Advice on Boost Controllers

[Jho0001]

I own a stock Airtrek Turbo and feel as though I need that extra bit of oomph...

 

I've read a bit on boost controllers and think this maybe my easiest way of achieving this.

 

Questions:

1. Will this definately increase my performance e.g. 0-100kph?

2. Is it illegal to install one in Singapore?

3. If installed can it easily be disconnected/reconnected from dash (inspection reasons)?

4. Best type to buy, something small,easy to use but would like features such as scramble, overboost warning, allow different boost at different rpm?

5. Any other advise you wish to share?

 

Thanks!

[Weihui]

> Questions:

> 1. Will this definately increase my performance e.g. 0-100kph?

Depends. But most likely it will because of the boost increase. But hugely depend on how your engine respond to that boost. For full configuration, need some tuning to make the full use of the increment in boost.

 

> 2. Is it illegal to install one in Singapore?

Not mentioned in LTA regulation. As long as your car comes with turbo natively, I think it is fine.

 

> 3. If installed can it easily be disconnected/reconnected from dash (inspection reasons)? Sly

> As answered in Question 2.

 

> 4. Best type to buy, something small,easy to use but would like features such as scramble, overboost warning, allow different boost at different rpm?

Check out www.sportcompactonly.com for review on various boost controllers.

 

> 5. Any other advise you wish to share?

Don't ever overboost.

Edited April 20, 2006 by Weihui

[Elfenstar]

> Questions:

> 1. Will this definately increase my performance e.g. 0-100kph?

Depends. But most likely it will because of the boost increase. But hugely depend on how your engine respond to that boost. For full configuration, need some tuning to make the full use of the increment in boost.

It will, but mostly if you increase the boost. The electronic ones with the solenoid (vs stepper motor) will also help increase spool time as the wastegate will remain completely shut till the set pressure is reached (vs slowly opens when stock, with a manual boost controller). The stepper motors ones will also help with spool times but not as much.

 

> 2. Is it illegal to install one in Singapore?

Not mentioned in LTA regulation. As long as your car comes with turbo natively, I think it is fine.

This I dunno. It may fail as vehicle emissions may change but check it out with LTA (Send them a msg via email/website but leave out your licence plate no.

 

> 3. If installed can it easily be disconnected/reconnected from dash (inspection reasons)? Sly

> As answered in Question 2.

Shouldnt be too hard. Its mounted useing double sided tape in the cabin and the motor/solonoid (use a standard screw/bolt hole to mount it) basically goes in between the hose that leasts to the wastegate. Change that with a new hose and keep the stock one and if you ever need to remove it, nobody will ever know.

 

> 4. Best type to buy, something small,easy to use but would like features such as scramble, overboost warning, allow different boost at different rpm?

Check out www.sportcompactonly.com for review on various boost controllers.

Hmmz... looking at your critrion, its gonna cost you a pretty penny. I suggest you check out the varioius companies like HKS, Blitz, Apexi etc. Also have a look at the turbosmart eBoost 2 as its slightly cheaper but the reviews for it have been fabulous.

 

> 5. Any other advise you wish to share?

Don't ever overboost.

In addition to ^^^ Make sure the hose between the nipple-solonoid/motor-wastegate is as short as possible and you use a good quality hose else there is a chance of the boost spiking.

Edited April 20, 2006 by Elfenstar

[Jho0001]

Thanks for the advise...

 

I've taken a look at 2 boost controllers the APEXI AVC-R (Ltd edition Black)s$880 and the HKS EVC BOOST CONTROLLER V2 (KPA) (LIMITED ED BLACK) s$1150.

 

I must admit I am swaying towards the HKS as it has a boost cut which the APEXI I believe does not plus because of its size.

 

Any idea which the the better of the two?

 

If I decide to replace the exhaust should I do this before tuning in the Boost controller?

 

Cheers

[Adawang]

The stock boost of ATR is already at 1.1 bar, which is reasonable.

Boost too high, u might find oil in your coolant.= blown gasket

How high do you want to boost?

 

safety margin is ard 1.2 to 1.3 bar, there are people who are doing higher.

 

I have accidently hit 1.4, but damn scared sumthing give way

Edited April 20, 2006 by Adawang

[Elfenstar]

Doeant really matter as adjust ment of the controller is fairly easy, but i would rather do the exhaust first as it will affect the boost char of the car and if you do the exhuast first, it saves you some of the hassles of needing to adjust the boost again.

 

As for the controller, its up to you. both apexi and HKS are v.good companies so either way you can't go wrong. Dun forget to check out blitz and greddy before you commit as they're both on par with the other 2.

Edited April 20, 2006 by Elfenstar

[Andrewkb]

I am actually thinking. If I'm a mild driver, that seldom hit max boost, mostly 1bar max. Then do I really need a boost controller ?

 

My take is that, the boost controller actually allows you to adjust the max boost the turbo can take. So if I buy a boost controller and set it to 1.1bar (stock), then I just throw $1k into the drain right ?

[Jho0001]

I read in a Airtrek forum that the boost can be set max around 1.3/1.4 stock, so to be on the safe side set to 1.3 and boost cut at 1.4 (i think this is how it works)?

 

Anyone had experience with the Apexi N1 Evolution? would like to introduce some bass but not too intruding. My only concern is that my car is a auto, so by installing a straight flow exhaust do you think this will have an effect on my low end, believe this may be the case with autos?

 

Whoooops, there goes my remaining warranty

[Chevycavy]

I am actually thinking. If I'm a mild driver, that seldom hit max boost, mostly 1bar max. Then do I really need a boost controller ?

