Well after a year of trouble free driving it was bound to happen, my first boost problem. This is coming right after finishing my silicone vacuum hose replacement job, so I'm pretty sure that it's just a simple misrouted or pinched hose.

Symptoms are:

7psi across the board, but at 4500 I can swear that I feel the switchover happening.
After 5 or so minutes of driving 0psi across the board.
Normal vac readings.
I can hear the turbos spooling and the BOV working, no whoosh (leak) sounds.

What I've checked so far:

All the visible hoses and tubes.
Reset the ECU.
Tried a 2nd boost gauge, same readings.
Noticed a slight leak at the intake elbow, checked bolt torques and they were good, I think I need to replace the gasket.

Mods:

Downpipe
Efini Y-Pipe
M2 Intake
Turbos replaced mid 2000, during the replacement job I found no pills so I'm assuming these are the new style turbos, I used 6mm hose on those connections.

I doubt that the leaky intake elbow would cause this type of problem, but I may be wrong. Anyone know where I should start the troubleshooting process? TIA.

 

Hey JR. Hope you didn't forget the pills in the lines to the wastegate - I believe doing so would lead to 7 psi across the board.....

 

I didn't find any pills in the lines when I removed them. The turbos were replaced mid 2000 so I'm assuming they used the new style turbos that have the restictors built in.

 

I would check for the pills...these vac problems will drive you crazy...Dont assume that the pills are built in....If you have to get some pills...Holley Jets work pretty good...

 

You guys were right, I went digging through my garbage and found the old lines, one of them had a pill in it. I'm assuming there is supposed to be another one as well. When I do find both, are they both the same size? If not which one goes in which hose?

 

SHorter Hose goes on top

 

Holy ****! Is it possible that your car is back on the road. That's awesome news, good luck with everything.

 

Now THIS is a good example of a tech support thread...
GJ!

 

Good job guys keep it up!!!
We all really appreciate it

 

JR does have a point about later model turbos having the pills built in. I believe 94+ have restrictors built into the two nipples off the primary turbo. If the pills were replaced after the install of the new turbos, there would be no real difference since the holes restrict at the same rate. Of course the turbos could be the early models without the restrictors built in.