I always read how people get their ECUs re-flashed even when only adding a boost controller.

Can you install a MBC to increase boost pressure 2-3 PSI w/o a flash w/o any ill affects?

 

people get a flash because they want to take off fuel cut, speed cut off ect ect.. a base flash and for a mbc you dont need a flash for it keep your boost under 23psi to avoid fuel cut thats all. I know someone is going to tell you other wise take whatever you want. Good luck.

 

You may still run lean. Get it flashed to be safe.

 

There's tons of cars out there without flashes who use MBCs, so by no means do you need one to use an MBC, but you should step back and ask yourself what you're trying to accomplish. Just raising boost with the stock tune won't do a whole lot, and you don't really want to raise boost on the stock exhaust.

 

This is why your stock ecu pulls timeing so you will run safe.

 

Jmartinez, that doesn't make it safe. Running lean enough to cause the ECU to retard timing is how you damage your engine. It has to sense the knock first before it can react...

 

If only a MBC is used and if nothing is changed, I don't think it will run lean. Fuel cut happens before that.

I don't think running leaner kills motors, detonation does.
It would be a case of running too lean.

I thought timing was retarded only when knock was detected.?
So basically, it can lean out, but if its so lean that it causes knock, then timing is retarded.



I know older Mitsus went something like.

0- count -- advances timing.
1-5 counts -- leaves timing alone.
6 + counts -- retards timing

Something like that.

 

I was just curious. This is the first Mitsu I've owned that was 100% stock. To tell you the truth, It runs so nice and smooth, I have no intensions of modifing the car.

Nothing wrong with acquiring knowledge though.

 

ive been running a MBC without a flash for sometime now (i do have a tbe). it was my initial mod along with a gauge. i did it to get rid of boost taper initially.

 

You can run a MBC and no reflash, a lot of people run that way, you probably wouldn't hurt the engine much if you raise 2-3 PSI .

In my early stages of owning turbo cars I use to use MBC, specifically in a Plymouth Laser RS turbo and I blew the engine really bad twice but that was putting 17psi on the stock turbo and absolutely no other mods.

The results were costly repairs, one hole in the piston once and melting the side of the piston the second time. Make sure at least you have a boost gauge to see how much boost you are putting.

Carlos

 

MBC without reflash is totally fine. You will not hit fuel cut before you run lean in just about any situation.

Running lean does kill motors, you are mis-informed about that.

Most people don't understand that all tuning is is basically maintaining a thermal efficiency that corressponds with what your motor is made up of and can take. Hence why you can run more power on regular gas with a built motor.

Make a car run lean and heat will start to build up and soak into the internals to the point where you can get hotspots on the piston which cause detonation. Make a car run super lean and the motor will literally melt.

Anywho what you should be worried about is pulling timing. Add too much boost and you will start to pull timing, if you pull timing you will have weaker midrange because of lack of the timing and a less efficient top end because you are trying to run more boost (and hence more heat) to produce about the same amount of power.


To do it right, you want to watch and record the timing when the car is stock. Install the boost controller and turn the boost up a half pound or so at a time and keep raising boost until you start to see your ignition timing fall off. When you reach that point, back off about 1psi for safety margin and you will be golden.

 

Boltz,

Good info. Thanks.

 

In all this talk about MBC's i think i saw one person even mention a gauge. A gauge would be on of the most vital tools when installing a MBC or any boost controller for that means. I personaly would do nothing to my car if i didnt have gauges to be able to tell what the mods where actually doing.

Yes the car will be safe if you only up the boost a couple psi but a flash cost how much? A new motor cost how much? Dealing with the dealership would **** you off how much? Then it all comes into to perspective, a base flash that cost around a couple of hundred bucks is just cheap insurance and also a good base mod.

Dustin