Hi all

1997 jdm wrx

I'm having some overboost issues following install of new headers and up pipe. Also got a decat mid pipe on.

I want to bypass my boost solenoid to check the wastegate. Ive found out on these forums I need to run a hose from the turbo nipple to the wastegate. My question is do I need to put the restrictor pill in this piece of hose because it would normally be in circuit

Thanks

 

your unmapped decat is your issue.
as with most unmapped mods

 

Will a manual boost controller do the job. I understand the ecu on these models is locked

 

unmapped mods is the issue......manual boost controller will solve it.
it will speed up the process you have started . I.e. blowing the engine up.

 

Overboosting can't be good either though. Can I put a manual in circuit with the solenoid to control the overboost?

 

its needs a map,THIS is the only cure.......

 

Ok thank you

 

You want get it right with a mbc, needs remap, I got same car as you

 

Just looking for a cheaper option because they can't be remapped without buying an ecu. Doesn't seem like there is one though

 

the option you have chosen isnt really cheaper as it will involve a new engine,
adding unmapped mods not only causes issues and engines blowing up but also doesnt add any power as the car needs to be mapped to get any gains.

 

The decat midpipe was on the car when I bought it and I've only changed the headers and up pipe because the old ones were blowing badly. I know there's no gains from standard without having it remapped. I'm quite happy with how quick it is and putting a mbc on is purely to cure overboost until the funding comes my way for an ecu.
Is overboosting without a remap worse than a mbc for now?

 

The perfect solution is to get a remap, but it's a costly prospect for an old car unless you are doing some major upgrades, IMO.
If it were me, I'd slap on a MBC at no more than 1.0bar and invest in some monitoring gear to make sure that the engine isn't detonating or running badly. Knocklink and wideband air/fuel gauge will let you know what's going on. Another option is to get it rolling road'ed and use the session to diagnose any potential problems.

 

That's good advice redscoob thanks for that.
If I put a mbc on do I need to take out the restrictor pill?

 

Not sure if the restrictor pill will do anything when a MBC installed. As I mentioned before, don't be tempted to turn the boost up. Stick to factory specs where possible.

 

Keep the pill in place, it helps the boost profile. If you must, fit the mbc and keep the boost down. Safest bet is probably to run it at wastegate pressure without any silly boost controllers until you can get the mapping issue dealt with. I have a 97 car too, ESL was the option I chose.

 

Just as an aside, the guy who owned my car before me had a manual boost controller fitted. The engine went bang.

 

Thanks redscoob and pie hole

So it will go

Turbo to mbc with pill.
Mbc to wastegate.

The old solenoid plumbs back into the air intake. Presumably I'll just blank that off???

 

Yup, you need to blank that off.
If you don't have a boost gauge, set the boost controller on minimum so you are running at wastegate pressure as piehole says. Better to be safe.

 

I have a boost gauge. Standard boost is about 0.9 bar I think

Thanks for your help guys