When should I hit max boost?
 

Well I just noticed I don't hit my max boost in 1st or 2nd gear. Is this normal for a stock turbo? I only have an intake.

your cats are probably clogged.

But I get to where I should in 3rd and 4th. Still could be clogged cats?

the car/turbo is under more load in the higher gears...so you'll get more boost...

rev the car in neutral and see how much boost you build...not much eh?

Oh I know that, but I think I was getting full boost in at least 2nd gear when I first got the car a few weeks ago. Thought 1st too. Need to fix a hose coming from the i/c and see what happens. Could I be getting a certain amount of boost, but lose it to the broken hose? Is that possible? Like I am getting 5# but only really feeling 2# or so? Can that happen?

Turbo boost is dependent on engine load.&nbsp In 1st and 2nd gear, there is just not enough time for the engine to load before you hit redline.&nbsp You should see full boost in 3rd gear though...



-Ted

Hmm..I guess, I could have sworn I was getting full boost in 2nd though. And I ran my car down my street before parking and it seemed to take a while to get full in 3rd even. Not good.

Oh, it's possible with a mildly modded FC, but if you got a full exhaust, 1st and 2nd gear are just too quick! :D



-Ted

but considering his full boost is 5psi. you should hit it even in 1st I think. you just won't hit 10 in 1st if that's what it's set at.

You should get 6.56psig full boost on a S4. Yes, clogged cats will affect this, as well as leaks in the intake, and a number of other things. Assuming the gauge is accurate, 5psig means 5psig, regardless of what you feel. You may notice less power because it has been hot and humid lately, which will reduce your bhp for a given boost level. Also, the engine load is greater up-hill, up-wind, when the vehicle is carrying more weight, etc., so these things will also affect the boost.