Boost Problem only 7psi
 

Hi. I'm only hitting a 7-5-7 boost pattern. My mod list is as follows. Apexi intakes, rx7 store downpipe, stock cat, hks cat back, replaced all vacuum hoses with silacone. SARD R2D2 BOV. I'm having a difficult time figuring this out. I have searched for a while but i havent found anyone with the same problem. Any ideas? Thanks

--Hank

--Also, what are these "pills" that people put in the vacuum lines? I dont think i had those to begin with? Confused. If anyone could post a pic that would be great. Thanks again.

You have a boost leak. Check all your turbo couplers, ESPECIALLY the one between the y-pipe and crossover pipe as it is prone to splitting.

Look for boost leaks, but I have a feeling you may be missing the pills in the precontrol and wastegate hoses. Or that your precontrol and wastegate solenoid electrical connectors are crossed, which effectively disables them.

Dave

what are the pills?

check this link for more on the pills https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/precontrol-boost-pil-120842/

The "pills" are restrictors in the lines from the turbo exit to the PC & WG actuators. In early cars, they were actually cylindrical inserts in the tubing. In later cars, they are eliminated and replaced by restrictors in the actuator nipples going to these same lines. The stock ECU "controls" boost by balancing solenoid duty cycles against these restrictions using an open loop map, thus regulating the pressure that these actuators see. If the pills are missing, the actuators see the full boost pressure, and boost pressure is thus limited to the 7-psi WG spring setting.

looks like it's time to get a boost controller:) j/k My Profec B Spec II is awesome.

Many people get the solenoids switched when hooking them back up. One of them originally came with a white dot on it. The one with the dot connects to the plug with a white dot. If there are no dots, try switching the plugs. This may fix your problem.

It doesn't sound like you have a boost leak.

Yah with that boost pattern sounds like you're boosting off the WG spring.

I'm along with the changed to silicone vacuum hoses and the pills got tossed when the waste gate and pre control hoses were changed.

Hey thanks for the help so far guys! This forum is friggin rad. Big Ups to DaveW. That makes sense about the solonoids. So do i need to talk to the dealer about this or should i just go to home dopey and buy some brass valves or something and just screw with them until i get the right boost. Also is it cool to run a 10-8-10 curve on the stock ecu? Thanks again.

--Hank

10-8-10 is the stock curve for the fd.

does anyone have the part numbers for the "pills" Thanks

restrictor pills
 

Hey guys. i'm only boosting 7psi. I have been told that it is becasue i dont have the restrictor pills in my lines for the wastegate and precontrol. Should i buy those pills or should i just get a profec b spec 2 and adjust it that way. Or would i still need those pills? Also does anyone have pictures of the pills, or part #'s. Thanks

--Hank

IMO, I would just get a boost controller.

I merged your threads, what was the point of making a new one?

Depending on the boost controller you get and how you hook it up, you may still need to get a precontrol pill. Please use the FAQ thread! Either order a new pill from Mazda or get the appropriately sized Holley carb jet. www.fd3s.net has the correct sizes.

ive been searching for a while now and am trying to make sense of my boost problem. in 1st and 2nd gear my boost pattern is 4-2-4, but in 3rd its 3-2-5 and it will go as high as 7 if i stay on it long enough. it will not go this high in 1st or second.

i checked fd3s.net for the boost troubleshooting page. checked most of it. no splits in y pipe coupling, all the 1" hoses are tight. i have the apex intakes so i can hear the stock bov working fine.
i have not checked the pills or the charge control actuator. any hints on how to check these?

If you are just boosting 7 lbs it is an indication you are running off the wastegate spring.

I had this problem twice.

First time, the wastegate actuator rod had become disconnected.

Second time, my $5 homedepot boost controller broke.

Hope this helps. If it's a boost controller problem you can make your own boost controller for a few bucks like I did, but in my case it only lasted a couple thousand miles.

i have a brand new profec b II waiting to go in. but im not one to mod my car when there is a problem with the system i want to mod. if i can indeed verify that the problem is the pills then i will no doubt install the controller.

...would it be the pill for the wastegate or the precontrol? thanks

That's the most common coupler to split, but the other ones are also prone to leaks. Check the lower i/c elbow (remove the metal cover) and the coupler to the tb elbow.

i remember one time i had a boost leak and i could actually hear the air leaking out. i cant actually hear any air leaking this time, it all sounds normal.

That doesn't matter.

While reading the troubleshooting page did you notice any where that it said if you don't make at least 7 psi on the primary turbo you won't see any boost on the secondary ? Even if you had no pills the turbos shouldmake 7psi of boost. You either have a bad primary turbo (since you say you've removed all your large couplers and turned them inside out and found no cracks or splits) so there's must not be any large leak and therfore your turbo is bad.