Affordable Boost Controller Recomendations?
 

Not looking to spend a ton for a decent boost controller. Any suggestions on a mid-level but decent boost controller for external wastegates?:ughdance:

I've got a manual TurboXS unit that works just fine. If I ever get an electronic one I'll spend more to get one with boost control by gear.

Yeah a manual boost controller would be your best option. It would require you to turn the knob under the hood to adjust boost if you had multiple maps. The AEM TRU-Boost isnt super cheap but its both a gauge and a boost controller. You can store two boost settings on the unit to allow for easy switching.

A manual boost controller is going to allow the boost to come on as hard and quickly as possible. Some of the electronic set-ups allow you to adjust how quickly boost hits which could be beneficial for higher boost/higher torque stock block set-ups to help keep from stressing the rods more than you have to.

Thanks,
Alex Goodwin
AlexG@motionlabtuning.com

Turbosmart Tee, it's $80, ball and spring design.

I'm on the same boat as you, didn't realize the importance of a boost controller when installing the TT.

How do you go about gauging what kind of boost you are running and how much boost being ran without an actual gauge? A manual gauge seems simple enough why skimp now after already so much money? I was hoping to spend around $450 for a boost controller... That manual one is tempting but if I blow my motor now its going to cost me a lot more later for being cheap...

I've got a boost gauge and manual boost controller.

If anything look around on Craigslist and eBay too. I sourced my HKS off ebay for half off and it is great.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 via tapatalk

For $450 I would encourage you to check out the AEM TRU-Boost or the GReddy Profec B would be in that price range as well. Like I mentioned before the AEM also provides you a gauge, as the controller is actually integrated into the gauge. The GReddy system is a little more complex, and a little more expensive, but can make for a cleaner install thanks to its compact design.

Thanks,
Alex Goodwin
AlexG@motionlabtuning.com

Also, figure out how much self control you have before you buy a boost controller. I like having mine under the hood so I don't keep looking at it thinking "one more psi won't hurt anything".

Hey I like your point about not being able to turn up the boost if I had wild hair by going with the manual boost controller... Could you send me a link and possibly how you went about setting yours up???

Standard Boost Controller - TurboXS

Pretty sure this is the one I've got. Can't help you on the install since I didn't do it myself. TXS also has a mbc that has two presets you can switch between on the fly, but the cost of that one plus a boost gauge is getting pretty close to a mid-level ebc.

HKS EVC-S. might be a little over budget but it does the job. Mr.Squeeze uses one for his 600+ whp :tup:

I'll be grabbing one of these somewhere down the line. That or a Turbosmart eBoost 2.

Haha under the hood! Chuck we all know if you get the itch for more boost you could just take the hood off and have total unadulterated access to the BC if you have long enough arms!! :bowrofl:

At that point I would just Jimmy-Rig something so that I could reach the MBC from the cabin to adjust on the fly. Who needs an EBC at that point?!! Shoot! :p

Just put the mbc in the cabin. All it would take is a couple of really long vacuum lines.

Cosmogirl - I pmd you the source where I purchased my EBC. Great prices and a great seller :tup:

The Hallman Pro manual boost controller always did well for me and I used it on three different turbo cars. A boost gauge is necessary for use with an MBC.

EBC's usually having gauges, HOWEVER, its still good to have a separate gauge that has no tee's and is run straight to the intake manifold.

I have a barely used AEM TRU Boost controller and gauge if you want to buy it

How do you guys feel about the GReddy Profec system?

Greddy Profec Boost Controller

It's got a pretty trick display for a boost controller, with a line graph, or bar display, or just numerical readout. It has functions to set gain and boost levels easily and whatnot, but it lacks advanced functions like boost-by-gear, or easy to tune when the boost comes on full (rpm wise). I like the display though, and figured it would be nice to get for an all in one setup.

Boost by gear is the specific reason I'd want to go with a different controller. There's not really a reason to allow full boost in lower gears if all it does is break the tires loose.

I picked up a used one off of ebay. Its was the same guy tibal reffered to me.. Got a blitz sbc id and it works GREAT!!! Not sure on the greddy..

+1 on Hallman. I'm running the Pro RX. Response was much improved compared to running off the wastegates.

I'm thinking Blitz also. I want a boost by gear but the cost is so much for those brands. The Turbosmart electronic gauge I here is nice. But not user friendly.

Spohn the blitz sbc id has always been one of the best out there.. I picked up mine off ebay used for $300 shipped and it looks brand new and works great!! Oh and I agree completely with you on how much better and smoother it is running a boost controller... My boost settings are: Set 10 and Gain 15 ..................

Also this thing will boost all the way until redline!!!

You've got a wideband O2 to make sure you're not leaning out up top, right?

