Do I Run A Bov Or Not?

[Dean_HR31]

Hey guys,

I'm hearing too many different stories and want to get the right answer before i waste money on nothing.

I have an R33 with a built RB25 running a HKS 25-40 on about 20 psi. Currently im not running a BOV. Flange has been blocked.

Now if i want to look after my turbo should I run a BOV or not?? Keeping in mind I will be taking it to track days once every 2-3 months..

Personally, to me it makes sense that the BOV protects the turbo's bearings etc because it vents out the pressure before it runs back through the turbo. But there are some saying this isnt the case.

Please advise.

Thanks!

Dean

[H@ME]

to me it makes sense to run a B.O.V especially at high boost e.g 20 psi. i'd think u'd end up with a fair bit of shaft play. hame

[PIOTREK]

yer i would make sense to run a bov for protection, if u thumping it. But u just drive sensisbly to work, put the BOV just before a track day, takes 5mins to change

Edited April 20, 2009 by P1OTR

[Cjmartz2k]

IMHO BOV's are not needed. Whether or not they actually extend the life of the turbo is something that has yet to be proven to me. I understand how the theory works, I just don't think they make that much of a practical difference. You could also make the argument they will keep you in boost better between gear shifts. I might buy that one a little bit easier. Also, people will point out they came that way from the factory. I would submit that they did that for emissions control and "noise standards" as anything else.

I've never met anybody that wasn't running a BOV that had a worn out turbo, and most of my friends don't run one here on Oki, and I've been here for 4 years now. All that being said, I have a Greddy Type R on mine, but I've got that sucker cranked down hard enough where it only blow's off above 1 bar, so it's not doing anything during daily driving.

[R31Nismoid]

Age old debate - will never be sorted out.

There are arguments for and against, its upto YOU to decide ultimately.

[femno]

Hmm I have no BOV...been running around 20 psi for about 10,000kms now, I dont think its gonna hurt anything, after all it is just air, I dont see how it could break stuff.

[Pattygtst]

we need the myth busters to bust this one.

[gotRICE?]

Hmm I have no BOV...been running around 20 psi for about 10,000kms now, I dont think its gonna hurt anything, after all it is just air, I dont see how it could break stuff.

Hurricanes are air too

[WYTSKY]

Hurricanes are air too

lol, I was just thinking that!

[bigmikespec]

Hurricanes are air too

Air doesn't break stuff, air under pressure might.

[Turbz RB-25]

I was running 24PSI on my GT2835 pro S for over a year, with no BOV, and nothing happened.

When I sold the turbo, there wasn't ANY shaftplay.

It's almost like a tennis ball hitting a brick wall (the air being the ball, and the brick wall being the blades)

[R31Nismoid]

^^ there is always shaft play.

[femno]

Air doesn't break stuff, air under pressure might.

Well considering we are talking about a turbocharger, air under pressure shouldnt harm it as that is the primary function of the component. No?

My point was air isnt an abrasive, and considering the turbo is a component build for pressure, why would there be any damage?

[bigmikespec]

Well considering we are talking about a turbocharger, air under pressure shouldnt harm it as that is the primary function of the component. No?

My point was air isnt an abrasive, and considering the turbo is a component build for pressure, why would there be any damage?

I agree mate, totally, when I get to upgrade turbos etc. no BOV's for me either, not necessary at all to have them performance wise (in my opinion).

Just pointing out to gotRICE? about his hurricanes being just air (no offence to gotRICE?).

[PM-R33]

we need the myth busters to bust this one.

Some one should so get them to do that. I have one on mine but same thing, it's that tight it doesnt vent unless on full boost.

[Justa32]

blades are spinning at several thousend rpm, them coming to a complete stop when air is pushed back through? it has 2 do sumthing

[PM-R33]

They aren't coming to a complete stop at all.

[Munkyb0y]

complete stop? no. they keep going. the air gets chopped.

i dont have an answer though. but i would be surprised that no bov could ruin a turbo.

[(OO)Firty Free(OO)]

I had been running 23psi and no BOV, i can tell you the sound isn't the best running that sort of boost(very loud and doesnt sound good for the turbo at all). I have since put the standard BOV back on and the car is 10 times quieter (doesnt sound as if the turbo is under as much stress). IMO running anything over 1 bar i would recommend running one just for piece of mind if nothing else.

[jus skott]

theres a good book thats been out for sometime. It's called: Maximum Boost by: Corky Bell. Might be a good thing for some off ya to read this. Guy breaks stuph down from the mid 70's to current day.