New Boost Controller

[ssshonky]

I know there are lots and lots of threads about the turbotech boost controllers.. so I wont go into that side of things ( as you can read the reviews and make up your own mind )

But what I DID want to say is that I reckon its made a hell of a difference.

I installed the loaner boost guage ( thanks Jerome ) and basically got a feel of that boost it ran thru the rev range. I then followed the how-to for installing the manual boost controller ( I removed the restrictor pipe as well ) - not sure if removing the restrictor pipe made any difference... but it definately didnt hurt anything.

and the verdict?

I reckon the car builds boost faster and definately feels more responsive. I honestly cant tell you how many rpm earlier it gets on boost but the SOTP Dyno tells me there is an improvement.

so yeah.. for the $29 for the turbotech boost controller and maybe 1/2 a days work - I would definately ( strongly even ! ) suggest that Stagea owners give it a try. I was pleased with the results!

[stasis]

im using factory boost controller and holding at 1 bar which is = 14psi

[exitSTAGEAright]

I've got the turbotech boost controller as well. The tuners at Unique Autosports aren't fans of them, but you can't argue with the dyno graph and it holds 10psi all day

definitely allows quicker boost response and hold thoughout the entire rev range.

VERY tricky to adjust though, a small turn equals 2-3psi so be careful !!

[pixel8r]

1/2 a day's work? you mean 10-20 mins work (maybe longer if you're trying to reach a certain boost level - having to stop and adjust it manually in small increments until you're happy).

Anyway, I have one of these and I too think they are awesome! I previously had a JRD sport one from ebay which is apparently the same type of controller. But when i put the turbotech one on it felt heaps more responsive and seemed to build boost noticeably faster.

The JRD one couldn't hold the boost in the upper rev range (losing as much as 3psi by the redline) whereas the turbotech holds boost very constant.

I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a cheap but reliable boost controller.

[ssshonky]

yeah.. but what would be interesting to see is:

how well the factory controler ( solenoid I think ) holds boost

what RPM does it start to build full boost.

you might find that the turbotech one comes on harder and faster than factory

that is certainly my take on it. thats what my ass-dyno tells me.

and I dont know if removing that restrictor did anything either..

im using factory boost controller and holding at 1 bar which is = 14psi

[ssshonky]

well took me a bit longer cause I wanted to " baseline " what boost the stagea was already running ( as it was 100% stock we didnt have a boost guage in there , so yeah just seeing what PSI on what revs etc!

I got it down to under a minute to get out of the car - pop the bonnet - adjust controller

close bonnet and get back in car. Needless to say I had to do it a few times

1/2 a day's work? you mean 10-20 mins work (maybe longer if you're trying to reach a certain boost level - having to stop and adjust it manually in small increments until you're happy).

Anyway, I have one of these and I too think they are awesome! I previously had a JRD sport one from ebay which is apparently the same type of controller. But when i put the turbotech one on it felt heaps more responsive and seemed to build boost noticeably faster.

The JRD one couldn't hold the boost in the upper rev range (losing as much as 3psi by the redline) whereas the turbotech holds boost very constant.

I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a cheap but reliable boost controller.

[stasis]

yeah.. but what would be interesting to see is:

how well the factory controler ( solenoid I think ) holds boost

what RPM does it start to build full boost.

you might find that the turbotech one comes on harder and faster than factory

that is certainly my take on it. thats what my ass-dyno tells me.

and I dont know if removing that restrictor did anything either..

Answers to your questions:

1. Its hold boost perfectly.

[ssshonky]

umm .. doenst actually show boost pressure on that graph

I mean you can get an IDEA thru the power curve - but cant really see if boost is dropping off

I mean I an not doubting what your telling me .. and all this is really subjective you know?

I mean I got no proof that it spools quicker. Just my perception

Answers to your questions:

1. Its hold boost perfectly.

[webng]

Same here, after doing the solenoid mod, i whacked one of this babies on and WHOA... very nice indeed. Definitely builds boost a lot quicker, and holds it very nicely at 10psi.

One thing i had to do after a few of adjustments and realised that my boost wasn't going anywhere, sometimes the ball bearing gets stuck and you need to undo the whole thing and drop it back in. Just don't lose it!

edit: Very easy to "hide" under the sock box too.

Edited October 9, 2007 by webng

[ssshonky]

if you ever loose your ball ( note I didnt say BALLS ! ) I got a spare one kicking around somewhere,.

yeah had this boost T in my pulsar ( solid engine mounts so rattled like a mofo ) and yea the nut that secures the big arse alan bolt was loose and the whole lot just rattled apart!

so its important to really get that nut nice and tight

Same here, after doing the solenoid mod, i whacked one of this babies on and WHOA... very nice indeed. Definitely builds boost a lot quicker, and holds it very nicely at 10psi.

