Hi, I just bought a '91 TT manual import which has though exhausts, performance air filter, a superchip and increased boost levels. I was told that the boost is set to max 15psi (?) but there is no new boost guage, just the original Jap spec one and I understand the turbos are also original spec items.

 

I have heard all sorts of advice about what the car can take regarding boost level (with figures varying from 10 to 15). But I haven't just bought and insured a 400+BHP modified car so I can tune it back down again! That said - I don't want to do expensive damage by running too much boost either.

 

I'd firstly like to get an accurate boost gauge fitted, possibly with a turbo timer too (if that's a good idea?) - maybe one that can be mounted discretely in the centre console(?). Then I wondered about an in car control for the boost level so I can tune it down for sitting in traffic and open it up for open road.

 

Any advice most welcome.

You will get a lot of opinion from wiser heads than mine on this, but first of all, when sitting in traffic, ie no boost, there is no boost.

Turbos boost when they are spinning fast enough and they have an appropriate amount of throtle open. If you keep your foot mostly off th epedal you will get only a little boost. So being able to turn it down in traffic is not needed.

 

AS for a turbo timer. Do you know what they do? Basically they keep the engine running after you leave the car (perhaps) to cool the turbos.

 

As for the rest of your thread, I dont know. Sorry.

a decent boost gauge is a must if upping boost pressures. i got mine with replacement A piller trim with holder from Smithy on here.

 

turbo timers is a matter of personal preference really - i like to just drive sensibly for a few miles after a bit of a rip

 

as for the in car boost adjuster - its called your right foot!!! ;) :D

Alarm bells ringing! Are you certain its a superchip? If it is then you may as well count it as a stock ecu! There is no change to the fueling on them! In that case, running 15psi is too much - 11psi would be a much safer option until you can get a proper chip in it with wider fueling maps. As far as the stock turbos go, they will go up to about 17psi but at that point they are not exactly efficient - further than that and they just 'beat' the air instead of pumping it... The boost will have been raised on your car by fitting either boost jets or bleed valves. These reduce the amount of 'signal' to the actuators on the turbo wastegates so they open at a higher manifold pressure, therefore giving more boost. Whilst these work they are a very crude method - you will get whats called boost spikes. This is where the boost momentarily overshoots the set point as the boost builds before settling at the set point. The best way of controlling boost is with an electronic boost controller. These are in the £400 range roughly. They allow you to fine tune the boost settings and stop the dreaded boost spikes. Most of them also give you a few different settings for different levels of boost.

 

Fitting a propper boost guage is certainly a very good idea! I would also have a good listen under full boost to make sure there is no detonation - it sounds like bolts being rattled in a biscuit tin. If you hear that then back off IMMEDIATELY!!!

 

Turbo timers - only thing to be wary of is that the alarm will not arm if the engine is still running. Possibly worth the investment though.

 

Sorry if I've scared you a bit with my first comments but its info you do need to be aware of ;)

 

HTH

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

Blitz do a turbo timer with a built in boost gauge and various other functions for around £160

 

I ran my car with standard turbos at 1.1 bar (16psi ish) for a year with no ill effects - however this was using an apexi avc-r boost controller AND an apexi s-afc fuel controller - without some way of upping the fuelling I dont know how long the car will take 15psi

 

Also at around this stage ( 1 bar boost, induction, decat/ straight through exhaust) realisticly you'll only be making around350 bhp

Having read andys last post I have to agree - I've heard nothing but horror stories from people who've run superchips in 300's:eek:

Thanks guys, but in the belief that further replies may follow the same thread - if I currently feel the need to hit the throttle for any reason, I have to think first about the dampness of the road, the camber, the proximity of other vehicles etc.

 

This car can produce wheelspin in third gear at 30mph. Now that's great on occasion, but on a damp spring morning popping into the office, it's a serious nuisance - I'd like to be able to use the accelerator without wondering how many pedestrians and fellow motorists I might take out!

 

OK?

oops, just read Andy's message Thanks for all this data - way to technical for me, but I'll print it and show it to my mechanic ;-)

 

I was using the term 'superchip' as a generic - I have no info on what type of chip is in there, but I got the original chip in a box when I bought the car.

Ok, hows about traction control then??? ;) There is currently a group buy on this if you look around the forum - I'll try and find it to post a link ;)

 

The only way of having adjustable boost is to have an electronic boost controller IMO.

