3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Should I get a boost controller?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-03-08, 06:49 PM
  #26  
Cheap Bastard

iTrader: (2)
 
adam c's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: San Luis Obispo, Ca
Posts: 8,370
Received 50 Likes on 42 Posts
Originally Posted by ArmitageGVR4
I agree that the basic function of the turbo timer can be performed manually or behaviorally. It is, however, nice to come off a track session, autox, or even spirited street driving and not have to think or worry about it..............
If you want to be able to leave your car, and not think about it, you have purchased the wrong car. A turbo timer is a waste of time, space , and money. It is an additional device that can fail with bad consequences. There have been several threads over the last few years about turbo timers that failed, leaving the car running for extended periods.

Of course, there is also the story of the fool with a turbo timer who was pulled over by the police. His car wouldn't shut off. The officer yelled at him to turn it off, then drew his weapon when the car was not shut down. The situation was eventually diffused, but would not have occurred with no turbo timer.

One again, a turbo timer is a useless toy, and is not needed. Simply driving the car easy at the end of your drive is all that's needed. If someone cant figure out how to do that, then they are certainly stupid enough to "need" a turbo timer.
Old 03-03-08, 06:50 PM
  #27  
Junior Member
 
tengellio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: san jose
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yeah i would get boost gauge first.
Old 03-03-08, 06:53 PM
  #28  
FB=OS Giken LSD

iTrader: (20)
 
mikeric's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Wilmington, DE
Posts: 2,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm glad you feel that way. As they say, opinions are like a*sholes, everyone has one and they all stink.

No one "needs" a turbo timer. No one needs a 400 Hp FD either. It is a matter of convenience and personal taste. The guy wants one, you don't need one. End of story.
Old 03-03-08, 07:20 PM
  #29  
Pic
Junior Member

iTrader: (1)
 
Pic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Quebec
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by adam c
If you want to be able to leave your car, and not think about it, you have purchased the wrong car. A turbo timer is a waste of time, space , and money. It is an additional device that can fail with bad consequences. There have been several threads over the last few years about turbo timers that failed, leaving the car running for extended periods.

Of course, there is also the story of the fool with a turbo timer who was pulled over by the police. His car wouldn't shut off. The officer yelled at him to turn it off, then drew his weapon when the car was not shut down. The situation was eventually diffused, but would not have occurred with no turbo timer.

One again, a turbo timer is a useless toy, and is not needed. Simply driving the car easy at the end of your drive is all that's needed. If someone cant figure out how to do that, then they are certainly stupid enough to "need" a turbo timer.
I agree with you that a turbo timer is not needed, but some ppl like to leave quickly there car to save 5 min of waiting

But I still believe that many of the car didn't turn off threads, used a cheap ebay copy I can't prove it, but my friends bought one and the timer don't turn off the car.

And you should always use the brake switch as a back up if you want to stop the engine when you want. If you are loosing oil or whatever this can save a motor.

I drive my car easy the last 5min and let it idle if I pushed it hard and still don't want to buy a timer. Maybe someday I will but not now I'm still not that lazy
Old 03-03-08, 07:20 PM
  #30  
Cheap Bastard

iTrader: (2)
 
adam c's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: San Luis Obispo, Ca
Posts: 8,370
Received 50 Likes on 42 Posts
Originally Posted by mikeric
No one "needs" a turbo timer. No one needs a 400 Hp FD either. It is a matter of convenience and personal taste.
If someone does something foolish, is cannot be excused as a matter of personal taste.

Originally Posted by mikeric
The guy wants one, you don't need one. End of story.
Well put
Old 03-03-08, 07:45 PM
  #31  
ArmitageFD3S

iTrader: (13)
 
ArmitageGVR4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Herndon, Virginia
Posts: 2,238
Received 23 Likes on 15 Posts
Originally Posted by adam c
If you want to be able to leave your car, and not think about it, you have purchased the wrong car.
I have a turbo timer as a convenience so in your esteem it immediately disqualifies me as competent enough to own an FD? I'm glad to have your opinion on the matter, so I can go sell my car because I am not worthy of it.
Old 03-03-08, 10:32 PM
  #32  
Cheap Bastard

iTrader: (2)
 
adam c's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: San Luis Obispo, Ca
Posts: 8,370
Received 50 Likes on 42 Posts
There are 2 classifications for owners of FD's with turbo timers:

1. Those drivers who bought cars from someone foolish enough to install a turbo timer.

2. Those drivers who bought turbo timers because they didn't know any better.
Old 03-03-08, 10:58 PM
  #33  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
 
Sukai94's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have had a "manual turbo timer" for years. LOL

This thread is about boost controllers though. I don't know how it turned into an argument on whether or not turbo timers are necessary. We all have our opinions and have shared them. I can be my own turbo timer but maybe I want to put on on my car because my brother may take my FD out and I cant trust him to properly cool it? Who knows? I wouldn't bash someone on having or not having a turbo timer. It is like the mineral vs. synthetic argument. It never ends!