One thing i had to do after a few of adjustments and realised that my boost wasn't going anywhere, sometimes the ball bearing gets stuck and you need to undo the whole thing and drop it back in. Just don't lose it!

edit: Very easy to "hide" under the sock box too.

[wolverine]

Answers to your questions:

1. Its hold boost perfectly.

fairly aggressive afr's

it should be nice and responsive but is there any discernible knock?

we found the turbotech a handful once you wound the boost over 14psi, tiny changes to the screw position brought large changes to boost. it was borderline dangerous at higher levels in our case.

under this level it wasn't an issue and great value at the price.

Edited October 9, 2007 by wolverine

[R338OY]

Yeh had the turbotech for about 6 weeks now. I was astonished at the difference, esp. mid-range boost. It's like Nissan blocked 75% of the turbo's power with the stock solenoid, and the tee just unleashes it all.

At 11psi and 6000rpm the RB25 just howls like a mofo. It's excellent for the price.

I'd recommend it to anyone as a first mod.

[stasis]

actually i didt bring this up before.

When i got the rig tuned. I brought all the parts to Ben. Parts includes Power Fc, boost Apexi boost cpntroller to match the Power Fcadjustable cams. I dropped it off and Guess what. Ben gave me back the boost controller and said that he didnt need the boost controller. he said at the power im tuning for factory boost controller is fine. It will hold boost. An i thought he was joking.

After i got the car the turbos start boosting at about 2250 and full boost at about 4500rpm from memory.

No pinging. And now im running on Boost 98 for my fiel. And Ben said that he prefers to use mobil 98, Bp Ultimate and Boost 98.

So... i freaking wasted about A$400 for nothing. Cos my boost controller is sitting in my office collecting dust at the moment!!

[BAMR33]

What do mean by 'factory boost controller at 1 bar', the factory ones aren't adjustable. Did they do some tricky electrical mod to the solenoid to increase the duty cycle?

[wolverine]

i imagine it will be the stock wastegate actuator controlling boost.

[unique1]

yudy has a rb26 remember so things are different compared to the 25 soleniod etc. Also i agree that those AFR's are right on the limit and i would never risk running 12.5:1 on a daily basis without constant checks of the tune. 11.8-12.0:1 is the leanest i would personally go for a safety margin if u get a bad batch of fuel etc.

just my 2c worth (i know racepace are great but i would of told them to richen it up abit more for safety)

[gt86wa]

I installed one of these to my stagea the other week as well

Brings the car alive, however i find my self running around 8psi now as it stutters at around 4-5k rpm if i have it any higher, hopefully once i get the safc2 in and tuned it will be sorted

[stasis]

the rig is running rich. how i know?! i swapped my rear muffler to a kakimoto. And a couple of tanks later the exit pipe was black already. So i guess the car is running rich. And i ran with boost 98 with that 2 tanks.

I filled up with bp 95 the other day cos i ran out of fuel and they only sell 95 octane in the country side. I took it easy on the gas pedal and it ran dine. Im guessing that the engine was running rich which i dont really want. Cos thats wasting fuel and by running rich you actually lose power.

ohh i almost forgot my rig is an RB26 and yes Ben tweaked the boost controller. From memory thats the maximum that the factory boost controller can do. But yea if i want more pwoer im gonna to have to install the Apexi boost controller.

[ssshonky]

you sure thats not coilpacks breaking down ?

before you go to the expense of getting a SAFC - try gapping the plugs down a bit

that might help the spark stay put under boost.

I installed one of these to my stagea the other week as well

Brings the car alive, however i find my self running around 8psi now as it stutters at around 4-5k rpm if i have it any higher, hopefully once i get the safc2 in and tuned it will be sorted

[ssshonky]

if you do change boost controllers - and only want one boost setting -try the $30 turbotech one.

I think you might be surprised as to how well it responds. Well seeing as I have never experienced the boost buildup in the 26 I am not really one to comment I suppose.

Running rich is obviously safer for your motor- so I guess personally I would prefer to sacrifice a bit of power / fuel econ to have a bit more protection for the motor.

the rig is running rich. how i know?! i swapped my rear muffler to a kakimoto. And a couple of tanks later the exit pipe was black already. So i guess the car is running rich. And i ran with boost 98 with that 2 tanks.

I filled up with bp 95 the other day cos i ran out of fuel and they only sell 95 octane in the country side. I took it easy on the gas pedal and it ran dine. Im guessing that the engine was running rich which i dont really want. Cos thats wasting fuel and by running rich you actually lose power.

ohh i almost forgot my rig is an RB26 and yes Ben tweaked the boost controller. From memory thats the maximum that the factory boost controller can do. But yea if i want more pwoer im gonna to have to install the Apexi boost controller.

Edited October 9, 2007 by ssshonky