 

Do I also take it you are not bothered about the possibility of popping your engine? Its your choice but I would SERIOUSLY consider either getting a propper chip fitted (JWT, SE etc), or fitting an additional fueling device such as HKS Super AFR/Apexi S-AFR, or turning the boost down for now. You don't get many detonations before you blow the engine. Yes, they are very good, strong engines but no engine in the world will put up with high power if the fueling isn't correct! You are heading for problems with this setup IMO.

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

hi nigel,have you got traction control?that will stop the wheel spin and stuipid pedestrians wont have to run for cover.welcome to the club.

Bob

All zeds (TT) go sieways in the wet, but youhave to learn how to drive with a bit more sensetivity, the throttle works two ways. Well mine does. It is never the road, or the car that causes a crash, its always the driver.

DEFINATLY get traction control ;)

 

as andy says - weve got a group buy going on so you can save a few quid too :)

Well I have really started one here!

 

Thanks for the interest and useful replies.

 

Traction control sounds interesting - but I'd need to be able to switch it off from the cab too. Can someone post details of the group buy arrangements?

 

Don't get me wrong - I'm no Tiff Needell (ie I kind of like driving in a forwards direction), but my driving skills are quite up to keeping the car on the road thanks, I'd just like to be able to clip it's wings a little in adverse conditions.

 

Andy - any ideas on which boost controller I should be looking at - £400 sounds like quite a bit of dosh, but it sounds like a sensible investment.

Nigel if you do a search you will find no end of interesting stuff!!

And if you can't find out what you need to know then the peeps on this forum will be able to help.:D :D

Also don't take things the wrong way when people offer advice, that's all they are doing is trying to help you out!:D :D

Cheers and welcome aboard.

F.T.

look here for traction control.

 

its a race bred system that will improve performance including adjustable slip control & launch control.

 

it also makes it safer - trust me, its a wise investment, esp when modded (trust me - i learnt the hard way :( )

yep - I was just looking at the same page - thanks -I'm slowly getting the hang of how this site works.

 

Thanks for all the help and support to a newbie!

 

Having just committed to over £3K of 'cosmetic and other' modifications (custom leather, alpine ICE, rear seatbelts and custom built kiddy chair) I'm going to have to pass on the traction for now, and spend the pennies I have left on the boost control (which will probably save me more heartache in the long run).

 

I'd still be interested to hear from those who have boost controllers for you experiences though.

Hi Nigel.

 

Congrats on owning a 300!!!

 

Personally I think you should get the traction control first. I bought mine on the last group buy and glad I did. It's too easy to start upping the power on these cars without worrying about the traction, brakes etc. Safety first mate, especially as you've got young ones:) :)

 

Vijay

Vijay - I hear you, and thanks for the concerns.

 

I believe that brakes are already uprated (and recently too). They certainly work very well. But for security I'm having the 'basics' all checked out next week - the car is booked in with my mechanics so they can go over it with a fine toothcome and report on the state of play).

 

I really need to feel that the car is mechanically 'sound' with the tweaks that it's had. If that means reducing the boost level to a 'safer' level, then I'd happily do that, just to know that I'm not going to do terminal damage the next time I hit the loud pedal!

 

In the meantime I can drive the car safely easy enough- I have plenty of track experience - and I don't practice my donuts when my son and heir is riding shotgun ! ;-)

I think you are correct in getting the boost controller fitted first - traction control is no use with a blown engine lol. There are many different ones around such as HKS, Blitz, Apexi... There are some links below:

 

http://www.apexi-usa.com/electronics_savcr.asp

http://www.hksusa.com/products/?id=1651&rsku=0

http://www.greddy.com/products/electronics.htm#Profec_e-01

http://www.blitz-uk.co.uk/2003/electronics.html

 

The last link also has turbo timers on it ;) These are just a few of whats available. Try calling GPS on 01942 671239.

 

HTH

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

Nigel

 

I'm with Andy on this one. Before I came onto this forum I had a Superchip fitted with bleed valves. This is their standard install. It blew my engine up and I spent several thousand buying a new one from Nissan. If it is a Superchip, lower your boost immediately and don't do anything until you've replaced your chip.

 

Mike

Did you say you don't know what the chip is you've got, u just use the word "superchip" to mean a non standard one? If thats the case surely the first thing you should do is open up the ecu and see what's in there, it could be a perfectly good JWT chip.

Originally posted by Robtor

Did you say you don't know what the chip is you've got, u just use the word "superchip" to mean a non standard one? If thats the case surely the first thing you should do is open up the ecu and see what's in there, it could be a perfectly good JWT chip.

Definately. Open it up and see what you've got. It doesn't take long at all.