Good morning all.

I told myself I wasn't going to mod this car. It was just going to be my daily/beater car.

I already have my suspension plans finalized, but decided to get some go fast bits.

One thing I noticed about the Evo (i have an 05) is that after 5k rpm or so I notice it doesn't pull quite as hard.

I've read/researched that the boost tapers off from 20 psi to 16 psi towards redline.

(This is my first turbo'd car so I'm learning as I go along.)

I've read that installing an MBC (i'm looking at the Halman) would get rid of this problem and hold boost at 20psi to redline.

My question is this:

Is running a MBC worth it?

Can I run that by itself or does an ECU flash or some other sort of engine management need to be used to tune for it?

My go fast plans are:

Halman MBC.
turbo back exhaust system.
either a standalone unit or ecu flash.

I plan to run the MBC first then ease into the other mods.

Any advice/help would be appreciated!

 

Hey, good idea to begin modding. A MBC will help the boost taper and hold you're desired boost level untill redline. You aren't going to need a tune or anything of that level. In my opinion a MBC is worth it, it's only 87 shipped and helps alot. You really can feel a difference of when it keeps pulling and when the boost tapers off. As for your go-fast-bits...I think the exhaust and MBC is a good starting point but don't get a tune if you're going to get more mods and with just those two mods I don't think a tune is necessary. Perhaps if you got an intake and a fuel pump a tune would be more needed because of the new air and fuel.

 

The Hallman MBC is a nice unit. IMO it's pretty much "set & forget". I've never had a problem with having to adjust for changes in boost levels associated with weather changes. Depending on how you plumb the MBC your boost may still taper and then again, it may not. Alot of it depends on how air tight your intake tract is, especially your BPV. Even if your boost does taper, it shouldn't be as dramatic as the factory taper, maybe only 1 psi or so.


As far as the exhaust goes, I think it's pretty much the concensus that it's a huge bottleneck. Start at the back and work your way forward. I'd do a full turbo back.

This is going to sound really obvious, but if I were considering a flash to support the above mods, I'd wait to do it until I thought my configuration was firm. If you think you'll be tinkering a bit then you might want to consider a piggyback or a piggyback on top of a flash to give you longer term flexibility.

 

The best advice I can think to give is plan before you buy. Read up on what others have done and talk to the vendor(s) you want to buy from to get their advice. You may want to think about your ultimate hp goal and usage (street/track/quarter mile) before you make the call though.

You mentioned that the car is a daily driver. In my opinion, it will be hard to beat modest modifications (exhaust, MBC and reflash) and I do think the tuning is important. There have even been some members here that have kept the car mechanically stock but tuned the ECU with very nice results. From what you've described a MBC and tune may be all you need. A piggyback (Utec, Xede) will work equally well as a reflash but you may not want to do the tuning yourself. If I remember correctly the Xede can do its own boost control so you wouldn't need the MBC with it -- this is why you need to come up with a plan first.

Personally, I chose to use Buschur's staged upgrades along with a Dynoflash. For now, I just use the mail-in flash until I'm done (currently at stage 2 and will stop at 3 or 4). At that point, I'll get a custion tune and try to avoid the urge to spend more on the car. I'm very happy with how the car pulls and it's plenty fast on the street.

Good luck!

 

Oh yeah, I forgot about that part. If you are going to go with some kind of piggyback or standalone, you won't be needing the MBC because the piggyback or standalone have boost control features through the stock soleniod.

 

first thing is buy yourself a good aftermarket boost gauge! you need to be able to read the boost before you can control it


mbc is worth it. it runs alone with no other mod needed. a nice upgrade

 

I have the hallman MBC with the cockpit adjustment knob and after setting it to hold 20 all the way to redline( even though its tappers to 21 sometimes depending on the weather) you could feel a huge difference after 5K rpm. Its like the car keeps pulling. Im getting the BR full exhaust next month and that should make even a greater difference. I should be gaining close to 50whp with these two mods. And no you dont need to reflash it, reflash after you get your full exhaust, intake, MBC, fuel rail, fuel pump, cams or pretty much when u have a lot of mods so you could get your money worth.

 

must mod, must mod keep modding dont stop

 

Yes, another thing I forgot to mention Make sure you have the proper gauges if you are going to be messing with anything, a boost gauge would be helpful so you know what you are running at when playing with the MBC.

 

I wouldn't expect 50 whp with only two mods. If you do, let me know where you dyno'd it so I know where I can get 20 whp for my turbo timer.

 

I think he's talking about the boost controller holding 20PSI to redline plus the exhaust, not a turbotimer.

 

I see my sarcasm was not taken. I meant that he won't get 50 whp from only 2 mods. Something is messed up with whatever dyno that is on...

 

I KNEW YOUD GIVE IN! Good luck to ya.

 

Hey,
by installing that MBC would it void mitsu warranty?
My 05 evo is almost 5k miles.. mitsu voiding warranty issue is the major factor holding me back from modding...
thanks,

 

lol