it in where the stock BCS is. It will look stock and outperform the standalone boost controllers.

The evo8 ecu boost control currently has gear and rpm dependent boost control so you can run different boost in each gear and vary it through the RPM range to maintain traction while you just keep your foot down, or run higher boost at lower engine speeds to maintain higher under the curve horsepower numbers if you're fuel limited.

Ceddy has mention that he has done some work on the boost control for the H8 ecus and is making progress, if you can wait for him to be done then your total investment for far superior boost control will be $220 for a tactrix cable and BCS and you'll get an amazingly powerful tuning system with it as well.

 

[v8s_are_slow]

Well, I have ecmlink and a 95 ecu so to go and get another ecu would be a total waste of money I've already spent.

 

[daren_p]

I've never used the Gizzmo, but I do run the Apexi AVC-R, which looks to be in the same price range & would recommend it 100%, especially for a fwd (why I bought it origionally when my car was fwd). Lots of guys say their very complicated to use but this really isn't the case, you just need to take abit of time to learn it. I found the manual isn't that great but there's lots of good tuning guides if you google search it that I found described operation much better. The best part about this controller is you can have a different boost level for each gear & its automatic, no having to puch a button etc to select different boost levels.

 

[the_mork]

I made an assumption based on your profile, it might be time to update that. I don't know why ecmlink doesn't do boost control yet.

 

[97ebaygst]

Well, I have ecmlink and a 95 ecu so to go and get another ecu would be a total waste of money I've already spent.

but you could just sell what you have now and still come out with more money. I mean i got my ecu for a steal at $107+shipping and I just gotta buy the cable(trying to save the money) which is only $169 you could sell your ecmlink and still have money left over, plus you don't spend the money for the ebc either

 

[v8s_are_slow]

guess I'll try and update it later. But I have ecmlink lite and didn't cost much and has tons of features for the price. I like it and would rather keep it versus getting rid of it for something I'm not familiar with and may not even like. They're working on boost control I think but sure it might be awhile.

I thought about the avc-r but I like simplicity, there's not really any mounting positions that I could mount it to make it looks like it belongs there. Planned to cut a hole in the console in front of the shifter to make it sit flush. It reminds me of a profec but I guess with more features? On my droid right now so can't remember all the features. Have to look again when I get home. Appreciate all the replies though. Trying to decide before Thursday.

 

[EVO_THREE]

I have an MS-IBC

Hard to setup correctly and it will always 'shoot' for the peak boost made, regardless of gain settings.. If it's cold and it spikes 1psi it will ALWAYS try to maintain the higher boost level achieved.

That said, holds 25psi to redline nicely on a 68hta 17psi internal gate..


eBoost Street if I were to do it again.

 

[poorboyracing]

I have the gizzmo ms-ibc. I also had the dsmlink with it. I had the a manual boost control and i had a problem holding boost without it creeping on me at the dyno. So i got the gizzmo . It hold rock solid at 37lbs and 40lbs without a problem. Netting me 599hp. I had it setup for 25lb low boost and 37 high boost on the street. It has alot of features that i have'nt got the chance to try as yet. But its a good ebc. Thanks oj

 

[rstchris]

I like the idea of gear based boost on the avcr, that makes it universal incase you sold it a fwd guy would want it too. You can always hide the ebc in the center console like me.

 

[las_vegaslazer]

I have used the AEM tru-boost and realy liked it! It held boost great, doubled as a boost gauge and is fairly cheap. My vote is for the tru-boost

 

[v8s_are_slow]

Thanks for the feedback. Think I'm just gonna get the water/air intercooler setup on Thursday and worry about boost control when I know when/if it'll be released on ecmlink. If I do have to go with one, I may just get the AVC-R and throw it in the glove box or console. Is there a manual for the AVC-R online somewhere at all?

I don't want AEM cause for one, I already have a boost gauge. And being that it's a digital gauge, I wonder if you'd be able to see boost spike very well, if at all anyway.

 

[LandoAWD]

Why not snag a cheap Hallman? I've never had an issue with one, while the TurboBlechS offerings seem to be hit or miss at best.

You could likely Ebay that to some ricer and cover the Hallman cost...

 

[v8s_are_slow]

Because I'm tired of having to pop the hood and do a bunch of pulls just to get it where I want it. I'm building this car up and want everything to be nice. I'd rather have the comfort of all the boost and tuning from the driver's seat. Not to mention being able to have a low/high boost setting or have boost determined by what gear I'm in. There's only so much you can do with a manual. I've used them for years and I'm just waaaay tired of them. I know they're cheap, but I'm not trying to cut any corners either.

 

[LandoAWD]

My Hallman adjusts from the driver's seat.

I was trying to present an interim solution to using the TXS stuff.

 

[jjrock5]

Im not trying to diss you but using a MBC is not cutting corners. If anything its preventing you from a luxury of in seat boost control but like lando said, they also offer the in-cabon MBC.

 

[v8s_are_slow]

Yes, but how many different boost settings can you get? And aside from the more expensive mbc's that have dual stages, how many of them can you just press a button and go from low/high boost? Turboxs sells them. Anyone else? I have a Turboxs single stage that just sucks a big nut. It likes to spike pretty bad. Worst mbc I've ever used, and don't care to get another Turboxs mbc. Even with the quad stage, you're paying close to what you'd pay for an EBC and you still have to supply your own wiring and switching mechanisms. If I've gotta pay that much for a dual stage controller, I don't see why anyone would choose an mbc over an ebc. Anyone care to elaborate?

If anything its preventing you from a luxury of in seat boost control

That's exactly my point. Lol.

 

[LandoAWD]

I was going to break out the "Poor Man's Profec" link, but I can't find a working page anymore.

 

[daren_p]

I believe the manual that comes with the AVC-R is on Apexi's site (was last time I looked) but after reading that, like I mentioned, its best to just google search AVC-R tuning, etc as you'll get better/more detailed info. Though the included factory manual is a good read as it will get you basic operational info.

You can put the display in the glove box as once its set, you don't need to have it out, since everythings automatic but I leave mine out because I like checking the saved max boost level that was hit during a run. I have mine mounted on the underside of the dash just above my right leg/knee. There's not alot of space but I never manage to hit it. I don't like things out in "full display", so this works for me.

 

[v8s_are_slow]

I was going to break out the "Poor Man's Profec" link, but I can't find a working page anymore.

You must be talking about using to stock solenoids and wire them up to a toggle switch inside the care for a dual stage boost controller. Been there, done that. Lol. It did work pretty good though when I did it. But don't care to do it again. Kind of a pain to make really.

I leave mine out because I like checking the saved max boost level that was hit during a run.

Well, I have peak recall on my boost gauge (I LOVE LOVE LOVE this feature and will never get another boost gauge again unless it has peak recall) so that wouldn't be a feature I need but nice to know it's there at least I suppose

 

[LandoAWD]

You must be talking about using to stock solenoids and wire them up to a toggle switch inside the care for a dual stage boost controller. Been there, done that. Lol. It did work pretty good though when I did it. But don't care to do it again. Kind of a pain to make really.

That's the one. My car's old owner had a toggle in the coin holder that I assume was for this purpose since much of the interior was swapped from a clean Laser he had.

 

[rstchris]

+1 for avcr and i'm a blitz user.