Is there a Subaru Turbo Cars for Noobs Book?

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Old Oct 17, 2012 | 12:27 PM
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Is there a Subaru Turbo Cars for Noobs Book?

WTF is a Boost Control Solenoid? Why would I want a 3 port aftermarket one?

Any Turbo snake oil to stay away from?
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 12:31 PM
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I would post Unabomber's Manifesto, the problem is that so much of it is either outdated or completely wrong and unless you know enough to begin with you won't be able to differentiate what's good and what's bad.
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 12:32 PM
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Depends on your modification level Gagan and whether or not your tuning it, slapping on a 3 port without remapping the associated tables will do more harm than good.
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 12:33 PM
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Factory boost control relies on a flimsy, inefficient solenoid. When boost levels are increased over stock, the factory actuators fail to properly meter boost. The resulting spikes, dips and erratic response can damage your engine and spoil the performance gains. An upgraded electronic boost control solenoid allows a much lower waste gate duty cycle to produce higher boost levels giving tuners better control and decreasing spool time. Now lets discuss why.

Stock 2-Port Operation
The stock solenoid is part of the stock bleed-based boost control system. When the solenoid is off (closed), pressurized air from the compressor is fed straight into the wastegate control. Any increase in compressor pressure beyond the rated pressure of the wastegate control results in the wastegate being opened, preventing buildup of boost.
When energized (opened), air is allowed to bleed off the compressor-to-wastegate line by way of a “T” connector. This prevents the wastegate from seeing the full compressor pressure, allowing boost to build. Most model years include a restrictor pill in the hose connecting the compressor to the “T” which meters the air for the stock ECU calibration.
While the stock system operates adequately, it can lead to problems at higher-than-stock boost levels. Since the bleed system is sized for the stock turbo at stock boost levels, it is typically incapable of correctly metering air at higher boost, allowing the wastegate to see pressure and open before intended.
Additionally, since the wastegate is never completely cut off from seeing compressor pressure, it can open at low boost levels and inhibit boost buildup. Ideally, the wastegate should remain entirely closed for fastest boost buildup (as all exhaust is then forced through the turbine).

Aftermarket 3-Port Operation
A 3-port solenoid does away with the bleed-based system, explicitly shunting air from the compressor to the wastegate, or compressor to vent (or back into the intake post-MAF, OEM-style). Drawbacks of the bleed-based system are thus eliminated, with the wastegate seeing literally no pressure when the solenoid is energized, to seeing all of the compressor pressure when the solenoid is de-energized.
Now able to totally control the opening and closing of the wastegate, the ECU is able to control boost with greater precision and reduced response time.

This modification will make your current boost map OBSOLETE. You MUST retune boost. If you have no way to tune your boost control tables, you should NOT do this mod.

There are a lot of options out there. Some are a little easier to install than others, but all perform the same function. I have done some research in the solenoids available. If you do a little looking around you can find reviews for each of them
Pretty good writeup on wrxtuners
Aftermarket Boost Control Solenoids - Subaru WRX Forum: WRX Forums
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 12:43 PM
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"A turbo, exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, with a supercharger, air goes in,witchcraft happens and you go faster."

- Jeremy Clarkson
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 12:50 PM
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We can sit down and have a talk if you'd like.
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 01:01 PM
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A little old but still some good info

High-Performance Subaru Builder's Guide: Includes the Impreza,Legacy,Forester,Outback,WRX and STI (S-A Design): Jeffrey Zurschmeide: 9781932494518: Amazon.com: Books High-Performance Subaru Builder's Guide: Includes the Impreza,Legacy,Forester,Outback,WRX and STI (S-A Design): Jeffrey Zurschmeide: 9781932494518: Amazon.com: Books
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 01:10 PM
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Are you reading the SCCA rules? Isn't that just a boost controller? Allows you to manually control the boost level. I ran one back when I was doing auto-x, it forced me into Street Mod.
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by esousa22
My advise is to ignore all posts by that guy. He posted a "FAQ" thread years ago that gets quoted on all of the Subaru forums and there is more incorrect information that correct. He did a great disservice posting what he did.
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Brfatal
My advise is to ignore all posts by that guy. He posted a "FAQ" thread years ago that gets quoted on all of the Subaru forums and there is more incorrect information that correct. He did a great disservice posting what he did.
umm okay. I just searched google and posted what I found since I'm bored as hell at work. Seems like everyone else on wrxtuners thought that info was useful. It taught me a little about boost control solenoids, sure it could've been MORE descriptive but its not totally useless

Last edited by esousa22; Oct 18, 2012 at 03:17 PM.
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by esousa22
umm okay. I just searched and posted what I found. Seems like everyone else on wrxtuners thought that info was useful. It taught me a little about boost control solenoids, sure it could've been MORE descriptive but its not totally useless
On WRXTuners I suggest you find any posts by Donkey on the topic (I'll look later and post what I find). He is the best source of information about boost control on that and several other of the Subaru forums. He's one of the original free map makers on the ROMRaider boards.
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Brfatal
On WRXTuners I suggest you find any posts by Donkey on the topic (I'll look later and post what I find). He is the best source of information about boost control on that and several other of the Subaru forums. He's one of the original free map makers on the ROMRaider boards.
ahhh okay, I'll check it out, thanks. I'll let you do the honors because you always seem to know what you are talking about
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 02:23 PM
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WHAT A NOOB!!!!
You probably want a 5 port one....
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 04:10 PM
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*Note to self: Do not buy 3 port controller until ready for tuning from mike... and also do not being car to mike unless it's 100% ready and not leaking and ****...
Old Oct 17, 2012 | 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by joltdudeuc
*Note to self: Do not buy 3 port controller until ready for tuning from mike... and also do not being car to mike unless it's 100% ready and not leaking and ****...
Damn people still read my FB posts huh?? LOL!



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