Best Boost Controller?

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SupraNoob
Oct 13, 2013
105
0
0
New Jersey
So I'm new to the turbo world and I plan on getting some more power out of my CT26 ( Sorry if this isn't the name of the stock turbo.) One of my first mods will be a boost controller. I prefer one that's easy to install and control. My friend has an STI and has a lot of experience working with other turbos so he'll be helping me as well.

Thanks in advance and any opinion is welcome.

The car will be getting the head gasket replaced as well. I plan on purchasing the Controller after I drive the car around with the new gasket for a few miles. The rest of the car is also stock.
 

Dirgle

Conjurer of Boost
Mar 30, 2005
1,632
0
36
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Pauma Valley, CA
Concerning your initial question, I use the Blitz i-D III, IMO one of the best EBC's for my needs. But it's overkill for most people. That said, tuning the MKIII is going to be considerably different from the STI. Different limitations and different upgrade paths.

Fuel cut is set low on the MKIII, and difficult to safely get around. A boost controller will only get you a few more PSI before you hit it. To can see more power and a wider powerband from an exhaust/downpipe upgrade, and end up right under fuel cut. Actually there is a pretty good upgrade path that was done, it's a little dated but still useful and fairly accurate.

http://www.thesupraforums.com/showthread.php?t=1

Taking care of the headgasket is a good move, though take care to do your research. Choose the proper method of repair according to your goals and don't cut corners. The 7M does not take kindly to cutting corners.

Good luck and welcome to the MKIII community.
 

Mikael_7m

Built 7M
Apr 26, 2009
283
0
16
Australia
Everything Dirgle said is right on the money.

If I could add something it would be that you upgrade the exhaust/downpipe before upping the boost with a boost controller. The stock turbo elbow and downpipe are rediculously restrictive.

oh and I run a Blitz Dual SBC
 

Dirgle

Conjurer of Boost
Mar 30, 2005
1,632
0
36
41
Pauma Valley, CA
We usually recommend the BIC downpipe. He was really the progenitor of the divorced downpipes for our community.

http://www.bicperformance.com/products.htm

Not sure how familiar you are with divorced downpipes but they come in returned and non-returned variety. Essentially, when the wastegate opens, they are either loud(return) or stupid(cherries-n-blueberries, hey look at me), stupid loud. Both are equally good, it just depends on how much attention you want.
 

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SupraNoob
Oct 13, 2013
105
0
0
New Jersey
Dirgle;1973711 said:
We usually recommend the BIC downpipe. He was really the progenitor of the divorced downpipes for our community.

http://www.bicperformance.com/products.htm

Not sure how familiar you are with divorced downpipes but they come in returned and non-returned variety. Essentially, when the wastegate opens, they are either loud(return) or stupid(cherries-n-blueberries, hey look at me), stupid loud. Both are equally good, it just depends on how much attention you want.

Just looked around google for information about the BIC Divorced DP and it sounds awesome. My only question is, is it a drop in mod? Or would I have to weld or cut any piping?
 

faviles

SupraNoob
Oct 13, 2013
105
0
0
New Jersey
Dirgle;1973711 said:
We usually recommend the BIC downpipe. He was really the progenitor of the divorced downpipes for our community.

http://www.bicperformance.com/products.htm

Not sure how familiar you are with divorced downpipes but they come in returned and non-returned variety. Essentially, when the wastegate opens, they are either loud(return) or stupid(cherries-n-blueberries, hey look at me), stupid loud. Both are equally good, it just depends on how much attention you want.

Just looked around google for information about the BIC Divorced DP and it sounds awesome. My only question is, is it a drop in mod? Or would I have to weld or cut any piping?
 

mcammarn

matt
Feb 24, 2012
668
0
0
olympia wa
If you can't afford a electronic boost controller, get a hallman! Easy to use and install. I had one of those and a hks evc6 :D
 

gsxr141

Active Member
Oct 24, 2010
1,158
10
38
rochester
faviles;1973717 said:
Just looked around google for information about the BIC Divorced DP and it sounds awesome. My only question is, is it a drop in mod? Or would I have to weld or cut any piping?

they just bolt right on. it will take a little patience to install though. one of the bottom bolts is a pita to get to. i had to notch my dp to get a bolt on the stud. also, if your car is really low, be prepared for the dp to scrape as there's not much ground clearance. i may actually cut and adjust mine for this reason.
 

supraguy@aol

Well-Known Member
Dec 30, 2005
4,235
37
48
Atlanta
If you replace the downpipe as well as getting a good intake filter, you wont need the boost controller.
You will go from~6psi to 10psi just from reducing the restrictions. The only other 'mod' i might recommend, is to add a couple of washers behind each of the bolts that attach your wastegate to the turbo. This increases the tension slightly on the wastegate, reducing the chance of early wastegate leak, and improving boost response. After these things are done, you probably wouldn't get more than 1 or 2 psi from a boost controller before hitting fuelcut.
 

faviles

SupraNoob
Oct 13, 2013
105
0
0
New Jersey
supraguy@aol;1973763 said:
If you replace the downpipe as well as getting a good intake filter, you wont need the boost controller.
You will go from~6psi to 10psi just from reducing the restrictions. The only other 'mod' i might recommend, is to add a couple of washers behind each of the bolts that attach your wastegate to the turbo. This increases the tension slightly on the wastegate, reducing the chance of early wastegate leak, and improving boost response. After these things are done, you probably wouldn't get more than 1 or 2 psi from a boost controller before hitting fuelcut.

Gotcha! Loving all this information, it definitely helps a lot. My plan is to reach 300hp without having to mess with the internals of the the engine. It sounds like little modding into this engine provides a lot more power. I currently have a 2009 Accord V6 with plenty of mods but I probably only gained about an extra 15 to 20 more horsepower. :/

Once again thanks for the information!
 

gsxr141

Active Member
Oct 24, 2010
1,158
10
38
rochester
300 is well within reach. i'm hopefully just past that with my mods. start saving up for the lex-550 mod. you won't believe the difference between 8psi and 15.
 

IndigoMKII

New Member
May 9, 2011
2,181
0
0
Madison, Virginia
faviles;1973778 said:
Gotcha! Loving all this information, it definitely helps a lot. My plan is to reach 300hp without having to mess with the internals of the the engine. It sounds like little modding into this engine provides a lot more power. I currently have a 2009 Accord V6 with plenty of mods but I probably only gained about an extra 15 to 20 more horsepower. :/

Once again thanks for the information!

300 with this engine is easy, this can be achieved by
a healthy CT26 on 12-13 PSI(Just below fuel cut)
full 3" exhaust from the turbo back
Apexi air intake filter
Bigger intercooler and hard pipe, most of us run 2.5" hard pipe

Now, this might come as very few parts to bolt on and get close to 300 BHP but certain steps need to be taken before you bolt any of this stuff on. Make sure your engine is healthy enough to start running it harder, high mileage while asking the engine to produce more can cause a tired engine to pop. Make sure the fluids are changed and fresh then changed on a regular basis. Make sure all your gaskets are holding and you're not leaking fluids, think of this as if you yourself is bleeding.

When you start to push the 7M engine, keep a close eye on engine oil and coolant levels, she's a very unforgiving bitch if you neglect her.