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MAC solenoid install

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Old 12-05-19, 09:23 PM
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mkd
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MAC solenoid install

Yes I have searched.
Yes I have read.

I understand how to install and tune WG & PC with manual valves.
I understand the common ways to install and tune with electric controllers.

I think I understand how to adjust boost with the PFC.

What I don't understand is how to INSTALL the MAC solenoids.

I have two MAC solenoids and two factory harness connectors from Ballinger.

Do you just swap the factory solenoids out for the MAC boys (lines on ports #2 and 3, vent on #1), and remove the pills in the vacuum lines?
Or do I replace the pills with the MAC valves (again, lines on ports #2 and 3, vent on #1), and then cap the factory solenoid side of the actuators similar to other methods?
Hoping @arghx will chime in...

Last edited by mkd; 12-05-19 at 09:54 PM. Reason: Shooting in the dark
Old 12-06-19, 11:28 AM
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lectrically connect the MAC solenoids where the factory wastegate control and precontrol solenoids (I and J) were. Move the vacuum connections from the old solenoids to the new, but either remove the pills or just use new lengths of hose instead. Toss the old solenoids and vacuum lines in your spare parts bin.

Really great info in this thread: https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...-531676/page3/






Last edited by ArmitageGVR4; 12-06-19 at 11:34 AM.
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Old 12-09-19, 07:22 AM
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The above diagram covers it.

You can hardwire the solenoids or use 2 pin AMP connectors to mate to the stock connector. This is the cleanest way to plug it in. You'll have to find a place to mount them.
Old 12-09-19, 11:00 PM
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That link had some great info and I'm pretty sure I see what is going on now, thank you.

Sorry to be so pedantic, but just to be 100% clear, does this image accurately illustrate the general configuration?



A de-energized factory solenoid will be closed, so you can just leave the existing lines connected? I feel like it would be "safer" to pull them off the solenoid and cap them.




And if you want to get really autistic about it you can direct the vented air back into the intake, yes?


Old 12-13-19, 08:43 AM
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You can leave the original solenoids in place, they will be electrically disconnected and the vacuum lines to/from them won't be connected to anything anymore. But removing them and their associated plumbing is probably cleaner and will make for less confusion 10 years from now. No need to return the MAC vent to intake, it's a trivial volume of air and our our cars run on MAP anyway. Also, I don't know what would happen when the turbos pull vacuum on the vent, whether that would be enough to cause the solenoid to open or not. Better not take the chance. Or test it with a mityvac or something first.
Old 12-13-19, 08:56 AM
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The turbo inlet is never under true vacuum - at most it's a few inches of water, which is way less than 1" of traditional vacuum on your boost gauge. The only place where you see actual vacuum on the engine is between the throttle plates and the engine itself.

But, yes, there's no reason to vent them to the turbo inlet. Mazda did this with the stock solenoids for emissions reasons - the engine can't vent anything, all engine air must be burned and scrubbed by the cat.

Dale
Old 12-13-19, 12:03 PM
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Why use a mac valve over stock boost control solenoids?
Old 12-14-19, 10:38 AM
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For one, cost. The MAC solenoids are much less than replacing a tired or failed OEM part. The MAC units are the exact same part as was used in various aftermarket boost control kits from Apexi and the like. Installing them gave my car better throttle response and primary/secondary transition than I ever had with the factory unit, but that could be chalked up to the age of the original solenoids, not sure.
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Old 03-05-20, 08:48 PM
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Thought I posted this up before... Anyway posting for @sergejcik

All done! Works well.





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Old 03-06-20, 09:24 AM
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Dang, nice job on the plumbing and wiring harness!

Dale
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Old 03-10-20, 06:43 PM
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Clean install. Would that tuck under the stock intake?
Old 03-10-20, 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Narfle
Clean install. Would that tuck under the stock intake?
I haven't actually tried it yet, but yes it seemed as though it would.
Old 05-05-20, 03:50 PM
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hi
i did same as you
just question left, what should i do with 2 nipples on the picture, as i dont understand , i think its a vent , should i keep it or not, also do i need any pills ? greetings from lithuania
Old 05-05-20, 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by sergejcik
hi
i did same as you
just question left, what should i do with 2 nipples on the picture, as i dont understand , i think its a vent , should i keep it or not, also do i need any pills ? greetings from lithuania
Just leave those two hoses alone.

If you haven't already seen it, the vacuum hose diagram is indispensable: https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...-turbo-749702/ Really, if you haven't seen it, get familiar with it. Most people print it out and keep it handy.

And no, you don't need the pills.
Old 05-06-20, 03:00 AM
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hi
thanks
i saw it many times too, the think is i dont understand where dark blue line goes to(injectors?) turbos? and second hose doesn't colored at all, its white, so thats why im asking where it goes, also is i removed old lines from 2 solenoids i replaced there, i need 4 silicone caps (not on the wastegates) but on metal connection barel where is 5 or 6 outputs , as now i have only 1 of them left!
Old 05-06-20, 01:59 PM
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The blue hose is just a positive pressure source that is used for a bunch of different things. If you removed the two factory solenoids from the "barrel" just plug the holes where they were connected.
Old 05-06-20, 04:02 PM
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and if i have another hose connected right next to blue line, to turbo, what da hell is that? is not marked on vacuum scheme... want to find out, is it a vent too
Old 05-06-20, 06:53 PM
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You mean the smaller one, to the right of the large blue one, that is un-colored in the diagram? I donno. Leave it alone.
Old 05-07-20, 08:29 AM
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There are 2 lines going to the black plastic primary turbo inlet. One is for a vent for the turbo solenoids (wastegate control/precontrol) mounted to the upper intake manifold, as well as a vent for the OMP nozzles.

The other one eventually goes to the nipple on the oil fill neck that points down. This is a vent for the PCV system.

Dale
Old 05-08-20, 12:13 AM
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Originally Posted by DaleClark
There are 2 lines going to the black plastic primary turbo inlet. One is for a vent for the turbo solenoids (wastegate control/precontrol) mounted to the upper intake manifold, as well as a vent for the OMP nozzles.

The other one eventually goes to the nipple on the oil fill neck that points down. This is a vent for the PCV system.

Dale
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Old 05-25-20, 11:39 AM
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Does polarity matter on the solenoids? My mac valves do not show any sort of positive or negative indications on the wiring.
Old 05-25-20, 01:01 PM
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I recall having the same question and testing them— they don’t care.
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