Boost Controller

[enigma]

Well after a brief period of ownership I want more power! You may have seen my previous posts and my VR4 just aint fast enough...........No car is ever fast enough so its not really a bad thing!

Anyway, after a brief investigation I decided an APEXi AVC-R would do the job, and would look good with the APEXi RSM I have! Locating the device was my next issue, with the sunglasses holder full my quest led me up to the clock housing...........why do I need a clock in the car when I have a perfectly good watch? After a bit of tugging of the top it came off in my hand INSERT INTO post VALUES (in a good way!) revealing it is held on with just 4 spring clip things, go ahead give it a tug! :Eyecrazy:

After this discovery I got myself sorted with a shiny new boxed AVC-R for £240......bargain! Just have to wait for it to arrive now! Cant wait!

So, I notice that some of you guys are pushing 13psi boost........and then the dreaded fuel cut! This was easy to negotiate on the MR2 I had, any tips for removing it on the VR4? Not that I would go beyond 13psi without appropriate other mods, but anything can happen you know! :idea:

[Brind]

You are really getting into this modifying lark aren't you!

Fuel cut defensor will prevent fuel cut, HKS make them.

[enigma]

There is no point having a car with so much potential and leaving it standar now is there?? :nono:

I have looked at the HKS FCD but it doesn't seem to give a setting for the VR4? Do you run one?

[BraindG]

i read somewhere youll get away without using one till go go higher that 13psi..

im at 13psi, not had a single issue yet.. basically, when i start having problems with feul cutting.. then i address the issue..

[enigma]

So is there a lot of difference with 13psi??? What sort of power increase do you reckon you have?

[Spirit]

Dave - you are a star !

I was toying where to put my RSM when it arrives and was either gonna be in front ot the ashtray INSERT INTO post VALUES (poor to see it); in the sunglasses holder like you and I tried to pull the clock cover off but was a bit scared to try too hard as I thought was screwed in ! Now I know it aint it's another option

[pjjohnson]

Mr BigD,

there are a number of people running higher boost, up to 13psi and beyond. In terms of peak power gains it may not give you much extra, but you get a whole load more torque in the mid range which makes the car appear much faster up to about 5000 rpm. If I was you I would certainly do it. Anyone not agree ?

[Darren]

I would do it but I don't have the confidence to fit one. Any Idea how much it would cost to get one fitted ?

[pjjohnson]

I'm not a DIYer, so I've always had 'experts' do tuning for me. And been ripped off a few times along the way.

The first thing the tuners say is that you need to improve the air filter and exhaust before you do up the boost. You're probably looking at £1000+ to do all three with an electronic boost controller.

Before you take the plunge the Dawes Device thingy seems a cheaper option, sub £100, but I don't know if its suitable for a VR4 and if anyones tried it.

[enigma]

I am very much a DIYer and will be installing the Electronic Boost controller myself. Looks like 5 wires and a tube.......fairly simple stuff! I have already tapped in a connector to the ECU for my RSM so this can be used for some of the signals to the boost controller, I will simply add another connector for the remaining signals. As I have said the controller itself will sit where the clock is!

I was thinking about exhausts next.......kinda like the idea of making my own as I have a tube bender and I can weld. Full stainless system with a tip either side grabs me at the moment! Materials wont cost more than about £200! :cool1:

As for a filter, looking at the options........all much of a muchness really, its just which one looks best. I quite like the pipercross viper cold air kits, bit pricy though! I am sure I can knock something up for £50! Performance bits are such a rip off when you know how!

[haydar]

Good on you BigD for going DIY. I firmly believe there is only one way to learn and that's to try it!

However, a few things to warn you about, so you don't damage your engine.

Depending on the boost controller you need to make sure you don't run your car too lean otherwise you'll get overheating problems. Lastly, depending on how much boost you dial in, you'll need a fuel cut-off defensor. Again it's just a wire connection installation.


Good luck.

[Brind]

I'm a DIYer too, I'll never let anyone do anything for me if it's possible, I just don't have the time or the money most of the time! :INSERT INTO post VALUES (

[enigma]

I run my MR2 turbo with 16psi of boost, up from the stock 10psi! I found that the turbo couldn't keep up so it was all pretty much self regulating above 4500rpm! Boost dropped right off to about 11psi! :mad: Still made a hude difference to its driveability!

I also installed a DIY air fuel ratio meter INSERT INTO post VALUES (about £3 worth of bits!) well aware of the problems leaning out could have!! Didn't suffer with overheating at all, although I did notice intake temps went up quite a bit. I was going to experiment with water injection, but couldn't be bothered!

I have looked for a HKS fuel cut device for the VR4 but one is not listed, I assume as you have one fitted it is possible! Do you have the standard one with the setting selector? If so what setting do you use for the VR4?

[Brind]

If you're talking to me about the FCD I don't know as I don't have one mate, my car is pretty much standard other than the bits listed in my signature.

Did you try your MR2 down the stip too? if so was it faster than your VR-4?

[haydar]

Currently I have the setting at 1, but I've had the fuel cut off on me a few times, so I need to adjust it. PJJohnson probably has a lot more info on this since he's had his one for several years and is running quite a high boost.

Also, you're right about the Turbos being self regulating. I found in my car that the power at the wheels would peak quicker on higher boost, but overall power wasn't much affected!

[BraindG]

All HKS bits that fit on VR4 can be found here

[enigma]

Brind, I was talking to Haydar, but you and I posted at the same time so the thread is a bit distorted now!

The MR2 did 14.4@94mph which is a bit quicker than the VR4 but this is down to the Auto box and the huge weight difference! Once my VR4 is puhing 350HP I reckon I'll do 14.0 quick enough for the family car!

The Drag car is an 800 HP Skoda Estelle that is work in progress.......see my website! :cool1:

[enigma]

grrrrrrrrrrrrr.................third time lucky

My new install..........details to follow!

[zedy1]

looks cool
do you have th insallation manual dave ifso could u email me a copy the basic insttalation diagram would be fine

[enigma]

Documents for all of the APEXi gear can be found on the American website:

APEXi Documentation