Here's food for thought:

Should dealing with traction down low be left up to the boost controller, or the driver? :stirthepot:

Both. It's on the driver to feather the gas to keep from spinning the tires. The issue is that it's not linear. With moderate throttle, my car will hook up in second until I see more than a few psi, when the tires break loose again. It's kinda unnerving. It would be far easier to have the boost controller set boost in first at wastegate level, a few psi over wastegate in second and full boost in all other gears. Maybe back boost down in sixth to reduce stress on the engine since it's not really used for spirited driving. And a boost controller that allows boost by gear is a hell of a lot cheaper than a recelogic setup.

Agreed. In 1st, I just want it to spool up and add power quick and steady. It just doesn't need to be that much. Now I see why I granny drive in 1st and 2nd at no more than half throttle haha. I forget how much power is down there. It's such a thrill. I rather feel the fear of power just knowing it is there, and I want moar!

HKS, anyone? I need a feedback system to ensure quick, steady, and consistent boost.

I went for HKS EVC 6 because its the best out of all other brands.
Im a greddy fan but when it comes to boost controller look for HKS only. they have been in this business for many years.

Matter of fact, why you wanna cheap on boost controller when you just spend out 10k for turbo? spending $600 more will kill your bank?

Manual boost controller is for stock turbo cars with turbo spec ECU that maintain boost by gears from factory, we dont have that ECU so EBC with gears option is a must for us ..:twocents:

It's not necessarily a must if you're ok with running a set amount over wastegate pressure. HKS makes a great unit, but AEM and Turbosmart make good stuff too.

I didn't think I need one till I realize 400 whp at 6 PSI was too easy. Response was "meh" till I added the Pro RX for starters. I wouldn't mind getting one installed before the next tune with the rest of the upgrades to make it worthwhile.

The EBC I used in my eclipse was a GFB G-Force 2 and before that I used GFB's manual boost controller.

Some of the other guys I know who use MBCs say you can make one in your garage for around $10, plus its a ball and spring design so it should perform just as well as name brand boost controllers.

Well I went with the Blitz SPC Spec R ( Twin Solenoid ). Seems to be a decent price and user friendly. I jumped backed and fourth between the HKS EVC 6, HKS EVC S, and the Blitz.

Well it seems the used sbc controller I bought on ebay is faulty and almost cost me my motor.. Will never buy used again..

Newb question here . . . . I'm trolling all of the forced induction forums trying to do the research for my own TT build . . . If you don't have a boost controller, the boost pressure is set by the wastegates? So, no matter what, your boost will remain at a consistent pressure, regardless of gear, RPM, etc? Also, do most boost controllers monitor the pressure as well, or is it a good idea to have a stand alone boost gauge as well as an EBC?

Always have a standalone boost gauge. Don't rely on the boost controller for that.

Without a boost controller, the boost level is set roughly by the wastegate(s) spring(s). This is a fine way to do it if you are going to stay at lower boost levels and don't want to ramp boost hard, but it's not really ideal. A boost controller will give you finer control and the ability to ramp boost harder by preventing the wastegates from cracking gradually as the boost pressure rises.

Also, a turbo car is rarely at the same boost pressure. The boost pressure is driven by things like RPM and load (which changes with gear selection) and is constantly moving around. The only situations where you will see fairly consistent boost is while cruising where you are making very little boost and under WOT when the boost controller is regulating the max boost.

Electronic boost controllers do measure pressure, otherwise they would not be able to do their job. I guess you could say that manual boost controllers also respond to pressure in a manner of speaking, but there is no kind of digital output. Not all electronic boost controllers are meant to be used as gauges. Some, like the AEM TruBoost fill both roles nicely. The HKS EVC like I am using is too bulky in my opinion to be exposed and used like a regular gauge. As such, you should definitely get a standalone gauge unless going with a special application like the AEM.

Yeah, this is definitely not the place to cut cost in a TT build.

I see . . so if i'm understanding you correctly, the boost pressure will fluctuate, but the wastegates (with a boost controller) will regulate the max boost pressure so as not to exceed a certain psi worth of boost? One more question (and I promise this is my last at least for this thread so as not to take it completely off topic): what is the correlation between the wastegates and the BOV? Is the BOV regulated also or is this purely a mechanical function based on the BOV installed? Thanks again . . and sorry for the slightly off topic questions . . .

Its all relative to the situation you are driving in, like let's say its super cold at night, you will probably make 8psi when you usually will make 6psi on wastegate springs on a hot day.

The point of a BOV is to release excess pressure when you get off the throttle, its also used to release excess boost pressure underload so your motor doesn't blow up(this is used more in OEM applications than aftermarket ones)