A little extra boost

I'm thinking about installing a boost controller to slightly up the boost on my GTA.

Since I had the wastegate actuator changed a while back, it's peaking at 9.5 / almost 10PSI and holding steady at around 8ish. But I have a feeling that this might be slightly lower than factory.

I don't want to peak over the 1 Bar fuel cut and was thinking of peaking at 12 or so. Looking at the GFB Atomic controller.

Will the standard fueling / ignition etc. cope with this OK?

Has anyone any experience of doing something similar?

Thanks

Jon

Hi,

I have a spare ECU with the ART boost controller thingy on it if you want.

This has pre-emptd my post.

I have a standard set up on my GTA Turbo and felt that the boost level was a bit below par. I was lucky enough to be lent a boost gauge by Turbodog. Fitted this and noticed a peak reading of 10 PSI, holding at around 9. So, I decided to shorten the actuator arm.
What was most annoying was one of the two bolts holding the frame to the top of the engine. One was under the metal pipe connecting to the turbo housing. This bolt was eventually loosened but took ages.
Anyway, I managed to take off the actuator arm, loosen off the securing nut and turned the arm through one complete revolution.
Put everything back and found the boost to peak at nearly 13 and hold at 11.
I believe this is closer to the factory set up.

Hi,

I have a spare ECU with the ART boost controller thingy on it if you want.

Hope this is not the same one as i am getting, if not then i might want it too!

Give me a call to discuss if you like on 07753 819161

Ta Ta

Not that i'm aware! It's here anyone wants it- all funds to the Turbo rebuild

Thanks for the replies.

I don't want to replace the ECU or anything. Basically, I'm looking at a gated bleed valve on the wastegate actuator feed - so the effect will be the same as pgoldsmith mentioned but easier to tweak than adjusting the actuator.

I just wanted to check that by going up to something like peak 13/hold 11 it wouldn't over-stretch the fuel mix etc.

You might ....If you're going to do it then at the very least get it setup with some AFR equipment .Rolling road would be simplest as they can put a sensor in the tail pipe .
It may well be OK but how healthy is the headgasket ?
Just be prepared for the worst You can't just up the boost on a 20 year old lump and expect plain sailing .

Makes sense.
Thanks

You can't just up the boost on a 20 year old lump and expect plain sailing .

But we all do it anyway!

You can't just up the boost on a 20 year old lump and expect plain sailing .

We all do it anyway

Ahhh ,yes ..............but we expect it to blow up and are prepared
I'm just voicing a word of caution to those that haven't had the joys of pulling their own lumps

Always good to know what to expect - and to learn from others' experience!

BTW, what is the factory boost supposed to be? The workshop manual talks about 0.92 - 0.95 Bar (13.5 - 13.9 PSI) giving a 0.38mm movement of the actuator arm. Obviously, this is just for setting-up the actuator but I can't find anything that specifies what pressure the boost should be

Thanks again

The boost pressure when correctly set should read at full load 12.5 PSI, and at maximum speed 10.5 PSI, with a tolerance of 0.3 PSI.

I hope this helps.

to those that haven't had the joys of pulling their own lumps

*sigh* - every morning....

You might ....If you're going to do it then at the very least get it setup with some AFR equipment .Rolling road would be simplest as they can put a sensor in the tail pipe .
It may well be OK but how healthy is the headgasket ?
Just be prepared for the worst You can't just up the boost on a 20 year old lump and expect plain sailing .

Are the head gaskets on the PRV a particular week point?

I know of many unkown J7R's that have been dropped into 21's and run 18PSI and some even running 21 PSI without too much trouble; the extra power causing other mechanical failures I know head gaskets on this engine are not too much of a problem. As a safe guide on an old engine some used to keep it to 15 - 16 PSI. How does this compare to the PRV ?

How much capacity does the standard set up have for the extra fueling required, can you run 2-3 PSI safely without modding the fueling sytem?

I have not got this far yet LOL but I will need to know as I dont plan on running standard boost thats for sure when the car is finally finished.

I agree with Clee though set the car up to the fueling available not the other way round. That way you know the car is running properly and not running lean.

Si21