Manual Boost controller question
03-31-2003, 05:47 PM
#1
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Manual Boost controller question
Does anyone have a Boostvalve MBC on their WRX. How long to install and is there any directions for it (on the net). My buddy wants to sell to me. Plus what is a safe boost to run with stock internals. I just have an intake and GFB BOV. Thanks
03-31-2003, 06:57 PM
#4
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Thanks Guys
Thanks, but now you both have me confused. Does anyone else have this done to their WRX or does anyone else have an opinion on this. I would think that 15.5 is not be an unsafe jump from 13.5, but then again I am not, by anymeans, a WRX expert.
Last edited by wrx46; 04-01-2003 at 05:13 PM.
03-31-2003, 09:24 PM
#6
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i have a K&N filter, and a boostvalve MBC. it doesn't take long to install.. but if you have the universal (like i do) it takes a little tweaking. but it's basic and simple. make sure you look over direction and stuff, so you know what goes to what and why. i'm boosting like 1.2 bar in 4th... when you're adjusting your boost, don't go buy the boost from 1st and 2nd. go by 3rd or 4th. because if you're boosting at like 1.1 bar in 1st or 2nd, you're going to hit like 1.4 in 4th... WAY TOO MUCH... car trips out and your check engine light comes on. but man you can really feel a difference, it's awesome.
03-31-2003, 11:13 PM
#7
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boostvalve mbc
I have a boostvalve mbc on an otherwise stock (for the moment) wrx. First, I think the boostvalve is a great and economical mbc. Second, insure that you install it correctly. I'm running about 15.25 psi in third and hit 16psi in fifth under load. Which is all fairly conservative. One thing I can say is DO NOT set your boost to 1.2 bar in fourth (or any gear for that matter) as Toekneepark suggests. 1.2 bar is equal to 17.4 psi!
You do not want to do that to an otherwise stock turbo and engine. .1Mpa=1bar=14.5psi so 1.1bar = ~16psi. You really don't want to go over that, although if you're pulling 16.5 in fifth once in a while I think your probably okay. Remeber, it's always good idea to start conservatively.
Also, I have two brass valves (I bought at Home Depot) and some vacuum tubing that I hooked up so I can turn my boostvalve on and off, running my mbc or my stock boost controller. Until I install my uppipe later next week I really don't want my wife driving the car with the mbc on (she does a lot of long distance commuting). I don't want her to have to worry about watching the boost gauge and ptfb conditions (which will happen, so I do suggest getting a catless uppipe as soon as possible).
The directions that come with the boostvalve are pretty good. You can also look around on the forum and find a ton of resources. One thing I did notice though is that the boostvavle dirctions tell you to source the vacuum line from over by the blow-off vavle (post intercooler) rather than at the compressor where the stock boost controller is sourced. I did it this way and it works well. I even asked Ric at boostvalve.com why he suggests doing it this way and he gave me a very technical answer as to why he chooses to hook into the vacuum line after the intercooler. It made sense to me. I can't remember the specifics exactly but I have them in an e-mail somewhere.
Anyway, a boostvalve mbc is a great way to go, but be careful! Used improperly or foolishly it is a great way to blow up your engine.
Goodluck!
You do not want to do that to an otherwise stock turbo and engine. .1Mpa=1bar=14.5psi so 1.1bar = ~16psi. You really don't want to go over that, although if you're pulling 16.5 in fifth once in a while I think your probably okay. Remeber, it's always good idea to start conservatively.Also, I have two brass valves (I bought at Home Depot) and some vacuum tubing that I hooked up so I can turn my boostvalve on and off, running my mbc or my stock boost controller. Until I install my uppipe later next week I really don't want my wife driving the car with the mbc on (she does a lot of long distance commuting). I don't want her to have to worry about watching the boost gauge and ptfb conditions (which will happen, so I do suggest getting a catless uppipe as soon as possible).
The directions that come with the boostvalve are pretty good. You can also look around on the forum and find a ton of resources. One thing I did notice though is that the boostvavle dirctions tell you to source the vacuum line from over by the blow-off vavle (post intercooler) rather than at the compressor where the stock boost controller is sourced. I did it this way and it works well. I even asked Ric at boostvalve.com why he suggests doing it this way and he gave me a very technical answer as to why he chooses to hook into the vacuum line after the intercooler. It made sense to me. I can't remember the specifics exactly but I have them in an e-mail somewhere.
Anyway, a boostvalve mbc is a great way to go, but be careful! Used improperly or foolishly it is a great way to blow up your engine.
Goodluck!
04-01-2003, 12:01 PM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Castro Valley, CA
Posts: 60
at first i also had a mbc on mine that a friend made. it worked great then i got a egt gauge. i was running about 16.5 psi in fifth. all stock motor and a cat back. i started to watch the temps so one day i took of the mbc to see the change in temps and ran stock boost it would hit about 12 psi in fifth gear. to my surprize the temps were only about 300 to 400 lower than running 16.5 psi. and that was only a few times for the most part they were the same. but i do think you should invest in a egt also. 
04-01-2003, 05:56 PM
#12
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it might if you go TOO much. but if you stay at 16 you should be fine. if anything DOES happen... most likely you'll get a fuel cut off and check engine will come on. just turn down the boost a bit, and wait for the check engine light to turn off. it'll turn off, mine turned off the next day.
09-18-2003, 04:42 PM
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 461
Car Info: 04 Java Black Sedan
One question i have concerning the install of the MBC is should I leave the stock boost control solenoid hooked up or should i unplug it. I know on my Talon I unplugged it with not problems.
10-29-2003, 08:23 AM
#15
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 461
Car Info: 04 Java Black Sedan
Do any of you have any problems holding consistant boost? I am running the stock turbo and have the boost set at 16psi, however it normally doesn't hold there. It drops to about 14. How did you guys install yours? Did you install using the vacumm line going to the BOV as the source or come right off the turbo? I also have a boostvalve MBC and followed the directions that came with it.