Manual Boost Controller Question

[MAS_R33]

Hi All,

I've got a R33 running stock boost. I've got hold of a manual boost controller and wanted to run it at 10 psi or so (just to see how it is and whether it is worth investing in a electronic boost controller).

My only issue is I only have the stock boost guage - not really wanting to invest in a boost guage as would be a waist if i went with a EBC.

Everything I've read says that the stock boost guage is far too inaccurate to get a decent idea and im more likely to overboost and cause problems!!

any thoughts? Is it worth doing it with the stock boost guage and guessing?

[The Mafia]

You've read everything but you have to ask again?

If you can't afford to do it properly, then don't do it.

Also, an answer to your question: no. Get a boost gauge.

I'm guessing you'll be back to ask another well known question when you do get your boost above 10psi..

[Room42]

First things first... Along the lines of what The Mafia said...Get a boost gauge. Boost gauges are cool. Wasting money is relative. I could ride a $50 mountain bike to work but instead I drive my skyline every day that I "wasted" $8k on so far.

For now just put in your boost valve and keep turning it until the car cuts out violently. You will shit yourself when this happens and wonder if you blew your car up. You didn't. This will be about 14 psi. Then turn it back about half the turns you have already turned it. This should land you above 7 psi and below 12 psi. Play with it.

In my opinion you don't need to spend money on a ebc yet. Buy a power fc or similar so you can use the extra boost properly. Then read like a mofo for a few weeks so you know stuff. Stuff is good to have on your car but you need to know what to get and which order to get it.

Here is the suckfull part. I do all my mechanical and tuning work myself. I have worked out that to turn a r33 gtst from stock to beast cost about $20k. But first things first....Get a boost gauge and put in your manual boost controller.

Oh and be nice to The Mafia or he will rip you a new one.

[MAS_R33]

thanks.... i think

[Room42]

Although it sounds like I was taking the piss I was actually being honest about it. If you want a fast as f**k skyline then you'd better start from the start and one of the starters is a boost gauge and boost tee.

[zebra]

Although it sounds like I was taking the piss I was actually being honest about it. If you want a fast as f**k skyline then you'd better start from the start and one of the starters is a boost gauge and boost tee.

And an oil pressure gauge!!!!!

[Room42]

And an oil pressure gauge!!!!!

Exactly

[ARTZ]

pffft!! gauges , I never had a boost gauge tuned at 19psi..

thats said, I got a professional to tune it to set and forget for me...

earlier on I had a bleed valve and wide open it would only crack 11psi

I did buy a boost gauge out of boredom eventually, its pretty gay

[MAS_R33]

hi all,

thanks for the advice... I followed it and just installed a digital boost gauge.

Had a few questions which i thought id raise here before starting a new topic!!

a) i tapped the new boost gauage into the line where the standard boost gauge is. This OK? I'm readying about -10 at idle and when boosting im hitting about 6 or 7 (which i spose is correct for stock!!)??

b) I havent installed the manual boost controller yet - wanted to make sure i understood how i tune it. Is it a matter of installing, adjusting and then taking it for a drive and seeing where the boost max is at? I'm wanting to run it at 10 or so psi so i slowly adjust it till i get ot the 10??

Is it sensible to do this without a dyno? or have i got it completely wrong?

thanks in advance

[GTSBoy]

1) Yes. Fine.

2) Yes. Set the boost controller to minimum, take it for a drive. Look for boost level in 3rd or 4th, not in low gears (it will make more boost in higher gears). Adjust controller up a bit, try again, rinse and repeat. Be aware that 10psi is a rough sensible number to aim for. If you get to 9.5 and it doesn't seem in any way faster when you go up to 10, then it's probably not worth setting it to 10, just leave it at 9.5 and save a little fuel. These numbers just for example.

And make sure you install the controller properly. Do it wrong and you could organise some unlimited boost for yourself, which is not helpful.

[GTScotT]

get a turbotech for 30 bucks, borrow a boost gauge or just freaking get one then set and forget.

I am yet to see the need for an EBC vs a turbotech on a simple 'one setting' setup. Save yourself the time, effort, money and all the rest.

Get a cool looking boost gauge and a 30 buck turbotech and be happy like the rest of us.

[MAS_R33]

thanks for all your help guys.

yep turbotech is now installed. Talk about a pain in the @ss to try and get right.

I can get it to sit nicely on 9psi or mostly 10 with the occassional maxing out at 11.

reckon this is safe for a car that is relatively stock other than exhaust, dump pipe and pod?

thanks!!