controlling / adjusting boost

[l1ttle_d3vil]

right, I know this will sound like a complete nooobieee question...but I admit I don't know much (yet) about turbos, and even less about internal/external wastegates, boost controllers, boost taps, BOV's etc!

I understand the method behind adjusting boost to a set amount other than factory ... but say I have a turbo which runs 6psi factory, I want to run 12psi around town and 18psi at the track. What is the easiest way, and what is required to have a setup which is easily adjustable in this way?
adjustable boost tap?
external waste gate?
electronic boost controller?

Engine will be run on a Link G3, and I understand these can be used reliably for boost control but what else would be required if I were to take this route?

thanks.

[bluemaumau]

im also interested in this, would the link be better than an average EBC?

is it the same as pushing a button?

[escortman]

iv heard that links are rubbish when its comes to controlling boost better to get a gizzmo ibc or something along those lines

[Crampy]

Boost taps aren't always good at holding boost levels constant (boost spikes and all sorts).

Electronic boost controllers are much better, but you pay for what you get.
Make sure you get a good one with a good quality solenoid.

A lot of them these days have different settings you can choose from. So driving around on low setting of 12psi and going to high boost setting of 18psi for the track is as easy as pressing a button.

The link computer has a closed loop boost control function. I have heard that they aren't as good as other EBCs, but if you've already got the computer, you only need the solenoid. You'll be paying someone to tune it, so while getting it tuned, get the boost control function setup.

You could go for an external wastegate, with a ~12psi spring and use a boost controller to increase it to 18psi when you require it. Externals are better for controlling boost, due to being bigger and flowing better than the smaller internal variety.

You haven't said what turbo you are using though, so things can change things. You need to make sure you're turbo is still efficient at those increased boost levels.

[Stu-]

iv heard that links are rubbish when its comes to controlling boost better to get a gizzmo ibc or something along those lines

I disagree although only have my setup as an example. Using a linkplus G1, the boost control is spot on.

[Crucible]

iv heard that links are rubbish when its comes to controlling boost better to get a gizzmo ibc or something along those lines

I can vouch for the gizzmo IBC as I run one on my car, good unit and works well, allows upto 4 settings at a push of a button, just be aware that the instructions arent very user friendly though, but once you know how its a breeze.

They recommend you use a spring which will be closest to your lowest boost setting. i run a 8psi spring in my tial gate, the ibc bleeds off to achieve my 4 settings which are 10, 12,15 and 19psi.

At the time i purchased mine they were quite resonably priced compared to the Profec b controllers etc, but apparently they have come down in price quite a bit from when I was looking.

[l1ttle_d3vil]

The link computer has a closed loop boost control function. I have heard that they aren't as good as other EBCs, but if you've already got the computer, you only need the solenoid. You'll be paying someone to tune it, so while getting it tuned, get the boost control function setup.

there was a discussion about links and boost control here recently and the impression I got was they were crap up until the link g3, which controls quite reliably.

You could go for an external wastegate, with a ~12psi spring and use a boost controller to increase it to 18psi when you require it.

can any EBC'ers be set up for different boost settings, or are there only particular models available? and how easy is it to setup different settings like True-No-Turbo has? is it just a matter of getting the correct EBC and getting the different settings tuned correctly?

You haven't said what turbo you are using though, so things can change things. You need to make sure you're turbo is still efficient at those increased boost levels.

I will probably be running something along the lines of a T3/T4, maybe slightly bigger.

[Crucible]

can any EBC'ers be set up for different boost settings, or are there only particular models available? and how easy is it to setup different settings like True-No-Turbo has? is it just a matter of getting the correct EBC and getting the different settings tuned correctly?

They all pretty much do the same thing.

All the control unit does is gives the solenoid a duty cycle so it can bleed off pressure reaching the wastegate. If you increase the duty cycle the solenoid pulses more and bleeds more, so less air reaches the WG diaphram so more boost builds. With my Gizzmo IBC, basically all you do is set a cycle rate, take the car for a boost and see how much boost it makes, adjust the duty up or down until you get what you want, then lock it. Keep repeating the procedure until you have 4 boost levels.

The other advantage with ebcs is you can adjust the "gain" so boost comes on quicker.

