Troubleshooting boost loss

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

SuperPete

SHO Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Messages
206
Reaction score
146
Location
PA
Does ambien temperature effect how much boost computer commands?
Now as it all of a sudden got colder, in to mid 20's low 30's, I am back again to 12PSI with OAR at -.96
 

High on Ethanol

Just Ain't Care
Joined
Aug 3, 2019
Messages
1,641
Reaction score
1,763
Location
USA
You are probably looking at the wrong metric for performance. Have you noticed changes in 0-60 times, or seat of the pants feels? Boost is not the best indicator of.....much unless used as a tool when you have an issue with drivability or performance.

On SCT I track primarily lambda, timing, intake temp, and knock. If I use my laptop and HPTuners then I track probably everything.

I'm any case of you have concerns or questions, I'd ask the tuner first. Because you are paying for their knowledge and if it's a locked tune, only they can change it.
 

SuperPete

SHO Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Messages
206
Reaction score
146
Location
PA
I put Boost PSI on my SCT screen and I also log, both show low boost.
I have boost solenoid coming tomorrow, will replace that, tank of fresh gas and log again, probably send that log to GreatHead, to see what they say
 

High on Ethanol

Just Ain't Care
Joined
Aug 3, 2019
Messages
1,641
Reaction score
1,763
Location
USA
Are you noticing any drivability or performance difference if you ignore the boost reading? I have actually made quicker 0-60 on less boost because my intake temps were lower. Also when I switched to E30 my boost never spiked as high. But if you actually have a boost leak, then by all means troubleshoot and swap parts as needed. When I datalog for Gearhead, I don't even think the log includes boost. But maybe I'm thinking of a different vendor. At any rate, I'm sure Matt will be of great help.
 

SuperPete

SHO Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Messages
206
Reaction score
146
Location
PA
I do notice less power, not as powerful at the top end, tomorrow log will show, I'll keep you all updated.
Thank you
 

SuperPete

SHO Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Messages
206
Reaction score
146
Location
PA
I am actually planing to go E30, finger on the trigger to buy a pump, missed a killer deal, Extreme DI has 20% off during winter $1400 for a pump, I missed by one day LOL
Anyway, maybe this weekend I buy it and go full bore with it
 

stripSHO

Idiot Savant
Joined
Sep 9, 2019
Messages
778
Reaction score
853
Location
Detroit
Does ambien temperature effect how much boost computer commands?
Now as it all of a sudden got colder, in to mid 20's low 30's, I am back again to 12PSI with OAR at -.96
Yes. But there shouldn't be a loss of performance. Your ecu targets load, not boost. Colder Temps require less psi to achieve the same load. Also when you said 19 psi before I assume you were referring to a transient peak and not real loaded boost

When I first glanced your log the other day it was as a spreadsheet on my phone. I'm no pro, but now that I've opened it in livelink it looks to me that 1) your Turbo Wastegate Percentage was through the roof and 2) your intake temps were really high for winter driving with an upgraded IC (heatsoak maybe?). Dumb question but your air filter is clean, yes? Keep looking for boost leaks or blockages but if everything on the surface is OK then maybe a turbo is puking? :scratch:
 

stripSHO

Idiot Savant
Joined
Sep 9, 2019
Messages
778
Reaction score
853
Location
Detroit
Lol $1400 for a fuel pump isn't exactly a "deal" in the broad sense. And I don't know what you gotta smoke to contemplate $2500 for the xdi-60 but I want some of it
 

SuperPete

SHO Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Messages
206
Reaction score
146
Location
PA
High intake tamps because of the heat soak, you are correct.
Filter not in the very bad shape but needs to be cleaned for sure, I will take care of that this weekend.
I am thinking to do smoke test myself to check for leaks over the weekend and I still thinking boost solenoid is possible issue, I have new one coming tomorrow will swap right away.
Why do you think waist gate is trough the roof, what would cause that?

19psi was peak not loaded boost, you are correct
 
Last edited:

stripSHO

Idiot Savant
Joined
Sep 9, 2019
Messages
778
Reaction score
853
Location
Detroit
High intake tamps because of the heat soak, you are correct.
Filter not in the very bad shape but needs to be cleaned for sure, I will take care of that this weekend.
I am thinking to do smoke test myself to check for leaks over the weekend and I still thinking boost solenoid is possible issue, I have new one coming tomorrow will swap right away.
Why do you think waist gate is trough the roof, what would cause that?

19psi was peak not loaded boost, you are correct

My comments are based on the fact that my car is bone stock and takes 58%-63% WGDC to achieve a load of 1.6-1.7 (14-15psi). You're at 70%-87% for 1.5-1.6 load (12-15 psi) with upgraded exhaust. I also don't get nearly as much boost trailing off at high rpm as you do, which makes me suspect a weak turbo. But that's just me throwing out a half-educated guess. Environment plays a heavy role and what my car does here in Detroit might not jive with what you should expect in PA, particularly if you're up in the hills.

You're meeting or exceeding target TIP pressures so I don't think the solenoid will solve anything. Well, you were on the Jan 3 anyway. It can't **** you to try replacing it though!
 

SuperPete

SHO Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Messages
206
Reaction score
146
Location
PA
Once I had intercooler installed, Matt at GearHead did tune revision for me, he sad waistgate needs to be adjusted to compensate for larger volume, that is why they are so high.
Thanks for input
 

SM105K

Streetlight Grand Prix Champ/ IG @fafomotorsports
Joined
May 3, 2018
Messages
7,405
Reaction score
9,701
Location
Arizona
Once I had intercooler installed, Matt at GearHead did tune revision for me, he sad waistgate needs to be adjusted to compensate for larger volume, that is why they are so high.
Thanks for input

He is correct, the upgraded intercooler is on the verge of being to big for the stock turbos.
 

FiveLeeter918

Ortiz Performance Sales
Joined
May 22, 2017
Messages
2,362
Reaction score
2,899
Location
Tulsa, OK
He is correct, the upgraded intercooler is on the verge of being to big for the stock turbos.

I don't know that I'd say it's "too big" for the stock turbos, but the added pressure drop is almost too much for them to overcome.

I gained 50hp with it, but it's harder to maintain boost without maxing the wastegate. Commanding 18 psi and when the converter locks it starts to taper off to 14 up top. I bought TurboSmart wastegates to try to hold pressure better but like everything else I have no time to install.
 

SM105K

Streetlight Grand Prix Champ/ IG @fafomotorsports
Joined
May 3, 2018
Messages
7,405
Reaction score
9,701
Location
Arizona
I don't know that I'd say it's "too big" for the stock turbos, but the added pressure drop is almost too much for them to overcome.

I gained 50hp with it, but it's harder to maintain boost without maxing the wastegate. Commanding 18 psi and when the converter locks it starts to taper off to 14 up top. I bought TurboSmart wastegates to try to hold pressure better but like everything else I have no time to install.

Just saying what Matt's has said before.
 

Foosie

New Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2019
Messages
17
Reaction score
7
Location
Buffalo
I don't know that I'd say it's "too big" for the stock turbos, but the added pressure drop is almost too much for them to overcome.

I gained 50hp with it, but it's harder to maintain boost without maxing the wastegate. Commanding 18 psi and when the converter locks it starts to taper off to 14 up top. I bought TurboSmart wastegates to try to hold pressure better but like everything else I have no time to install.
What intercooler did you go with? and can I get a link to it
 

Forum statistics

Threads
107,088
Messages
1,181,314
Members
16,153
Latest member
lapochkarr

Members online

Back
Top