Turbo Boost controller, can it be used to conserve fuel?
Guest
Posts: n/a
Turbo Boost controller, can it be used to conserve fuel?
I sometimes make long trips out of state to visit my family and was wondering about how to make my soobie more conservative on fuel. I'm not that technical, but doesn't a turbo charger reduce fuel effeciency? It makes the engine burn more fuel, correct?
Someone please correct me, if I am wrong on this.
Anyway, what I would like to know if I can turn the turbo charger off? The turbo charger kicks in once the wrx exceeds 3k rpm's and when you're going about 70+ mph the rpm's are already above that or at least close to that. Now when I'm going to be driving a long way at a constant 80 mph, for example, the tc (turbo charger) will be engaged thus consuming extra fuel. So could I, using a boost controller, reduce how much air pressure the tc pumps in thus reduce how much fuel is being burnt? In effect, this would improve fuel effeciency? Right?
Could someone please tell me whether this is practical or whether it even works.
Are there other ways to conserve fuel?
Obviously when one tries to conserve fuel you sacrifice performance so I would like to be able to turn it on and off.
Someone please correct me, if I am wrong on this.
Anyway, what I would like to know if I can turn the turbo charger off? The turbo charger kicks in once the wrx exceeds 3k rpm's and when you're going about 70+ mph the rpm's are already above that or at least close to that. Now when I'm going to be driving a long way at a constant 80 mph, for example, the tc (turbo charger) will be engaged thus consuming extra fuel. So could I, using a boost controller, reduce how much air pressure the tc pumps in thus reduce how much fuel is being burnt? In effect, this would improve fuel effeciency? Right?
Could someone please tell me whether this is practical or whether it even works.
Are there other ways to conserve fuel?
Obviously when one tries to conserve fuel you sacrifice performance so I would like to be able to turn it on and off.
Guest
Posts: n/a
From my own experience, no, you can't use EBC (and most likely MBC) to conserve fuel.
EBC's can only set the boost at minimum to equal the wastegate spring, which in the WRX case is about 0.60bar (about 9psi or thereabouts).
If you're cruising at around 80mph, it's highly unlikely you will exceed 9psi unless you're trying to overtake in a hurry.
Likewise, driving around town, as long as you're not in a hurry, you won't exceed past 9psi.
The best mode of fuel saving IMHO is to drive like a grandma around town, or just cruise at constant speed with minimal 'hurried' overtaking in the highways.
I set my EBC to be completely off for 2 tankfuls; absolutely no fuel saving that I can notice (which means I'm already driving like a grandma
)
EBC's can only set the boost at minimum to equal the wastegate spring, which in the WRX case is about 0.60bar (about 9psi or thereabouts).
If you're cruising at around 80mph, it's highly unlikely you will exceed 9psi unless you're trying to overtake in a hurry.
Likewise, driving around town, as long as you're not in a hurry, you won't exceed past 9psi.
The best mode of fuel saving IMHO is to drive like a grandma around town, or just cruise at constant speed with minimal 'hurried' overtaking in the highways.
I set my EBC to be completely off for 2 tankfuls; absolutely no fuel saving that I can notice (which means I'm already driving like a grandma
)
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 955
From: Mann Engineering, Santa Clara, CA
Car Info: 13BRZ, 11FXT, 08T25, 07STI, 02WRX
That is strange, I have a friend that has an HKS EBC and he says that he can cruise at 90mph for 300miles setting max boost at 7psi and only uses like 7 gallons of fuel. Now I call that conserving fuel.
VIP Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,646
From: NYC
Car Info: 02 WRX WRB
The most effective device for controlling boost and maximizing economy is your right foot
Regardless of RPM you only develop boost under load. If you stay light on the throttle and keep it in vacuum you will use less fuel.
Of course we know that's hard (impossible?) to do in these cars but you can't have it both ways. If you want an economy car buy one but this isn't it. The gearing and low compression limit the efficiency even off-boost.
Regardless of RPM you only develop boost under load. If you stay light on the throttle and keep it in vacuum you will use less fuel.
Of course we know that's hard (impossible?) to do in these cars but you can't have it both ways. If you want an economy car buy one but this isn't it. The gearing and low compression limit the efficiency even off-boost.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I believe even if you are light footed you are wasting gas because our injectors are pretty big compared to economy cars meaning that they are always going to be spitting out large quantities of fuel. Light footed ness should just make you run really rich, not really saving that much fuel
to get the minimum boost you must connect the tip of the turbo directly to the waste gate. I believe the waste gate spring is 7psi meaning that you can't get less than 7 before the wastegate can open to limit your boost. Even with this method you are going to boost spike more than 7.
to get the minimum boost you must connect the tip of the turbo directly to the waste gate. I believe the waste gate spring is 7psi meaning that you can't get less than 7 before the wastegate can open to limit your boost. Even with this method you are going to boost spike more than 7.
Last edited by ontada2; Dec 24, 2002 at 09:09 PM.
Guest
Posts: n/a
darkpark, the right foot is the best way for good gas economy is your right foot, as Mulder said.
It seems you are new to a turbo car. I also am guessing your WRX doesn't have a boost gauge. Get a boost gauge installed, or test drive a WRX that has a boost gauge. You will gain much more insight on how a turbo works. I too was new to the turbo world when I picked up my car. The boost gauge helped a ton. With a light foot on the throttle, I have taken the car up to 110mph for a standing start without ever going into a boost condition.
If you are doing long trips, like you said, out of state. I take it you are doing highway driving. Just set the cruise control at the speed limit or a few clicks lower, since some speed limits are 70,75 (I don't know for the WRX, but in my experience, most cars get the best mpg between 60-65)
As for improving highway mpg. Even removing the turbo won't help, since you won't see boost unless you are going up a hill. Keeping your air filter clean and tires inflated correctly are the best way to go.
In my stock wagon, I have seen 26-28 mpg on the highway.
/\rcanum
It seems you are new to a turbo car. I also am guessing your WRX doesn't have a boost gauge. Get a boost gauge installed, or test drive a WRX that has a boost gauge. You will gain much more insight on how a turbo works. I too was new to the turbo world when I picked up my car. The boost gauge helped a ton. With a light foot on the throttle, I have taken the car up to 110mph for a standing start without ever going into a boost condition.
If you are doing long trips, like you said, out of state. I take it you are doing highway driving. Just set the cruise control at the speed limit or a few clicks lower, since some speed limits are 70,75 (I don't know for the WRX, but in my experience, most cars get the best mpg between 60-65)
As for improving highway mpg. Even removing the turbo won't help, since you won't see boost unless you are going up a hill. Keeping your air filter clean and tires inflated correctly are the best way to go.
In my stock wagon, I have seen 26-28 mpg on the highway.
/\rcanum
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RavSpec
Vendor Group Buys/Specials
1
Oct 4, 2004 12:03 PM
RavSpec
Vendor Group Buys/Specials
1
Sep 9, 2004 10:42 AM
RavSpec
Vendor Group Buys/Specials
1
Aug 25, 2004 03:26 PM
XwrxX
Aftermarket Forced Induction - Turboed factory NA engines
0
Dec 17, 2002 07:14 AM