I have heard that running an aftermarket downpipe and an aftermarket intercooler will significantly raise my boost. What does everyone think about that? I personally don't think it will but what do I know? What can the stock fuel system support safely? Will my car compensate for lets say 11lbs or will it run lean (assuming everything else is in working order, it should be because everything is brand-effing-new)
Old 03-04-08, 07:13 AM
  #34  
Racecar - Formula 2000

 
DaveW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bath, OH
Posts: 3,861
Received 281 Likes on 201 Posts
Originally Posted by Sukai94
I have heard that running an aftermarket downpipe and an aftermarket intercooler will significantly raise my boost. What does everyone think about that? I personally don't think it will but what do I know? What can the stock fuel system support safely? Will my car compensate for lets say 11lbs or will it run lean (assuming everything else is in working order, it should be because everything is brand-effing-new)
Experience has shown that flow improvements like yours CAN raise boost to levels high enough to cause problems. In most cases, however, people, including myself, got along fine for years not knowing enough to worry about it. In my case, I had the PF intake, IC, and catback on for years before I decided to install a DP. At that point, I knew enough to get a boost gauge and boost controllers.

So, did I have too much boost in some conditions with the stock boost "control" system before I got the gauge? Almost certainly, since the stock system does not compensate well for cold weather. Did it cause problems for me? No, because I almost always ran Sunoco 94 octane gas, and the boost was not high enough to cause fuel cut.

Therefore, the only way you will know is to get a boost gauge, and keep your boost below the values in the attached table, using a boost controller if necessary.
Old 03-04-08, 08:49 AM
  #35  
Full Member
 
spaceman_spiff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: usa
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
since we're on the topic of controlling boost, i recently had my car checked out by a local rotary shop and they said that a boost controller was not necessary. the technician said something along the line of "pills" plugging up certain holes to prevent boost from spiking past 10 psi, and that i could probably just run my car the way it is without a controller. the reason he said he did not believe in them was because people get greedy and turn up their boost, blowing the engine.

this was surprising to hear because it goes against what i read on here, which is "get a boost controller asap". this guy works on rx7's all the time but hearing him say this made me think whether he knows something i don't or maybe he doesn't know enough. have you guys ever heard of this?
Old 03-04-08, 09:40 AM
  #36  
Racecar - Formula 2000

 
DaveW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bath, OH
Posts: 3,861
Received 281 Likes on 201 Posts
Originally Posted by spaceman_spiff
since we're on the topic of controlling boost, i recently had my car checked out by a local rotary shop and they said that a boost controller was not necessary. the technician said something along the line of "pills" plugging up certain holes to prevent boost from spiking past 10 psi, and that i could probably just run my car the way it is without a controller. the reason he said he did not believe in them was because people get greedy and turn up their boost, blowing the engine.

this was surprising to hear because it goes against what i read on here, which is "get a boost controller asap". this guy works on rx7's all the time but hearing him say this made me think whether he knows something i don't or maybe he doesn't know enough. have you guys ever heard of this?
A boost controller can be used to turn boost up, but, in our case, especially with the stock ECU, it is usually used to keep boost controlled at a safe (lower) level than it would otherwise reach.

Boost controller is usually necessary only if flow (intake, exhaust) mods have been done to the extent that the stock "control" cannot regulate boost. So, if your car is stock, running with the stock setup should be fine.

BTW, the stock setup balances the "pill" orifices against the variable "orifices" created by the WG and PC solenoids, which are controlled by a pre-programmed map in the ECU. The stock setup does not use boost feedback to control boost.

Dave

Last edited by DaveW; 03-04-08 at 09:47 AM.
Old 03-04-08, 12:20 PM
  #37  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
 
Sukai94's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the chart Dave!
Old 03-04-08, 12:44 PM
  #38  
Senior Member

Thread Starter
 
Sukai94's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Any brand recommendations on boost controllers?

How about some help in finding a good air/fuel gauge? (google wasnt much of a help lol)
Old 03-04-08, 05:07 PM
  #39  
Racecar - Formula 2000

 
DaveW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bath, OH
Posts: 3,861
Received 281 Likes on 201 Posts
Damian liked his Hallman MBC's in this link ( https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...6&postcount=10 ), and I like my "Home Depot" units that are also discussed here. I have heard also of some "Joe P" MBC's that some folks like.

I also like the Autometer (#3376) boost gauge I have. It is an electronic stepper-motor unit with peak-recall and warning functions. I got it from Summit Racing.
Old 03-04-08, 06:01 PM
  #40  
needs more track time

iTrader: (16)
 
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 9,215
Received 516 Likes on 354 Posts
Greddy Profec B

Either the original one with the ***** or the new Spec S with the *****.

Plenty of good thread on that topic.
Old 03-04-08, 07:32 PM
  #41  
ArmitageFD3S

iTrader: (13)
 
ArmitageGVR4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Herndon, Virginia
Posts: 2,238
Received 23 Likes on 15 Posts
Originally Posted by DaveW
I have heard also of some "Joe P" MBC's that some folks like.
I've used a Joe P. for the last 6 or 7 years on my DD. It's been completely trouble free.
Old 03-04-08, 08:14 PM
  #42  
The king of the highway!

iTrader: (2)
 
darkphantom's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home of the 305 Boyz(miami)
Posts: 2,988
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
fd owners will always need boost controllers cause eventually you will be modding it and without it you wont be able to trully have fun!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rgordon1979
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
40
03-15-22 12:04 PM
AXA
Single Turbo RX-7's
8
09-05-15 10:06 AM



Quick Reply: Should I get a boost controller?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:28 AM.