Okay I have a downpipe but, I'm reading you need a boost controller too. If I have a downpipe installed is it okay to have no boost controller?

 

Although it can never hurt to have a boost controller, you really do not need one if the DP is your only mod.


What is your "serious problem"?

 

The car only boost 5 psi sometimes 8psi, I've seen 10 psi a few times.

 

well, you got a boost leak somewhere...good luck finding it!!! If you got stock i/c setup look at all the couplings! Every single one i've seen(mine included) has either rotted, cracked or ripped in half.
As for boost controler, i wouldnt worry about it too much. You can safely run a downpipe and a catback on the stock ecu...if you want more mods then you definatly need the bc along with either a piggy back or a stand alone ecu.

do you get the switchover???

 

You will be fine without a boost controller. If he had anything bigger than a crack or what not in his i/c piping I would think he would not get any/much boost at all.. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

I think I do have a boost leak somewhere not . Not to mention that, when I turn on my headlights my idles goes up about 50-100 rpms turn it off it goes back down that much.

 

Slight change in idle due to electrical load is normal on this car. (or not serious).

Get to the boost leak issue - it's really not that hard.

Dave

 

I am working the boost leak issue right now. I stopped trying to fix my gauges and trying to find the boost leak instead.

 

I've checked all the hoses best as I could and it's still got a boost leak. Couldn't find any damaged or frayed or worn hoses either. Anyone have any suggestions my car is still boosting mostly 5psi sometimes it'll go to 8psi.

 

Check your boost control actuators and solenoids.

 

If you're getting a fair amount of boost, it may not be due to a leak.

"Trexthe3rd Check your boost control actuators and solenoids. "

Also check the y-pipe to crossover pipe connection & the rest of the intercooler pipes again.

 

When my coupler right off of the Y-pipe went south, I was only getting roughly 3-5 psi at times, and if I was REEEEAAAAAALLLLLLYYYYY lucky I'd hit 7, and then I replaced it, and hooooo buddy, talk about a good time, Burnouts, Drifts and Donuts! OH MY!!

 

my coupler from the y-pipe to the crossover tube took a **** as well when i first got the car..(had been garaged for a year . really loud woohsing sound under boost..do u hear any thing that sounds like a large volume of air is comming frome some where..?

 

well the air noise is kind of hard to tell since i always assumed that was my blow off valve but what do you mean by coupler? because it sounds like i do have the problem because i usually get about 5psi sometimes rarely 7psi.

 

Make sure your actuator rods are connected with those little c-clips. If your Precontrol rod pops off, that will limit boost on the primary, but usually the secondary (boost above 4500 rpms) is fine. Have you teed a test gauge into the TCS to see whats going on?

 

I don't think I have a problem with secondary since the car is a single turbo. I think my problem might be the coupler these guys are talking about since I usually get about 5 psi sometimes 7 psi. I'm just trying to understand what they are meaning do you mean the orange colored thing that is used on all the piping? Sorry for being such a newb.


thanks for all the help guys seriously.

 

Wherever you were reading about the mod called a 'downpipe', they are talking about replacing the stock first catalytic converter that goes from the turbos to the main cat with an aftermarket pipe that has no cat element. A boost controller is only needed if the addition of a downpipe over the stock setup causes boost levels to increase. I think everyone here assumed you had a stock twins setup.

If you're running single turbo, it's a whole different story. Generally a single turbo setup has a custom downpipe installed along with a custom manifold and custom intake piping, programmable ECU, and a different boost controller must be installed. So it's almost certain you have all that if indeed there is a single turbo under the hood.

Pretty much everything we've discussed is irrelevant except looking for leaks at the rubber couplers. You need to take them off and look for cuts caused by pinching clamps or rubbing from misaligned piping. If you don't find any leaks there, you need to get the car looked at by someone who knows FD single-turbo setups enough to 1) figure out how your single is set up and 2) make progress on finding the problem. This is one of the disadvantages to buying a modded car - not knowing what you have or having information about it. Maybe posting a few pics of your engine bay and turbos will help.

Dave

 

Boss I got no boost controller trust me, so I do need one then all a long like I thought lol. Guys thanks for helping a big newb and not flaming me like crazy.

Okay I'm reading what your saying so even if it has a tear on the inside that didn't go all the way through on the couplers it would cause me problems? Seeing from the outside theres no tears its thick and solid.

I'll try to get pics of my engine bay asap don't expect anything special though.

Trust me I was trying to find a FD that was close to stock with just reliability mods but in this area its almost impossible.

 

Well replacing all those hoses and using those vacuum plugs must have helped. Since I can at least get 7-10 psi now pretty easily driving around. 5 psi was getting kind of boring especially when I was trying to floor it.


Thanks for your help again I'll check the couplers and look into getting a boost controller any recommendations??

Also wouldn't I need a pfc and commander too?

 

It doesn't sound like you have a single turbo. I've never heard of running a single turbo on the stock ECU.

The couplers can have tears which are not visible from the outside when there is no boost and no torque on the engine. They must be removed to make a useful inspection.

I suggest you get this car checked out somehow and figure out exactly what is in there. Or lift the hood and start searching through the info in the FSM and/or newbie thread here and start learning what you have. Planning to add things at this point would be a general disaster waiting to happen.

The PFC is the programmable ECU itself, and the Commander is an optional handheld interface. If you get the PFC tuned by a pro there is no need for the commander, except that it gives you direct readings from the various engine sensors and gauges.

Dave

 

My PR buddy who has a 93 vr FD which is pretty nice I might add said I have a single turbo for sure. I've seen the diagram for the stock twin setup the two turbo's are on each side of each other correct?

Well the other time when the car was jacked up I clearly saw only one turbo unless a turbo made a choice to blow up and fall off lol. The car probably does have a ecu besides stock, what? I have no idea.

thanks for your help again.

 

Take and post photos.

 

yea i should i'll try to definately get some photo's this weekend.

 

I just read this thread...And i cant even believe that this guy doesnt know if he has a single turbo or not....Talk about not doing research before you buy...

 

my y-pipe coupler went too, I also had 4 failed solenoids and a failed Charge Control Valve, 5lbs max boost. Replaced all that **** and walla. Full boost pattern.