 

My take is that, the boost controller actually allows you to adjust the max boost the turbo can take. So if I buy a boost controller and set it to 1.1bar (stock), then I just throw $1k into the drain right ?

 

A boost controller also helps the turbo to spool faster so you hit max boost earlier. The Apexi AVCR can also be tuned by gear. It's useful for preventing wheel spin in the lower gears.

[Elfenstar]

chevycavy is pretty much right on the spooling as normally the wastegate opens bit by bit from a certain pressure upwards.

 

What a solenoid type electronic boost controller (EBC) does is that it prevents any pressure from reaching the wastegate till the set pressure then opens up causing the wastegate to be fully open.

 

The stepper motor EBC's allow pressure through bit by bit and this causes the wastegate to open up slowly, but later and less than stock till fully open.

 

Edit: sorry what this basically means is that more air gets into the exhaust via exhaust turbine rather than go past it via the wastegate side and this = more responsiveness.

Edited April 21, 2006 by Elfenstar

[Jho0001]

Hence your recommendation for the solenoid type.. therefore if I purchase a Blitz or Apexi it would perform better than then HKS (stepper)?

 

Has anyone heard a Apexi N1 Evolution exhaust, I'm very interest in this but do not want it to be 'ah beng load' if you know what I mean?

 

Would the solenoid type cause more wear and tear than the stepper and reduce the life span of the mechanics quicker?

Edited April 21, 2006 by Jho0001

[Elfenstar]

There are pros and cons to each which each manufacturer says their choice better. IMHO, it doesnt really matter as long as the quality of the EBC is good (or unless you're running super high boost and making huge power).

 

There will be no/negligible difference in wear and tear for either type. All the extra wear and tear will be from poor maintainence of the car or overboosting.

 

As for the exhasut, the N1 evolution series is a lil loud. I would go for the Fujitsubo Power Getter instead. Softer, more power gains according to tests (in the jap option magazine) and i prefer its more bassy tone than the N1 evo.

[Sheltie2306]

Thanks for the advise...

 

I've taken a look at 2 boost controllers the APEXI AVC-R (Ltd edition Black)s$880 and the HKS EVC BOOST CONTROLLER V2 (KPA) (LIMITED ED BLACK) s$1150.

 

I must admit I am swaying towards the HKS as it has a boost cut which the APEXI I believe does not plus because of its size.

 

Any idea which the the better of the two?

 

If I decide to replace the exhaust should I do this before tuning in the Boost controller?

 

Cheers

 

IMHO, EBC are far too expensive for their price.

 

With stock turbo, you can increase the boost with EBC by another 0.2 to 0.3 bar, and that typically bring you about 10-15% power increase. For more, you need turbo and injector upgrades, and definitely follow by ECU too. Many of the ECU solution comes with much better boots control capabilities, which will make the EBC a total waste. The more frustrating this is the whole ECU will probably cost double the price of the EBC but comes with 10 times more functionality.

 

If you have a long term plan of power upgrade, and just want a little of fun now, suggest you consider those simple cheap mechanical boost controller, probably cost 100+. You will be surprise how reliable and in fact it reduces lag much better then those expensive EBC. I ever saw someone used a fish tank bubble control valve as boost controller and it worked perfectly well too.

Edited April 22, 2006 by Sheltie2306

[Sheltie2306]

The stock boost of ATR is already at 1.1 bar, which is reasonable.

Boost too high, u might find oil in your coolant.= blown gasket

How high do you want to boost?

 

safety margin is ard 1.2 to 1.3 bar, there are people who are doing higher.

 

I have accidently hit 1.4, but damn scared sumthing give way

 

The few common reasons that can damage the engine are too lean air fuel ratio that cause too high camber temperature till metal melt, excessive detonation (due to too lean or too much timing advance). Lastly is the setup produces so much torque until the con rod or other metal part breaks.

 

If you are running stock turbo, the last scenario will not happen, so actually there

Edited April 22, 2006 by Sheltie2306

[Jho0001]

Thanks for info, I feel abit more at ease not you know my engine wont melt down or blow.

 

So, ugrade likely to be....

 

- Apexi N1 Evo: apparently for Airtrek Turbo the tip is only 85mm, the one for the Evo is 115mm, plus its not as loud....a low rumble would be nice.

- Blitz SBC I-D III

- Fuel line regulater: they will check whether I require one depending on the maximum boost setting my car is capable.

 

This should increase my bhp by 20-30bhp and improve low/mid/high end.

 

Let you know how it goes, mods prob done early next week.

[Jazzer]

I own a stock Airtrek Turbo and feel as though I need that extra bit of oomph...

 

I've read a bit on boost controllers and think this maybe my easiest way of achieving this.

 

Questions:

1. Will this definately increase my performance e.g. 0-100kph?

2. Is it illegal to install one in Singapore?

3. If installed can it easily be disconnected/reconnected from dash (inspection reasons)?

4. Best type to buy, something small,easy to use but would like features such as scramble, overboost warning, allow different boost at different rpm?

5. Any other advise you wish to share?

 

Thanks!

 

Yr stock ecu have a boost cut. For ATR, u can boost a max of 1.4Bar. Dun worry..yr engine won't blow. As for inspection, don't worry too...its not illegal.

[Slowpoke156]

Just to add, if you ever overboost, you may stall the compressor in the turbo or cause it to overspin. Not a good condition to be in. A manual boost controller may be added in parallel to arrest the spikes if you're worried. I used to hit almost 2 bars until I put in a MBC to hold it at 1.5.

[Sheltie2306]

That

Edited April 22, 2006 by Sheltie2306