Friday, December 19, 2008 - 10:50 pm, by: Daniel Burns(Danny)
I've read through a swag of posts on FCDs, EBCs and ECUs and would just like to see if I understand it correctly.
If, as in my case, I find myself with rebuilt steel-wheel turbos (the old ones were near the end), FMIC, a set of dumps and a pod filter then I'm in a nice place to raise the boost level (currently running stock boost). So am I correct that:
1. To raise the boost level I need a boost controller which can be either a manual one or an electronic one. The electronic ones are more expensive but safer and cost approx $300-400. 2. I can then raise the boost to approx 14psi but will hit boost cut about then and will need a boost cut defender or FCD to get higher than that. These can be purchased for approx $80 or made from 80c worth of parts from Jaycar. 3. Having increased boost is a good thing but to get the max benefit from my mods I should get an ECU, either piggy-back or standalone, and have it tuned properly. 4. Some ECUs, such as the Emanage blue, have a FCD option which means a separate FCD is not required. These ECUs start at approx $450 with a P&P harness at approx $300. There is a certain amount of dyno time required to get sorted out properly.
If I have this correctly is there anything that combines the EBC, FCD and ECU, at a reasonable price? This is a daily driver and I'm just heading towards 200rwkw for now (famous last words, I know).
Friday, December 19, 2008 - 11:44 pm, by: Rob Rojo(Rob_tt)
1st Mod if not already fitted is a 2.5" or 3" (single into twin) mandrel Exhaust system with a good Hi-flow cat. My car gained around 18rwkw changing from just a cat back system to a full 3" mandrel bent system.
With your current mods plus exhaust and maybe a SAFC at 14psi you should make 200RWKW. My car made 217RWKW with just a 3" cat back system, pod, FMIC, Manual boost controller (@14psi). However if your thinking that you may want more power in the future just do it right the first time, Profec B boost controller and and EManage Ultimate (also takes care of speedcut and boost cut as well as plenty of tuning ability)
Saturday, December 20, 2008 - 02:38 pm, by: Daniel Burns(Danny)
Thanks for that Rob and Kyle...I was originally planning the exhaust first but the turbos became a priority. So it sounds like I should get the exhaust and see where I'm at (currently 159rwkw at around 10psi, with plenty of fuel available).
After that I can decide whether to go for a simple boost increase to 14psi or whether to go the EBC/ECU route.
Saturday, December 20, 2008 - 03:05 pm, by: Rob Rojo(Rob_tt)
The right exhaust can make such a difference, when I bought my car one of the first things was a 3" mandrel bent Single Exhaust which @ 14psi made 217.8RWKW, I hated the look of the single exhaust leaving a big gap on the other side so I changed it for a second hand 2.5" into twin 3" mufflers full system and changed to lews dump pipes at the same time. On the dyno at 16psi only made 212rwkw, which I was far from happy with as the Dumps alone should have given anywhere from 5-15rwkw. I then bought a 3" Hi Flow cat and go the exhaust shop to change all of the 2.5" to 3" mandrel bent. Went back on the dyno with everything else the same and made 235rwkw then with some tuning made 254rwkw @ 18psi on stock turbos. I don't know if a full 3" system is necessary as I think the 2.5" was just a poor design. Long story but hope it emphasises the point of a good system.
Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 07:16 pm, by: Mike Dobkin(Razman)
Danny, are you running a boost gauge already? The reason I ask is that my system is overboosting with just dumps, BFI, 3" decat and cannons. On a cold day I can spike up to 20 psi so my EBC doesn't get a chance to control anything as it can't lower the baseline boost. I am considering fitting a restrictor ring to limit boost to 14 psi, then use the EBC to raise it as required.
Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 07:30 pm, by: Rob Rojo(Rob_tt)
Mike, When it spikes to 20psi are you running the EBC? If it still does it when switched off you may have an issue with the wastegate sticking, damaged vacuum hose or dodgey actuator. With those mods the boost will go up from stock but shouldn't be spiking that hard with similar mods my car runs around 15psi with EBC off with no boost spike.
Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 07:54 pm, by: Mike Dobkin(Razman)
Rob, Initially I had the EBC plumbed in (fitted it while the dumps were being fitted) and boost was through the roof so I removed it which brought boost down a little. I left the controller connected, just using the boost gauge functions to monitor spikes etc. All the plumbing seems intact but I guess there is a possibility that the solenoid was leaking so I will have to check that. I didn't have the problem before the dumps were fitted so assumed it was the extra breathing mods which caused it to overboost - I am pretty sure the wastegates are not sticking but they might be a bit too small for the amount of gas whooshing through them now. I haven't fitted my FCD yet until I can bring the baseline boost down to a safe level. The restrictor ring is going to be my last resort as it seems such a crude way to control things.
Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 08:03 pm, by: Daniel Clarke(Dieseltrain)
The wastegates on the CT12a's have been known to crack and the actuators can struggle to open the wastegates properly. I myself have dumps and a straight through exhaust and natural boost for me is 12.5psi . I can however run up to 21psi with no issues on my ebc.
Mike possibly you have a leaking hose somewhere or your wastegate is getting stuck on something?
Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 09:09 pm, by: Daniel Burns(Danny)
Mike, I don't have a boost controller but I expect that I will still need one to make 14psi after I get the exhaust done. As Daniel has pointed out your boost sounds unusually high for your mods so there may be something amiss.
Of course if you wanted to send some of the extra over to me I'd happily take it..lol.
Thursday, December 25, 2008 - 07:36 pm, by: Mike Dobkin(Razman)
Definitely all stock items here so it looks as though I have got something a bit wonky. Good idea about the compressor - I have one of those jump starter packs with built in compressor so I will give each actuator a puff and see what happens.
Thursday, December 25, 2008 - 09:28 pm, by: Mike Dobkin(Razman)
Daniel, apologies for the hijack
You might have a look at this EBC - very cheap but pretty good on the spec. You can even program external devices (nitrous, water sprayers, exhaust cutouts etc) to activate under certain boost levels. It also has a built in turbo timer and fairly sophisticated boost gauge with peak hold and other stuff.
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