When/why do you need to get a boost controller?
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 7
From: Holding over the VOR
When/why do you need to get a boost controller?
I figure its been a few days since I posted a stupid thread so...
I've read just about every boost controller thread I could find. I understand what they do, I get the differences between a manual and an electronic, but I haven't been able to find something that really explains why to use it.
That said... I'm not a total moron. Obviously you use it to "turn up the boost". But am I understanding that it's less straightforward than that...
Example... on a stock vehicle, obviously you could make more power by putting in more boost. While this could be bad... if you took a stock car to a tuner with JUST a boost controller, you'd make more power because you'd be able to run the lower mapped boost sections higher, and the spikes lower (basically smooth out the curve?) right?
I guess my more selfish question is. I'm going to get my car tuned. Its a daily driver (ish) and it has TBE, UICP, open filter on it. I have an A/F and Boost gauges... the previous owner never had the car tuned and I'm going to get it tuned.
Where am I at, what am I missing?
I've read just about every boost controller thread I could find. I understand what they do, I get the differences between a manual and an electronic, but I haven't been able to find something that really explains why to use it.
That said... I'm not a total moron. Obviously you use it to "turn up the boost". But am I understanding that it's less straightforward than that...
Example... on a stock vehicle, obviously you could make more power by putting in more boost. While this could be bad... if you took a stock car to a tuner with JUST a boost controller, you'd make more power because you'd be able to run the lower mapped boost sections higher, and the spikes lower (basically smooth out the curve?) right?
I guess my more selfish question is. I'm going to get my car tuned. Its a daily driver (ish) and it has TBE, UICP, open filter on it. I have an A/F and Boost gauges... the previous owner never had the car tuned and I'm going to get it tuned.
Where am I at, what am I missing?
I think your overthinking this. All it does is turn up the boost. If your getting your cat tuned it would be a good investment. You will def make more power and can still be safe by turning the boost up some.
I'm not sure of your question honestly... You say you know what a BC is, and how it works. So where's the confusion?
The boost controller simply controls boost, that's all. On an EBC, you could use it to iron out boost spikes BUT I'd be looking at other ways to get the boost curve as straight as possible before using the EBC to flatten it out. Once you've addressed things with the wastegate to get the boost spike under control, use the EBC to fine tune.
The boost controller simply controls boost, that's all. On an EBC, you could use it to iron out boost spikes BUT I'd be looking at other ways to get the boost curve as straight as possible before using the EBC to flatten it out. Once you've addressed things with the wastegate to get the boost spike under control, use the EBC to fine tune.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 7
From: Holding over the VOR
Yeah... there's no question that I'm overthinking it. It turns up the boost. I guess I was expecting someone to say, don't waste your money until you're making xxx amount of HP.
I'm gonna start shopping them around.
Another question then I guess... VIVID you mentioned looking at other ways to smooth out the curve (before using a boost controller to do this)... Umm forgive the newbishness, but what exactly (or how) would I go about modifying to smooth out the curves? Or were you simply referring to tuning?
I'm gonna start shopping them around.
Another question then I guess... VIVID you mentioned looking at other ways to smooth out the curve (before using a boost controller to do this)... Umm forgive the newbishness, but what exactly (or how) would I go about modifying to smooth out the curves? Or were you simply referring to tuning?
If you were to stick with your stock turbo and do the basic bolt on mods, turbo back exhaust, upper and lower intercooler pipes and bigger intercooler, etc. Even if you went FP green or other stock frame turbo for 350-400 hp, you could use a manual boost controller for a static max boost of say 25 psi. That would be one way to go. If you were going for big power, like a FP black running 30psi. You would probably go with a Electronic boost control so you could have a certain boost at 1st gear, xx at 2nd gear and so on. That's what a tuner would do for you when you get tuned so your car is making the best power with a big turbo and not have problems that go with a big turbo in a lot of situations.
It just comes down to how much power your goal is, and what you want to do with your car. I hope that helps you out.
N
It just comes down to how much power your goal is, and what you want to do with your car. I hope that helps you out.
N
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 7
From: Holding over the VOR
If you were to stick with your stock turbo and do the basic bolt on mods, turbo back exhaust, upper and lower intercooler pipes and bigger intercooler, etc. Even if you went FP green or other stock frame turbo for 350-400 hp, you could use a manual boost controller for a static max boost of say 25 psi. That would be one way to go. If you were going for big power, like a FP black running 30psi. You would probably go with a Electronic boost control so you could have a certain boost at 1st gear, xx at 2nd gear and so on. That's what a tuner would do for you when you get tuned so your car is making the best power with a big turbo and not have problems that go with a big turbo in a lot of situations.
It just comes down to how much power your goal is, and what you want to do with your car. I hope that helps you out.
N
It just comes down to how much power your goal is, and what you want to do with your car. I hope that helps you out.
N
I guess I just need to figure out what I'm looking for...
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It has also been shown that a EBC will not taper as much as a mbc. A mbc can be nice because they are easy to adjust and do not require a reflash. EBCs can fail but if you get a good one and set it up right it won't fail and if so will only limit you to wastegate pressure.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 7
From: Holding over the VOR
What are the limitations with the ECU "boost controller" vs. a full stand alone unit like the Greddy profec B spec II, or the HKS EVC VI?
It depends what you want to do wit your car..you want big turbo power like a fp black..etc? Go ECU control. Those other electronic boot controllers have been known to fail. If you are looking for 300-400hp, you could just use a manual boost controller.
N
N
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 7
From: Holding over the VOR
As of right now, I'm looking for reliable performance. Nothing more than 350WHP. I'll be happy around the 300-350 range frankly...
Grimmspeed makes, in a lot of people's opinons including mine, the top of the line MBC to date. They just released it a couple months ago and I highly suggest checking it out:
http://www.grimmspeed.com/catalog/pr...roducts_id=165
They also make a stellar EBCS that is plug and play. I had one in my 350+whp WRX and it worked amazing and the tuner loved working with it. Here is this one:
http://www.grimmspeed.com/catalog/pr...roducts_id=163
http://www.grimmspeed.com/catalog/pr...roducts_id=165
They also make a stellar EBCS that is plug and play. I had one in my 350+whp WRX and it worked amazing and the tuner loved working with it. Here is this one:
http://www.grimmspeed.com/catalog/pr...roducts_id=163
Check out the Grimmspeed MBC for sure - it will work for you PERFECTLY, especially if you don't plan on switching between e85 and pump gas constantly.
Any EBCS can fail if the selenoid failes or a wire is frayed. ECU controlled or other.
