What can you do about turbo lag? Is there anything that can be done to eliminate the lag, and if there is, are there long term effects to this mod?

thnx!

 

Best way to deal with it, is to image driving a non-turbo car. Then, you will be very happy with whatever lag you have.

 

I would start with a freeflowing exhaust - replace your up-pipe and get a turbo back exhaust that is bigger than stock like the Cobb set up and you'll see definite decreases in lag.

I'm going to move this to the ej20 forum.

 

Mash the gas pedal harder to eliminate turbo lag
Nah, that's not what I wanted to say... like sonicscuby said, start freeing up some exhaust flow with uppipe, downpipe, and catback or just downpipe and turboback. A bit of engine management would do you some good too. No matter what though, DO NOT fiddle with turbo restrictors like they have in WRC cars, because you'll just kill your poor Impreza and not have a sponsor to give you money to fix her back up

 

Helix up pipe is the only way to go! And there is no damage with an up pipe, in fact it is much better for the car.

 

rent a corolla for a few days.

 

one could spool up the turbo before launching so there is less lag or next to no lag.

Mash you gas a few times to get the turbo revs up it should be enough for a good launch. There are probably better methods for this but i'm a nut so there.

 

look at it this way, turbo lag saves you gas

 

If you want to get rid of lag, you have to keep your rpm in the boost area around 3500 or more. When you do exhaust and ecu you will have less lag, about 3000 rpm will spool approx. When you get a new turbo, injectors, fuel pump, etc., you'll either add lag for better top end power, or decrease lag with better low or midrange power. The possitive thinking for lag is that you have a gas saving car till you decide to punch it.

 

Helix uppipe is fine. So are the rest of them. I use a Vishnu 321 (stainless alloy) uppipe and it works fine but would prefer one with a flex section because I think the better ones are less prone to exhaust leaks on a street-driven vehicle. There is not much difference in performance between any of the catless uppipes.

On a WRX, less restriction after the turbo is desirable. Properly tuned, you don't lose power with larger diameter tubing - you lose backpressure which hinders turbo spool-up. 2.5" is good but practical limit is about 3" diameter tubing unless you are willing to sacrifice some ground clearance or can live with some interference with the drivetrain.

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

You can't beat gutting the stock pipe. And it still looks stock when you are done.
That alone took around 1000 rpm's off the old lag that drove me crazy.
Now with a full turbo back, and Accessport @ stg.2/ 93 octane, lag no longer exists.

 

boost is cool.

 

When you gut the stock pipe, does the cel still come on?

 

I was under the impression that turbo vehicles didnt need backpressure like N/A motors and that any increase in post turbo exhaust flow would only be benificial. Will you please explain how decreasing backpressure too much hurts spool up? Im not doubting what you say, I would just like to understand.

Thanks