[flygt4]

greddy profec b spec2 are going for 500 now on trademe. they are a really good unit, give an accurate boost curve and smooth through the rev range.
they are easily adjustable and there is a steering mount remote switch available that allows you to adjust boost pressure between 2 settings from the steering wheel (great for racing with unpredictable traction)


the best boost controller in the world wont be able to help you if your wastegate can't physically bypass enough air to stop the turbo spooling up more and making more boost, thats where you'll get boost spikes and sloppy boost curves.
a lot of cheaper or factory turbos have a very small wastegate hole factory hence the popularity of the external wastegate with a larger diameter hole for the air to pass through.
when it comes to running higher boost pressure, most (not all) standard turbos seem to struggle once you get up ~18psi.


at the end of the day its easy to damage an engine with sloppy boost control. play it safe and invest in a tial 38mm wastegate or similar , and a decent EBC , and it'll be one less thing to worry about.

[MR2SIK]

My Linkplus is controlling my boost with no hassles, actually using the solenoid from my gizzmo ebc.
Once I got the Gizzmo running it was good, but I found the quality of the unit itself to be rather crap. It is now an extra boost gauge, well when it decides to work anyway

Final straw with my gizzmo was at the track a couple of years back, I had been 'promoted' into the next class up and was racing against the big ass V8's etc, lined up against a modded walkinshaw commodore and launched, ebc screen stuck on zero and boost gauge only showing 10psi 15.2 seconds later I get my ass handed back to me and relegated back to the lower class
Moral of the story, get something decent

[l1ttle_d3vil]

will a 38mm wastegate going to be plenty sufficient for around 20psi then?
what are some good brands then? say if I am to run:

* Link G3 + boost control solenoid
* T3/T4 turbo
* 38mm wastegate

whats a decent brand wastegate to go for, without spending $600 on one? theres a few genuine tials on TM for a good price, but also alot of tial lookalike ones; are they worth it??
what other good brands are around, other than tial?

and what about BOV's? its not such a crucial part of the setup (as in it won't blow up an engine), but don't want one that will leak or anything.

cheers
-matt

[IH8TEC]

i run a single tial 38mm with t3/t4 at 25psi,

with my setup i get no spiking and solid 25psi. as for bovs, i just have the two from a gtr skyline, work mint, not wanky at all, but thats because they vent a bucket load of air.

[ChaosAD]

Dont go for an imitation tial as you will have problems with it leaking.
Same goes for bov's.

38mm tial's seem to go for about the $400 mark new.

the profec is a good boost controller, can be had for $300-$350 secong hand on trademe.

But with any boost controller you will have trouble getting stable boost once you get to about 3 times the wastegate pressure.

[IH8TEC]

i use a manual pressure reg, i get very stable boost at 25psi, and my spring is 8psi.

[flygt4]

yeah i run 21psi on a 7psi spring and the curve was still smooth. 38mm tial is a safe choice , and a profec b or similar to complement it.

[bluemaumau]

im going to run a tial 38mm also

how do you change the boost if your link is running it? do you get a in-car display unit? and is it as easy as pushing a button?

[flygt4]

i think its usually by a manual rocker switch etc to change the settings. you don't get a pretty display

[matt dunn]

i think its usually by a manual rocker switch etc to change the settings. you don't get a pretty display

With the G3's you can run a variable resistor on the dash,

or if you have a bit of elec knowledge,
you can create an 11 position boost switch.

The older Non G3's you set and forget, not really adjustable on the run apart from a rocker sw as above wich gives you the options of,
wastegate spring pressure, or 1 other higher setting.

[touge rolla]

and what about BOV's? its not such a crucial part of the setup (as in it won't blow up an engine), but don't want one that will leak or anything.

Buy genuine items. While all the cheap imitation GReddy, HKS and Tial valves on trademe sound like a bargain they are sh!te. if you want a cheap BOV get a basic GFB my mate has one on his gt4 and it is a gem although quiet.

and as for boost controllers. I run a gizzmo IBC and it's very easy to set-up and switch between settings. It's needs a little time to "learn" your wastegate and turbo characteristics but once it has they're sweet as.

[matt dunn]

and what about BOV's? its not such a crucial part of the setup (as in it won't blow up an engine), but don't want one that will leak or anything.

Lol, check out the build progress of my race car to see waht a shit BOV can do.